February 2015 - Halifax Antique Car Club

February 2015
-1-
ANTICS
The Official Publication of the Halifax Antique Car Club
2015 EXECUTIVE
INFO LINE: 463-1948
President
Cliff Doubleday 444-9821
Vice-President Brian Richards 826-1512
NEWS AND EVENTS
Secretary
Edith Steffens 876-7908
Treasurer
Mabel Dodsworth 865-7458
Watch your email for local
Membership Rick Gallivan
852-3612
events from Cheryl Cole
Car Events Randy Corbin
835-4878
Historian
Judy Houlihan
864-7606
Social Jane Power 222-0535, Jean Lawlor 445-4067, Jackie Bowman 445-4914
WEBSITE
www.hacc.chebucto.org
[Carol Way 865-1258]
ABOUT US
The Halifax Antique Car Club was formed in 1963. The club meets on the 4th
Sunday of every month (except July, August and December), at the Museum of
Natural History on Summer Street in Halifax, at 7 p.m. Annual dues are $30.00
for first time members. Yearly renewals are $25.00 if paid by Jan 31 each year,
and $30.00 after that date. The Antics is the official publication of the Halifax
Antique Car Club and published quarterly. Member submissions are welcome.
WEEKLY GATHERING
Club members gather every Tuesday at Arby’s, Bedford. Come out and meet
your fellow members, show off your four-wheel babies, get a 10% discount —but
most of all—chat with your friends, old and new. There are gatherings in warm
weather Wednesday at A&W in Sackville and Thursday at the A&W in Woodside.
Antics Editor: Judy Houlihan E-mail: [email protected]
Technical Support: Edith Steffens, Shelley Oderkirk and Lisa Gallivan
Opinions expressed in Antics are not necessarily those of the Halifax Antique Car Club.
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INDEX
Page 1 ....................................................................................................... Club information
Page 2 ........................................................................................................................... Index
Page 2, 3 ......................................................... Presidents’ Messages and From the Editor
Page 4 ........................................................................................................... Nuts and Bolts
Page 5 .................................................................................................... What’s Happening
Page 6-10 ....................................................................... Canadian Cars by Judy Houlihan
Page 11-13 ...........................................Saving a Classic 1931 Chrysler by Harold Dillon
Page 14 ......................................................................................................... Email Message
Page 15 .................................................................................... For Sale and Wanted Items
Page 16 ........................................................................................................ Business Cards
Page 17 .......................................................................................... Hagerty Advertisement
OUTGOING PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Dear Club Members:
We are well into 2015, having just completed my second 4-year term of President of this great Car Club.
This Saturday, the 17th, I will be heading down to the Mecum auction in Kissimmee, Florida, and visiting
with the MacRae’s, the Porter’s, etc. - and, hopefully, will return with a lot of great pictures and interesting
stories of this event and other activities, as both Gary and Lee are drivers for this auction.
We have had many great occasions and some obstacles to overcome during the last 4 years. It is my
pleasure to have served you throughout, along with the help of my wife, Sharon, and the Club Executive
and strong membership participation. We have gained several new members over the last year and
unfortunately, lost some very valuable members and friends. We have also donated another gift to the
Early Intervention Associations of Sackville and Halifax. Their great cause that we have contributed to for
so long has received well over $100,000.00.
One positive thing looking ahead into 2015 is the astonishing turn-around in the price of fuel that should
help both those that who are selling their vehicles and especially those who want to drive their vehicles to
our many valued and interesting events. Hopefully, there are several restorations completed in 2015 and/or
up-grades, and we will witness the introduction of these as the year proceeds. It is interesting that we have
now gone full circle back to the Exhibition Park location where we had been for many, many years. I think
this is a positive happening and should result in a great show this year.
We still do not know exactly what is going to take place with collector car plates as far as different
categories are being reviewed.
I believe both our meeting location combined with Arby’s and our monthly dinner outing events are great
group activities. Oh yes, and of course, our Christmas get together. Please continue to support the Club in
all respects possible, especially in the meetings. I believe we enjoy all aspects of the meeting, with the
-3coffee break and Show and Tell making a very entertaining gathering once a month except for July and
August when many other events take place.
Not too far distant is another major happening, that being the 2017 Cross Canada Tour that we will be
hosting in this area through Nova Scotia. Some of our members will be participating either completely or
partially in this event.
