There’s one thing car fanatics like more than their precious vehicles, and that’s it. The social aspect of auto culture, like owners sharing stories about their journeys, can be found wherever the transmissions congregate – from gas stations and parking lots in shopping malls to auto shows and, most recently, vehicle warehouses.
“It’s in our DNA,” said Gary Shapiro, owner of Auto Vault Canada in North York. “Our customers love to talk, argue, and basically hang around with old cars.” He essentially operates a high-end “auto-apartment,” a 88,000 square foot secure storage facility that houses 400 vehicles.
“Putting an old car in grandpa’s barn is a thing of the past,” said Shapiro. “We are now looking to develop auto-condominiums where like-minded people can protect their investments, visit them, get together as a group to chat, bargain, watch a Formula 1 race, smoke a cigar, or over to speak anything that speaks to them. from cars to watches to real estate.
“The city is getting denser. People of a certain age are shrinking, but they need a place for their ‘toys’, ”he said. “Their toys are extremely valuable and they want to showcase their collector’s cars. They have become works of art on wheels. “
From its staff in 1950s gas station attire to pedal cars to keep the kids busy, Shapiro made Auto Vault Canada a haven for car enthusiasts.
“When my customers walk into the vault, they see the same people year after year – we’ve been doing this for 18 years now – and they want to talk about the things that interest them. Many customers will bring their young children with them so they can see loads of classics from the 1950s and 1960s or even modern supercars, Ferraris, Lambos and McLarens, ”Shapiro said.
“Car clubs will come (before the pandemic) and hold events. I collect vintage Mercedes-Benz convertibles from the 1970s, so I invite groups to visit and get to know them. It’s a great way to ensure that future generations will enjoy the hobby. “
Later this summer, Hagerty Garage + Social (HGS) will bring its unique mix of cars and camaraderie to Ontario with a new 34,000 square foot facility in Burlington.
There is space for more than 215 cars and motorcycles on the car side.
On the companionable side, it will have a scotch and cigar lounge, bar, restaurant, 32-seater movie theater, golf and racing simulators, and additional meeting rooms.
“The engine of our success is the community involvement of our members,” said James Machinist, vice president of Hagerty Garage + Social.
“For decades, people in the auto world have been banned from meeting in parking lots to gather and socialize. We hope to create a location with HGS Toronto that is on the same level of quality and enjoyment as some of the better-known alternatives. “
Managing Director John Belniak said the clubhouse’s four virtual racing simulators will add a high-tech twist to the traditional connection between car fans by connecting players in Toronto with players in other locations including Chicago, Miami and New York.
“We are working as a network to have a race room in every facility and to connect everyone to create broader engagement for our membership base. You could race with me and I live in Florida, ”said Belniak.
“One of the things that is really great about it,” said Machinist, “is that we’re not only trying to connect to the local automotive community, but also to connect the automotive community in general. To create the first network of community centers for car enthusiasts. ”
Whether the social connection is face-to-face or via fiber optic, it all boils down to one thing, according to Belniak: cars.
“Cars are a passion for all ages and ages,” he said. “They create nostalgia and are also things that create connections with their fellow enthusiasts. We see such a broad commitment. We have people who are absolutely passionate about muscle cars. We have people who are absolutely passionate about Ferraris or Porsches or Aston Martins.
“Make or model doesn’t matter, and age and demo don’t really matter,” Machinist said. “The cars are what we have in common, and that’s pretty cool to see.”
