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Sunshine Highway Relic Run
Tuesday, 23 July 2024 |
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What is the Sunshine Highway Relic Run?
In the early 1920s, the highways of Manitoba were primitive but automobile enthusiastis nevertheless wanted to get out and see the province. With encouragement from Arthur Coates “Ace” Emmett of the Manitoba Motor League (today's CAA Manitoba), they developed motoring routes. One of those routes, the Sunshine Highway starting in Brandon, connected to a route in the United States that ended in Sioux City, Iowa.
Jump forward to 2024. A group of antique automobiles, all made in 1940 or earlier, will drive the historic Sunshine Highway between the Canada-US border south of Crystal City to Brandon. This 120-mile drive will take the better part of a day and will involve visits to Crystal City, Rock Lake, Glenora, Baldur, Glenboro, Wawanesa, Rounthwaite, and Brandon.
Vehicle Registration
Download a form and return it to us at sunshinehighway1921@gmail.com.
As of 22 July, the following 15 vehicles are participating in the Relic Run:
Make and Model |
Year |
Overland 4 |
1920 |
Ford Model T |
1922 |
Ford Model T Touring |
1923 |
Ford Model T-Bucket |
1923 |
Dodge Brothers Business Coupe |
1924 |
Hudson Brougham Sedan |
1926 |
Ford Model T |
1926 |
Ford Model T Touring |
1927 |
Ford Model A Depot Hack |
1928 |
Ford Model A Tudor |
1928 |
Ford Model A 4-Door |
1930 |
Nash |
1930 |
Ford Model A Victoria |
1931 |
Chevy Coupe |
1934 |
Pontiac Coupe |
1938 |
Route & Itinerary
NEWS (17 June): For those unable to drive the entire route, you are welcome to join the automobiles somewhere along the route. Please contact Alan Melvin (204-825-7714) to let us know where you will be joining the Sunshine Highway Relic Run.
Original route (mostly unpaved):
A = Canada-US border
B = Crystal City
C = Rock Lake |
D = Glenora
E = Baldur
F = Glenboro |
G = Wawanesa
H = Rounthwaite
I = Brandon |
Alternate route (mostly paved):
The itinerary is based on an assumed speed of 25 miles per hour.
Donate
If you are interested in sponsoring a car in the Sunshine Highway Relic Run, please contact us at sunshinehighway1921@gmail.com.
All donations should be sent to the Brandon General Museums and Archives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know that I am on the Sunshine Highway?
A: The route of the original Sunshine Highway was marked by large yellow signs marked with the letter S.
Q: How do we know the original route of the Sunshine Highway?
A: In the 1920s, the Sunshine Highway organization and the Manitoba Motor League published guides (photos below) showing the route of the Sunshine Highway. We are using those guides to reconstruct the route on today's roads.
Q: Why are you driving at 25 miles per hour?
A: The oldest cars in the Relic Run are over 100 years old and, as such, their maximum speed determines the pace of the Relic Run.
Q: Is the Sunshine Highway route all paved?
A: No. Most of the route is gravel. However, we are working on an alternative route on pavement for those concerned about driving their cars on gravel.
Contact Us
For further information, or to ask questions about the Sunshine Highway Relic Run, please contact Alan Melvin at 204-825-7714, Gordon Goldsborough at gordon@mhs.mb.ca, or the rest of the group at sunshinehighway1921@gmail.com.
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Sunshine Highway Relic Run 2024
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