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History repeats itself at the Toronto auto show
The annual Canadian International AutoShow rolls into town this month for the annual touch-and-feel fest that has been tempting local enthusiasts since 1974 when 80,000 Torontonians showed up.
Currently, the show draws approximately 300,000 visitors to the display of more than 1,000 automobiles, making it the largest of its kind in Canada. But, the history of such shows actually stretches back over a century.
The first auto shows were held in Toronto in 1906, and there were two competing at that time. One was held at the old Granite Club rink on Church Street and one at the old Armouries building on University Avenue.
Back in 1911, an article in the Toronto World newspaper boasted of a new military exhibit for that year’s rendition, also held at the Armouries. It stated that there would be “fighting-models for army service.” In addition, it went on to explain that cars had risen in price dramatically over the past five years from an average of less than $1,000 to a whopping $1,600.
At the 1912 show, the first motor vehicle built in Canada was displayed — an electric car from 1893, owned by Torontonian Frederick Barnard Fetherstonaugh.
At that time, the auto show was a reflection of the prosperity of the time, and there was even a small orchestral group that played for the show.
In 1975 (pictured above), the show featured the Bricklin, a Canadian sports car that was designed and constructed in New Brunswick. The gull-wing car was produced from 1974 to 1976, turning out less than 3,000 units before going bankrupt.
This year’s show will feature the latest and greatest concept cars, just like the Bricklin back in the ’70s.
Already confirmed is a new electric BMW, for example. Almost 100 years later, and the idea of an electric car on the roads still seems futuristic.
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