Extraordinary vehicles showcased at Kelowna Car and Bike Show

Lions Park was transformed into a vibrant haven for automotive enthusiasts as the Kelowna Car and Bike Show rolled into town.

The sprawling display Sunday featured an impressive array of classic and modern cars and bikes.

With over 100 vehicles, including motorcycles on exhibit, each with its own captivating story spanning the decades from 1916 to the present day, there was something to pique the interest of every visitor.

Among those showcasing their mobile treasure, Jason Tasko and Norman Bobocel, grabbed the attention of attendees with their unique pieces.

Tasko, showed off a restored 1926 Chevrolet 1-Ton Truck, undoubtedly one of the cooler looking trucks on display.

“Back in the day you could buy it just as a cab and chassis. And then if you're a farmer, you could build your own box as to whatever you wanted on it,” he told Kelowna10. “It was a produce truck I heard in the back alley selling produce, and there was no wood on it. So, I decided to reproduce it as a produce truck.”

Tasko dedicated a year and a half to the woodwork involved in the project, while the comprehensive restoration process spanned a remarkable five to six years.

Such was his deep affection for pre-war vehicles that it fueled his unwavering determination to take on this ambitious endeavor, turning his passion into a tangible masterpiece.

“This one belonged to my neighbour. And he had it for about 30 years, just in pieces behind his house,” he said. “So, he made me a deal. He'd help me put it back together, back to original, so I couldn't turn that down.”

For Bobocel, he had a 1979 Ural Sidecar Motorcycle that he bought while in the Kyrgyz Republic in 1999.

He returned to Canada and brought the vehicle back with him before embarking on a meticulous fine-tuning process to ensure its optimal performance.

“I fixed it all up and got it painted and cleaned up. And now we take it to car shows primarily,” he said. “I've had it in Peachland at the motorcycle show; I take it the McCurdy Corner quite often. It's a nice, fun motorcycle to ride. It's a bit of a clunker, old technology.”

This is Bobocel’s first appearance at the Kelowna Car and Bike show, and there’s been no shortage of questions being asked about his motorcycle, but he’s been impressed with all there’s been to offer at the show.

“You can talk all day long about it because people come up and ask all kinds of questions because it's just interesting, and there’s some really nice bikes here,” he said. “I love to discuss it and tell the history about the bike because it's an interesting, unique piece.”