Please be aware of any of our members who have been going through some health issues. Keep them in
mind, send them a card, give them a call or drop by for a visit, if possible.
Please give your support to our Executive and our new President, Cliff Doubleday, and our new VicePresident, Brian Richards, as we approach this season. Our next meeting will be mainly a social gathering
similar to what we did in 2014. Cliff and the new Executive will be in the Chair. I will be back in
February to officially step-down from the Presidency.
Oh yes, and don’t forget this year is our “Christmas in July” BBQ on July 25th, this being the 5th year and
also the 15th year of our Hantsport BBQ.
All the best and good health and happiness throughout 2015 and many more years to come,
Sincerely,
Garth and Sharon Scott
January 15, 2015
INCOMING PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Hello everyone: As your new president, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families all
the best for the upcoming year. I would also like to thank past president Garth Scott and Sharon Scott for
their dedication and service to the club over the past years. I would like to encourage all our members to
come out and participate in the runs, dining out, monthly meetings, car shows and “get-togethers”. You
will enjoy the company of good folks, and have a fun time for sure.
It has been eight years since Karen and I joined the club, and we really don’t know where the time has
gone. We’ve met a lot of people we now consider good friends, and club activities are a welcome addition
to our social life. I look forward to seeing you all in the year ahead, and sharing some good times centered
around our common interest in old cars.
I wish you all happiness and continued good health.
Cliff Doubleday
FROM THE EDITOR
Welcome to a new year full of hope for great weather for driving and displaying our vehicles in a few
months. Thank you to Garth and Dave for all your time and efforts over the last 4 years and to the rest for
continuing in their roles on the executive.
I plan to continue the theme of Canadian cars. Articles about anything car related are welcome for Antics.
I need stories about members’ cars, special dates and events in your lives, items for sale or wanted for the
next issues. “Antics” is your newsletter and its content depends on what I receive from you.
Please tell me if I left out your car that are 30, 40, 50, etc. years old, from the lists in Nuts ‘n Bolts
and all errors or mistakes. May Antics will have club members’ cars that are 35, 45 years old, etc. I use
the roster to make the list so I depend on its updates to have my info correct in Antics.
Judy Houlihan, Antics Editor and Club Historian
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NUTS ‘N BOLTS
Anniversaries: Barb and Jim Hamilton’s 55th Anniversary Feb 27/15
Birthdays: Buckey Hiltz celebrated his 70th birthday January 5, 2015
th
Bill Bigelow celebrated his 65 birthday February 1, 2015
Cars now 30 years old: 1985 Dodge Ram 150 – Jim and Carol Way
Cars now 40 years old: 1975 Bricklin SV1 – David and Patricia Hall
1975 Dodge Dart Sport Coupe – Don Carew and Carol Phalen
Cars now 50 years old: 1965 Ford Galaxie LTD 2 Dr – Phillip and Diane Boudreau
1965 Chevrolet Impala SS convertible - Curtis and Viola Carr
1965 Ford Thunderbird Town – Randy and Wanda Corbin
1965 Pontiac LeMans GTO – Greg and Jane Corkum
1965 MGB convertible – Dave and Mabel Dodsworth
1965 Mercury Econoline Pickup – Dave Riley
1965 Chevrolet Impala super Sport – Garth and Sharon Scott
1965 Chevrolet ½ ton sidestep truck – Ken Connors
Cars now 60 years old: 1955 Mercury Glass Top – Roy and Ada Brown
1955 Meteor convertible – Roy and Ada Brown
1955 Chevrolet Belair – Curtis and Viola Carr
1955 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan – Gordon and Lynn Dickie
1955 Chevrolet Belair 2 Dr – Cecil and Linda Mitchell
1955 Ford Crown Victoria – Gordon and Margo O’Neill
1955 Chevrolet Belair Sports Coupe – Gary and Hazel Porter
1955 Ford Meteor Niagara – Frank Ryan
Cars now 80 years old: 1935 Ford Pickup – Lee and Karen Macrae
Cars now 100 years old: 1915 Ford T Roadster – Jeff Lee
Cars now 110 years old: 1905 Cadillac – Jeff Lee
Deaths: Emily Dodsworth, mother of David Dodsworth, died November 14, 2014
Congratulations
Karen Doubleday
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WHAT’S HAPPENING
“World class talent” in automotive restoration is highlighted in January 17 Chronicle
Herald article. A beautiful red 1954 Chevrolet convertible with white interior caught my
eye. It looked like John Beaulieu’s Chev. Belair restored by Allan Oickle of Liverpool.
