The World of Wheels event in Calgary, Alberta, has once again proven itself to be a premier destination for classic car enthusiasts. The 2025 edition of the show saw Heighton Auto Restorations take home the coveted Jim Leslie Memorial “Best in Show” Award, marking the third time the company has earned this distinction. The award is a testament to the exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail that Heighton Auto Restorations brings to every project. The company’s dedication to preserving the beauty and integrity of classic vehicles is evident in their work, and it’s no surprise that they’ve been a mainstay at the World of Wheels show since 1982. World of Wheels is a franchise that takes place in various cities across North America, including Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, and Winnipeg. The Calgary event is the largest and most prestigious of its kind in Western Canada, sanctioned by the International Show Car Association (ISCA). The Jim Leslie Memorial Award is named after Jim Leslie, a former volunteer with World of Wheels, who was known for his passion for classic cars and his unforgettable personality. The award was created to honor his life and legacy, with the first presentation taking place at the 1996 show. Heighton Auto Restorations’ latest achievement is a silver and white 1959 Corvette Restomod, owned by Garnet and Darlene Hansen. The vehicle’s sleek design and meticulous attention to detail earned it the top spot in the competition. “It means so much to us as a team to win this award,” said Chris Heighton, owner of Heighton Auto Restorations. “It’s a prestigious award for Albertans, and it’s a testament to our hard work and dedication to our craft.”
The award is a significant milestone for Heighton Auto Restorations, marking their third win in the Jim Leslie Memorial “Best in Show” Award. The company has a long history of competing in and winning top awards, including the ISCA Restored Championship Finalist in 2018 and the ISCA Street Machine Competition Champion in 2022. The award comes with a $5,000 prize and a trophy, which will be displayed proudly at Heighton Auto Restorations’ shop. The judging process for the award is rigorous, with several hundred vendors competing for the top spot. The vehicles are judged in five areas: body/paint, interior, engine, undercarriage, and overall detail. Each area is evaluated based on difficulty, quality, and extent of modifications. Heighton Auto Restorations’ 1971 Datsun 240Z also received a “Six Shooter” award, First in its Class, Outstanding Restored, and Outstanding Display at the show. The company’s 1930 Model A nabbed First in Its Class and Outstanding Interior Restored awards. For the future, Heighton Auto Restorations plans to take their Corvette to larger shows in the U.S. to showcase their work. They also have several larger projects in the shop that they will be debuting at the next show season. In the meantime, Heighton Auto Restorations will be participating in the 19th Annual Beiseker Show and Shine, taking place on Saturday, June 14th.
- Heighton Auto Restorations has won the Jim Leslie Memorial “Best in Show” Award three times.
- The company has been a mainstay at the World of Wheels show since 1982.
- The World of Wheels franchise takes place in various cities across North America.
- The Calgary event is the largest and most prestigious of its kind in Western Canada.
- The Jim Leslie Memorial Award is named after Jim Leslie, a former volunteer with World of Wheels.
| Vehicle | Award | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Heighton Auto Restorations’ 1959 Corvette Restomod | Jim Leslie Memorial “Best in Show” Award | 2025 |
| Heighton Auto Restorations’ 1971 Datsun 240Z | “Six Shooter” award | 2025 |
| Heighton Auto Restorations’ 1930 Model A | First in Its Class and Outstanding Interior Restored awards | 2025 |
“We as a car builder have been lucky enough to have received the award three times,” said Chris Heighton. “The first time in 2019 with a restored 1963 Corvette. The second time in 2020 with a full custom 1955 Ford truck. This year the award went to a beautiful 1959 Corvette we named ‘Elegance’ that we just completed.”
Heighton Auto Restorations’ dedication to preserving the beauty and integrity of classic vehicles is evident in their work.
Upcoming Events:
* The 19th Annual Beiseker Show and Shine, taking place on Saturday, June 14th
* Potential participation in larger shows in the U.S. to showcase their work
The Jim Leslie Memorial “Best in Show” Award is a prestigious award given to the best custom car or truck at the World of Wheels event in Calgary, Alberta.
The International Show Car Association (ISCA) is a sanctioning body for the World of Wheels event in Calgary, Alberta.
A Restomod is a customized classic car that has been restored to its original specifications, but with modern modifications and upgrades.
A Six Shooter award is a prestigious award given to the top six vehicles in a competition, judged on their overall quality, difficulty, and extent of modifications.