Minivans through history Though minivans date back to the 1930s, it was the VW Transporter in 1949 and the Chrysler minivans in 1984 that were the major trendsetters in minivan history, says auto historian, Bill Vance.
Monarch - Canada's own King of the Road, 1946-1961 Sold only in Canada, Monarchs were Mercury clones with different trim, says auto historian, Bill Vance. They were created to give Canadian Ford dealers a more upscale model to sell, he says.
Plymouth Prowler, 1997-2002 A modern reincarnation of the classic 1930s-based hot rod, the Plymouth Prowler made extensive use of lightweight materials: the doors, hood, decklid and parts of the frame and suspension were aluminum, and the instrument cowl was magnesium, says auto historian Bill Vance.
Renault 4CV, 1947-1961 The Renault 4CV was a tiny rear-engined four-door sedan or convertible with front doors hinged at the rear, "suicide" style. "The Renault's rear engine was quite a novelty in North America," says auto historian, Bill Vance.
Eddie Rickenbacker and his car company, 1922-1927 Famous World War One fighter pilot, Eddie Rickenbacker, was also a racing driver and owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. After the war, he started his own car company which produced some innovative technology, but lasted only five years.
Ford Fairlane, 1962-1970 Larger than a Ford Falcon but smaller than a full-size Ford, the intermediate Fairlane was an immediate sales success. "It deserves its little place in automotive history for being the vehicle that introduced Ford's outstanding compact V8 engine," says auto historian, Bill Vance.
General Motors Futurliner, 1940-1956 Only 12 of these futuristic, art-deco Futurliners were built by GM as mobile exhibits for General Motors technology. "The sight of those Futurliners..must have been a magnificent sight in those simpler times," says auto historian, Bill Vance.
Triumph Spitfire, 1963-1980 Intended as an affordable, good performing, entry level sports car for those who couldn't afford a Triumph TR4 or Austin Healey, the Triumph Spitfire enjoyed a remarkably long lifetime of 18 years in which more than 300,000 were built.
Canadian Transportation Museum and Historic Village One of the best kept Canadian automotive secrets is tucked away on one hundred peaceful acres of Southwestern Ontario's Essex County, says auto historian Bill Vance. "It's a place to quietly and peacefully view interesting Canadian transportation and social history."
Reo, 1904 - 1936 After a falling out with his business partner in 1904, Oldsmobile founder, Ransom Eli Olds formed a new automobile company named after his initials, Reo. The company was successful "until the 1929 stock market crash found Reo badly over extended."
Featherstonhaugh, 1893-1899: Toronto's first car The first electric car made in Canada, the Featherstonhaugh was named after its backer, a successful Toronto patent attorney. A handsome little two-passenger runabout, it featured pneumatic tires and had a folding top and electric lights, rarities for the time.
General Motors EV1 Electric Car, 1996-1999 GM spent some $1.5 billion (U.S) producing an attractive, highly sophisticated little, two-passenger electric car that was as close to state-of-the-art as possible, says auto historian Bill Vance. But its limited driving range made it unpopular with buyers.
Mini Moke, 1964 - 1992 When the first Mini arrived in 1959, the British Army wanted a stripped down utility version that could be parachuted out of an airplane. That idea never bore fruit, but the Mini Moke went on to become a popular civilian recreational vehicle.
MG Goes to the Salt Flats, 1951-1957 In the late 1950s, aerodynamic MG racers powered by modified MG TD and B series engines set a number of speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats in the U.S.A.
Oldsmobile, 1897-2004 When General Motors discontinued the Oldsmobile brand in 2004, it marked the end of the oldest name in American cars, and one with a long legacy of engineering innovation, says auto historian, Bill Vance.
