Can anyone substantiate weather or not there was a Model T assembly plant for a short while in Saint John, N.B., Canada? I thought I read that but I could be wrong. Thanks, John
No. Distribution facility? Maybe. Re: Bay of Fundy.
Yes there was an assembly plant. The major components were shipped here by rail and assembled into complete cars. Not sure where I read it either but I do remember an older gentleman telling me about it.
Here is partial scan from The Ford Industries (ed. 1926) and it shows the A (assembly plant branches) and S (sales branches). A branches in Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal,and Port Elizabeth.
Not shown is the eastern provinces,an A assembly plant is shown at Port Elizabeth, notes for South America. Makes sense to construct the cars at the port to ship in finished from to country where they were not set up for assembly.
John,
Great question and comments. It appears at one point in time they did assemble cars there.
Quote: “Mar 7, 1917. The first Ford made in the Maritimes is assembled at the new plant in Saint John, New Brunswick.” Ref: page 30 “Ford and Canada – 100 Years Together” by James C Mays.
And from “The Ford Industries” (ed 1926) we see that Saint John, New Brunswick has an “S” inside a circle indicating that in 1926 it was a service plant and no longer an assembly plant.
Respectfully submitted,
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I stand corrected - assembled (not manufactured). Interesting to know!
Thank you all for your great inputs. I like the saying "None of us is as smart as all of us together." I don't think the important thing is who is correct but that more importantly together we are able to build a better and more accurate understanding of our cars and how they were manufactured (assembled). There will be times when some of us feel strongly our answer is best while others feel just as strongly their answer is best. In some cases additional research and time will help clarify the issue. But some times we may just have to agree we can't always uncover a single clear cut answer to every question. And that is ok also. Henry Ford believed he had found “the answer” to man’s ideal motorcar. But by 1927 he was able to admit that perhaps it had been the best answer for many years but that it was not the best answer for 1928 and beyond.
Thank you all for your help in supporting our hobby and for helping us gather additional information and insights about our cars. Anyone interested in research type support, please take a look at the thread at: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/80257/111749.html and drop me an e-mail. We have several folks already willing to support this effort. And within the next few years we need to have a core group of folks who have an interest in this area identified. It is not for everyone – if you hate history and details – probably not a good fit for you. But you can still enjoy your T without knowing what the part number or factory number for the front axle. It drives just the same and is just as much fun.
Respectfully submitted,
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Thanks for all your help and information. I feel better as I have been telling people there was a plant but I had no proof. Regards John
John,
Great to see another Maritimer on here. Nice looking car you have. Where are you located? We are just outside Moncton. Looks like more T's resurfacing in these parts. We love to drive ours as much as possible.
Colin
The St. Johns facility (whatever it actually was) was on Rothesay Avenue from 1916
Thanks George.
Hi Colin Knowles, With any luck pushing the right buttons I may have sent you an e-mail about location etc. Regards John