Visitors to the NAPA XPO Sale 2018 were greeted with displays from more than 100 exhibitors, a feast of performance cars, and an extensive array of premiums to earn through purchases.

Held at Montreal’s Palais des Congres, the NAPA XPO Sale is in its second year, marking a key return for a NAPA event to the Montreal and vicinity market.

Attendees earned points as they logged orders at exhibitor booths, with points in the “Treat Yourself” themed event being logged instantly. Visitors could then go shopping and choose the available items.

Dynamic Sales & Marketing’s Sandy Kligman wore out the bead of his sample tire after dozens of demonstrations of the Coats tire changers his sales organization represents.

NAPA, CMax, and Traction business partners were all represented on the show floor.

Exhibitors were kept busy over the two-day show talking product knowledge, programs, and demonstrating equipment.

Dynamic Sales & Marketing’s Sandy Kligman wore out the bead of his sample tire after dozens of demonstrations of the Coats tire changers his sales organization represents.

There were also plenty of racecars and performance vehicles on hand. Among the most popular was the Ron Capps NAPA Funny Car that was prominently displayed in the centre aisle. Capps was also on hand for chats and autographs.

Planted just inside the entrance, though, was a replica Gulf Porsche 917, technically a 917K (short tail) that was the product of the imagination of Christian Fortin of Atalier Design Showcar Inc., and the work of a group of willing and clearly skilled teens, including Marie-Christine Ruel who was on hand at the show. Able assistance was also provided by Christian Lajeuness of Lajeuness & Freres.

Christian Fortin of Atalier Design Showcar Inc. with Marie-Christine Ruel and Christian Lajeuness of Lajeuness & Freres.

The project was completed in just a few short weeks and, other than the use of a water cooled Porsche engine—as opposed to the original flat 12 air cooled unit (rare and incredibly expensive)—looked to be accurate dimensionally.

“I took a scale model and just expanded,” said Fortin.

It’s this kind of project which is destined to excite youth and get them invested in the aftermarket.