In 1951, Don owned a chopped, customized 36 Ford 3 window coupe. He was a charter member of the British Columbia Custom Car Association (BCCCA) in 1952 and, like many of his peers, Don spent many leisure hours at the “Crat” at Fraser and Kingsway. In 1953, he built a channeled 32 Ford 3 window coupe and displayed the car in the first Pacific International Motorama.

In the mid-50s, Don drag-raced his 32 and 40 Ford Coupes to wins at Abbotsford airport. He was a crew-member of the Syndicate Special No.2 dragster in the late 50s and early 60s, assisting Don Cartwright and Brian Devine. Don and wife Cathie joined the crew to attend races in Arlington and Bayview, Washington.

Don was an active club member and served on executive committees. He was Safety Chairman in 1952 and 1955 and Timing and Safety Chairman in 1959. Don was President of the BCCCA in 1960. In the same year, he and Gordie McDougall were co-managers of the Pacific International Motorama. The car show featured Mickey Thompson’s

DON McLACHLAN - Inducted 2004

Pioneer - Hot Rod, Custom Car and Drag Racing

by Larry Braine, 2004

Left: Don McLachlan and his 32 Ford coupe Right: Roger Boyce  (Larry Braine collection)

Don McLachlan

400 mph Challenger race car.

In 1959-60, Don was part of a small group of dedicated club members who sought and arranged to purchase land for the construction of a drag strip. He attended a Mission council meeting with Stewie Braddick and property

owner Ken Neal, and they were successful in achieving council’s approval to build a race facility. This led to the successful completion of the first Mission Raceway in 1965.

Don remained an active member of the BCCCA until the late 60s.

In 1995, at a BCCCA reunion, Don and a few dedicated past members were honoured with a plaque for “years of extra-special service and help to the BC Custom Car Association”.

Don attended reunions and func-tions until his untimely passing in 2003.