Keeping it Canadian
Having just taken (and passed) my Canadian citizenship test – the last hurdle in officially becoming Canadian citizens - it seems like a good time to reflect on things uniquely Corvette AND Canadian.
Not forgetting the vast array of resources in the U.S – only proper for "America's Sports Car" - there are quite a few of the 'homegrown' variety that can stand some exposure for those times when you want to buy more locally. After all the duties, brokerage and sheer time involved in ordering from the States, as we all know only too well, can add up to one big pain in the Aspirin!
So here goes: a whirlwind tour of Canadian Corvette resources.
Forums
While the biggest Corvette discussion forum may be the one everyone knows, it's not necessarily the one and only. Although Canadian specific sites maybe a little sparse in comparison, where else can you talk with other enthusiasts without having to get your passport out and know that they understand what the word 'beer' means!
a small but growing online community where Canadians can meet to discuss all things Corvette. With sections for all generations of 'vette, performance discussions, racing, videos, tech talk and regional discussions, there's something here to interest everyone, no matter what their interest. Registration is free and simple and in a couple of minutes you can be online and joining in the fun.
The Corvette Depot also has a forum dedicated to our obsession; while not as big as the previous site it has links to the Corvette Depot and their parts and accessories. Find them at forum.corvettedepot.ca
Parts and Accessories
Need a widget for your 'vette? Again the biggest source for parts is the U.S., but that doesn't mean that you can't find parts for your toy here in the 'Great White North'. Operating from a number of igloos across the country, you can find some interesting suppliers with some unique offerings and still avoid the 'brokerage' tax we all know so well.
Corvette Depot ( boasts that it is Canada's leading supplier in Corvette Parts and Accessories, and carries parts for vehicles from '53 all the way up to the latest C6/ZR1 models.With online ordering and payment through PayPal and Visa, Corvette Depot is a great resource. Not only that,but the owner is VP of the Corvette Club of Windsor – so support the people that support our hobby!
Ultimate Performance Car ( carries over 16,000 items for your 'Vette and can help with hard to find parts. Unfortunately they don't have an online ordering system like most of their rivals, but do offer a toll-free ordering number.
Mercado Industries ( is a highly innovative company based in Ontario that offers a number of dress-up items and parts for C4s through C6s. Particularly interesting is the range of protective and refinishing systems that they carry – who doesn't want to protect their 'vette and keep it shiny?
The Corvette GadgetMan ( is another highly useful resource based in Ontario. Not only does he produce a number of useful 'gadgets' that will make you wonder how you managed without them, but he is also a dedicated Corvette owner too. C4 owners, check out the fantastic Jack-A-Vette like jack adapter!
Tracks
If you want to explore the upper reaches of your 'vette's performance in a responsible and legal way then you need a race track facility. Whether your taste is for smoking tires on the dragstrip or smoking engines and brakes on a road circuit, then these are the places to visit. Speed – it's what your 'vette is built for.
Calabogie Motorsports Park ( located about 1.5 hours West of Ottawa and about 4 hours NorthEast of Toronto, Calabogie offers track days, high speed driving classes and a track purpose built for use by 'club' drivers in a beautiful location.
Mosport International Raceway ( is the legendary home to the Canadian ALMS races. Although given to mostly professional events, they do offer lapping experiences through a number of clubs and driving schools.
TorontoMotorsportsPark ( offering a ¼ mile Dragstrip and a 3km road circuit, the MotorSports park has been in operation since 1955. The road circuit is available for rental by clubs and organizations, hot lapping days and advanced driver training for those wanting to learn more.
ShannonvilleMotorsportPark ( has both a ¼ mile dragstrip and a road race circuit with a variety of configurations. Options include pay-per-lap and club rental as well as professional racing series events.
Elliot Lake Dragway ( provides an 1/8th mile drag strip and specializes in bracket racing. Hosting the North Shore Challenge, the Dragway provides head-to-head jet car racing, a concert, car show and stunt show.
Grand Bend Motorplex ( offers a ¼ mile drag race facility offers a full IHRA program as well as Nostalgia Days and a Drag Racing School. This year they are also providing action packed 'prostalgia' Nitro Funny Cars.
King of the Hill Dragway ( A 1/8th mile facility based in North Bay provides the Annual Weekend of Speed event featuring bracket racing, Jet Cars, a Dragracing Backhoe, Beer Tent and Food Vendors.
Tools
Maintain your own car? Let's face it, garages, tools and 'vettes go together like beer and barbecues. Here are some distinctively Canadian sources.
KingCanada( originally established in 1910 as a steel company, King has supplied tools and equipment to the Canadian market for over 20 years. Through its five product lines: King, King Industrial, Performance, Dakota and PowerForce they provide a comprehensive range of tools from grinders to spray guns and drill presses to polishers and engine hoists.
Makita( has been supplying high-quality power and pneumatic tools since 1973. All tools are built with the finest materials and subjected to strict quality controls before leaving the factory. Some of the newest products include cordless impact wrenches, high pressure compressors and die grinders.
Gray Tools ( is a proud Canadian company; family owned for three generations, manufacturing finest quality hand tools for over 95 years. They supply wrenches, drill bit sets, sockets, clamps, threading and tapping tools and pretty much anything to help with any kind of mechanical work.
Jet Equipment ( has been in the marketplace for over 50 years and provides product lines including abrasives, air tools, hand tools and specialty automotive tools. Based in British Columbia, they have a network of warranty depots across Canada.
Lifts
Is there anyone out there that owns a Corvette and doesn't want a lift? I thought not. Whether you want to be able to work on your baby or just double your parking space, these are some of the most prized toy 'accessories'.
Specialty Auto Lifts( is the only Canadian manufacturer of auto lifts and aims its products directly at the enthusiast, with staff that are real 'car guys'. They offer a number of different models for different applications and because of local manufacturing can provide the highest quality control and materials.
Car Lift ( is a distributor of lifts throughout Canada and features a number of two and four post designs as well as motorcycle and scissor lifts. With pickup from both Calgary and Etobicoke warehouses plus shipping to any shipping terminal, Car Lift can help you wherever you are.
Direct Lift( has over 85 years in the lift business and is distributor of a range of lifts and accessories to meet any need from enthusiast through to full commercial solutions. All lifts are ALI certified and are built in ISO 9001 certified facilities.
Garage and Related
Garage Boyz ( After buying all these toys and tools you'll need somewhere to store things, right? This is where Garage Boyz come in, offering a range of storage, flooring and bench products that allow you to keep everything in its place.
NEOS Chameleon ( can provide you with the kind of dream garage fittings that you'd expect only to see on TV. Once only available to professional car dealers these customizable systems are now available to everyone, combining function with artistry.
OnWall Solutions ( are another high-end supplier of workshop furniture that can transform the most basic garage into a palace suitable for storing and working on the rarest of 'vettes. After using them to give your car a new home, don't be surprised if everyone wants to park their car on your garage!
That's it for this round-up of Canadian 'vette resources. If you know of others that I've missed, please forward them to the editor for future highlighting.