Topic: Canadian Cars

[Arthur Dent]

Article on Canadian Fords that I put up on http://oldcarjunkie.wordpress.com/2011/01/12/canadian-fords/ (photos show better) but re-posting here if anyone has interest

In the United States Ford marketed three brands – Ford, Mercury and Lincoln but in Canada things got more complicated with up to six brands. Why all the brands? Often small towns would have either a Ford or a Mercury dealership so with the extra brands they could compete across the entire spectrum of the market. Mercury had Meteor and Ford had Monarch.

Starting in 1946 Mercury was given a smaller, low priced car to sell based on a Ford but with Mercury style trim. Initially this was still badged as a Mercury but in 1949 the smaller Ford based car was sold as a Meteor still at Mercury-Lincoln dealers. These Meteors used the flat head Ford or Mercury V8 engine until 1955 when the new over head valve V8 replaced it. A base six cylinder was offered for the first time in 1956. Starting in 1954 the Meteor models received Canadian models names like Niagara and Rideau. Niagara after Niagara Falls and region and Rideau after the historic canal. In 1959 the Meteor Montcalm named after the famous French general and based off the Ford Galaxy was introduced. After 1961 things start to get a bit complicated as the United States Mercury brought out a low priced full size called the Mercury Meteor. The Canadian Meteor disappeared at this time until the Mercury Meteor was discontinued after the 1963 model year. Relaunched in 1964 Meteor was a Mercury with Ford dash and interior competing with a lower price. The Canadian model names returned in 1965 with Meteor slowing losing importance as time went on. Mercury badges where added in 1968 and the inline six was no longer offered. The convertible dropped in 1971 and later Rideau and Montcalm lines where phased out. Meteor officially stop existing as a separate marque after 1976 but the Meteor name existed as a low priced variant on the Mercury Marquis until 1981.








Believe it or not Mercury had another Canadian marque but only for one year. The Frontenac was a version of the Ford Falcon sold only in 1960. Named after a governor of New France the Frontenac name had actually been used on a Canadian relative of Durant in the early 1930s. Based on the Ford Falcon of the same year but with unique trim utilizing the Canadian Maple Leaf. Despite being very popular with over 8400 being sold the Frontenac was discontinued in favor of the Mercury Comet that was introduced in the United States part way through the year.





Mercury also sold the full line of Ford trucks from 1946 and 1968. Generally these where the same as the equivalent Fords with different badges and perhaps a grill variation or some upmarket trim. The model naming convention was M instead of the Ford F, so F-100 became M-100 for example. There where also Mercury vans sold as well.





The Ford companion marque Monarch also started 1946 as a higher priced Ford. This was a Mercury based car with Ford trim and tail lights plus a little extra chrome. The cars could be had with a variant of the Mercury V8. Starting in 1949 Monarch adopted a lion badge and was Mercury shell with a Ford dash. Unlike Ford two tone paint was offered. In 1953 and 1954 Monarch actually outsold its Mercury parent. 1955 brought the OHV V8 and the crown badge for 1957 but differed little from the Mercury at this time. There was no Monarch for 1958 but the marque returned for 1959, with the Edsel disappointment, in a Mercury body shell with unique grill and badges. For 1961 the down sized Mercury was used but Monarch was reduced to a single line – the Richelieu. Ford’s top cars where encroaching into territory occupied by Monarch so Monarch was discontinued as a marque for the final time. The Monarch name returned on Mercury’s version of the Ford Granada in 1975 but it was not a Canadian exclusive.

[Ultra]

Sweet!

[Otto Puzzell]

Nice work, Mr. D!

[Arthur Dent]

Thanks. I did Canadian GM – the Beaumont story as well

The Beaumont story can be a little confusing but starts with another Canadian marque, Acadian, in 1962. Acadian had been created so that Canadian Pontiac-Buick dealers had a sub-compact to sell. The Chevy II was re-badged and given some trim differences to be sold as an Acadian. The styling was similar to a Pontiac but it was never sold as a Pontiac. There where three different trim levels, base, Invader, Beaumont. The Beaumont was the top of line model.



For 1964 things changed as Beaumont became its own model and the top of the line Chevy II based Acadian was renamed Canso. The intermediate Acadian Beaumont was sold from 1964 to 1965 and was a Canadian variant on the Chevrolet Chevelle. There were minor exterior styling differences such as split grill, badges and unique tail lights as well as the use of a Pontiac dash from the LeMans.




For 1966 Beaumont became its own marque but still based off the Chevelle. Chevrolet frames and power trains were used so the usual inline sixes, small and big block V8s were on offer. Trim lines included Custom, Deluxe and SD. SD (Sport Deluxe) being the performance option and equivalent Chevrolet's SS. The Pontiac LeMans replaced the Beaumont after 1969 and that was the end of the Beaumont name and marque. Interestingly Beaumonts where not an Canadian exclusive as they where assembled in Africa and Chile as well as also sold in Puerto Rico.




Some vintage ads:

[Otto Puzzell]

I spent a lot of time in Ontario, back in the 1960's and '70's, and I remember these cars well. I liked the looks of the Chevelle-based Acadian. I also remember some full-size Pontiac models that looked just like the American versions, but with different names spelled out in chrome on the cars' flanks. Darned if I can remember what that name was...

