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Gasoline Alley: Rides from 1918 - 1928

Our visit to Gasoline Alley in Calgary continues.  We've previously looked at this fine museum's collection of antique gasoline pumps and vehicles from 1907 - 1917. Today our tour continues with my favorite cars and trucks from 1918 to 1928, some of which are pretty spectacular! 

 

1) 1918 Chevrolet 490

 

This no frills car was created to compete with the popular Ford Model T and was quite successful.  The car originally sold for $490.  Lights and wiring sold for $60 more. 

 

1918 Chevrolet 490

1918 Chevrolet 490

 

2) 1918 Coffin Nose International

 

Trucks like this were very popular with local farmers, who bought them because of the labor savings and increased productivity they allowed.

 

1918 Coffin Nose International

1918 Coffin Nose International

1918 Coffin Nose International

 

3) 1918 Maxwell Tanker
 
A rare truck produced in small numbers.  Touted by the following company ad: "Does the work of three horse teams for less than the operating cost of maintaining one team".
 

1918 Maxwell Tanker

1918 Maxwell Tanker

1918 Maxwell Tanker

 

1918 Maxwell Tanker

1918 Maxwell Tanker

 

4) 1918 McLaughlin Buick
 
A popular car with Canadian rum-runners during prohibition.  A fleet of these vehicles transported booze from British Columbia to Alberta and Montana.
 
1918 McLaughlin Buick

1918 McLaughlin Buick

1918 McLaughlin Buick

1918 McLaughlin Buick

 

5)  1919 Oldsmobile Truck

 

 A popular delivery vehicle. 

1919 Oldsmobile Truck

1919 Oldsmobile Truck

1919 Oldsmobile Truck

 

6) 1922 Gray Dort Model 19B

 

Produced by Gray Dort Motors in Chatham, Ontario, it is the first car recognized as being "Canadian made".  This car was one of 26,000 produced at the factory during it's 10 year run, although just a few examples survive.

 

1922 Gray Dort

1922 Gray Dort

1922 Gray Dort

1922 Gray Dort

 

7) 1922 White Fuel Tanker

 

The White Motor Co. was founded in 1899 by 3 brothers.  Over time they became a world leader in the production of heavy trucks and buses, with both domestic and military models produced.  This is a 5 ton heavy duty hauler with steel rimmed solid rubber tires. 

1922 White Fuel Tanker

1922 White Fuel Tanker

1922 White Fuel Tanker

1922 White Fuel Tanker

 

8) 1926 White Shell Tanker

 

 A rare example of a light fuel delivery truck. 

1926 Shell Tanker

1926 Shell Tanker

1926 Shell Tanker

1926 Shell Tanker

1926 Shell Tanker

 

9) 1927 GMC Delivery Truck

 

The Imperial Bank of Canada (now RIBC) owned a fleet of these maroon colored trucks.  They were used to transfer cash, paperwork and people between branches.  Each vehicle had its unique "nickname". 

1927 GMC Delivery Truck

1927 GMC Delivery Truck

1927 GMC Delivery Truck

1927 GMC Delivery Truck

 

10) 1927 Star Grain Truck

 

A rare Canadian grain truck, one of the last Star trucks produced (at least in part because they were not very powerful).  Built in Brantford, Ontario. 

1927 Star Grain Truck

1927 Star Grain Truck

1927 Star Grain Truck

 

11) 1928 Auburn 6-76

 

 The only known example of this vehicle to exist.  Was made for one year in Auburn, Indiana. 

1928 Auburn 6-76

1928 Auburn 6-76

1928 Auburn 6-76

1928 Auburn 6-76

1928 Auburn 6-76

1928 Auburn 6-76

 

12) 1928 Ford AR Roadster Pickup

 

A rare Canadian built Model A.  USA built models had no door on the driver's side (to keep drivers from stepping into traffic).  Canadian built models had both driver and passenger doors open, partially because until the 1940s some provinces drove on the left hand side of the road and some on the right.

 

1928 Ford AR Roadster Pickup

1928 Ford AR Roadster Pickup

1928 Ford AR Roadster Pickup

 

The last of the Gasoline Alley vehicles will be published next week.

Attachments

Images (46)
  • 1918 Coffin Nose International
  • 1918 Chevrolet 490
  • 1918 Chevrolet 490
  • 1918 Coffin Nose International
  • 1918 Coffin Nose International
  • 1918 Maxwell Tanker
  • 1918 Maxwell Tanker
  • 1918 Maxwell Tanker
  • 1918 Maxwell Tanker
  • 1918 McLaughlin Buick
  • 1918 McLaughlin Buick
  • 1918 McLaughlin Buick
  • 1918 McLaughlin Buick
  • 1919 Oldsmobile Truck
  • 1919 Oldsmobile Truck
  • 1919 Oldsmobile Truck
  • 1922 Gray Dort
  • 1922 Gray Dort
  • 1922 Gray Dort
  • 1922 Gray Dort
  • 1922 White Fuel Tanker
  • 1922 White Fuel Tanker
  • 1922 White Fuel Tanker
  • 1922 White Fuel Tanker
  • 1926 Shell Tanker
  • 1926 Shell Tanker
  • 1926 Shell Tanker
  • 1926 Shell Tanker
  • 1926 Shell Tanker
  • 1926 Shell Tanker
  • 1927 GMC Delivery Truck
  • 1927 GMC Delivery Truck
  • 1927 GMC Delivery Truck
  • 1927 GMC Delivery Truck
  • 1927 Star Grain Truck
  • 1927 Star Grain Truck
  • 1927 Star Grain Truck
  • 1928 Auburn 6-76
  • 1928 Auburn 6-76
  • 1928 Auburn 6-76
  • 1928 Auburn 6-76
  • 1928 Auburn 6-76
  • 1928 Auburn 6-76
  • 1928 Ford AR Roadster Pickup
  • 1928 Ford AR Roadster Pickup
  • 1928 Ford AR Roadster Pickup

Twitter: @DrFumblefinger

"We do not take a trip, a trip takes us".  John Steinbeck, from Travels with Charlie

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