Another talented car guy whose ability is known worldwide is Chad Hiltz of Canning.
This old ad was one of many unique items shared at November meeting’s Show and Tell.
Rosters are out in March. Send Rick updates and corrections for 2015 rosters.
-6-
Canadian Cars
Acme
1910-1911/12
Amherst 40
1911-12
Anhut
1909-10
Bartlett
1914-17
Bell
1916-18
Bennett
Birmingham Flexible Axle Six
1905
1922
Bourassa
1899-1926
Briscoe
1916
Brock Six
1921
Brockville Atlas
1911-15
Brooks
1923-26/7
Canada
1911
Canada Baby Car
1912-13
Canadian
1921
Canadian Standard
1912-13
Case
1907
Chatham
1907-09
Clinton
1911-18
Comet
1905-08
Continental
Acme Motor Carriage and Machinery Co., Ltd.,
Hamilton, Ontario
30 HP Touring, US parts with locally made body
Two-in-One Company
Amherstburg, Ontario
7 passenger touring converted to truck (remove rear
seat). Only 3 built. Shown at CNE
Chatham, Ont.
Prototypes based on US model
Canadian Bartlett Automobile Co., Ltd.
Toronto and Stratford, Ont.
$665-$$995
Over 200 tourers & roadsters, 400 trucks
Barrie Carriage Company, Ltd.
Barrie, Ontario
20 roadsters and 4-door touring cars made
American engine, parts. Bodies built in Barrie
Essex, Ont. One model that looks like 1904 Olds
Birmingham Motors Corporation
Peterborough, Ont.
H.E. Bourassa
Montreal, Quebec
1899: one-cylinder runabout, then larger cars to order
The Canadian Briscoe Motor Co., Ltd.
Brockville, Ont.
4 and 8 cylinder models
$825-$1185
Brock Motors Ltd.
Amherstville, Ont.
Only one made. Chassis molded in Orilla. $2500
Brockville Atlas Auto Company
Brockville, Ont.
Up to 110 made. Models C, D, E, F, G. Most parts
from US. Body built in Brockville
$1800$2400
Brooks Steam Motors Ltd., Stratford, Ont.
300 all-Canadian cars made- one model $3885
Canadian Motors Ltd., Galt, Ont.
Canada Tourist and Canada Roadster (forerunner of
$1375
Galt)
Canada Baby Car Company, Montreal, Que
2-cylinder, air cooled Cyclecar in models J,A,P.
Deluxe and Wizard refer to engines
$1495
Colonial Motors Ltd.
Walkerville, Ont.
“All Canadian Car”
$2600
Canadian Standard Auto & Tractor Co.
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Few produced- not for commercial sale
Lethbridge Motor Car Co.
Lethbridge, Alta.
$2000
Chatham Motor Car Co.
Chatham, Ont.
75-100 4 passenger open touring
Clinton Motor Car Co. Ltd.
Clinton, Ont.
Trucks (open with solid rubber tires), cars $985
Comet Motor Co.
Montreal Quebec
50-200 produced. Italian 4-cyl. motor $5000
(see Moose Jaw Standard)
-7Crow
1915-18
Dart
Davis
1913-15
1923-24
Derby
1924-26
Dickson/Fetherstonhaugh
Electric
Doherty
Dominion
1893
Dominion
1914
Duplex
1923
Every Day
1910-12
Falcon
Fleetwood Knight
1921
1924
Forster
1920-22
Foss
1897
Frontenec
1931-33
Galt
1911-15
Gareau
1909-10
Gilson
1920-21
Glen
1921-22
Glover
Gramm
1908
1913
Gray
1905
Gray-Dort
1915-25
Guy
1910-11
1897
1910-11
Canadian Crow Motor Co., Ltd., Mount Brydges,
Ont. 100 4-dr touring & roadsters- body assembled &
painted locally, tires Goodyear and Dunlop, some
imported parts
Dart Cyclecar Co.
Toronto, Ont. Detroit parts
Davis Dry Dock Car Co. Ltd.
Kingston, Ont.
Went from boat making to making 2 touring cars
Resembled Locomobile. Cost $2-3000, sold for $900
Derby Motor Cars Ltd.
Saskatoon
Headquarters in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Based on US Davis.
