Club History

How it all Started

Way back in the halcyon days of 1956, Jack McGuigan found and purchased his 1917 Model T Ford. On his business visits to the CBC, Jack met Denis Cloutier. As usually happens with old car buffs, the talk turned to Jack's Model T and old cars in general.

As restoration progressed on the T during 1957-58, Denis and his girlfriend Lorna Mailey (later Denis' wife) were frequent visitors to Jack's home. In 1958, Jack joined the Horseless Carriage Club and he and Denis often discussed this club, especially when a new issue of the newsletter arrived.

One day in Jack's garage, the subject of forming a local club came up. After some discussion, both Jack and Denis agreed to talk to various acquaintances to see if others were also interested. Jack, as a salesman for Auto Supply, knew that at least some of his customers had old cars or were somewhat interested.

By word of mouth, Jack and Denis contacted 20 people who were interested. Jack then arranged to use the Winnipeg Free Press boardroom for a meeting where, on February 14, 1960, their efforts culminated in the successful beginning of the MCAAC!

In that first year, there were 33 Charter members. Five of those are still active in the club today. There was a steady growth to over 300 members and the MCAAC has been in the forefront of the antique car hobby in Manitoba ever since. The MCAAC was incorporated on April 27, 1962.

In 1970, as a Manitoba Centennial Project, the club purchased the remains of the original Lockport bus - a 1918 Ford Model T. It was used by George Donald from 1918 to 1931 to carry passengers from the street car line to the Red River Locks in Lockport, where he then rented out little fishing punts. Thus, he was known as "busman and boatman". His daughter, Mrs. Mabel Davis, became the first licensed bus driver in Canada. Today, this bus is an integral part of our club activities.

When public insurance was introduced to Manitoba in 1971, the MCAAC became involved with MPIC for appraisals of our old cars. This relationship has continued over the years. The MCAAC was also instrumental in the introduction of the "Vintage" license plates in 1971.

Over the years, the MCAAC has sponsored a number of successful car shows, the latest being at the Winnipeg Convention Centre for our 35th anniversary in 1995. We also sponsored the swap meets at Polo Park Shopping Centre for many years. The MCAAC has now joined with the Red River Exhibition Association to provide a bigger and better weekend swap meet.

---