Mercury Meteor

This article was originally written and submitted as part of a Canada 150 Project, the Innovation Storybook, to crowdsource stories of Canadian innovation with partners across Canada. The content has since been migrated to Ingenium’s Channel, a digital hub featuring curated content related to science, technology and innovation.

Apr 26, 2016

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By: Dom Campagna

Source: Ingenium Artifact no. 2008.0001.001

Meteor Strikes

In June 1948, manufactured in Oakville, Ontario, Ford released the initial 1949 Mercury Meteor. And in the years to come there would be a domino effect of popular Mercury vehicles. The nameplate Mercury was used when Ford bodied cars were made exclusively for the Canadian market. They were similar to the familiar U.S. Ford car body but sported their own unique grille and trim.

Their popularity skyrocketed early. Due to style, luxury and surprising affordability, they became the fourth-highest selling car series in Canada from 1949 to 1959.

By 1957, over 250,000 Meteors had been made in Canada. And when they had ceased production in 1976, over 600,000 of their cars had been produced.

Mercury Meteor Line

In the early 1950s, Meteor had established itself in Canadian society. With an attempt to hold its place, Ford began using names Canadians would recognize to sell their cars.

The well-known Meteor was known as the most basic vehicle in the series. The mid-level vehicle was known as the Niagara which paralleled the American Ford Customline. What began as the top-trim level - akin to the Ford Crestline - was known as the Rideau–it was switched to the lowest level in 1965.

The Montcalm version of the Meteor came not long after. Multiple versions of the Montcalm were released, including a version with luxurious interior finishes, two different engine options and increased braking power. It was advertised as a vehicle to match the world’s transition into the modern era.

The End of the Meteor

Ford decided to discontinue the Meteor in 1961.

But the demand from dealers wouldn’t rest. Two years later, Ford launched a lower-priced Mercury 400 in 1963. By 1965, Ford re-released other well-known models like the Rideau, Rideau 500 and Montcalm.

Various new models were still built, such as a sport-themed Montcalm but production slowly started to die off.

Production ultimately came to a halt in 1976, most of the Meteor series are still considered rare vehicles today.

Radio, Receiver Source: CSTMC/SMSTC [Artifact no. 2001.0320.001]

Source: Ingenium Artifact no. 2003.0061.001

Peter Lymburner Robertson (1879-1951)

“A prophet is not without honour except in his own country.” – The Hungarian Canadian Louis Gyory and the unfulfilled future of his electric and hybrid vehicles, part 4

David Cameron Salter, chairperson of Marathon Electric Vehicles Incorporated of Saint-Léonard-de-Port-Maurice, Québec, with the Marathon C-300 he drove. Éric Hamovitch, “Marathon implante ‘l’électrique’ en douce.” Le Soleil, 19 July 1979, B 7.

“A prophet is not without honour except in his own country.” – The Hungarian Canadian Louis Gyory and the unfulfilled future of his electric and hybrid vehicles, part 3

Louis Gyory, on the right, aboard a Marathon C-300 electric vehicle. Michael Shelton, “Seeds of post-gasoline era sown in Montreal – Electric vehicle makes its debut.” The Montreal Star, 27 August 1977, 25.

“A prophet is not without honour except in his own country.” – The Hungarian Canadian Louis Gyory and the unfulfilled future of his electric and hybrid vehicles, part 2

The experimental hybrid automobile completed by Briggs & Stratton Corporation of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Anon., “Driver Decides Speed, Range – ‘Performance Flexibility’ Cited.” Statesville Record & Landmark, 14 November 1979, 1-D.

“A prophet is not without honour except in his own country.” – The Hungarian Canadian Louis Gyory and the unfulfilled future of his electric and hybrid vehicles, part 1

The roadster of the Société anonyme des automobiles électriques, Concours des véhicules électriques, Paris, France. Charles Dantin, “Automobiles – Les Essais contrôlés de véhicules à traction électrique à accumulateurs (octobre 1924).” Le Génie civil, 27 December 1924, 589.

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The stand of the Compagnie parisienne des voitures électriques at the Exposition internationale de l’automobile, du cycle et des sports, Paris, France. Louis Antoine Jules Tony Kriéger was at its entrance. Anon., “Le Salon de l’automobile.” Le Monde Illustré, 19 December 1903, 551.

“Petrol will never kill electricity, especially if the latter is defended by a Kriéger.” Louis Antoine Jules Tony Kriéger and his electric automobiles, including some of the first hybrid vehicles on planet Earth, part 3

Louis Antoine Jules Tony Kriéger, on the left, at the wheel of an Électrolette a few moments before the beginning of his journey between Paris and Chatellerault, France. Georges Prade was at his side. Georges Prade, “Les records électriques.” La Vie au Grand Air, 27 October 1901, 638.

“Petrol will never kill electricity, especially if the latter is defended by a Kriéger.” Louis Antoine Jules Tony Kriéger and his electric automobiles, including some of the first hybrid vehicles on planet Earth, part 2

A typical hybrid vehicle of the Compagnie parisienne des voitures électriques of Paris, France. Lucien Fournier, “La voiture mixte Kriéger.” La Locomotion automobile, 7 July 1904, 422.

“Petrol will never kill electricity, especially if the latter is defended by a Kriéger.” Louis Antoine Jules Tony Kriéger and his electric automobiles, including some of the first hybrid vehicles on planet Earth, part 1

$A technician conducting the first corrosion detection trial, on a Boeing Model 727 test airframe, using a Diffracto DAIS-500 non destructive testing equipment, 1992. National Research Council Canada.$

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The Bollée Voiturette which completed the Paris-Marseille-Paris race of October 1896. Anon., Paris-Marseille-Paris (1711 kilomètres) – Course de voitures automobiles organisée par l’automobile-club de France. (Paris: Publications du journal Le Génie Civil, 1896), 49.

A brief portrait of a dynamic duo of dentists from Québec, Québec, Henri Edmond Casgrain and Marie Wilhelmine Emma Casgrain, born Gaudreau, during the Belle Époque – and a little something on their first horseless carriage, a Bollée Voiturette, part 3

Léon Auguste Antoine Bollée and a young woman aboard a typical Bollée Voiturette, circa 1896. Max de Nansouty, Chemins de fer – Automobiles (Merveilles de la Science, 5) (Paris: Ancienne Librairie Furne, 1913), 43.

A brief portrait of a dynamic duo of dentists from Québec, Québec, Henri Edmond Casgrain and Marie Wilhelmine Emma Casgrain, born Gaudreau, during the Belle Époque – and a little something on their first horseless carriage, a Bollée Voiturette, part 2

Henri Edmond Casgrain and Marie Wilhelmine Emma Casgrain, née Gaudreau, enjoying a winter ride in their modified Bollée Voiturette horseless carriage. Anon., “Blätter und Blüten – Ein motorschlitten.” Die Gartenlaube, 14 February 1899, 98.

A brief portrait of a dynamic duo of dentists from Québec, Québec, Henri Edmond Casgrain and Marie Wilhelmine Emma Casgrain, born Gaudreau, during the Belle Époque – and a little something on their first horseless carriage, a Bollée Voiturette, part 1

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Mercury Meteor

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Radio, Receiver Source: CSTMC/SMSTC [Artifact no. 2001.0320.001]

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