“Built the Best”
200 built: touring Phaeton $1995; roadster $2100;
Legionaire touring $2150; sedan, sporty 3-passenger
coupe $1750; 4-pass. touring-all $1750
Dickson’s Carriage Works
Toronto, Ont.
One produced; driven 15 years
Sarnia Ont. two made by Thomas Doherty
Dominion Motors Ltd.
Walkerville, Ont.
Originally called “Royal Windsor”.
Dominion Motor Car Ltd.
Coldbrook, NB
Took over Maritime Motor Co.- only prototypes built
United Iron Works Company.
Montreal, Quebec.
Record fuel economy sedan. $175
Woodstock Automobile Manu. Co. Ltd.
Woodstock, Ont. Made 2-cyl, high-wheeler and
Oxford (lt. del. Truck)
$750
Gove Motor Car Co.
Tilbury and Thorold, Ont.
Kingston, Ont. By L.J.Davis
Roadster and sedan
Forster Manufacturing Co.
Montreal, Que.
3-passenger coupe, 5-passenger sedan, 7-passenger
limo in limited quantities
First gasoline buggy built by George Foss
Sherbrooke, Quebec
$75
Dominion Motors Ltd.
Toronto, Ont.
4-cyl. sedan with I yr warranty
Canadian Motors Ltd., Galt (1911-13)
Galt Motor Co. (1913-15)
Galt, Ont.
Roadster and touring with electric starters, storagegas-electric model.
$1475-$2350
Gareau Motor Co.
Montreal, Que.
Three 4-cyl., touring cars produced
Gilson Manufacturing Co.
Guelph. Ont.
3 touring cars started- 2 completed.
Scarborough, Ont.
3-cycle air cooled cycle car
Pincer Creek, Alta. 1 car with a 5th wheel
Gramm Motor Truck Co.
Walkerville, Ont.
Trucks and few 2-cyl cycle cars made.
Chatham, Ont. 1 steam engine turned gasoline engine
on back of a buggy.
Gray-Dort Motors Ltd.
Chatham, Ont.
Automatic back up light made in the twenties.
26,000 numerous models sold
$945-$3000
Matthew Guy Carriage and Automobile Co.
-8-
Hambrecht
1907
Harding
1911
Imp
1913
Iroquois
1906
Ivanhoe
1903-05
Jules 30
1911-12
Keeton
1912-15
Kelly Steam Buggy
1884
Kennedy
1909-11
La Marne
1921
Lavoie
1923
Leader
Ledoux
1901-02
1914
Leroy
1899-1902
Locomobile
1902
London Six
1921-25
Maritime Singer Six
1913-14
Martin
1905-10
Maxmobile
1900
McKay
1910-14
McLaughlin-Buick
1908-22
Menard Auto Buggy
1908-10
Oshawa, Ont.
A few touring cars and a one-ton truck made
Berlin (Kitchener), Ont.
Herman Hambrecht built 1 similar to 1903 Cadillac.
Rear engine; front water, gas tanks
Harding Machine Co.
London, Ont.
A few 20 hp, 2-seater runabouts made
Holden-Morgan Co. Ltd.
London, Ont.
A few 2-cyl. cycle-cars made with speed of 45 mph
Iroquois Motor Car Manufacturing Co. of Canada
Welland, Ont.
Canada Cycle and Motor Company
Toronto
Electric car with batteries balanced over rear wheels
Jules Motor Car Co. Ltd.
Guelph, Ont.
2 cars made
Keeton Motors Ltd.
Brantford, Ont.
5 passenger touring
Blyth, Ont. J.B. Kelly built a 2 passenger steam buggy
Kennedy Motor Co. Ltd.
Galt (headquarters) Preston (factory). 175 2 and 4
passenger cars made.
$750-$900
Anglo-American Motors Ltd.
Toronto (headquarters) Preston (factory) Ont.
One prototype made: 8-cyl. In-line motor, aluminum
body.
$3000
Lavoie Automotive Devices Ltd.
Montréal, Que.
Only a pilot built.
$1800
Leader Manufacturing Co.
Toronto
Ledoux Carriage Co. Ltd.
Montreal, Que.
2 models, aluminum bodies
Leroy Manufacturing Co.
Berlin (Kitchener), Ont.
“Completely Canadian” 32 1-cyl made by Good bros.
National Cycle and Automobile Co., Hamilton, Ont.
