CHATHAM, Ontario, Canada – Canadian automotive history will cross the auction block this Spring as RM’s Classic Car Auction of Toronto returns to the International Centre, Mississauga from April 4th to 6th.
Now in its 18th year, the annual three-day auction event will showcase more than 400 rare and desirable classic cars and an outstanding assortment of nostalgia and automotive memorabilia. In addition to exceptional classic cruisers, fast sports cars and high-performance muscle cars, this year’s event will also showcase two examples of Canada’s earliest contributions to the automotive industry – a 1920 Ford Model T Tall Pickup and a turn-of-the-century McLaughlin buggy accompanied by an historic Baynes cutter sleigh.
“As a proud Canadian-based company –one that is dedicated to preserving and sharing automotive history – we are excited to offer several early examples of Canadian coachbuilt vehicles at our upcoming Toronto sale,” said RM’s Dan Spendick, a 30-year veteran of the classic car industry.
“Built locally here in Ontario, both examples can be considered forerunners of Canada’s automotive industry. As such, they are certain to attract the attention of collectors with a penchant for early automotive design and Canadian motoring history,” he added.
Manufactured in Brantford, the 1920 Ford Model T Tall Pickup shares a fascinating link to one of Canada’s most sought after vehicles of the pre-motor age, the Adams Wagon. Originally made entirely by hand by Peter Adams, production moved to a factory in Paris, Ontario in the early 1880s to accommodate growing consumer demand. Soon after, the company moved to Brantford and became ‘The Brantford Carriage Company’ (later known as the ‘Brantford Coach and Body Limited’, the ‘Brantford Trailer and Body Limited’) – producers of high-grade carriages, wagons, carts, sleighs and cutters. The company later evolved into ‘Trailmobile’, one of today’s leading manufacturers of semi-truck trailers in North America.
The Brantford Carriage Company continued their focus producing a limited number of carriages and wagons following the advent of the motor era, however when their first cab and body appeared on a Ford Truck chassis in 1914, quickly shifted focus to motorized transportation – including bodywork for the 1920 Ford Model T Tall Pickup (chassis C539922), which is set to cross the RM auction block without reserve for the first time in Toronto.
Described as a wonderful early stake truck, this timewarp example features a 2.6-litre, four-cylinder engine, wood wheels, external twin horns, two piece split windshield, forward-facing corner windows and electric start. Built entirely in Ontario – the chassis was manufactured in Hamilton, whilst the coachwork was constructed in Brantford.
Another example of early Canadian coachbuilding on offer at Toronto is an early1900s McLaughlin Buggy. The McLaughlin Carriage Company shares a similar history to that of the Brantford Carriage Company, starting from humble beginnings as a blacksmith shop in Enniskillen, Ontario before moving to Oshawa to focus on horse-drawn carriages. After being incorporated in 1901 as the “McLaughlin Carriage Company”, the company established an automobile division, eventually forming an alliance with William C. Durant, who had acquired the Buick Motor Company, which later became General Motors. In 1918, the McLaughlin family sold their interests to General Motors. To this end, the early Oshawa company is today held in high esteem for helping pave the way for General Motors Canada.
The McLaughlin buggy will be offered at RM’s Toronto event in conjunction with a Baynes Cutter sleigh. Appearing in original, timewarp condition, the buggy comes with its original “McLaughlin Oshawa Carriage” brass plate, whilst the sleigh – also Ontario built – is accompanied by its original “Baynes Carriage Hamilton Company” brass plate. Both are considered “barn finds”, having been in storage in Kincardine, Ontario for numerous years prior to being purchased by their current owner in 1999.
In addition to these historic examples of early Canadian coachbuilding, other notable consignments for the Toronto sale include:
• An extremely rare and well-optioned 1956 Monarch Convertible • A handsome 1955 Pontiac Chieftan • A rare 1970 Triumph TR-6, considered one of the best motorcycles ever built • A 2007 Shelby GT350 Hertz Convertible, which was produced as a throwback to the famed Shelby GT350H “rent a racer” program of the 1960s and believed to be the only one offered in Canada.
The Classic Car Auction of Toronto kicks off with a vehicle preview on Friday 4th April at 12noon, followed by the auction beginning at approximately 3pm. Doors open at 9am on Saturday and Sunday, with the auction action starting at 10am each day, and ending at 9pm Saturday and 6pm on Sunday.
During the auction weekend, RM will also host an indoor automotive swap meet featuring vintage parts, memorabilia, accessories, literature and collectables. In addition, a large assortment of collectible automobilia, including tin signs, petroliana, memorabilia, pop machines and antique gas pumps, will also be presented for auction at 3pm Friday.
About the International Centre The International Centre is the leading multi-purpose facility in Canada and is home to many of the country’s largest trade and consumer shows, as well as meetings, concerts, banquets and other special events. Boasting some 500,000 sq. feet of flexible exhibit and meeting space, the center welcomes over 2 million guests each year. For visitors, the center is located on Airport Road, Mississauga, just three minutes from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport and only 15 minutes from downtown Toronto, with easy access by public transportation and free on-site parking for over 5,000 vehicles. The RM ‘Toronto International Classic Car Auction’ is held indoors at the centre. For further information, please visit www.internationalcentre.com.
