It snowed in Toronto a couple days ago. Hooked up the GoPro to the GMC monster truck and drove downtown to see the lights. It wasn’t as Christmassy as expected when the snow started to melt.
Got home late and checked out the social media feed. Saw that in Chicago at a place called Field Museum there was a huge meet-up with all the cars decorated for the season. It was called the Light of Christmas and it looked incredible.
This was our inspiration to attach 2,000 LED Christmas lights to the GMC Sierra. Rather than covering the entire body (which would take thousands more lights) we decided to just outline the truck’s boxy shape. Add in an over-sized wreath and a big red bow, and the spirit of Christmas can now be seen from several kilometers away.
Looks like some other gearheads in Toronto saw that event in Chicago, so a car club called SecretMeets is organizing a similar Christmas car cruise locally. Demaras Racing is always looking for an excuse to drive around in circles going nowhere, so the GMC Christmas Truck will definitely be at the meet.
Although the location hasn’t been released yet, it’ll almost definitely be in the west end Toronto suburb of Mississauga, where they take a very relaxed attitude towards car meets. The meet starts at 8:00 pm and will be moving to multiple locations for photo shoots, and to avoid police interference.
None of this is completely legal because the bright, flashing lights are totally a distraction for other motorists. And of course, red and blue lights are reserved for emergency vehicles. So we’ll see if we can make it through the Christmas car show without a ticket.
Chicago gearheads went all out. Enjoy your event. I don’t know of any lighted car events here, but we do have the River of Lights at the BioPark. It is impressive on foot.
I think an event that moves from on location to another for ‘scenic’ pictures is the best way to avoid the police. I understand the legalities of the flashing lights … but come on!
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If a bunch of gearheads get together to celebrate the season, I hope the constables show some good judgement and restraint.
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I’m going to advise the organizer the add in a toy drive aspect to the meet; nobody is going to shut down something ‘for the kids’.
Good advice. When Harley Davidson has their toys for tots ride, thousands of bikers participate. It’s the only time all the rival gangs ride together and mingle peacefully.
That sounds just about right. As long as there’s a good cause, folks tend to come together.
Did you see the car in my Little Big post? I thought you might be able to identify what it is.
I was just reading about the legality of Christmas lights on cars yesterday. I hadn’t considered how distracting they might be. With as distracted as drivers already are, I guess i’ll keep my Toyotas legal for the season. Of course, the Corolla is in the hospital getting well. Nice video! Good luck avoiding the police and their ticket books.
Susan, I think that as a law-abiding American, you should consider wrapping your car in gift wrap. It’ time consuming and wasteful, but looks like a million bucks.
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And there are no laws against it. Just pure Christmas spirit pouring out your tailpipe!
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I watched this kid’s instructional video and decided this task wasn’t for me. Maybe you’re more ‘crafty’ that I , and are willing to spend the next 8-12 hours on this randomly suggested project.
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https://youtu.be/pLBJtZ6WPoE?si=Rb5H4Bu94tDdXLBv
Well, bless his heart. It does look cool but if I were going to throw money out the window for Xmas decorations, i’d buy a really really long strand of white lights and wrap it around the trunk and branches of the tree in my front yard. HOWEVER. I will be doing well to get my Christmas tree put up and decorated so the leisurely “how can I spend time and money I don’t have” tasks will have to wait.
Can you imagine spending $29.99 on multiple rolls of that fancy foil wrapping paper, blowing hours installing it, then have some neighborhood kid comes to your driveway and “unwraps the present” ?!?
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Wars have been started for less.
I most definitely cannot. But heck, to each his own. The older I get, the better I get, so I get all excited when I learn something new. TIL there will be no wrapping of my car. I’ll be lucky to get all the inside gifts wrapped by Xmas eve!