Avon River Days classic car show honours Windsor businessman with new memorial award

Rick Dunham’s widow Debbie Dunham, left, and his nephew Jeff Murphy helped show off some of his classic vehicle collection during the Avon River Days expanded Classics and Coffee car show on Aug. 2. Pictured are his 1970 blue Corvette and his red 2021 Corvette Stingray R.  Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentJeff Murphy has fond memories of his uncle’s 1970 blue Corvette.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentIt was the vehicle Rick Dunham taught him how to drive a standard in. It was the vehicle that he took to prom. And it now serves as a reminder of all the good times Murphy had with the larger-than-life classic car collector.Article contentArticle content“He’s the whole reason I’m into cars like I am. My dad was not into cars. My dad just bought a car, used it, got a new one,” Murphy said.Article contentArticle contentThe blue Corvette was the first car that he remembers Dunham driving.Article content“Rick taught me to drive standard when I was 12 in a parking lot in that car, before he converted it over to an automatic one,” said Murphy, who owns Atlantic Radiator in Windsor. “That car is special.”Article contentDunham, 77, died unexpectedly in February while at the Halifax Infirmary Site, QEII, in Halifax. He was a prominent businessman in the Windsor area after moving to the community with his wife, Debbie, in 2005.Article content Fourteen-year-old Nathan Coady, of Dartmouth, enjoyed checking out the classic cars on display during Avon River Days in Windsor. He’s pictured inside the late Rick Dunham’s 2021 Corvette Stingray R. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentIt wasn’t uncommon to see him display some of his iconic vehicles outside the Clockmakers Inn, a Victorian-style bed and breakfast that was built in 1894. Or at his downtown Windsor restaurant, the Spitfire Arms Alehouse.Article content“He always liked showing off his vehicles. He didn’t always go to car shows,” Murphy said.Article content“Quite often, on a sunny Saturday or Sunday, he would pull six or eight cars out and just put them on the lawn at the Clockmakers Inn and then have his own impromptu car show.”Article contentArticle contentEven now, Debbie said, guests staying at the inn look for the classic cars.Article contentArticle content“Every guest that would come to the inn, they knew that they got to see Rick’s cars,” she said, smiling at the memory.Article contentDebbie presented Jolson Sanford, owner of a 1948 Plymouth Coupe, with the inaugural Rick Dunham Enthusiast Award on Aug. 2 during the Avon River Days Classics and Coffee car show. The event was held at the Hants County Exhibition grounds and featured both classic and imported vehicles.Article content Dozens of antique cars were on display at the Hants County Exhibition grounds in Windsor Aug. 2 as part of Avon River Days’ expanded Classics and Coffee car show. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentFour of Dunham’s vehicles were on display, as well as many muscle cars, classics, modern imports, and unique mods.Article contentThroughout the sunny Sunday event people stopped by to pose for photos and ask questions. Both Debbie and Murphy said he would have loved the attention.Article content“He loved the car community,” Murphy said.Article content“It’s not about the cars; it’s about people.”Article contentHe owned about 20 vehicles, but some are daily drivers and not classics.Article contentWhile Debbie said she’s been kept busy running the inn, she intends to track down all the permits and plates this fall. She said it seemed fitting that the car show coincided with the six-month anniversary of Rick’s passing.Article content Greg O’Leary’s 1982 Delorean – a vehicle synonymous with the movie Back to the Future – was on display at the Avon River Days’ Classics and Coffee car show Aug. 2. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentMurphy, who spent a few weeks getting the 1970 Corvette in working order before the show, said people are drawn to vehicles like that because of the nostalgia.Article content“This is the stuff from our youth. These are the memories from when we were kids and in high school,” Murphy said, motioning to the lot filled with unique, older cars.Article content“Camaros are from the same generation. That’s what I grew up fantasizing about owning someday. I don’t own any now, but I do get to play with these ones,” he said, noting he’s become “a caretaker” to Dunham’s collection to ensure they stay in working condition.Article content