E-Delivery

The most common question Al gets asked is, "What is it?" Then they see the Boston Bruins logos and the next question is, "Did Bobby Orr sign it?" Bobby Orr's signature is on the vehicle, but it was reproduced from a signature that Bobby sent Al. His relationship with the hockey legend is tied to his relationship with General Motors. Al retired as the founder of the Petersen Pontiac Buick GMC dealership in Sherwood Park, Alberta, but his business dealings with GM went back decades. He met Bobby Orr a number of times at GM related functions, as Bobby had a contract to promote the auto makers products. Over the years the two men got to know each other, often attending the same meetings, and sometimes golfing together in places like Bermuda and Pebble Beach. Bobby's seen pictures of the car and Al's reserved a special place for Mr. Orr to sign the car at some time in the future. "I don't ever remember not being a Boston Bruins fan," Al says when asked about the car's theme. "My dad was a Montreal Canadiens fan but even as a kid I was Bruins fan." Bruins touches are tastefully applied throughout the vehicle. Bobby Orr's autograph is etched in the dash, there are bear heads embossed on the seats, and the Bruins logo is centered prominently on the back seat. "The lines of this car always grabbed my attention and I wanted the Bruins treatment to match back to that. It's a tribute but it's what I call a clean tribute." Bobby Orr isn't the only famous Bruin to grace the car. Hall of Famer Gerry Cheevers also signed it and other Bruins have interacted with the car. Al explains how Johnny Boychuk came to sit in it. By chance, Al ran into Johnny's parent's at a playoff game in Boston. He showed them pictures of the car on his iPad and extended an invitation to their son through them to come see it next time he was in Edmonton. "Win or lose, I'd love to have Johnny come and see this car." That summer, Johnny's mom called Al. She asked him over for some pictures with the car and Johnny and the Stanley Cup! 13

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