Sep 14, 2007 - 02:17 PM

By Jennifer Stone

ENNISKILLEN -- Over the last 25-plus years, Ron Fawcett has taught a lot of movie stars to drive his cars and he's come to one very definite conclusion.

"I found the ladies easier to teach how to drive a car than the men," he said.

But he's not naming any names, even though, after this coming weekend, his days of giving driving tips to the stars of the big screen are likely over.

The Whitby resident's 400 classic cars, which date back to the early 1920s, are up for auction, with well-known automobile auction house RM Auctions taking the bids.

The cars are many and varied. There's a 1925 Lincoln 7 Passenger Limo, which was used in the movie Cinderella Man, starring Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger. A 1925 Hubmobile Roadster was used in the movie Chicago, with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere. A 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville was used in Truth, Justice and the American Way, with Ben Affleck. A 1928 Buick now up for sale was used in The Untouchables. There are police cars, London-style taxis, even a bookmobile.

In a lot of cases, Mr. Fawcett would go out and help familiarize the car with the actor using it.

"I've worked with all kinds (of actors), just about ever imaginable star that's been in Ontario," he said.

"I've worked with hundreds of them. Some of them were almost impossible and some were fantastic."

It all started in 1981 when Mr. Fawcett "retired" from his Whitby business, The Fawcett Motor Carriage Company. Little did he know then that it was just the beginning of a new career.

"When they first started making movies in Toronto, they didn't have a lot of places where they could get cars," he said.

At first, they'd choose from what he had. Soon, he was getting specific requests.

"The reason I've got so many is they demanded more and more and I'd find them and fix them and we'd have more and more," he said.

But the time has come to get rid of them. The movie business has cooled down on this side of the border over the last five years. Not only that, but Mr. Fawcett is almost 79, and Dave Wilson, with whom he's been working on the cars for the last several years, said he didn't think he'd like to do another winter of it.

"This movie business is very, very stressful," said Mr. Fawcett. "There's no quitting at five o'clock. The job's got to get done, that's all there is to it."

He's been working flat-out since he was 14-years-old.

"I've been really lucky. I haven't had any heart attacks or anything yet and I'd rather not have any," he said.

The auction will run from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. on Sunday, Sept. 16. On Friday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the public will be able to preview the vehicles. The sale takes place on Mr. Wilson's property at 1774 Concession Road 7 in Enniskillen. Map of 1774 Concession Road 7 Enniskillen, ON L0B, CA

There are no reserves in the auction, meaning no minimum price has been set for any of the vehicles.

"There should be some bargains for people," said Mr. Fawcett, noting having no reserves should help him get rid of all the cars. "What you lose in bananas, you make up in grapes."

The collection is "part of Canada's cinematic history," said Terry Lobzun of RM Auctions, a Blenheim-based business well-known in the auto auction world. The vehicles are "the iconic kind of cars you see in TV shows, movies, commercials," he said.

The timing is good, given the Toronto International Film Festival is currently going on, said Mr. Lobzun, suggesting the auction could possibly attract festival-goers.

One auctioneer will be selling over the two days, so potential buyers should take advantage of the preview on Friday, said Mr. Lobzun.

"The cars move fairly quickly across the block so you want to do a little bit of homework before you come out," he said.

Mr. Fawcett said he'll keep busy, travelling with his wife and still fixing up the odd car, in particular Pearce-Arrows.

"I'll be able to use my free time to enjoy doing it," he said. "That's what a hobby is all about."

It's been quite a career, said Mr. Fawcett.

"I've certainly enjoyed it. Of course, I'll miss it," he said. "If I was 35-years-old, no one could pry (the cars) away from me."