Wednesday, April 7, 2021
1917 Gray-Dort, built in Chatham An email arrived recently from Simon Genest of St. Thuribe, Quebec, with the story of a car built over one hundred years ago in Chatham, Ontario. “Hi Bill. My father was a cabinet maker. A friend offered to buy for him, a heap of scrap, which was once a GrayDort car made in 1917. “For five years, my father worked patiently on its restoration. He ordered original parts. His first outing was during the official parade of the 150th anniversary of the village of St. Albans. He was very proud. “My father passed away a few weeks ago. We found the car in a dusty garage. We took it out and cleaned it up. The engine no longer starts. We don’t know if we can make a collector happy or if one of my nephews, who is a mechanic, could continue to improve it.” The Gray family in Chatham, Ontario, was very successful in building horsedrawn carriages. When the automobile became popular, they decided that was the way to go.
golf. With no more parts coming from Michigan, the Gray-Dort Company in Chatham came to an end after building
THE OLD CAR DETECTIVE
Southpoint Sun - 19
26,000 Gray-Dorts. Some still survive, including the one shown here. I’m always looking for stories. Email billtsherk@sympatico.ca.
Bill Sherk They hooked up with Dallas Dort in Michigan, who was building a light and well-made car called the Dort. The Gray family would build a car in Chatham with parts imported from Dallas Dort in Michigan. The result was the Gray-Dort, which began in 1915. For the next four years, all GrayDorts had the gas filler neck sticking out through the dashboard. This way, the driver could sit behind the wheel while buying gas from a curbside pump. But there was always the danger of fire if the driver was smoking a cigarette. In 1920, the gas tank was moved to the rear of the car. In 1925, Dallas Dort suddenly decided to get out of the car business and died soon after of a heart attack while playing
1917 Gray-Dort recently restored in Quebec.
What was happening in 1966 in this area By C. Scott Holland —————— Canada’s 1967 CentenA total of 21 new buildnial commissioner John ing permits had been isFisher spoke to 200 peo- sued by building inspecple at the Roma Club. He tor Cam Smithson. The was introduced by T. D. largest was a 120 ft. by 207 Smyth, chair of the Leam- ft. warehouse to be erectington and District Cen- ed on Ivan St. for Dibtennial Board. The group brell Brothers Tobacco. heard about some of the Contractor Frank Lutsch events already planned. Sr. had five permits for —————— houses to be built on the The new Leaming- east side of Danforth Ave. ton and Mersea munici- between Alderton and pal building was slated Hayward. to open on Mon., Apr. ————— 11. The New offi$450,000 cers for the structure local Kwanis while not Club were: completeEric Slater ly finished 1st vice-preswas havident; John ing furniCrump past ture and president; records incoming moved into president it. LeamDr. Robington’s ert McGirr; temporary and George office had Thomas Smyth was the Wigle, 2nd been in a president of Leamington’s v i c e - p r e s i house on 1967 Centennial board and dent. Clark St. W. would eventually rise to become president of Heinz while Mer- Canada. sea used a store in the Shotton building on Erie St. N.. The first council meeting would be Leamington’s on Apr. 11 and Mersea would hold theirs RESIDENTIAL BUILDING SOLUTIONS on Apr. 18. “From the ground up” —————— Mersea Township’s PoNew Homes Additions lice force now consists of Decks Fencing three members as ConRoofing Siding Garages Sheds stable William Wright a Windows Doors former OPP officer joined Renovations Drywall Chief Reo Williams and Constable Alan Harris. 519-791-3219
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