Frontenac (Car) | The Canadian Encyclopedia

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Frontenac (Car)

After William Durant lost control of GENERAL MOTORS for the second time, he started Durant Motors, and a Canadian branch was established in the Toronto suburb of Leaside.

Frontenac (Car)

After William Durant lost control of GENERAL MOTORS for the second time, he started Durant Motors, and a Canadian branch was established in the Toronto suburb of Leaside. This branch was so profitable, despite serious problems at the parent firm, that it went independent, founding Dominion Motors Ltd in 1931. Its cars were named after the comte de FRONTENAC, a governor of New France. The first Frontenac was like the Durant Six, featuring automatic starting (when the ignition was turned on) and freewheeling (engine compression not slowing the car while coasting). Frontenac later added the small, 4-cylinder, US DeVaux and the larger Continental to its range. Eventually, the Great Depression had its effect and production ended in December 1933, nearly 2 years after Durant Motors had succumbed.

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