Ford Frontenac

In 1960, Ford Canada introduced the Frontenac to give Mercury-Meteor dealers a compact to sell. It was a separate division, like Lincoln was to Ford. Produced for the 1960 model year only, the Frontenac was essentially a 1960 Falcon with its own unique grille, tail lights, and external trim, including red maple-leaf insignia. It was the second-best selling compact in Canada during its one year (5% of Ford's total Canadian output).[1] A total of 9,536 Frontenacs were built at its Oakville, Ontario, plant.[1] In August 1960 a prototype 1961 Frontenac was driven from Halifax to Vancouver for a photo shoot only to learn that the Canadian model was discontinued from the domestic market and replaced by the Mercury Comet for the 1961 model year.[2]

The Frontenac is one example of U.S. automakers' attempts to market slight variations of U.S. models as unique Canadian makes.[3] Like Ford's Monarch and Meteor brands, and GM's Acadian, the Frontenac was not part of the Ford or Meteor line. It was its own marque, and was marketed as such. The Frontenac was named after a late 17th century governor of New France and was the model name was used previously from 1931 to 1933 on a car assembled in Toronto by Dominion Motors.[1]

Model Information[4]

Name Engine HP Voltage Transmission Wheelbase Length Width
Frontenac 144 CID I6 90 12 3-speed manual; 2-speed automatic 109.5 in (2,781 mm) 181.2 in (4,602 mm) 70 in (1,778 mm)

References

  1. 1 2 3 English, Bob (23 September 2010). "The one-year wonder". The Globe and Mail. p. G5. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  2. ↑ "Frontenac from the "Magic World of Comet"". 61thriftpower.com. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  3. ↑ "New Ford Frontenac Goes On Display Here Oct 8th". St Maurice Valley Chronicle. 17 September 1959. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  4. ↑ "Frontenac brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. p. 12. Retrieved 22 December 2015.

Further reading

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