by Larry D'Argis
Winnipeg Free Press
Friday, July 23, 1999

 

Open cars have always played an important part in history. Often called upon to transport dignitaries and celebrities, their collapsible roof structure is ideal for providing high visibility.

 

The car's occupants benefit from an unobstructed view of the crowd as they travel the parade route in relative comfort. An open vehicle also offers another advantage. Seeing people drive by in a closed limousine can hardly match seeing them comfortably seated, smiling, waving, and interacting with the crowd.

 

The latter leaves the memory of an almost intimate meeting and the vehicle used becomes part of the overall experience. Unites States President Harry Truman rode in a Detrich stretched 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan convertible sedan and it became quickly known as the President's car. Not wanting to tamper with an icon, President Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy continued to use the car until 1961.

 

A 35-day royal tour in 1951 introduced Canadians to the then Royal Caddy Princess Elizabeth the Duke of Edinburgh. The nation beamed with pride at the opportunity to show Canada to the young royals and welcomed them with open arms. Traveling mainly by train and airplane the criss-cross tour took them from coast to coast with 29 stops including a two-day stay in Washington D. C.

 

Throngs of people would line the streets to catch a glimpse of the royal couple or perhaps be lucky enough to capture the motorcade with a snapshot as it wound its way through each city. To insure the happy multitudes were not disappointed various auto dealerships throughout Canada offered new convertibles for the use of the royal tour.

 

Cars used in the tour included Lincoln Cosmopolitans, Chrysler Imperials, New Yorkers, and Cadillac's. For the October 16th visit to Winnipeg they rode in a black 1951 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible, supplied by Dixion Motors. In the event of bad weather on the prairies, Prince Phillip had suggested the convertible be fitted with a see-through acrylic top and with that suggestion, approximately twenty workers at DeHaviland Aircraft in Toronto worked through the weekend constructing such a top, and had it flown to Winnipeg for the installation on the Cadillac. Many local photos depict the happy couple in route to the Royal Alexandra Hotel, in what the princess laughingly referred to as their personal goldfish bowl. For the duration of the tour, the top was shipped from city to city and used on other motorcade vehicles.

 

Following the royal tour, the car was purchased from Dixion Motors by Walter and Francis Coulthard of Headingley.

 

After a year the car was traded in and would see three more owners until the late 1960's when Winnipeg Towing owner Ray Relf purchased the car in the east Kildonan area of Winnipeg.

 

Relf's son Cliff remembers the car. The engine was seized, but the body was straight and rust free, still with its original paint, so my dad stored it for a future restoration.

 

In 1987, now retired Royal Bank area manager Stan Lamont of Winnipeg purchased the car from Relf. "I've loved old cars since I was a Kid and finding a rust free Cadillac of this vintage was quite a thrill," says Lamont.

 

Mechanical Rebuild

Thanks to Rel's storage techniques, the past two decades Royal Caddy front view hadn't caused any further deterioration of the car, but it was in need of a mechanical rebuild and a full body restoration. Lamont began by completely dismantling the car and assessing what components required rebuilding or replacement and carefully choosing experienced trades people and friends to assist him in the restoration.

In the course of a day I receive inquires from customers located throughout the world, but seldom do I expect to receive an inquiry from the Royal Family of England. But it happened.
CLICK HERE To learn more about the Fifth Avenue connection to this story ...

The engine was machined at Prairie Remanufacturing, then turned over along with the transmission to Herb Keil for a complete rebuild and the bodywork and paint were entrusted to Sovereign Carstar Collision. Replacement of the black convertible top and the reupholstering of the passenger compartment's tan leather interior are the work of Brian Burkhardt. Bringing the gleam back to the Cadillac's massive grill, bumpers, and trim was accomplished by Riverview Plating.

 

One weak point on the car is the original six-volt generator. For the low speed idling and driving encountered during parades, the Royal Caddy original cadillac generator charging system doesn't turn fast enough to charge the battery. To insure the six-volt electrical system would be up to the demands of parade driving, Lamont contacted Randy Rundle at Fifth Avenue Antique Auto Parts in Kansas about converting to an alternator. For several years Rundle's firm has supplied modern six volt alternators to enthusiasts for touring, racing, and most recently for the 1950's movie LA Confidential.

 

The 4,316-pound Cadillac rides on very comfortable 126-inch wheelbase and is powered by a 331 cubic-inch overhead valve V8 engine producing 130 horsepower at 3800 rpm and is mated to a Hydra-matic automatic transmission. Convince options include, power windows, power seat, electric clock, day/night rear-view mirror, wide whitewall 8.00 x 15 inch tires and a driver's side spotlight. One item that continued to elude Lamont was the tour car's acrylic top. "After advertising in various local and the morning interviews with CBC radio stations, notably Sydney and Halifax, I traced the top to a backyard in the city of Montreal says Lamont."

