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{ 12 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, July 24, 1984 1953 was the first year GM made the famous Corvette, and this one is a real gem. Classics, antiques gleaming chrome, Whether you're a real car buff or have just a passing interest in history, The Canadian Automotive Museum can take you on a fascinating trip back in time. Located at 99 Simcoe St., South in downtown Oshawa (where else?) the Museum always has more than 50 vintage cars and trucks on display, many of them lovingly restored to their original splendour when they ruled the roads in the '30s, '20s, and just after the "turn of the century. Museum director Jack Innes, who is an authori- ty and collector of vin- tage cars, says most peo- ple can comfortably tour the two-storey museum in about two hours. But anyone who is especially keen can easily spend half a day taking in the sights. There are three categories of cars on display: antique, classic and special interest, the latter valued not necessarily for their age or design, but for their uniqueness. Probably the cream of the Classics now on display is a magnificent 1927 Rolls Royce Con- tinental Touring Saloon. Except for new paint, this car is in original con- dition. Built originally for an owner in Wales, the car was later pur- chased by the president of the Rolls Royce Club of Canada and is/ now owned by Mr. Innés and his father who have put it on permanent loan to the Museum. ~ A Another very rare classic is a 1936 Cord Phaetort convertible, finished in cream white, the kind of luxury auto that actress Jean Harlow might have driven. The Cord is on loan from the owner in B.C., who spent ten years restoring it, and Mr. In- nes says it is considered a very rare and valuable auto. Of course the name McLaughlin is synonymous with Oshawa and the Cana- dian car industry, and the Museum has several cars bearing that famous name. The oldest piece in the Museum is a cutter, built in 1867, by Robert McLaughlin, father of Colonel Sam. There is a 1905 buggy built by Sam, and a 1908 McLaughlin Buick tour- ing car, the first year of production for automobiles. Some of the other vin- tage machines of interest is an early Dodge, owned by the wife of Horace Dodge, founder of the company. This one h as just 2100 miles on it and is in near perfect condi- tion. In fact, it was found about five years ago in a coach house on the Dodge family estate in Detroit. Of a later vintage is a steel-grey 1963 Studebaker Avanti, with fibreglass body and super-charged motor. There is also an er- mine white 1953 Cor- greet car buffs. . . vette, the first year GM manufactured this popular sports machine. It is on loan from a Rich- mond Hill car dealer and considered a rare classic. In one corner of the Museum is a display of three cars right out of the era of Al Capone and the 1930's. They are a '36 Auburn, a '28 Hudson and a '31 Gardner. One can almost see the sub- machine guns sticking out the side windows, as they raced through the streets of Chicago. The Automotive Museum was established in 1962 and is operated under a board of direc- tors as a non-profit organization. It is open seven days a week, 9-5 weekdays and 10-6 weekends. Visitors are free to wander around on their own, although group tours can be arranged. There are staff members present to answer questions. For more information, contact the Museum at 576-1222. Museum director Jack Innes with a true classic, the 1927 Rolls Royce.