Dominion Motors Frontenac
Encyclopedia
Durant Motors
of New York, New York first used the Frontenac marque in 1931 on vehicles built and sold in Canada
. The Canadian Durant firm was acquired by a group of Canadian investors and renamed Dominion Motors Limited. The firm continued building Durant and Frontenac cars. The first Frontenac, for 1931, was model 6-18, a 109" wheelbase car based on the Durant 619.
After Durant Motors went under in 1932, Dominion Motors switched to De Vaux
for a source of car designs. The 1932 Frontenac range consisted of two sixes, 6-70 (109" wheelbase), an update of the 1931 6-18, and the 6-85 (114" wheelbase) based on the De Vaux 6-80.
And just as Durant got into trouble, so did De Vaux. The firm was taken over by its major creditor, Continental Motors
, in late 1932. Continental decided to continue car production under the Continental name and Dominion Motors decided to base their cars on Continental vehicles. Just as the 1933 Continental line consisted of three models, so did Frontenac.
The last Frontenac models were the C-400, a 101½" wheelbase four cylinder car based on the Continental Beacon and the C-600, based on the 107" wheelbase, six cylinder Continental Flyer. Frontenac imported the 114" wheelbase Continental Ace, putting a Frontenac nameplate on the grille and selling them as the Frontenac Ace.
Although Continental continued into 1934, Frontenac called it quits in 1933. Dominion Motors also built Reo
cars and trucks for the Canadian market. Reo continued to use the plant into the early 1950s and in 1950 and 1951 Kaiser used part of the plant to assemble Kaiser sedans for the Canadian market.
Only Dominion carried on and Continental was already out of the picture and the majority of the plant was being operated by Reo on its own.
Riverdale Tire & Auto Exchange were the ones who bought up the entire stock from Dominion
1st ad Toronto Star Jan 5 - 1934 reads Frontenac Cars & Rugby Trucks
We have purchased from Dominion Motors Ltd. their entire stock of Coupes, Coaches, Sedans and Trucks. It then it goes on to give prices of each model.
2nd ad Toronto Star Mar 15 - 1934 reads {and only 2 were ever published} Brand New Frontenac's ( We have obtained from Dominion Motors Ltd. their entire stock of Frontenac cars 400 & 600 series. Since Jan 1st 75% of these economical cars have been sold. The number remaining on hand is very limited.) Then it goes on to give prices and mentions that the Standard Sedan 4 cylinder comes radio-equipped and that it converts into a sleeping car in only 3 minutes.
June 23 1944 when Dominion Motors Ltd, finally sold of their last section of factories and the remaining lands to Frigidaire is when they also gave up their Charter as Dominion Motors Limited, ending the only all Canadian Car company.
There is one 1934 Frontenac in Mississauga, Ontario, that has the Pullman feature of the folding seat.
Durant Motors
Durant Motors Inc. was established in 1921 by former General Motors CEO William "Billy" Durant following his termination by the GM board of directors and the New York bankers that financed GM.-Corporate relationships:...
of New York, New York first used the Frontenac marque in 1931 on vehicles built and sold in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The Canadian Durant firm was acquired by a group of Canadian investors and renamed Dominion Motors Limited. The firm continued building Durant and Frontenac cars. The first Frontenac, for 1931, was model 6-18, a 109" wheelbase car based on the Durant 619.
After Durant Motors went under in 1932, Dominion Motors switched to De Vaux
De Vaux
The De Vaux was an automobile produced by the De Vaux Motors Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan and Oakland, California ....
for a source of car designs. The 1932 Frontenac range consisted of two sixes, 6-70 (109" wheelbase), an update of the 1931 6-18, and the 6-85 (114" wheelbase) based on the De Vaux 6-80.
And just as Durant got into trouble, so did De Vaux. The firm was taken over by its major creditor, Continental Motors
Continental Motors Company
Continental Motors Company was an American engine and automobile manufacturer. The company produced engines for various independent manufacturers of automobiles, tractors, and stationary equipment from the 1900s through the 1960s. Continental Motors also produced Continental-branded automobiles in...
, in late 1932. Continental decided to continue car production under the Continental name and Dominion Motors decided to base their cars on Continental vehicles. Just as the 1933 Continental line consisted of three models, so did Frontenac.
The last Frontenac models were the C-400, a 101½" wheelbase four cylinder car based on the Continental Beacon and the C-600, based on the 107" wheelbase, six cylinder Continental Flyer. Frontenac imported the 114" wheelbase Continental Ace, putting a Frontenac nameplate on the grille and selling them as the Frontenac Ace.
Although Continental continued into 1934, Frontenac called it quits in 1933. Dominion Motors also built Reo
REO Motor Car Company
The REO Motor Car Company was a Lansing, Michigan based company that produced automobiles and trucks from 1905 to 1975. At one point the company also manufactured buses on its truck platforms.REO was initiated by Ransom E. Olds during August 1904...
cars and trucks for the Canadian market. Reo continued to use the plant into the early 1950s and in 1950 and 1951 Kaiser used part of the plant to assemble Kaiser sedans for the Canadian market.
Sources
- Zavitz, Perry R. Canadian Cars, 1946-1984, Bookman Publishing, Baltimore, Maryland, 1985, ISBN 0-934780-43-9
- Canadian Automotive Information Handbook, Canadian Automotive Information Service, Oakville, Ontario : 1939 edition
Only Dominion carried on and Continental was already out of the picture and the majority of the plant was being operated by Reo on its own.
Riverdale Tire & Auto Exchange were the ones who bought up the entire stock from Dominion
1st ad Toronto Star Jan 5 - 1934 reads Frontenac Cars & Rugby Trucks
We have purchased from Dominion Motors Ltd. their entire stock of Coupes, Coaches, Sedans and Trucks. It then it goes on to give prices of each model.
2nd ad Toronto Star Mar 15 - 1934 reads {and only 2 were ever published} Brand New Frontenac's ( We have obtained from Dominion Motors Ltd. their entire stock of Frontenac cars 400 & 600 series. Since Jan 1st 75% of these economical cars have been sold. The number remaining on hand is very limited.) Then it goes on to give prices and mentions that the Standard Sedan 4 cylinder comes radio-equipped and that it converts into a sleeping car in only 3 minutes.
June 23 1944 when Dominion Motors Ltd, finally sold of their last section of factories and the remaining lands to Frigidaire is when they also gave up their Charter as Dominion Motors Limited, ending the only all Canadian Car company.
There is one 1934 Frontenac in Mississauga, Ontario, that has the Pullman feature of the folding seat.