When Bob Purslow referred to ‘lug nuts’ he wasn’t really talking about the people who have just joined a new group, just getting off the ground, in Ladysmith.
Although when you stop and think about it, he was in a way. A real lug nut is a large nut fitting on a heavy bolt, used especially in attaching a wheel to a motor vehicle.
Locally, a lug nut could also be a member of the new organization referred to as “the Lug Nuts Car Club.”
Purslow, the inaugural club chair, said the group meets every third Saturday of the month, 8:30 a.m., at A&W.
“As the club grows, we’ll probably have to find a bigger venue,” he added
The club has morphed from the folks that have been producing the annual Show ‘n’ Shine in Ladysmith.
“For the last 21 years, the car show has been a very successful event,” said Purslow. “So last year, we wanted to expand, to run our horizons a little bit more, so we brought up the subject of forming the Ladysmith Car Club.”
The original group of eight didn’t get a kick out of the name Ladysmith Car Club so, according to Purslow, “everyone was on board for that, so we voted and picked a name and the ball is just starting to get rolling.”
The club also went out and found a local artist, Michael Robinson, to design a logo that fits the name.
The new club met for their first time in January and already had four new members. “We’re welcoming like-minded people who enjoy classic cars, unique vehicles, custom vehicles,” said Purslow.
“Interested folks don’t necessarily have to own a car if they want to be part of the club.”
As far as objectives of the refined club, Purslow said, “Really just to get together, compare notes so to speak and learn from each other. Plans are to hold at least one or hopefully two rod runs in the spring and summer when the weather’s better. Maybe have a few socials, like barbecues and even interact with some other car clubs in the area.
“It’s all evolving as we go, it’s brand new. So we’re encouraging people to check our website. We’re also working on enhancing the annual car show.
“That is our biggest objective as we believe it’s good for the community, it’s part of the tale of Ladysmith now.”
The group’s current website is http://www.ladysmithshowandshine.ca and the chair sai the page has a pulldown to get to the Lug Nuts page and it will have all the up-to-date information.
It also has an email address and Purslow said they are fast in getting back with any required information.
The Lug Nuts have a $10 joining fee which can be brought to a person’s first meeting. The website also has the updated registration form for the 2026 Show ‘n’ Shine and also the Lug Nuts application.
“We have a couple of new sponsors for the Show ‘n’ Shine, which is on Saturday, Aug. 15, and the work has already started moving forward on that,” Purslow said.
When asked about people who has a newer, conventional vehicle wanting to join, he said: “We’re still talking about those things, if someone is interested in vehicles and wants to share knowledge or learn I don’t think it’s a problem, we’re going to try and stick to custom or classic cars or trucks, but who knows? We’re open to all Dodge, Chevy, Fords, old Ramblers, you name it – and of course we’re always open to men and women”
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