I'm a proud Canadian, but lets face it, we haven't had much of an automotive industry since the mid-twenties. None the less, I'm sure somebody must have pictures/info/stories of some of our past auto makers.
Lots of Mopars built up here, the famous Ply-Dos of the 50's and 60's (Dodge and Plymouth hybrids), lots of engines built in Windsor right up to 300's, Chargers and Challengers built in Bramalea. Allpar.com has a pretty good history of Canadian production here http://www.allpar.com/world/canada.html
First off; Hello fellow Calgarian! Chev had a plant based out of Regina, Sask. that built quite a few trucks in the 30's-40's. They were denoted as "Maple Leaf" editions. There is a '37 Chevy 1ton near a junk yard (in Southern Sask) I just pulled those Maple leaf emblems off of the hood for a buddy who really wanted them. Their around... A few others as well but I cant remember all the details. EDIT: you can see it in this shitty pic. Anyway, I snapped all these near Swift Current. Let me know if you want anything at all. http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii312/Graham_A_M/CarsandTrucks/
Ah yes, the Maple Leaf trucks slipped my mind. I was thinking more along the lines of Gray-Dort, London Motors, McLaughlin ect. I'd really like to see a London Six, as they sound quite neat, but there seems to be very little info on them. Lots of Gray-Dorts still surviving it seems. (considering how few there were to begin with anyways)
And Graham, I take it the grille insert is lost? Wouldn't mind nabbing the grille surround, hood AMD headlight buckets, but It's doubtful I'll be out that way for awhile.
Studebakers were built in Hamilton, Ontario right up until Studebaker ceased auto production in 1966.
We can try! I'm a big fan of the Canadian Pontiacs. Got a Pathfinder and a Laurentian at the moment. Shawn
Ah the Bricklin, the "Canadian Corvette" similiar in quality to Ladas of the era....on second thought thats unfair to Lada
Haha, my Dad test drove one in Moose Jaw when they were new. He said they had major panel gap issues, almost like they were put together with bubble gum.
Great website. I'm wondering if they're just showing surviving cars, because I've read about quite a few other Canadian designed and built cars. Can't seem to find specs or images of much more than what was shown on that site though.
I dont remember if I still have the hood. The hood sides are gone, as I sold them to the guy who wanted those emblems. The headlight buckets I have here in Calgary, but I may need them for my '38. The grill is long gone, but i can possibly nab the surround for you. If I remember right its not in the best of shape though... so be warned. Let me know what you have specifically, as I know of tons of other cars & trucks I can nab parts off of. You should check out the local hot rodding site; www.vintagerods.ca Its southern Alberta local, and there is a guy on there (EnglishBob) who's finishing his '37 Chevy half ton. My username is Graham on there.
How about Corvette? When I went past the Corvette plant in Bowling Green Kentucky in 1986 the sign on the front lawn said it was a division of General Motors of Canada. General Motors of Canada is the world's oldest vehicle maker, dating back to the McLaughlin Carriage Co, founded 1867. This predates Mercedes Benz by nearly 20 years and Rolls Royce by 35.
Just sold the magneto off a "Winnipeg" brand car. German Bosch, horseshoe magnets and a brass frame. Only thing that I had. Sorry no pictures of a car. Ford had a assembly plant on Portage Avenue in Winnipeg for the Model A. Canuck
SHHHHH!!!! Don't get the 'murricans on here wound up. Next thing you know, someone will tell them we set fire to the white house.
Yep, Nice try. They shoulda smoked one more when they come up with this one?????? The Beaumonts and Acadians where all good. What are the good early ones? Rodding material?
I was hoping to see the same thing with this thread, but it seems like all the big sellers (Gray Dort, Russel) that are still around are touring cars.
There is an excellent (and out of print) book called "The Cars of Canada" that was sponsored by Rothmans (now part of R. J. Reynolds) when they owned and compiled The Craven Foundation Vintage Car Collection in Toronto. Written by Hugh Durnford and Glenn Baechler it is the finest collection of Canadian car manufacturers..... Others that come to mind are Durant, Star, Rugby trucks, Barrie Belle, Queen, etc. As expected some of these were manufactured on both sides of the border......
That was during one of many (unsuccessful?) GM reorganizations when there was a "operation" known as C-P-C...(Chevrolet-Pontiac-Canada) which, as we know, didn't have the desired effect either...
It was General Motors of Canada. My '48 Chevy doesn't say "Chevrolet" on the cowl tag, it says GM of Canada. Same with my '57 Pontiac and my '62. Shawn
List of defunct Canadian manufacturers. http://www.reginaantiqueauto.ca/carsofcanada.htm The short-lived General Motors of Canada Regina plant. Seems we fared better in commercial/industrial vehicles. Fort Garry Motor Body Co. (became MCI). Pacific Trucks, Hayes-Anderson (Hayes). http://www.mcicoach.com/AboutUs/timeline/timeline.htm http://www.pacifictruckclub.org/history.php A couple of Hayes products.
Correct me if I'm wrong(and I'm sure someone will) wasn't there a Canadien company named Fargo? Truck manufacturer?
The Jalopy Journal
