This picture is of my Grandfathers B-A Station in Saskatoon, circa 1937-38 judging by the cars in the pic.
The sign on top is,
SPADINA CRESCENT (and 19th Street)
SERVICE STATION
-JIMMY EDWARDS- (my grandfather, in the middle next to the oil display)
BRITISH AMERICAN No. 3
From what I can see, the black car on the left appears to be a 1935 Pontiac Deluxe, the two on the right appear to be 1937 Chev Master Deluxes. Not seen very well behind is Dominion Motors, the Ford dealer and to the left across the street is the Hotel Baldwin.
What I personally think is neat (besides the Pontiac), Jim was born in 1910 and that would have made him a rather young man to have a station. My Uncle in Moose Jaw who was his brother-in-law is sure to remember details about how long he was proprietor etc. as I have no idea. I do know in 1940 he ended up a flight instuctor for the war effort (No. 7 Service Flying Training School at the Saskatoon Airport, British Commonwealth Air Training Plan) and then in '49 he joined the outside sales team at Davies Electric in Saskatoon and worked there for 36 years until his retirement.
Bert Moon and Keith McKee were mechanics there at that time from what I'm told. If anyone has info pertaining to these two gents, I'd appreciate it. PM me.
I also remember hearing that he owned a few taxis and contracted to a cab co. around the same time, I will get some more pics that I know exist. Maybe some more Pontiacs? We shall see.....
My late father-in-law was an RAF pilot trainee from 1942 in Saskatoon! I think that he also flew from Moose Jaw.
The Regina GM Plant had ceased making vehicles in June 1941 and became Regina Industries Ltd, making munitions. However, when the garage was open, the GM cars would have come out of Regina. The ones in the photo would have been supplied by the Regina Westen Zone Distribution facility at the plant, before it re-opened in December 1937. They had a 'W@ stamped on the build plate.
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Automotive Historian, Author and Journalist Deputy Editor, VINTAGE ROADSCENE Southampton, England
Great history Tony, hopefully you can find out more! Very, very cool pic! Let's see more!
Your grandfather's garage is very cool architecturally (reminds me of the "Castle" garages you used to see across Canada. There are still intact "Castle" garages located in Toronto (on the lakeshore), and one here in Charlottetown (now being used as a car rental place).
Tony, what is located Spadina Cresent and 19th. now (I'm bad with Google Street, maybe someone else could help?).
I used to hang out at a BA station in Montreal as a kid ... my favourite place to hang out!
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Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
Looking on Google maps, it's not clear to me where it was located. It looks like 19th only goes as far as Broadway now, but there's a section off Spadina (by that large building between Broadway and the church) that looks like it may have once been part of 19th. I'm guessing that that is where the station was located?
Mom has all the other pics still and it's going to be spring before I can get more pics, but will get some updates soon regarding what happened to the station.
Mom has all the other pics still and it's going to be spring before I can get more pics, but will get some updates soon regarding what happened to the station.
I would have rather seen the old service station spared and still located there!
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Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
Here's the vintage Joy gas station in Charlottetown:
-- Edited by Pontiacanada on Tuesday 20th of December 2011 02:02:03 PM
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Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
