Surrey, Brtish Columbia — If you’re cruising around Surrey B.C. and come across a car with a peculiar holiday-themed decoration, you’ve probably just spotted Skills Canada winner, Reilly Ouwerling’s ‘92 Buick.
Since Dec. 1, the twelfth-grade future repairer has been driving around with a massive tree strapped to the top of his car, wrapped with Christmas lights and powered by a cigarette lighter in his Roadmaster Estate Wagon.
“I kind of fell in love with this [car], so I thought I would just do something kind of festive and cool with it for the winter,” Ouwerling told Surrey Now. “It gets lots of looks.”
Last year, Ouwerling competed in Skills Canada, bringing home bronze for his skills in auto body and paintwork. Ouwerling also began an apprenticeship at an auto body shop through Vancouver City College.
According to Ouwerling, he’s glad he’s using his skills to spread some Christmas cheer.
“I was just dropping my friend off at the airport today and there was a guy in the truck next to me, hanging out the window giving me a thumbs up with a huge smile on his face,” stated Ouwerling.
The decoration was inspired by the classic holiday film, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.
Ouwerling was initially going to decorate his ‘96 Buick Wagon for the Christmas season but soon realized his other Buick looked a lot like the film’s iconic car.
When it comes to decoration plans, post-holidays, Ouwerling says he’s not too sure what he’ll do with his festive ride, but in the meantime, Surrey B.C. is enjoying the bright and beautiful Buick.