Steam car. Limited production. Taken over by C.C.M
London Motors Ltd.
London, Ont.
Canada’s first hardtop convertible; 100 roadsters,
sedans, convertibles; painted, plain, fabric-covered ;
wood frame by Ingersoll casket maker $2600-$3600
Maritime Motor Co. Ltd.
Saint John, NB
4 -5 made; 2 or 5 passenger $3295, 6 passenger $3400
Martin Carriage Works
Chatham, Ont.
4-5 made
D.A. Maxwell
Watford, Ont.
One 3-passenger gas buggy made that ran 25 years.
Nova Scotia Carriage Co.
Kentville, NS
Nova Scotia Carriage and Motor Car Co. Amherst, NS
150 made: US parts, local body
$1450
McLaughlin Motor Car Co, Ltd.
Oshawa, Ont.
Canadian body; 70,000 made; 1918 company sold to
GM; 1923 name to McLaughlin Buick, 1942 name to
Buick.
$1400-$2150
Windsor Carriage and Delivery Wagon Works,
Windsor, Ont.1908-9 and Menard Auto Body 1909-10
A few high wheeled 2-cyl. 16 hp auto buggies made.
-9Sold to Maple Leaf Manufacturing Co. Montreal 1910
Mercury
1921
Canadian Automobile Corporation
Lachine, Que
Moose Jaw Standard
1917
Mottette
1900-03
Neff
1899
Oxford
1913-15
Parker
1921-23
Peck
1911-13
Queen
1901-03
Redpath Messenger
1898-1903
Regal
1914-17
Regal
1910
Roberts Six
1921
Ross
1911-14
Russell
1905-15
Sager
1910-11
Shamrock
1904, 1914
Canadian Standard Auto Tractor Co.
Moose Jaw, Sask. (Continental) 5 cars built
Canadian Motors Ltd.
Toronto, Ont.
3 wheeled electric vehicles, Tallyho bus
Humberstone, Que. Benton Neff built a 2-passenger
steam car
Oxford Motor Cars & Foundries Ltd. Montreal, Que.
4-6cyl. cars made (mostly US parts)
$1600-$2950
Parker Motor Car Co. Ltd.
Montreal, Que.
Few made; originally announced as “Royal Six”$3000
Peck Electric Ltd.
Toronto, Ont.
Coupe and roadsters
$4000
Queen City Cycle and Motor Works Toronto, Ont.
One 2-passenger 1-cyl built; one of first steering
wheels in North America.
Wood body made in Toronto. Chassis and running
gear from Berlin (Kitchener), Guelph, Ontario
Three 1-cyl. 4-cycle made.
Canadian Regal Motor Co.
Berlin (Kitchener), Ont.
200 4-cyl ($875) and a V-8 ($1385) made. Converted
to Dominion Truck Co.
Walkerville, Ont. A 4-cycle, 4-cyl. runabout, touring,
Baby Tonneau. Wood body. “The Car that Satisfies”.
Canadian Automobile Corp.
Lachine, Que.
Prototype built.6-cyl
$4500-$5800
Ross Motor Car Co. Ltd.
Toronto
Only a coupe and a 2-seater runabout built
Canadian Cycle and Motor Co. and Russell Motor Car
Co. Ltd.
Toronto
One of most popular Canadian cars, Knight engine,
gear shift (3 forward+ rev) on steering column 1906.
Luxury car. Thousands sold.
$1475-$4500
United Motors Ltd
Welland, Ont.
4-cyl 30 hp touring model
$1650
William Mimna, Wardsville, Ont. 2 1-cyl. gas buggies
Still
1899-1900
Superior
1910
Swift
1911
Tate
1912-13
Taylor Steam Buggy
1867
Tudhope
1903-13
Turnbull
1851
Still Motor Co. Ltd.
Toronto
5 hp “ dos-a-dos” “Canadian Motor Syndicate”,
“Canadian Electric Vehicle Co.” and then “Canadian
Motors Ltd.”
$750
William English, Petrolia, Ont. Made 60 open cars
that could be turned into a truck (remove back seat)
Swift Manufacturing Co. of Canada Ltd., Chatham,
Ont. Based on US Anhut- prototype only.
Tate Electric Ltd.
Windsor, Ont.
Coupes, roadsters, delivery vans & trucks $2700-3600
Henry Seth Taylor, Stanstead, Que. Only one made
Tudhoe-McIntyre Co. Orilla, Ont. 1908-9, Tudhope
Motor Co. Ltd, Orilla 1910-13. Thousands made2,4,6-cyl.1913 changed name to Fisher Motor Co.
