McLaughlin Motor Car Company
Defunct Canadian automobile manufacturer whose Buick-based cars helped establish General Motors' Canadian operations.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
McLaughlin Motor Car Company was a Canadian automobile manufacturer based in Oshawa, Ontario. It emerged from the McLaughlin family's much older carriage-making business, which Robert McLaughlin began in 1867 and expanded substantially after moving to Oshawa in 1876. The carriage operation became one of the largest of its kind in the British Empire, supported by patented design improvements, a broad Canadian sales network and, eventually, an overseas office in London. Robert McLaughlin's son, R. S. “Sam” McLaughlin, became interested in automobiles during the first decade of the twentieth century. After examining cars made in the United States, he concluded that Buick's engineering was better suited to the enterprise he wanted to develop. An initial attempt to create an entirely McLaughlin-designed automobile encountered difficulties when engineer Arthur Milbrath became ill. In September 1907, Sam McLaughlin sought assistance from Buick executive and carriage-industry associate William C. Durant. Their negotiations produced a fifteen-year arrangement under which McLaughlin obtained Buick powertrains and built automobiles in Oshawa. The resulting vehicles were marketed primarily as McLaughlin cars, although the McLaughlin-Buick name was also used. The company produced its first cars in 1907 and built 154 vehicles in 1908. Its automobiles combined Buick mechanical components with Canadian manufacturing and body construction. The company initially served the Canadian market but also participated in the wider trade created by imperial tariff preferences. Canadian-built vehicles could receive favorable treatment in markets such as Britain, Australia, India and South Africa when they met Canadian-content requirements. Some export vehicles were adapted to right-hand drive. This combination of local production and cross-border supply helped Canada become an important automotive manufacturing base before the Second World War. McLaughlin's business relationships were closely connected with the changing corporate structure of the American automobile industry. Durant used Buick in the creation of General Motors and later regained control of General Motors after an earlier loss of control. Sam McLaughlin supported Durant financially and became a director and vice-president of General Motors Corporation. McLaughlin also manufactured Chevrolet vehicles for Canadian and United States markets during the 1910s. By 1914, the company had produced approximately 1,100 automobiles. The carriage side of the family business was sold in 1915 to Carriage Factories Limited of Orillia, Ontario. That firm subsequently moved away from complete carriage production and into truck and automobile parts. The same period marked a further shift in Oshawa toward motor vehicles and automotive bodies. In 1918, McLaughlin Motor Car Company and Chevrolet Canada were consolidated into General Motors of Canada. The transaction ended the company as an independent automobile manufacturer, although the McLaughlin name continued on Canadian-bodied Buick products. From 1923, the Canadian model name was formally styled McLaughlin-Buick, and cars using that designation remained in production until 1942. Later vehicles were sold simply as Buicks. The company and its successor were associated with highly finished custom automobiles as well as regular production. McLaughlin cars used carriage-style finishing practices, including as many as fifteen coats of paint before 1914. Special vehicles were prepared for royal tours in 1927 and 1939, and bespoke McLaughlin-Buick models were ordered by prominent Canadian families. A 1937 Dunsmuir phaeton was used to transport United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt during his visit to Victoria. One of the custom cars prepared for the 1939 royal tour later carried Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, during their 1986 Canadian visit. Although the McLaughlin brand disappeared as an independent marque, its industrial legacy c…
History
The McLaughlin Motor Car Company grew out of Robert McLaughlin's carriage enterprise. McLaughlin began making horse-drawn vehicles in 1867 beside his blacksmith's shop in Enniskillen, Ontario, and moved to Oshawa in 1876 to obtain a larger labor force. During the 1880s he developed and patented a fifth-wheel mechanism intended to improve carriage comfort and safety. Rather than license the mechanism, he sold it to competing manufacturers, helping spread the design while building demand for complete McLaughlin carriages. A major fire destroyed the carriage works on 7 December 1899. The City of Oshawa provided a $50,000 rebuilding loan, allowing the business to resume and expand. McLaughlin Carriage Company of Canada Limited was incorporated in 1901. That year it produced more than 25,000 vehicles across approximately 140 models and recorded sales exceeding one million dollars. The company developed a substantial domestic distribution network and maintained an international sales presence, including