Vanishing Wheels

Come meet Steve Van Vlaenderen, the author and photographer behind “Vanishing Wheels”. Proceeds from the sale of “Vanishing Wheels” will be donated to Parkinson Canada to fund research into Parkinson’s Disease.

Whenever you drive the roads of Western Canada, you’ll often see a familiar but frequently overlooked sight: old cars and trucks dotting the landscape, left to disappear eventually into the dust. Car aficionado, former racer, and long-time hobbyist photographer Steve Van Vlaenderen became enamored with these remnants of yesteryear and set off with his partner Darlene Hildebrand to track down these forgotten curiosities. Vanishing Wheels is his photographic homage to these vehicles sitting in what may be their final resting places, some swaddled by foliage, others hidden behind barns. He captures these vestiges – these vanishing wheels – and drags them from the dust to showcase them as a testament to our past and progression, our humanity, and ourselves.

This 125 page book has another purpose: proceeds from its sale will be donated to Parkinson Canada to fund research on Parkinson’s Disease, with which the author and photographer himself lives.

Steve Van Vlaenderen, 73, was involved in car racing in his 20’s and 30’s and has always loved cars. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2011. In 2018 and 2019 he and his partner Darlene created Sail on with Parkinson’s – a fundraiser that saw them sail their 31 foot sailboat Cloud 3000 kilometers on Lakes Superior, Huron, Erie and Ontario to raise money and awareness of Parkinson’s.

By sharing his experience as someone who lives with the challenges of the disease every day, Steve hopes to inspire others like him to never give up on their dreams……No Matter What.