Meteor Montcalm

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.

Sep 16, 2016

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By: Ingenium – Canada's Museums of Science and Innovation

The 1961 Meteor Montcalm. Source: Ingenium 2008.0001

The Meteor Montcalm was a stylish car with distinctively Canadian branding. Sold under the Ford Motor Company’s Mercury line, the Meteor debuted in 1949 and was available only in Canada. By 1954, the Meteor came in several models with names that reflected Canadian geography and history. Consumers could choose among the basic Meteor or the more upscale Meteor Niagara and Meteor Rideau. In 1959, Mercury added the Montcalm, a car with a unique grill, luxurious interior finishes, and two engine options. Ford promoted the Montcalm as the car for the modern Canadian family and built nearly 600,000 at its Oakville, Ontario plant. The last Montcalm rolled off the line in 1976.

This example of the Meteor Montcalm is a rare two-door hardtop version. Only 724 were built. It was purchased new in Winnipeg in 1961 and driven by its original owner until 2006.

Transcript

This 1960 commercial promotes the Meteor Montcalm as being “distinctively Canadian.”

Introduced in 1959, the Ford Meteor Montcalm was made and sold exclusively in Canada until 1976.  Source: Ingenium 2008.0001, with Ford Motor Company of Canada Limited permission

The Meteor Montcalm was a stylish car with distinctively Canadian branding.  Source: Ingenium 2008.0001, with Ford Motor Company of Canada Limited permission

Examination and polishing of cars on the assembly line at the Ford Motor Company of Canada in Oakville, Ontario, February 1961.  Source: Chris Lund; Library and Archives Canada, 1971-271

The Meteor Montcalm has a V8 engine. Source: Ingenium 2008.0001

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The Canadian flag, set against the backdrop of a clear, blue lake and mountains in Banff National Park, Alberta.

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McIntosh Red Apple

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Propeller model used by W. Rupert Turnbull in 1923. Source: Ingenium 1967.1152

Variable Pitch Propeller

Silver Dart

Boys sitting on top of telephone booths, ca.1950. Toronto, Ontario.

Hand Telephone

“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.

“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 4

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

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