[Otto Puzzell]

Strato-Chief and Laurentian were the big Canadian Pontiac models.

[Arthur Dent]

A lot of the big Pontiacs had a Chevrolet power too. Not sure about those ones.

[knightfan26917]

VERY cool, AD!  Great job ... and thanks for sharing it here with us.





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[Ultra]

I love the Canada only cars from American makers.

Perhaps we should start a thread for all of them.........

P.S. We could just make it this thread if AD wouldn't mind a change of name.

[Arthur Dent]

Go for it. Let's convert this to the Canadian Cars thread.

[Arthur Dent]

Here is another one I wrote a while back

http://oldcarjunkie.wordpress.com/2010/10/12/manic-gt-canadian-sports-car/

Manic GT – Canadian sports car

If the words Canadian and sports car where used together most car buffs would probably immediately think of Malcolm Briklin’s Bricklin SV-1 which was assembled in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. Oddly though the SV-1 was really meant for the US market and wasn’t officially sold in Canada. But there was an earlier sports car that was designed, produced and sold to Canadians. It is the Manic (pronounced man-eek) GT built in Terrebonne and Sorel, Quebec. The Manic had a fiberglass body and used a Renault 10 frame and running gear. This gave it independent suspension all around, disc brakes all around plus rack and pinion steering. The Renault 1,289cc engine was offering in various tuning stages with outputs of 65hp, 80hp and 105hp. Weighing in at only 1,450lbs it was a quick car especially by standards of the day. A four speed manual was standard with a five speed optional. Depending on gearing and engine options selected top speed could be as high as 135mph. The styling was supposed to European in the front and American in the rear so the whole would much like Canada and be a mix of the two. Bucket seats, separate gauges and three spoke steering wheel completed the interior.



The man behind the Manic GT was Jacques About (pronounced Ah-boo) who worked for Renault Canada in the public relations department. The idea of producing his own car came about after a study of a possibility of importing and selling the Alpine (another sports car based on Renault bits) in Renault dealerships like in Europe. Although the report was very positive Renault Canada decided not to go ahead with selling the Alpine in Canada leaving the market niche open. About was confident enough that he left his job at Renault Canada and formed Automobile Manic Inc. in 1968 to develop the car then with money raised from various private and government sources produce it. The new car debuted in 1969 at the Montreal auto show. With his Renault background and connections the use of Renaults parts was an obvious way to go but also proved to partially responsible for its failure. With a full order book even with a $3400 price tag (about the same as a Camaro or Mustang but less than a Lotus Europa) but unable to source engines consistently (strikes at the French factories) investors pulled the plug on production after only 160 examples where made. The Renault 10 frame was also an issue later as they where very rust prone leading to several examples demise. One was even converted to Honda Civic underpinnings.

There is a fantastic interview in the CBC archives with Jacques About. - http://archives.cbc.ca/economy_business/transport/clips/16724/

[Ultra]

1957 DODGE CRUSADER, CANADIAN MODEL. CAME FROM THE FACTORY WITH A 57 PLYMOUTH PLAZA BODY AND A 57 CORONET FRONT CLIP. THIS WAS THE BARE-BONES BASE MODEL. IT'S PRICE EQUIVILENT WOULD BE A PLYMOUTH PLAZA. STILL HAS THE ORIGINAL FLOOR RUBBER MATS WHICH ARE IN EXCELLENT SHAPE.

I HATE TO USE THE TERM RARE... BUT WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SAW ONE OF THESE.

NO RUST EVER, HAS THE LARGE 251 FLAT 6 AND THREE SPEED MANUAL, OF COURSE. EVERYTHING ON THIS CAR WORKS. 89k miles original.

RUNS AND DRIVES LIKE CHAMP AND THE PAINT/INTERIOR IS AMAZING. THIS COULD VERY WELL BE THE NICEST CRUSADER LEFT.

I'M NOT INTO THE 6CYL/3 SPEED CARS... BUT MAYBE YOU ARE. IT WOULD BE A STYLISH, ECONOMY-MINDED BULLET PROOF DAILY DRIVER FOR THE RIGHT PERSON.

I'VE PUT ABOUT 500 MILES ON IT IN THE LAST MONTH WITH NO PROBLEMS.


i'm not sure how to post pics on here but you can click on the photobucket link... there about 50 pics. thanks for looking


http://s956.photobucket.com/albums/a...57%20crusader/

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Few people know these cars exist, even fewer people have ever seen one.  Limited to a production of only 3,002 units (all body styles), the 1958 Dodge Mayfair is an unusual cross between a 1958 Plymouth and a 1958 Dodge.  The "Plodge", as it would unofficially become known, consisted of a Plymouth chassis and body capped off with Dodge front end sheetmetal.  This combination however, was not the first of its kind.  Combining existing Dodge, Plymouth, and DeSoto parts to make new models was common practice for Chrysler since the 1940's.  This allowed Chrysler to produce new models without the expense of tooling all new vehicles.  These unique cars were produced for Canada to allow Canadian dealers to offer a wider array of vehicles despite having a smaller market share.

