Primary interest is in pre-1948 North American vehicles. The club has over 25 active members, maintaining a clubhouse and shop facility in Binbrook, Ontario. Many of the members have their own individual work areas, as well as other space for short term projects.
Founded in November of 1971, four friends, looking for a place to store their cars for the winter, became aware of an unused turkey barn near the town of Binbrook, Ontario. After negotiations a deal was struck, on condition hat they could come to terms with four other individuals that were also inquiring about the facility. An agreement was reached and these eight people decided to share the barn, each individual paying a rental fee to the owner.
As word spread more people began to inquire about available space. The owner was approached with the proposal of a single fee for the premises.
In the spring of 1971, The 'Rodmasters Car Club' was born.
By the end of '72 the club sported a membership of 18-20 young men, each with their own car bay and a shared work bay. There was plenty of room to take a car apart and put it back together. A four man executive commitee was elected and gradually a constitution was tediously etched out. In 1985 the club became incorporated.
In June of 1974, Rodmasters held their first car show at Binbrook Fairgrounds, and then again in 1975. The show then moved to Caledonia Fairgrounds for two years, and finally to Shady Acres Park in Binbrook, where they hosted a two day car show and swap meet, including an outdoor dance.
To celebrate the Rodmasters Thirtieth Anniversary, the club went after and won the rights to 2001 Canadian Street Rod Nationals. This event was held during the month of July at Confederation Park in Hamilton. The event was a huge sucess and was well recieved by all spectators and participants. We couldn't have asked for better weather, and those nice breezes off the shores of Lake Ontario, made for an enjoyable experience for all.
The 'first' official 'Rodmasters Swap Meet' was held at a bingo hall on #6 highway, in Hamilton in the mid 70's. Seeing the opportunity this type of event afforded, the club moved to the Ancaster Fairgrounds with a Spring Swap meet on the last Sunday of March each year. A couple of years later the club added the Fall Swapmeet, on the last Sunday of October and another succesfull event was born. Each year sees more and more participants and spectators.
The meets began as a small, inside swap meet. In nice weather some vendors would move outside. The inside meet soon expanded to 'full' capacity. By 1998 the small outdoor swap meet had moved to the large oval horse track. In no time, the vendors joined us to help fill the new larger track area, including the Infield !
Because of the extreme ends of the seasons, the meets have had to endure some bad weather days, sometimes a lingering spring blizzard, or an early day of winter in the fall. Most however have been good-weather days, and afford a pleasent stroll through a field of 'neat stuff', grabbing a burger and fries along the way.
Please be sure to put this Swap Meet on your calender, it is an event not to be missed !