Читать книгу 60 Years Behind the Wheel - Bill Sherk - Страница 17

Fred Foster’s 1908 McLaughlin

FRED FOSTER OF BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO, is seated behind the wheel of his new 1908 McLaughlin Model F two-cylinder touring. Sam McLaughlin began building automobiles in Goshawk, Ontario, in December 1907 with Buick engines imported from the United States and bodies built by McLaughlin. Fred is seen here with his family ready to leave for Midland, Ontario, to attend a family wedding. He was so pleased with his new car he wrote the following letter to the factory that built it:

Bowmanville, December 14th, 1908

Messrs. McLaughlin Motor Car Co. Ltd.

Oshawa, Ont.

Dear Sirs:

The Touring Car I purchased from you last spring has given me the very best of satisfaction. It is economical in consumption of gasoline, and will climb any hill I have yet met. My repairs for the entire season have cost $2.00.

When I purchased the car I had no knowledge whatsoever of Automobiles. After a few days experimenting I took my family for a trip covering 300 miles, without a chauffeur, and we had no mishap or trouble. During the season I have travelled over 3500 miles, and the car is practically as good as when it left the factory.

I thank you heartily for the great courtesy you and your employees have shown me, and conscientiously recommend the McLaughlin car to anyone desiring a reliable and commodious machine.

Yours truly,

Fred Foster

The little girl seated in the back grew up and became a doctor. Her married name was Ruby Tremer, and she passed away at the end of a long and eventful life. Noel Hamer of Odessa, Ontario, purchased this photo and papers from her husband after she died.

Noel has been restoring antique cars for over forty years. His favourite is the 1932 Ford roadster. He has restored twenty-seven of them.