Powerama Motoring Expo

The Powerama Motoring Expo was a Western Canadian auto show that was held annually in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada from 1984 until 2010.[1][2] Powerama attracted contestants from throughout North America.[lower-alpha 1]

Powerama Motoring Expo
Date1984-2010
Duration3 days
VenueEdmonton Expo Centre
LocationEdmonton, Canada
TypeAuto show

History
Edmonton's Powerama was one of several Powerama Auto Shows in North America. Above, a 1955 Chicago Powerama sign is shown

The Powerama Motoring Expo was named after a historic drag race in Edmonton. From 1956 until 1966, Powerama was the name of an annual drag race that took place during Labour Day long weekend in Edmonton.[lower-alpha 2][6] Eighteen years later in 1984, the Edmonton car show took its name from the city's historic drag race.

Despite the fact that Powerama's advertising was focused on the Edmonton metropolitan region, newspapers from across Canada reported on Powerama including the Calgary Herald, the Montreal Gazette, the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, the Vancouver Sun, and the Victoria Times-Colonist.[7]

On several occasions, vehicles from the Reynolds-Alberta Museum were brought to Powerama for display.[8][9]

Notable vehicles

In 2005, a 1930 Model A Roadster restored by Gerry Kuipers received first prize.[10] In 2006, a 1956 Ford F-100 pickup restored by Lorne Soloview was featured; however, first prize went to a 1955 GMC Pickup restored by Nisbet Patfield.[11][12][13] In 2007, a canola biodiesel jet car built by Kevin Therres received attention in the press.[14]

Notes
  1. For example, Rene Girard of Seattle won Best of Show in 2001.[3] Ken Achs of Saskatoon won Best of Show in 2002.[4]
  2. In 1966, the Edmonton Journal reported that the Powerama group had been "sponsoring an annual automobile show for the past 10 years."[5]

References
  1. "Powerama '91 Features Exciting World of Speed, Sound". The Edmonton Journal. April 5, 1991. p. D2.
  2. Halliday, Dave (April 23, 2010). "Powerama Salutes the Military, Adds Auction". The Edmonton Journal. p. F2.
  3. "Powerama". The Edmonton Journal. May 4, 2001. p. H6.
  4. "Dragster On Display at Motorsport Hall". The Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. May 30, 2002. p. B2.
  5. "Four City Men Driving Force for Powerama". The Edmonton Journal. October 3, 1966. p. 25.
  6. "Drags to Feature New Timing Device". The Edmonton Journal. September 4, 1965. p. 12.
  7. For the Calgary Herald, see Sands, Andrea (September 12, 2007). "Anniversary Drives Hunt For Old Love". The Calgary Herald. p. B8.
  8. Halliday, Dave (April 21, 2000). "Coasters Tuned for Vintage Tour Across Canada". The Calgary Herald. pp. WS1–WS2.
  9. "Harley Owners All Revved Up For Powerama". The Edmonton Journal. April 19, 2002. p. H6.
  10. Gray, Darcy (May 25, 2005). "Model A Stands Out". The Montreal Gazette. p. 55.
  11. "Thing To Consider Before Starting Classic Car Restoration". 18 July 2023. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  12. Wells, Dan (February 21, 2011). "Refurbished Farm Pickup Truck Has 'Legs to Run'". The Montreal Gazette. p. C9.
  13. "Auto Show Winners". Retrieved 2020-06-15.
  14. Halliday, Dave (August 24, 2007). "Canola Oil Fuels Jet-Engined Racer". The Victoria Times-Colonist. p. C9.
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