The Oldsmobile - a Relic of Canada's Car Manufacturing History

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Jun 30, 2017

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By: St. Catharines Museum

The car we have on display in the St. Catharines’ museum is representative of the automotive industry in St. Catharines, as it is the first style of car built in the City and was manufactured in the first plant in Canada designed and built specifically for automobile manufacturing. Packard electric built this car on license from Oldsmobile for the distribution in Canada and the British Empire.

The Packard Electric co. re-located to St. Catharines in order to take advantage of the close proximity to water power from a mill wheel powered by water diverted from the Welland Canal and cheap water transportation offered by that waterway. The company also manufactured and distributed motors for operating lock gate mechanisms on the Canal, as well as incandescent bulbs and watt hour meters for the general consumer. The Canadian branch of the electric company expanded rapidly to become the second largest firm of its type in the Dominion.

In 1904, the Olds Motor Works of Lansing, Michigan started on a program to build bigger, more modern cars for the 1905 season. The St. Catharines-built cars that appeared in 1905 were mostly lightweight, one and two cylinder runabouts with a hood in front and optional removable rear tonneau. Prices began around $800 and production was in the hundreds. Production began in 1905 and was discontinued before the end of 1907.

Canadian production was discontinued due to a change in market need- these cars were seen as too large and expensive for the Canadian market of the time. Oldsmobile’s Canadian operation became just a selling and servicing agency for imported vehicles, and headquarters were moved to Toronto.

In 1909, Packard electric sold a part of its real estate to the REO Motor Car Company of Canada Ltd. And REO automobiles were manufactured in this plant until 1913. In 1912, REO expanded its production from 600 to 1200 units per annum. The St. Catharines museum has a REO in its collection, dating from 1912.

Oldsmobiles were not made again in Canada until 1920, when the newly founded general motors of Canada began building them in Oshawa.

Dr. Lucius Oille: The Father of St. Catharines' Waterworks

“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

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