C L U T C H C H A T T E R REPORT
RIDEAU VALLEY REGION
CCR0809 HISTORICAL AUTOMOBILE SOCIETY OF CANADA
July 2009

"Last Meeting"

The last meeting of the Region was to have been a tour and potluck supper at Memory Lane Farm, home of Blair and Laura Prior. Unfortunately it was necessary to cancel this event as Laura's brother Ray Wiggins was seriously ill and in fact, has since passed away. As an alternative, it was suggested that members attend the Kars and Planes event sponsored by the Kars Flying Club at the Kars Airport on Dilworth Road. The event was attended by Bill and Marilyn Henderson in their 32 Buick, its first outing in a long while. Neil Tompkins and Rene Dugas flew in in Neil's Piper Colt while Helena and Wendy stayed on the ground, arriving in the 60 DeSoto and the 68 Camaro. The weather was good and the event was well attended with gate proceeds going to the local food bank.

Kars and Planes originated in 2000 as an initiative of President Bill Henderson, who thought that an event combining the vintage automobile and aircraft hobbies might be of interest as it has been done successfully in other areas. As a result, and with much planning, HASC Rideau Valley and the Kars Flying Club came together and hosted the first Kars and Planes. The event was eventually taken over by the Flying Club and has continued each year.

Activities – Rideau Valley:

July 26th – Event hosted by Barb and Dave Black. 

See Next Meeting below.

August 9th to 15th: NORMOSKA 2009, at Dorchester Fairgrounds, hosted by Tri-Lakes Region.  See Klaxon for details.

August 23rd: – Corn Boil with tour – Bill & Marilyn Henderson.

Activities – National:

August 1st & 2nd: Niagara Peninsula Meet (Caledonia).

August 9th to 15th: NORMOSKA 2009, at Dorchester fairgrounds, hosted by Tri-Lakes Region.  See Klaxon for details.

Activities – Non-HASC:

July 19th: Antique auto show at the Cumberland Museum – Open to all.

July 19th: 1st Arnprior classic vehicle show, Arnprior Fairgrounds, 21 Galvin Street, 07:00 to 16:00 hrs. Spectator admission, $1.00, vehicle admission $8.00 pre-reg., $10.00 at the gate. Sponsored by Arnprior Lions and Agriculture. For information, call 613-623-7825.
Web Site: www.arnpriorcarshow.ca.

July 21st & 22nd: 30th annual Malone International Auto Show and flea market. For info. call Brian at 613-543-0137 or visit web site at: www.maloneac.110nb.com.

July 31st to Aug. 2nd: Granby International Swap Meet at Daniel Johnson Park, Drummond Street, Granby, Quebec, 08:00 to 18:00 hrs.  Spectator admission $6.00 Friday, $10.00 Saturday and Sunday.  Vehicle admission $7.00 before July 1st,  $10.00 after.  Sponsored by Les Voitures Anciennes de Granby.  For information, call 450-777-1330.  E-mail: vagranby@hotmail.com
Website: www.vagi.gc.ca

August 6th to 9th: McLaughlin Buick Club of Canada Homecoming in Kingston, Ontario. For further information, contact Ron Fraser or Harold McQueen.

August 7th & 8th: Bothwell 2009 car show and Flea Market at Victoria Park, Bothwell Ontario.  Gates open 08:00, spectator admission, $3.00, children 12 and under, free.  Vehicle admission $10.00.  For more information, see Old Autos Newspaper, or call 1-800-461-3457.

August 7th & 9th: 52nd Stowe Antique and Classic Car Show, Nichols Field, Route 100, just south of Stowe village, 8:00 til 17:00hrs, sponsored by Vermont Auto Enthusiasts.  For information, call 603-763-2112 or E-mail dandccurrier@valley.net

August 16th: 14th annual Cornwall Olde Car Club Car Show, Upper Canada Village, Hwy #2 East of Morrisburg, 09:00 to 12:00 noon.  Spectator admission free, vehicle admission, $10.00.  For information, call (613) 931-2087. Web Site www.cornwalloldecarclub.com

A History of the Mullins Trailer
The Mullins trailer is a unique and rare piece of automotive memorabilia.  Also called the Muillins Red Cap Utility Trailer, it was produced in 1936 and 1937, and sold new for $119.50.   Approximately 2000 of these trailers were manufactured but judging by the short two-year production period, were not considered to be a big success.

William H. Mullins was the owner of a sheet metal works based in Salem, Ohio that existed in the late 19th century.  The Mullins Metal Stamping Company was originally established in 1872 and as far back as 1894, made all types of products by the metal stamping process.  Some of the many items produced were metal roofing, skylights, embossed ceiling panels, all types of architectural building products, elevator cabs and large stamped metal statues, which may still be seen in parks to this day.

In 1902 Mullins began using his presses to make body parts for the new horseless carriage industry, the start of his automobile body business and in 1906 he began producing stamped steel boats in two sizes, 9' and 15' in length.  The 9' boat sold for $50.00 and the 15' for $110.00.  In 1911 the company stamped various parts for the many automobile companies that were just starting in business including the Peerless automobile aluminum bodies with wood frames and the aluminum stampings for the Franklin auto company. 

During World War I, the Mullins Company produced aircraft parts and parts for gas masks but by 1919, business was devoted almost entirely to stamping bodies and parts for the automobile industry, and the company name was changed to Mullins Body Corporation as a successor to the WH Mullins Co., originally established in 1872.
 