an office in London, England. By 1915, it was reportedly completing one carriage approximately every ten minutes. The transition to automobiles was led by Robert's son, Sam McLaughlin. Around 1905, Sam investigated automobile manufacturing and traveled to Jackson, Michigan, where he encountered William C. Durant. Sam compared a Jackson automobile with a Buick purchased in Toronto and favored the Buick design. He initially commissioned Arthur Milbrath, an engineer recruited from A. O. Smith, to create the McLaughlin Model A. The project stalled after Milbrath became ill. In September 1907, Sam contacted Durant, who arrived in Oshawa with Buick executive William H. Little. Their discussions resulted in a fifteen-year contract for McLaughlin to purchase Buick drive trains and build vehicles in Canada. The first McLaughlin automobile was the 1907 Model F. The cars were sold under the McLaughlin name, with McLaughlin-Buick appearing on some vehicles. Production reached 154 cars in 1908. The relationship was strengthened through an exchange involving McLaughlin and Buick shares. McLaughlin thus gained access to established American mechanical technology while retaining Canadian manufacturing and body-building capabilities. Its early vehicles were finished using carriage-industry methods; before 1914, a car could receive as many as fifteen coats of paint. McLaughlin's history became intertwined with Durant's corporate activities. Durant used Buick as a foundation for General Motors, lost control of GM during its financial difficulties and later regained control. Sam McLaughlin provided financial assistance to Durant, became a General Motors director and vice-president, and supported the company's expansion into Chevrolet. McLaughlin manufactured Chevrolet vehicles for Canadian and United States markets during the 1910s. By 1914, it had built about 1,100 McLaughlin cars. The company also operated within Canada's imperial trade system. Canadian-built vehicles could benefit from lower duties in other British Empire markets when their Canadian content met applicable rules. McLaughlin and related GM operations supplied vehicles to markets including Britain, India, South Africa and Australia, sometimes in right-hand-drive form. These arrangements contributed to Canada's development as a major automobile manufacturing country during the interwar period, although exports declined after the Second World War as currency and trade relationships changed. In 1915, the carriage operation was sold to Carriage Factories Limited of Orillia, Ontario. The purchaser ended complete carriage production and shifted toward truck and automobile parts. It was later acquired by the Cockshutt Plow Company and merged with Canada Carriage and Body Limited in Brantford. Meanwhile, the Oshawa business increasingly concentrated on automobile manufacturing and automotive bodies. General Motors of Canada was incorporated in 1918 through the merger of McLaughlin and Chevrolet Canada. This transaction ended McLaughlin Motor Car Company as an independent manufacturer. The McLaughlin name nevertheless survived on Canadian-bodied Buick automobiles. In 1923, the relevant model line was officially renamed McLaughlin-Buick, and that designation continued through 1942. Thereafter the vehicles were marketed as Buick without the McLaughlin or Canada suffix. The Canadian operation retained a strong custom-car tradition. Two specially built touring cars were prepared for the 1927 royal tour, allowing one car to move ahead while the other was in use. A custom McLaughlin-Buick Town Sedan was purchased by the Prince of Wales in 1936. The Dunsmuir family commissioned three special 1936 Buick-McLaughlin phaetons, one of which transported President Franklin D. Roosevelt during his 1937 visit to Victoria. Two dual-cowl phaetons were built for the 1939 tour of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth; one later carried Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, during their 1986 Canadian visit. Sam McLaughlin remained chairman of General Motors of Canada and served as vice-president and executive director of General Motors' parent company until his death in 1972 at age 100. The McLaughlin marque itself did not continue as a separate brand, but its facilities, people and manufacturing relationships formed part of the foundation of General Motors' long-running Canadian presence.
- 1942
McLaughlin-Buick production ends
[1]The McLaughlin-Buick designation ceases to be used on regular production vehicles; later Canadian products carry the Buick name alone.
- 1939
Phaetons are made for the royal Canadian tour
[1]Two custom dual-cowl McLaughlin-Buick phaetons are built for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth's Canadian tour.
- 1937
A custom phaeton carries Franklin D. Roosevelt
[1]A Dunsmuir-owned Buick-McLaughlin phaeton is used to transport the United States president during his visit to Victoria.
- 1927
Special touring cars are built for a royal tour
[1]Two specially constructed touring cars are prepared for the Princes' Royal Tour of Canada.
- 1923
McLaughlin-Buick name becomes official
[1]Canadian-bodied Buick models formally adopt the McLaughlin-Buick designation.
