This past weekend the Mrs. and I were in Huntsville, Ontario, where we stumbled upon their annual antique, muscle car, and hotrod festival. That's where we met Bruce.

Bruce is the owner of a 1955 Ford Thunderbird. He was sitting in his stunning T-Bird listening to someone talk about their car exploits of youth. Bruce looked bored and I wasn't expecting much from him as I patiently waited for the other fellow finish his story. It was fascinating how this guy could talk so long without a pause or a breath. After what seemed like forever there was a split second break, enough so I could jump in to ask Bruce my question.

The Mrs and I were intrigued by the trunk lid of the T-Bird which had a gas cap cover on it. We couldn't figure out how it worked. Did the trunk have an opening in it for the gas cap door, or was there perhaps no trunk and just the illusion of one? It was enough of a mystery to wait this long for a chance to ask. We weren't sure if Bruce was going to be receptive enough to answer as he had this glazed over expression while listening to the other guy tell his story. But when I finally asked him the question, to our surprise, Bruce said "here, let me show you" as he got out of the drivers seat and went around to the back of the car.

The key was inserted into the trunk and he lifted it. It was then revealed that the gas cap door was attached to the trunk lid and it was simply positioned over the actual gas cap beneath. Then for the next 40 minutes my wife, Bruce, and I talked all about this magnificent machine.

We learned that Bruce had wanted a '55 T-Bird ever since he was two years old. He has owned this car for eight years now and there isn't a thing about this car that Bruce doesn't know intimately. He has lovingly and painstakingly restored this car to the glory that it deserves. He also discovered along the way, while looking up records, that this car was actually assembled on his birthday!

Finally, and quite unexpectedly, Bruce asked us "would you like to go for a ride?" We were stunned. We never would have even dreamed of asking such a thing. Since it's only a two seater, I gave my wife the honour of going first. I have to admit that when they drove away, besides thinking that they looked like a couple of movie stars in a T-Bird, I wondered if I would ever see her again. But shortly thereafter they returned and now it was my turn. The ride was incredibly smooth. The deep rumble of the engine made a huge impression on me. What a ride, what a machine. What a neat guy Bruce is.

I have no doubt in my mind that, according to Bruce, this pearl white baby goes 100 mph, and loves it, on the highway. We didn't do 100 mph that night, it was rather a gentle and classy ride up and down main street Huntsville. It was an excellent adventure.