Whitby Fre Pm Vsssdckisday. Jur McDougaldcars gvntoDram automus FROM PAGE 1 1918 Packard 1921 Kissel; 1923 Vauxhai~; 1926 Bugatti; 1926 Bentley; 1927 Isotta-Fraschini; 1928 Mercedes-Benz 55 roadster- 1928 Hispano-Suiza; 1930 henderson motorcycle; 1931 Alfa Romeoe 1932 Francis Barnett motorcycte; 1935 Roîls- Royce tourer; .1937 Rolls-Royce Towvn Car; 1960 Rlls-Royce limousine; 1968 Cadillac Eldorado; 1971 Cadillac Eldorado convertible; and 1975 Cadillac limousine. .The cars were a gift from McDougald's mec.. and nephew: Cecil Fennel of Ashburn, Ted Gooderhaxn, and the late Anme Gibson.. "W. chose the Canadian Automotive Museuma because we felt- they were the best equipped to maintain, preserve and keep the collection together," says Fennell. The cars have been designated as Canadian Cultural, Property, meaning that they* will remain inh Canada. "Our alternative was offering themi at auction, but we didn t like that. My uncle collected' them. Selling them off one 4y one would have defeated the purpose." T'M. collection had been stored at Green Meadows, McDougald's North York estate in a number of garages that loVkd.more like cottages with their spotless floors, curtained windows and crystal chandeliers. The estate covered 300 acres at one time and McDougald often hosted car rallies on the grounds, with owners showing their antique cars- and enjoying champagne lunches under tents. Although h.e and his wife drove the cars regularly most were put into storage. following his death in 1978. The. cars were brought to Oshawa with the help of a generous donation from The. Mackie Group who used their special low-sfung automobile transportera. Set up on the newly redocorated ground floor of the museum (the rest of the museum's cars are now on the second floor), they are now in the process of being brought back to running condition. It's a slow, meticulous task being carried out by, Innes and museuin curator Michael Foley. Some of the cars haven't been started for 25 years. 'Tou can't just turn the key because you'Il do irreparable damage," Innes They have been able to start the cars they are very familiar with -- the tord and the Rolîs- Royces. (The. 1960 limousine had seen regular service, making a trip to Florida two years ago, and was the only car driven onto the Mackie truck.) Once fluide were added and everything was 1carefully allow them to reach their goal. The. newo building will contain a McDougald Wing, where the 21 vehicles will b. shown on dspla now with the exception of the Cadillacs, which have been kept in sitorage because of their size.) Fennel who will b. an honoureâ guest at the opeming, i. thrilled at t9 uncle'. collectic ##]Pm just p happened," sil don. somethinl enjoy, and that My umcle was 1 his guesta werg the garages to that this is wh wanted.ft 1914 ROLLS ROYCE SILVER GHOST checked, the Ford was started with jusýt a quarter-turn of the crank, an aniazing testimony to the ery firat year of the Model T. Experts from around the world are being consulted for the more exotic cars. "We've talked to -a Bugatti -expert in Maine," Innes says, "and we're communicating with, Italy for the Isotta- Fraschiniad the Alfa Romeo and Stuttgart for the Mercedes.'l They must know everyting about the engines first. The Bugatti, for example, has 'splashl lubrication. While. modemn cars have internaI pumps to lubricate the engines, the Bugatti depends on the. moving crankshaft to, splash oil .where it's need.d. Starting this engine without properly primiîng it will result In it running with no olI - a situation that will ruin it. "I know of on. collector who learned about that the hard way " Innes says and he has no desire to irepeat the experiment. The cars h ve-been thoroughly cleaned and lubricated, and any worn. tires have been replaced. They are alI in excellent original conItion -- McDougald was a perfectionist., Ms niece Fennell relates, and everything had to be just o. McDougald's initials are painted in tiny letters on thé car doors. Most of the cars are huge, dating from a time when wealth was demonstrated by the. size and-horsepower of one's vehicle, and. they dominate the museum's first floor. There is the Is 'otta-Frasochini, made in Italyr with its boat-shaped body and inlaid wood; Hispano-Suiza limousine the naine meani*ng 'Spanish-ýwiss'; American-made Kissel, Packard and Hupmobile, now Just naines in history; 1914 Silver Ghost on. of the most valuable Rolls-Royces in the world. The 1935 Rolls-Royce is not only a rare model, as a four-door touring (convertible), but it was also a favourite of the Queen Mother, a personal friend of the. McDougald's. "She would, stay at Green Meadows when she visited Canada, and she would ride in it," says Peter Humphrey, working adiinistrator of the estate. 'A few years a o Prince Andrew and Sarah Flerguson camne here and she called Mrs. McDougald and ask that- the car b. readjy- for thein." "Jim McDougald, now 90, still gets a card and letter frei hem each year. The cars complement the rnuseum's famous 'Canadian Collection.' Today the only large car companies in Canada are subsidiaries- of foreign automakers, but in the early years cf this century, more than 200 independent companies made vehicles that weme not built anywhere else in the world. Te museuin owns 19 examples, believed te b. the largest single collection of umiquely Canadian built cars anywhere. Cars such as the Redpath, Tudhope-Mclntyre, Brockville, Gaît, Gray-Dort and Brooks are now upstairs at the museum. Their 1910 McKay is thought to be the only survivor cf the Nova Scotia-based company. The two collections will become the cornerstone cf the museum's massive, *3-million fundraising campaign. "Space has become citical," curator Foley says. "We need a larger building and our goal is te have one within five years.-- Fundinj from the City of Oshawa is very sinaîl andthe museum is appealing te the private sector, hoping that corporations and individuals will become benefactors and patrons. Ail donations are tax- deductible. A simiflar fund-raising drive 10 years ago fizzled when companies who had promised sponsorshi p withdrew their suppor. Foley and Innes are con dent that better times,' along with the visibility of the McDougald Collection, will 1 926 BUGATTI FAT MAN'S steenng wheel on a 19211 ~ 1960 ROLLS McDOUGALD'S chauffeur caretaker wih 1914 Rails. and aur