by Steven Perez
posted on December 20, 2018
The Turo host sharing gems in Burlington
When Turo first launched in Canada back in 2016, Torontonian Christopher J. was one of the very first hosts in the country to jump on the opportunity. As a longtime enthusiast with a self-described “mild obsession” with the automobile, he loved the idea of sharing unique cars as soon as he heard of Turo. “I see Turo as a way to let the experience of my cars land in someone else’s hands for a short time,” he says. Which is good news, because Christopher offers some of the most exciting cars Turo has in all of Canada.
Car Culture Canada
Christopher helps run a garage/event space/car-sharing group called Car Culture Canada (CCC) in Burlington, ON. “At CCC we have built an oversized mancave of sorts,” he says. In addition to sharing a stable of enticing and well-kept vehicles, they offer high-end paint treatments and protective film applications for people looking to protect their babies or add a customized touch.
Car Culture Canada also rents their space out for business events, parties, and even weddings! The place is plastered with automotive themed decor, display cars, and games — you can try your hand at their Forza Horizon 3 Racing Simulator on a 120 inch screen. The CCC venue also gives Christopher somewhere to keep all the cars he accrues. He says he’s always on the lookout for something new, and has recently gotten to the point of buying cars as investments, and not just out of passion.
Christopher’s 2015 Jaguar F-Type
“I’m particularly fond of cars from the ‘60s and ‘70s and am always on the hunt for original classics from that era,” says Chris. “I love everything from old Lincolns to Mustangs to modern day exotics.” In addition to more standard cars like the Mini Cooper and Lexus RX 350, Christopher shares modern machines like his beautiful Jaguar F-Type S convertible, whose bawdy V8 sends nearly 500 horsepower to the rear wheels.
Perhaps the jewel of the CCC fleet is their 1981 DeLorean DMC-12. The listing notes that this car is number 2,599 off the DeLorean production line (of about 9,200), and they keep the iconic exotic diligently maintained in collector condition. This DeLorean has already had a number of adventures on Turo, attending the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) for the red carpet North American premiere of Driven, a movie about the meteoric rise and fall of automotive maverick John DeLorean.
Christopher’s 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 at TIFF 2018
Hosting’s an old hat
“At first Turo amazed me, to meet and learn about all the different people, cultures, and reasons people look to book a car!” says Chris. As a true Turo veteran, he now finds the hosting gig a simple affair. He’s long learned how to properly prepare guests and communicate clearly, which is especially important with the classic rides he offers. As for sightseeing recommendations, “anywhere throughout the Niagara Escarpment is a can’t-miss.”
CCC has helped families visit national parks, explore the great lakes, and visit the sights of Toronto. One group of young adults even booked Christopher’s Ford Galaxie to arrive in style (with a parent behind the wheel) at their graduation. Speaking of which…
Christopher’s 1962 Ford Galaxie here is a classic American cruiser and a total dreamboat. The Galaxie is in beautiful shape, with an interior swathed in turquoise from the bench seats to the carpet to the steering wheel and dash. Its style transports its passengers (unhurriedly) to an older and simpler time, a time when trim pieces were gleaming chrome and not plastic. If your eyes are sharp, you may notice that the dashboard display that indicates the car’s current gear is labelled “Cruise-O-Matic.” It’s a fantastic detail — far more cars should have a “Cruise-O-Matic.”
Christopher’s 1962 Ford Galaxie
Christopher’s 1962 Ford Galaxie
Christopher’s 1962 Ford Galaxie
If you’d like to drive something special, check out Christopher in Burlington and maybe pay a visit to Car Culture Canada. We’re willing to bet you’ll see something cool.
Steven Perez
Steven is an avid car guy and content maker at Turo. Between Golden State Warriors games he can be found getting lost somewhere in California.