- 1918
Company becomes part of General Motors of Canada
[1]McLaughlin and Chevrolet Canada are merged into the newly incorporated General Motors of Canada.
- 1915
Carriage business is sold
[1]The carriage operation is sold to Carriage Factories Limited and later transitions toward parts production.
- 1907
McLaughlin Motor Car Company is formed
[1]Sam McLaughlin establishes the automobile company and agrees to use Buick drive trains in Canadian-built cars.
- 1907
First McLaughlin automobile is produced
[1]The Model F becomes the first McLaughlin automobile.
- 1901
Carriage company incorporated
[1]McLaughlin Carriage Company of Canada Limited is incorporated after reaching large-scale production.
Products and positioning
A Canadian, Buick-based automobile marque positioned above basic mass-market transportation through substantial coachbuilding, refined finishes and custom-bodied vehicles.
Passenger automobile · 1907
McLaughlin Model F
The Model F was the first automobile produced under the McLaughlin name in 1907. It represented the company's initial move from carriage production into motor vehicles and was built in Oshawa using the newly established relationship with Buick. The model helped establish McLaughlin as a Canadian automobile manufacturer rather than solely a carriage maker.
Passenger automobile · 1907
McLaughlin Model A
The Model A was an early attempt to create a McLaughlin-designed automobile. Engineer Arthur Milbrath was recruited to develop the car, with engines and components planned for manufacture or finishing in Oshawa. The project was not completed after Milbrath became ill, and McLaughlin subsequently relied on Buick powertrains for its production cars.
Passenger automobile · 1923
McLaughlin-Buick
McLaughlin-Buick was the principal continuation of the brand after the 1918 formation of General Motors of Canada. These Canadian-bodied cars used Buick mechanical technology while retaining the McLaughlin identity. The name became official for the Canadian-bodied Buick model line in 1923 and remained in use until 1942, after which the vehicles were marketed simply as Buick.
Custom automobile · 1927
Custom McLaughlin-Buick phaetons
The company produced individually specified phaetons and touring cars for royal tours, prominent families and distinguished visitors. Examples included the Dunsmuir family's 1936 phaetons and the dual-cowl cars made for the 1939 royal tour. These vehicles reflected the company's heritage in coachbuilding and its ability to combine Buick mechanical systems with highly personalized Canadian bodies.
Marketing campaigns
- 1939Royal Canadian Tour fleet
Canada
Two custom dual-cowl McLaughlin-Buick phaetons were created for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth's Canadian tour.
Outcome. The vehicles became notable examples of the marque's custom-body work; one later served Prince Charles and Diana during their 1986 Canadian visit.
- 1927Princes' Royal Tour of Canada vehicles
Canada
McLaughlin built two specially equipped touring cars for the royal tour, with one vehicle sent ahead to the next destination while the other remained in service.
Outcome. The project reinforced the marque's association with Canadian craftsmanship and official ceremonial use.
Brand decisions
1918
Merge McLaughlin with Chevrolet CanadaM&ABackground
General Motors sought a stronger Canadian manufacturing structure encompassing its Buick-linked McLaughlin operation and Chevrolet Canada.
Action taken
McLaughlin Motor Car Company and Chevrolet Canada were combined into General Motors of Canada.
Aftermath
McLaughlin ceased to exist as an independent manufacturer, but its name continued on Canadian-bodied Buick products for several decades.
1915
Transfer the carriage operationStrategyBackground
Automobile production was becoming increasingly important while the family business still operated a very large carriage-manufacturing division.
Action taken
The carriage business was sold to Carriage Factories Limited, which later shifted toward truck and automobile parts.
Aftermath
The transaction helped concentrate the McLaughlin operation on motor vehicles and automotive manufacturing.
1907
Adopt Buick powertrains instead of completing an independent designStrategyBackground
McLaughlin's initial attempt to create its own automobile was delayed when its hired engineer became ill. Buick already offered an established mechanical design that Sam McLaughlin considered superior to the alternatives he had examined.
Action taken
The company signed a long-term arrangement to purchase Buick drive trains and manufacture Canadian-bodied vehicles in Oshawa.
Aftermath
The arrangement enabled early production, created the McLaughlin-Buick identity and linked the company closely to Durant's Buick and General Motors interests.
Sources2 sources
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