In the mid twenties, body stamping declined due to competition and major auto companies developing their own stamping facilities.  In 1925, a new cold process was developed for stamping washing machine tubs rather than the hot process that was previously used.  In 1927, with the decline of their automobile business, the name was changed to Mullins Manufacturing Corporation.

In 1932 W.H. Mullins, the company founder, died.  At that time the primary products were radiator covers and metal sinks.  In 1935, the company discontinued production of the metal boats which had been built since 1906 and Mullins Boats moved to Oil City Pennsylvania where the line finally died sometime later.  In 1943, the name was changed to the Champion-Mullins Boat Company and in 1945, to the Champion Boat and Folding Bed Company continuing on until 1950 with “boat” deleted from the company name.  During WWII Mullins manufactured fuel drop tanks for the North American Aviation P-51 Mustang fighter plane. 

The Mullins trailer was developed and produced during 1936 and 1937 as just another product which could be marketed.  These trailers are more popular today than when they were new, the lack of success likely having to do with some of its design flaws. The frames were made from 11 gage “U” channel and were notoriously weak at a point at the front corners of the body.  The tongue was to short for anyone except an experienced driver to back the trailer without jack-knifing and for these reasons, almost every original trailer will have either a bent or broken frame at the front corners of the body.  This usually also creates a kink in the body at this location.  The tail gates usually leaked, and with the front of the trailer being lower than the rear, water would run to the front, over a period of time causing the front of the body to rust out.  The rear locking latches, as most people know are the same as the 1936 Ford Humpback trunk latches.  These as well as the front hinges were made of pot metal and on most original trailers are usually badly pitted or broken.  Another potential problem was the wind catching the lid when in the open position and flipping it over onto the tow vehicle.

A reproduction trailer has been produced, having a much stronger frame and longer tongue.  It has a fiberglass body, which will never rust and a solid (fixed) tailgate, which eliminates any potential leaks, although it can be easily converted to have a tailgate which may be opened.  The reproduction hinges and latches are made of modern alloys for strength and are chrome plated and the lid is restrained to prevent it from flipping over. 

The Company merged with Youngstown Pressed Steel in 1937.  It filed for bankruptcy in 1974 and was bought by American Standard in 1975.  It is rumored that the original dies for the trailers were in existence until the 1960’s, then were sold for scrap.  Recent ads in automotive magazines indicate that restored Mullins trailers have an asking price of anywhere from $3500.00 to $4200.00. 
-------------- Ted Fiander

Tidbits From the Past
From CCR9611 ... November 1996:
The year 1847 will be remembered as the year of the Irish potato famine although it actually began in 1845.  It has been called, among other things, “the Famine year of “Black ‘47”” when emigration became the only desperate hope for many thousands of Irish suffering starvation and fever.  They endured up to 55 sickening days, sometimes in steerage, aboard ship with the promise of a new life in Canada but many died before they could embark on that new life.

Grosse Ile, a small island lying about 50 kilometers down the St. Lawrence River from Quebec City, was to be the gateway to Canada for these people and, sadly, became the final resting place for more than 5000 of them.  The dead were buried in 1.2 metre trenches, the coffins stacked two and three deep.  Many were buried without coffins.  In 1909, a Celtic cross, some 13 metres in height, was erected as a memorial to the victims.

Among the emigrants who survived the famine, the crossing and the typhus at Grosse Ile, was a farmer from Cork named John Ford.  His wife died at Grosse Ile and he moved on, into the 19th century wilderness of Michigan, to make a new life.  Here, his grandson, Henry Ford, made his own pioneering way in the world and, as they say, the rest is history.

Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Region will be on Sunday, July 26th, hosted by Barb and Dave Black.  This will be “two-activity event.”  The first will be a visit to Antiquefest in Waterfront Park, Morrisburg, Ontario.  We will leave the Black residence at 09:45am to reach the Antiquefest in time for opening at 10:00am and will return to the Black’s for lunch.  Please bring your own picnic lunch and lawn chairs.  Drinks will be provided. 

The second event will be a visit to Upper Canada Playhouse to attend the play Wrong for Each Other.  We will leave the Black’s at 1:15pm top arrive at the playhouse at 1:30pm.  Curtain time is 2:00pm.  The cost for this play is $23.00 per person and you should have already been contacted by the Phone Committee to indicate whether or not you will be attending.  You will be responsible for the cost of your ticket(s) in the event that you have said “Yes” to the call and do not, for whatever reason, show up.  If you have not been contacted, please contact Pauline Richer at 819-682-4218.  We will return to the Black’s after the play for a time of fellowship and food.  Meat, cheese, rolls and beverages will be graciously provided by Barb and Dave.  Please bring a salad or dessert – and your lawn chairs.  Dave has specifically asked that we bring our vintage cars to this event if at all possible. 

Please note: If you do not wish to attend the Antiquefest please join us for lunch at the Black’s about noon, or by 1:00pm to go to the Playhouse.
Address: 11897 Lakeshore Drive (if using a GPS, it is County Road 4), Morrisburg, Ontario.
Telephone: 613-543-3306.

Bruce Pettinger, Editor, 8 Woodlawn Ave,  OTTAWA ON  K1S 2S9
Phone: (613) 234-4266:  E-mail: PettingerB@DFO-MPO.GC.CA

R. E. (Ted) Fiander, Regional Reporter, 3 Leeward Street, NEPEAN, ON  K2E 5W4
Phone:  (613) 226-5308 :  E-mail:  tedabel@magma.ca

Return to Rideau Valley