The 1980 Ford Econoline van accompanied Fox on his inspiring journey across Canada, carrying supplies, monitoring Fox's running distance and slowing down traffic. Ford of Canada got involved and completely restored the customized van, which had sleeping compartments, a kitchen and shag rug interior. Workers put in more than 1,000 hours of labour into the restoration project.
The van is helping to continue Fox's dream by visiting communities across Canada since May to raise funds for cancer research. By the end of its trek, the van will have stopped at 50 different Canadian towns and cities.
The van comes to Mississauga on Sunday. It will be at the Malton Community Centre from noon to 1:30 p.m. and at the Civic Centre from 7-9 p.m.
Fox was forced to quit his marathon on Sept. 1, 1980 after running 5,373 kilometres when his health worsened. The van was sidelined after that and remained out-of-sight for many years, until it was found in Vancouver. The owner of the van, Bill Johnston, inherited the vehicle after his father bought it in the 1980s.
Johnston, a member of the heavy metal group Removal, said he knew the story behind the van because his dad would drive it down to London, Ontario for the Terry Fox Run each year.
In 2000, the band began using the van as its tour ride and dubbed it The Terry Fox. While touring, the band took it to places such as Winnipeg, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, California, New Mexico, Virginia, New York City and Washington, D.C.
Despite all the kilometres put on the vehicle, it remained in pretty decent shape. Although it had caught fire twice and rust was beginning to appear, the interior was intact and the shag carpeting was still in place.
For more information, visit www.tourofhope.ca.
cclay@mississauga.net
