A rare opportunity to own a unique piece of Canadian history. Built in Oshawa, used as daily transportation from 1963 to 1968 by Lester B. Pearson, one of Canada's greatest Prime Ministers, this automobile is one of a kind. Custom built with special exterior and interior trim, including the coat of arms of Canada, only permitted in special circumstance. This vehicle is being offered in original, non- restored condition, and must be seen to believe. Finding anything not molested after almost 50 years is rare enough, having the opportunity to own a rare piece of history such as this is almost unheard of. Documented, with several newspaper and magazine articles as well as videos of the vehicle in use to support the historical connection. An ideal addition to any museum or car collection. Offers considered.
'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.
Cool history but it sure isn't a flashy looking car! Need's different wheel's. Be cool to own and take to car show's. Sadly, these day's who would know who Lester B Pearson was.
Cool history but it sure isn't a flashy looking car! Need's different wheel's. Be cool to own and take to car show's. Sadly, these day's who would know who Lester B Pearson was.
They named an airport after him and the then American president Lyndon B. Johnson punched him out at his Texas ranch. Aparently Johnson was not thrilled over how Canada did so well with the AUTO PACT. This did not get out then for all the obvious reasons. If Pearson was one of Canada's greatest leaders, we could not have had too many to start. I have never been impressed with him or his so called legacy. I doubt anyone will care that this is his Buick. I like the Buick in spite of it being Pearson's car but i doubt it will get any big figures. George.
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1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six
1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8
It looks like there is some special trim on that car. The grille looks to be a Wildcat item, and the interior Coat of Arms has to be one-off. Did you notice the vinyl roof cover? In 1963 they were just starting out with that.
The car does look a bit snoozey, but then again it was supposed to be stately, or befitting of a person of high rank & position (like the top position in politics).
I remember visiting Ottawa in 1971. Parked in the driveway at 24 Sussex Drive was a Palomar Red 1964 Bel Air 4-door (no sign of Trudeau's Mercedes 300SL roadster).
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67 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe, Oshawa-built 250 PG never disturbed.
In garage, 296 cid inline six & TH350...
Cam, Toronto.
I don't judge a man by how far he's fallen, but by how far back he bounces - Patton
Colonel Samuel McLaughlin founded the McLaughlin Motor Car Co.in 1907, one of the first major automobile manufacturers in Canada, which evolved into General Motors of Canada. McLaughlin Carriage Works, at one time the largest manufacturer of horse-drawn buggies and sleighs in the British Empire. With engines from William C. Durant of Buick he produced the McLaughlin-Buick Model F, establishing The McLaughlin Motor Car Company, incorporated on November 20, 1907. In 1908, its first full year of operation, it produced 154 cars. In 1910 he became a director of General Motors and sold his company in 1918 becoming president of General Motors of Canada, which continued to sell cars under the McLaughlin-Buick brand until 1942. He retired in 1945, but remained chairman of the board until his death in 1972.
The choice of a State car is often done with a lot of thought and Nationalistic pride, so an Oshawa built Buick represented the very best automobile produced in Canada at that time and paid respects to both a great car company and Canadian.
Colonel Samuel McLaughlin founded the McLaughlin Motor Car Co.in 1907, one of the first major automobile manufacturers in Canada, which evolved into General Motors of Canada. McLaughlin Carriage Works, at one time the largest manufacturer of horse-drawn buggies and sleighs in the British Empire. With engines from William C. Durant of Buick he produced the McLaughlin-Buick Model F, establishing The McLaughlin Motor Car Company, incorporated on November 20, 1907. In 1908, its first full year of operation, it produced 154 cars. In 1910 he became a director of General Motors and sold his company in 1918 becoming president of General Motors of Canada, which continued to sell cars under the McLaughlin-Buick brand until 1942. He retired in 1945, but remained chairman of the board until his death in 1972.
The choice of a State car is often done with a lot of thought and Nationalistic pride, so an Oshawa built Buick represented the very best automobile produced in Canada at that time and paid respects to both a great car company and Canadian.
There's a good long history to this. As an owner of a quite humble 1939 Buick Special i really thought these were cool cars!
Two made in canada Buicks. i believe both still exist.
I saw Col. Sam McLaughlin's 1937 straight 8 Buick 2-door sedan in the parking lot at the Antique Outboard Meet in Whitby last Saturday. The car is an original survivor with original paint, weatherstripping, interior, running board rubber... I don't know about the tires, but they also looked ancient. The car spent 50 years in climate-controlled storage.
Pictures? I only managed 2, and I am unable to download them to my computer (USB error, grrrr....)
Ray, your explaination was eloquently stated. A matter of national pride. That explains why when I saw a clip of Trudeau on TV circa 1974 there were a bunch of big black GM cars in the dignitary procession. I saw a black 1974 Laurentian & either a Biscayne (Cdn exclusive after 72) or a Bel Air behind it, all brand new and salt-free despite the winter weather in the scene.
-- Edited by CdnGMfan on Monday 30th of April 2012 08:40:12 AM
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67 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe, Oshawa-built 250 PG never disturbed.
In garage, 296 cid inline six & TH350...
Cam, Toronto.
I don't judge a man by how far he's fallen, but by how far back he bounces - Patton
Following up on Ken's post above with the 1939 Buick royal limousine, I believe that the Queen E;lizabeth to this day uses a deep claret colour limousine and I recall that on one of her last visits here the stretch Lincoln that she used was a claret colour.
-- Edited by 73SC on Monday 30th of April 2012 09:09:54 PM
Colonel Samuel McLaughlin founded the McLaughlin Motor Car Co.in 1907, one of the first major automobile manufacturers in Canada, which evolved into General Motors of Canada. McLaughlin Carriage Works, at one time the largest manufacturer of horse-drawn buggies and sleighs in the British Empire. With engines from William C. Durant of Buick he produced the McLaughlin-Buick Model F, establishing The McLaughlin Motor Car Company, incorporated on November 20, 1907. In 1908, its first full year of operation, it produced 154 cars. In 1910 he became a director of General Motors and sold his company in 1918 becoming president of General Motors of Canada, which continued to sell cars under the McLaughlin-Buick brand until 1942. He retired in 1945, but remained chairman of the board until his death in 1972.
The choice of a State car is often done with a lot of thought and Nationalistic pride, so an Oshawa built Buick represented the very best automobile produced in Canada at that time and paid respects to both a great car company and Canadian.
Now it all makes sense.
I was thinking "how Canadian", for the Prime Minister to be driving a very unassuming Buick whereas the equivalent car in the US would have been a stretched Cadillac or Lincoln (like the famous one that JFK was assassinated in), which would have likely appeared too ostentatious for the more subdued Canadian culture.
However, the McLaughlin-Buick lineage ties it in even better...
Chrysler of Canada also did up a car for the Queen or some other Brit royalty in 53. It had a purple and white paint job with a purple/ white interior and crown emblems. It looked like a Crown Royal whiskey car. Which also was part of the royal jubilee celebration?
The Buick is a very understated car for a head of state. Unlike Trudeau who used a Cadillac limo nicknamed the "Silver Bullett"
I'm more interested in the actual condition of a car and don't really care if a celebrity owned it. at least not enough to pay a premium because of that. I realize I'm a minority on that subject.