Thomas Turnbull Jan. 31 ran a machine through St.
John, NB at 30mph and disappeared.
- 10 Victorian
1896-1900
Vinot
1912-13
Walker
1910
Wel-doer
1912
Windsor, Royal Windsor
Winnipeg
1920-23
Wright
1929
2 made in Hopewell, NS- 2-cyl 2 passenger buggy;
tiller steering, iron tires, chain drive- no reverse, lights
or top. (Museum in Stellarton, NS )
Vinot Car Co. of Canada
Montreal, Que.
35hp 7 passenger torpedo-type touring; 3 yr guarantee
Walker Motor Co.
Walkerville, Ont.
Walker Six touring and roadster planned - none built.
Pollock-Welker-Doer Manufacturing Co. of Berlin
(Kitchener), Ont. One 2-cyl. Cyclecar 50mpg $400
See Dominion
Winnipeg Motor Cars Ltd.
Winnipeg, Man
500 touring, sport, sedan cars made - Frame and rad.
made in Winnipeg. Slogan: “As Good as the Wheat”
Benjamin Wright, Montreal, Que. made 1 Wright
Flexible Axle touring car
Major American manufacturers had branches with plants in Canada. The first was Ford at Walkerville (East
Windsor), Ont. Gordon McGregor (Walkerville Wagon Works) secured Ford of Canada franchise on August
17, 1904. General Motors (a Durant original) started in 1918 when it bought/merged with McLaughlin.
Dodge began assembling cars in a Toronto plant in the mid twenties. Chrysler took that over about 1928.
For a time Oldsmobile and Reo made cars in St. Catharine. Schacht built cars and trucks in St. Catharine’s
around 1912. Its Model J.M. touring car with self-start and speedometer was known as “The Car with the
Good Disposition”. Hupp made the Hupmobile in Windsor, Ont. The Fritchle Electric was made in Canada
for 8 years. They made “Rollin” there in 1924.
In 1916, Willys-Overland took over Russell in Toronto to make and sell Overland and Willys-Knight cars.
Chalmers and Maxwell merged in 1917 and later became part of Chrysler Canada. In 1921, W.C. Durant set
up a Canadian branch of his new company in Leaside, a Toronto suburb, to build Star, Durant and Flint Six
cars.
Sources: A Great Way to Go by Robert Collins and Cars of Canada by Richard Doyle
E.M.F. (Everitt-Metzger-Flanders) moved to Walkerville in 1909 and merged into Studebaker in 1913. In the
thirties, Studebaker acquired Pierce-Arrow with Windsor becoming a distribution center for luxury cars.
Packard assembled its first Windsor-made car in 1931. Studebaker took it over in 1954. Nash and Hudson
started assembling cars in the thirties in Canada.
A Canadian Car is any car produced in Canada and was to some extent different, whether or not part of its
financing or anatomy came from outside Canada. Source: Robert Collins: “A Great Way to Go, The
Automobile in Canada” 1973 - 74 edition.
“Between 1900 and 1933 more than 125 different makes - not counting the numerous one-of-a-kind backyard
creations - were Canadian produced.” Branch plants of American automakers built many of them, but more
than half were genuinely Canadian: built only in Canada, at least not under the same name. Others not listed
above were Arrow, Oakland (1922 made in Canada), Royal, Earl and Star. In 1911, fully equipped meant
lamps and a top- there were no doors or windshield (The “Every Day” car). The 1911 electric cars steered
from the back so drivers sat with their passengers on seats that faced sideways or backwards. McLaughlin
Electric cars were enclosed. Oldsmobile first established a Canadian “assembly plant” at St. Catharine’s,
Ont. in 1906 and two years later a factory in Toronto. Postwar (1920) Oldsmobile resumed in Oshawa under
GM of Canada. The 1922 Parker had a plywood body.
Source: Canada on Wheels by John DeBondt
Ed. Note- I found no information on a Canadian made Earl or anything on a Canadian Arrow except for a
Canadian Dodge Arrow that appeared 1976-1980. If anyone has this info, send it to me for the next Antics.