 

Despite his valiant efforts, Lamont located only part of the top, which was now being used, as a section of the home's greenhouse. Not ready to throw in the towel, he contacted DeHaviland Aircraft, hoping to speak with someone who might remember the 45 year-old project.

 

"The good news was they still had all of the close-up pictures from every angle and they were nice enough to send them to me, says Lamont."

 

With the dozens of photos in hand, Lamont enlisted the help of his talented friend, George Flemming to reconstruct an exact duplicate of the original top, including the four small pot lamps that illuminated the passenger compartment on the evening rides.

 

Since the completion of the seven-year restoration process the car and related memorabilia have been on display at the Tin Lizzie Auto Museum, located in St. Francois Xavier. On display, people such as the car's third owner, Harold Johnson, can look in on it and many tourists and school groups who visit can learn of the car's historical significance.

 

Taking on a restoration of this magnitude has been very challenging and not without some frustrations, but overall it's been fun and I feel a sense of pride that I was able to preserve a piece of Winnipeg history." Says Lamont

 

For his efforts, Lamont's Cadillac will again be called upon to perform service to the Royal family, to transport Princess Anne, who will be Crowd officiating at this evening's opening ceremonies for the XIII Pan Am Games. Utilizing the same 48 year old vehicle that once carried the princess' parents on their tour 48 years ago can only be eclipsed by the fact that this year marks 48 years since the start of the Pan Am Games in 1951.

 

This Sunday, the Cadillac will return to the Tin Lizzie for their second annual Concours d'Elegance, "Classy Car Show", sponsored by McNaught Pontiac Buick Cadillac Limited. The judged show begins at 11 a.m. and will feature; the music by Ray Wheeler's Specialty Music, an outdoor barbecue, and activities for the children.

 

Dixion Motors was purchased in 1975 by the McNaught family and has operated at the same Portage Avenue Location for the past Royal Caddy tags25 years as McNaught Pontiac Buick Cadillac Limited. For the next two weeks, Gord McNaught is looking forward to displaying the Stan and Nancy Lamont's 1951 Cadillac "Royal Tour" convertible in their dealership showroom located at 634 Portage Ave.

 

All are welcome to take a closer look at this beautifully restored convertible and see the many fine features to be found in the new 1999 Pontiac, Buick, and luxurious Cadillac automobiles.

 

With the dozens of photos in hand, Lamont enlisted the help of his talented friend, George Flemming to reconstruct an exact duplicate of the original top, including the four small pot lamps that illuminated the passenger compartment on the evening rides.

 

Since the completion of the seven-year restoration process the car and related memorabilia have been on display at the Tin Lizzie Auto Museum, located in St. Francois Xavier. On display, people such as the car's third owner, Harold Johnson, can look in on it and many tourists and school groups who visit can learn of the car's historical significance.

 

Fellow Royal Bank Employee and Lamont's friend Steve Beall makes his weekly trip to the museum to clean and polish the car. Taking on a restoration of this magnitude has been very challenging and not without some frustrations, but overall it's been fun and I feel a sense of pride that I was able to preserve a piece of Winnipeg history." Says Lamont.

 

For his efforts, Lamont's Cadillac will again be called upon to perform service to the Royal family, to transport Princess Anne, who will be officiating at this evening's opening ceremonies for the XIII Pan Am Games. Utilizing the same 48 year old vehicle that once carried the princess' parents on their tour 48 years ago can only be eclipsed by the fact that this year marks 48 years since the start of the Pan Am Games in 1951.

 

This Sunday, the Cadillac will return to the Tin Lizzie for their second annual Concours d'Elegance, "Classy Car Show", sponsored by McNaught Pontiac Buick Cadillac Limited. The judged show begins at 11 a.m. and will feature; the music by Ray Wheeler's Specialty Music, an outdoor barbecue, and activities for the children.

 

Fine Features

Dixion Motors was purchased in 1975 by the McNaught family and has operated at the same Portage Avenue Location for the past Royal Caddy tags25 years as McNaught Pontiac Buick Cadillac Limited. For the next two weeks, Gord McNaught is looking forward to displaying the Stan and Nancy Lamont's 1951 Cadillac "Royal Tour" convertible in their dealership showroom located at 634 Portage Ave.

 

All are welcome to take a closer look at this beautifully restored convertible and see the many fine features to be found in the new 1999 Pontiac, Buick, and luxurious Cadillac automobiles.