ACADIA VALLEY, Alta. – What has two fronts, no backs and feeds hungry people by turning in circles?
The Chesmobile, of course – a one-of-a-kind automotive creation that this summer has raised money for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.
Chester Neilson, who owns and operates Graindale Farms near Acadia Valley, built this unusual car by welding together the front ends of a Mazda and a Pontiac. It has two steering wheels and the ability to turn all four tires. The engine is in the Mazda portion, but when it’s in reverse, a second person can drive the car from the Pontiac end.
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Neilson said the idea came to him almost in a dream.
“They wanted something for the parade for Acadia Valley, and I lay awake at night thinking,” he said. “And then I thought about putting two cars back to back and that’s how it started.”
It took Neilson and two others three days of work on and off to complete the novelty car in time for the parade, but Neilson became ill, so his friend, Howard Ferguson, and his nephew, Jim Neilson, drove it.
Jim said the initial public appearance spawned subsequent parade entries.
“It worked out so good we took it down to Medicine Hat and raised money by selling ads and putting (decals) on the side there.”
The advertising sponsorship raised $1,800 for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank’s Graindale Heritage Project. The Chesmobile was also seen in a parade in Oyen, Alta.
Ferguson, who grew up near Neilson and has helped him on his farm for the past 50 years, said the distinctive car has been great fun for the drivers and a hit with spectators.
“People like to watch this machine; it’s quite an attraction to the public,” he said. “They think it’s great that you can turn around in the middle of the street, back up and go ahead all at the same time.”
Indeed, Neilson said his innovative ride has raised many an eyebrow.
“There’s lots of enquiries about it, (people) wondering what made me come up with the idea,” he said. “I couldn’t give really an answer.”
The car is now parked in the garage after its last showing of the season at the Graindale Heritage Project harvest day on Sept. 2.
Neilson, who continues to farm five and a half sections at the age of 84, said he doesn’t have future plans for the car, which is “just a toy now.” But Jim said the Chesmobile’s career isn’t over yet.
“It’s definitely not retired. What we’ll use it for I don’t have any idea, but it’ll definitely be used for something-more parades, if nothing else.”