- 11 -
Saving a Classic 1931 Chrysler CD8 Roadster
- For the Second Time
By Harold Dillon
Whenever my Dad and I talked about old cars many decades ago, invariably the
conversation would lead to his recollection of a “big black” 1931 Chrysler Roadster,
which was by his measure the best car in the Sydney area in the 50's. He knew the
owner, Walter Keys, a fellow mechanic, and he told me Walter had modified the car by
installing a Cadillac flathead V8, mated to a LaSalle transmission and a 2-speed Auburn
rear end. He indicated the car was as fast as it looked. He had not seen the car since the
early 60's and sensed it had been shipped to the USA.
After Dad passed away in 1999, I never thought about this car again - not until September
of 2014 when I was in Glace Bay to visit family and some old car guys I have known
over the years. At the last stop, I asked if he knew of any “barn find” cars that might be
for sale. After an initial 'no', he paused and said there was an elderly gent who had
passed away a couple of years back who had 2 cars in his garage, that they had been there
for many years, that they were never for sale (many had tried to buy them).
With his directions, I met his widow at the back door of her house and she said the two
cars in the garage were pretty rough, but I was welcome to look. What a surprise when I
opened the door to the garage- I found the, by now, mythical '31 Chrysler CD8 Roadster!
Sitting beside it was the Cadillac engine and LaSalle transmission (and a 1929 Essex
Sedan). As seen in the photos, the car was indeed rough, but unmistakable as a rare and
very stylish car. When I asked if she would consider selling it, she indicated she and her
son had decided just the day before to sell it. “Timing is everything”. We quickly
settled on a price and the following week Jim Stevenson was kind enough to go down
with me while we rescued this special car for the “second time”.
You may ask why say for “the second time”. Well, read on.
Around 1950, Walter Keys, mentioned earlier, found the rusting body and chassis of this
rare '31 Chrysler Roadster in a scrap yard in Reserve Mines where its brightwork,
bumpers, and drive train had been removed. He dragged it home and put together the
C/L/A drive train, and hired David Moore, at that time one of the top bodymen in the area
to restore the body. Moore bought factory correct patch panels for the lower 4” all
around the car and installed new steel floors. He filled all repaired areas with lead,
refitted to the chassis and painted. Keys drove the car until about 1957 when he bought a
1941 Packard 4door convertible. He then sold the '31 Chrysler to Bucky Buchanan.
I interviewed Mr. Buchanan in October 2014, and he provided most of this information
and the pictures from October 1957 when he owned the car. One of them shows the
Chrysler parked beside Walter's gorgeous and very rare '41 Packard. Bucky drove the car
during summers until about 1963 as he can best recall and sold it (to a used car dealership
- 12 in Sydney?). Eddie Ferguson subsequently bought the car in 1967, and it is that family
from whom I bought the car in September 2014. His family tells me the car was driven
occasionally until about 1971/72 when the Cadillac engine was removed. The car was
completely disassembled, and left largely in pieces in a damp garage for about 40 years.
One of the photos shows the car in that garage some 20 years ago, a photo taken by
Conrad Lelievre, a cousin of the then owner. Someone recently reassembled the body on
the chassis and painted it red.
I have spent the past month connecting with knowledgeable people regarding the 1931
Chrysler CD8 Roadster (straight eight engine, 4-speed transmission, 124” wheelbase). I
understand there were 600 or fewer CD8 Roadsters produced that year, and this one,
Serial # 9820125 produced in Windsor Ontario in May of '31. Estimates are that as few
as 10 CD8 Roadsters were built in Canada. This may be the only surviving Canadian
built one; I am still searching for further information. Of the 500-600 total production of
1931 CD8 Roadsters, it is felt there may be fewer than 15 left on the planet. My
extensive searching of the Internet identifies 12 including this one. The WPC Chrysler
club has seven 1931 CD8 Roadsters registered among its members.
So now, the fun begins. While its rarity makes it a more interesting and potentially
valuable car, it also means finding all the missing parts and components will likely be a
daunting and expensive challenge. The Chrysler CD8 Roadster parts are in many cases
specific parts exclusive to that model and year. I anticipate there will be some
interchangeability with Dodge Straight 8 drive trains, and perhaps some of the other
components, like steering and brake components. I have made contact with several
knowledgeable car people regarding this model and they are helping with my search for
suitable elements so a near original approach to restoring can be considered. An
alternative I have considered is restoring it to its 1950's look and drive train, what is
referred to as an antique modified - a sort of tribute to Walter Keys who saved this rare
car so many years ago. What better does one have to do with their time and money!
