Post by Indynut on Mar 9, 2015 10:45:28 GMT -4
New Waterford, is a small urban community located just north-east of Sydney, with an picturesque view of the north Atlantic Ocean. The local area has endured some tough economic times and is best known for its contribution to the coal mining industry. The last of those coal mines was officially closed in 2001, but since then the areas aging population has witnessed the steady migration of its hard working trades people to other areas of our country for employment. Many have accepted this concept as it's now considered the best way to provide for their families.
Another key fact about this enduring community is its rich Irish and French ancestry. Over the years the residents have shown their true grit not only in the coal mines, but also in their sport and recreational teams and have collected countless sporting championships across this country.
Also, this area is just so vibrant in its love for all things automotive. Since I began my own driving career in 1975 I was always in awe of the coolest hot-rods, that originate from garages all around this small community. Sure there are many head turning cars in several of the surrounding areas, but for many years, I've known this area as a hot-bed of some of the finest vintage Dodge hot-rods. Yes sir, this is Dodge country and the place has so many Mopars tucked away, that I'm sure they could produce their very own reality TV series.
Recently, I had the honour to spend a few hours touring a couple of the New Waterford area back yard garages to see, just what's been going on through this long cold winter.
Shaun Leudy is just one local craftsman that grew up around a hard working coal miner and an accomplished craftsman. He spent his formative childhood years around many of these now legendary Mopars and today as an adult, he often directs his talents toward preserving all things MOPAR.
Here's one of the cars that started the dream for Shaun and his brother Michael, and it's one they won't soon forget either. Here is Cheddie Hollingsworth's 'Cuda, sporting what was a new paint scheme and I'm going to attempt to date this photo in the summer of 1985.
Now today, many will recognize Shaun's (Super Pro)'Cuda that's been consistently looking great on many Atlantic Canada drag-strips.
Recently, I chatted with Shaun and I just had to ask for a tour of some of his current projects. That deal then lead me first to the home of an old school mate of mine, Mikey MacIntyre. Mikey and his elder brother Hughie have begun a restoration project of a '69 Dodge Dart in honour of their late brother, Tony. The car in question, is known to everyone in the local area as the "TYTAN" and was the car originally campaigned by Tony MacNeil Sr. Since the MacIntyre brothers have had the car tucked away for twenty plus years they recently called upon Shaun Leudy to step in and lay the ground work for their latest idea. The return of the "Tytan" is officially underway and it will bring many looks as it is welcomed back into the racing community. Here's how it looked around 1986 in Maitand.
And here's a series of photos from the project as it looks today.
It was just such a great day, to go and forget all about our unpredictable winter weather, and just hang out around the guys and reliving and remembering all the memories surrounding this great example of automotive history. There was many long nights spent but not one minute was ever considered wasted because there's just something about high performance cars and their timeless wonder.
The next stop on my journey, lead me to Shaun's own garage where he is currently involved and another "HUGE" project. This project could easily be the subject of any television series and the quality of the workmanship is top notch. Here's how the project looked as it began last year. It actually was rougher than rough as father time had really done a number on this '70 Cuda. A Cuda that has just celebrated its forty fifth birthday in December. Shaun let me know, there was not really much cutting to do, especially since the floor and many other key areas were completely gone.
As any craftsman would, Shaun had a vision for the project and although it's not complete yet, you can clearly see he's now really got the project pointed in the right direction.
Here's the visionary plan that Shaun's had in mind for some time now.
The plan at this stage will see this numbers matching big block powered 1970 Cuda driving the streets of local area. It will also be sporting a factory four speed trans delivering the power to the ground via a Dana 60 rear end. Absolutely, amazing to see the process as it unfolds.
While visiting Shaun's garage I was treated to some additional photos of his brother Michael's latest racing piece, a '67 Cuda which will be pushed along by a 900+ horsepower big block. Although Michael's Cuda is safely tucked away in storage, I just had to scoop up some of those pics because it clearly shows that New Waterford, Nova Scotia could easily be renamed "MOPAR-COUNTRY" or perhaps even "MOPAR-COUNTY".