These unusual hybrids were also sold overseas under the name "Kingsway".

In addition to the Mayfair, lower, more affordable models of Plodges were also offered.

1958 Mayfair
- went under the name Kingsway Custom for the overseas market
- equivalent to the Plymouth Belvedere in model ranking
- shared the Belvedere trim & interior
- *3,002 total units produced

1958 Regent
- went under the name Kingsway DeLuxe for the overseas market
- equivalent to the Plymouth Savoy in model ranking
- shared the Savoy trim & interior
- *9,406 total units produced

1958 Crusader
- went under the name Kingsway for the overseas market
- equivalent to the Plymouth Plaza in model ranking
- shared the Plaza trim & interior
- *4,876 total units produced

Wagon versions of the aforementioned models were also available.

Despite the Mayfair's beauty and scarcity, these MoPars have not caught the interest of the majority of car collectors.  Plodge owners are a rare breed and are among a privilaged few to own such a unique piece of Chrysler history.  This site was created to help educate Mopar enthusiasts about these truly special automobiles.

If you have any content that you would like to submit to this new and growing website, please e-mail it to the webmaster care of webmaster@58mayfair.com  Your contributions are very much appreciated and will make this site the largest 57-58 Mayfair information source on the world wide web.

http://www.58mayfair.com/

[Arthur Dent]

That is a very rare car these days!

[DeAutogids]

About the Frontenac: I understand that it was principally the same car as it's American cousin the Comet.

Both cars were discontinued after one year and got a Mercury nameplate. It's a Ford Falcon that was only different in minor things like trim

[Arthur Dent]

The Frontenac was sold before the Comet. Once the Comet came out the Frontenac was no longer needed. They are a Falcon with trim differences.

[DeAutogids]

I know Wikipedia isn't the best source, but I understand from the Mercury Comet page that the Comet was first a stand-alone brand in 1960.

[Otto Puzzell]

The Volvo Canadian was a rebranded version of the Volvo Amazon, which was sold domestically in Sweden. Volvo's first foreign assembly plant was opened in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1963. Cars were sent from Sweden to Halifax in kits, and then assembled for the North American market.

[DeAutogids]

There is even a scale version of the Acadian Canso Sport Deluxe.

[GrahamClayton]

Moose Jaw Standard - SK, 1917

A few years after the closure of the Canadian Standard Auto and Tractor Co in 1913, a group of citizens from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan hired an engineer, acquired a factory and bought enough components from American suppliers, including 6-cylinder Continental engines, to make 25 luxury cars. Only five cars were completed, going to each of the backers of the project. The remaining parts were sold, the engineer paid off, and the project was wound up. One of the five cars built still survives today in Sasketchewan.

[DeAutogids]

The Volvo Canadian was a rebranded version of the Volvo Amazon, which was sold domestically in Sweden. Volvo's first foreign assembly plant was opened in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1963. Cars were sent from Sweden to Halifax in kits, and then assembled for the North American market.

I am pretty sure it was notthe first foreign assembly plant, as Volvos were assembled in Holland in 1955. Do you mean it was a Volvo-owned plant?

[Otto Puzzell]

I am pretty sure it was notthe first foreign assembly plant, as Volvos were assembled in Holland in 1955. Do you mean it was a Volvo-owned plant?

The information came from Wikipedia, and echoes what is stated on the Nova Scotia Museum of Industry site:

"When the first Volvo rolled off the assembly line at the newly opened Dartmouth plant in 1963, the last screw was tightened by Prince Bertil of Sweden using a ceremonial gold-plated screwdriver.

The opening of the plant, Volvo’s first outside Sweden, was greeted with much fanfare by the both the local and national media. It was a victory for Industrial Estates Limited (IEL), a provincial crown corporation set up in 1958 to attract more manufacturing businesses to Nova Scotia.

Volvo was looking for a chance for greater access to the North American market and with the attractive incentives offered by IEL, Nova Scotia presented an offer too good to refuse. They were given a deal that allowed them to bring in the parts duty free.

The car on display at the Museum of Industry is a special edition called “The Canadian” to appeal to its newly adopted market. It is a B-18 model four-door sedan with a red interior. It was given to Nova Scotia’s Trade and Industry minister who drove it as his official government vehicle for several years. It was donated to the Nova Scotia Museum in 1967.

In 1991 it was restored by Volvo technicians working with Museum of Industry staff.

The original Nova Scotia Volvo factory was set up in an old former sugar refinery on the Dartmouth waterfront, Four years later they moved to a larger facility in Halifax and then, decades later, to a state of the art plant at Bayers Lake Industrial Park, Halifax. The new factory had the capacity to produce 8000 cars a year and employed 200 workers. Parts from Sweden were shipped to Halifax via container ship. The cars were transported to markets in the US and Canada. The plant closed in 1998. due to Volvo's excess manufacturing capacity internationally."  

[DeAutogids]

I've been reading up as well and I found this was an official Volvo-plant, whereas the mentioned 1955 Dutch Volvo's were assembled by an outside company. However, Volvo states that Volvo Ghent plant is the first outside Sweden?