October 1957- Walter Buchanan’s 31 Chrysler Roadster and 1941 Packard
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31 Chrysler CD8 Roadster
Harold Dillon’s Restoration Project October 2014
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Email Messages
As I was lying around, pondering the problems of the world, I realized that at my age I
don't really give a damn anymore.
If walking were good for your health, the postman would be immortal.
A whale swims all day, only eats fish, drinks water, but is still fat.
A rabbit runs and hops, and only lives 15 years, while a tortoise doesn't run and does
mostly nothing, yet it lives for 150 years - and you tell me to exercise? I don't think so.
Just grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked, the good fortune to remember
the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference.
Now that I am older here is what I have discovered1. I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it.
2. My wild oats are mostly enjoyed with prunes and all-bran.
3. I finally got my head together, and now my body is falling apart.
4. Funny, I don't remember being absent-minded.
5. Funny, I don't remember being absent-minded.
6. If all is not lost, then where the heck is it?
7. It was a whole lot easier to get older than to get wiser.
8. Some days, you are the top dog, some days you are the hydrant.
9. I wish the buck really did stop here; I sure could use a few of them.
10. Having kids in the back seat can cause accidents.
11. Accidents in the back seat cause kids.
12. It is hard to make a comeback when you have not been anywhere.
13. The world only beats a path to your door when you are in the bathroom.
14. If God wanted me to touch my toes, he would have put them on my knees.
15. When I am finally holding all the right cards, everyone wants to play chess.
16. It is not hard to meet expenses . . . they are everywhere.
17. The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.
18. These days, I spend a lot of time thinking about the hereafter . . .I go somewhere to
get something, and then wonder what I'm "here after".
19. Funny, I don't remember being absent-minded.
20. HAVE I SENT THIS MESSAGE TO YOU BEFORE or did I get it from you?
If you receive an email message that you want to share, send it to me for Antics. Judy
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For Sale:
Early 1963 Avanti (#1630) R1 engine, 4-speed, has the optional C/C, power steering and
brakes, Hill Holder, 3.73 twin traction. Some improvements made: dual master cylinder,
Mallory (Delco) electronic ignition, replacement 55 amp alternator, 134A A/C conversion.
Price: $23,000. Get detailed info and photos at www.kgworks.ca/1963avanti .
Contact: Graham Gagne 902 758-1210
[email protected]
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1955-56 Mercury bumper deluxe ($150)
•
T-Pot rebuilt four barrel carburetor for 54-57 Ford and Mercury ($300)
•
T-Pot four barrel carburetor for 54 Mercury and Lincoln ($300)
Contact: Gordie Mader 902 462-4051
[email protected]
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•
Used set of tires (30X3 ½) for 1922 Model T Dr’s Coupe
•
AMT ERTL Model kits 1956 Ford Victoria and 1957 Chrysler 300C - $15 each
•
14” rims small bolt pattern for 1964-5 Barracuda.
•
Variety of bearings and seals.
[email protected]
Contact: Dave Houlihan 902 864-7606
Wanted:
Wanted: 4:56 crown and pinion gear for my 1962 Volvo 544. One for P1800 will fit.
Contact: John Slor 902 434-5701
[email protected]
Wanted: Set of 2 garnish “wooden window moldings” for side doors of 1950 Cadillac limousine,
approximately 15X30
[email protected]
Contact: Helmuth Wiegert 902 463-7338
Wanted: Old service station equipment- signs, pumps, lights, hats, etc.
: Window regulator parts for doors of 1922 Model T Dr’s coupe
Contact: Dave Houlihan 902 864-7606
[email protected]
Wanted: For 1931 Chrysler Straight 8 Roadster 931 (‘31 8-cyl. Dodge parts may be similar):
engine (including all components, starter, generator, manifolds, distributor, carburetor, etc),
Transmission & clutch, Driveshaft, Rear end, 6 -18"x5.5" 5 bolt wheels (wire or wood spoke
artillery style), Front & rear bumpers, Taillight, Steering box, Column & wheel, Interior & exterior
door handles, All dash gauges, Side-mount hardware, Running boards, Rumble seat latch &
cushions (or bare seat springs), and any other suitable or close '31 Chrysler parts.
Contact: Harold Dillon 902 860-3267
[email protected]
Performance Edge is one of our paid advertisers. We get 10% discount.
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