Now, I can only hope that perhaps I will have the good fortune to try this again soon at another couple of local back yard garages.
Gerard Bryden
Another key fact about this enduring community is its rich Irish and French ancestry. Over the years the residents have shown their true grit not only in the coal mines, but also in their sport and recreational teams and have collected countless sporting championships across this country.
Also, this area is just so vibrant in its love for all things automotive. Since I began my own driving career in 1975 I was always in awe of the coolest hot-rods, that originate from garages all around this small community. Sure there are many head turning cars in several of the surrounding areas, but for many years, I've known this area as a hot-bed of some of the finest vintage Dodge hot-rods. Yes sir, this is Dodge country and the place has so many Mopars tucked away, that I'm sure they could produce their very own reality TV series.
Recently, I had the honour to spend a few hours touring a couple of the New Waterford area back yard garages to see, just what's been going on through this long cold winter.
Shaun Leudy is just one local craftsman that grew up around a hard working coal miner and an accomplished craftsman. He spent his formative childhood years around many of these now legendary Mopars and today as an adult, he often directs his talents toward preserving all things MOPAR.
Here's one of the cars that started the dream for Shaun and his brother Michael, and it's one they won't soon forget either. Here is Cheddie Hollingsworth's 'Cuda, sporting what was a new paint scheme and I'm going to attempt to date this photo in the summer of 1985.
Now today, many will recognize Shaun's (Super Pro)'Cuda that's been consistently looking great on many Atlantic Canada drag-strips.
Recently, I chatted with Shaun and I just had to ask for a tour of some of his current projects. That deal then lead me first to the home of an old school mate of mine, Mikey MacIntyre. Mikey and his elder brother Hughie have begun a restoration project of a '69 Dodge Dart in honour of their late brother, Tony. The car in question, is known to everyone in the local area as the "TYTAN" and was the car originally campaigned by Tony MacNeil Sr. Since the MacIntyre brothers have had the car tucked away for twenty plus years they recently called upon Shaun Leudy to step in and lay the ground work for their latest idea. The return of the "Tytan" is officially underway and it will bring many looks as it is welcomed back into the racing community. Here's how it looked around 1986 in Maitand.
And here's a series of photos from the project as it looks today.
It was just such a great day, to go and forget all about our unpredictable winter weather, and just hang out around the guys and reliving and remembering all the memories surrounding this great example of automotive history. There was many long nights spent but not one minute was ever considered wasted because there's just something about high performance cars and their timeless wonder.
The next stop on my journey, lead me to Shaun's own garage where he is currently involved and another "HUGE" project. This project could easily be the subject of any television series and the quality of the workmanship is top notch. Here's how the project looked as it began last year. It actually was rougher than rough as father time had really done a number on this '70 Cuda. A Cuda that has just celebrated its forty fifth birthday in December. Shaun let me know, there was not really much cutting to do, especially since the floor and many other key areas were completely gone.
As any craftsman would, Shaun had a vision for the project and although it's not complete yet, you can clearly see he's now really got the project pointed in the right direction.
Here's the visionary plan that Shaun's had in mind for some time now.
The plan at this stage will see this numbers matching big block powered 1970 Cuda driving the streets of local area. It will also be sporting a factory four speed trans delivering the power to the ground via a Dana 60 rear end. Absolutely, amazing to see the process as it unfolds.
While visiting Shaun's garage I was treated to some additional photos of his brother Michael's latest racing piece, a '67 Cuda which will be pushed along by a 900+ horsepower big block. Although Michael's Cuda is safely tucked away in storage, I just had to scoop up some of those pics because it clearly shows that New Waterford, Nova Scotia could easily be renamed "MOPAR-COUNTRY" or perhaps even "MOPAR-COUNTY".
Now, I can only hope that perhaps I will have the good fortune to try this again soon at another couple of local back yard garages.
Gerard Bryden
