A “Tribute” to the Fossmobile (1897) by Ronald M. Foss s a young boy growing up in Fort Chambly, , Afrom time to time I would hear stories of my that most of his descendants have ended up using his grandfather George Foote Foss’ invention. At times, I Havinginvention a relativestory and with the historicalvarious publications significance about meant it, would overhear these stories as my father shared the as a topic for school projects. I remember using his details with friends and neighbours who were visiting story as a topic for one of my school projects, both of our home. However, the stories that I most often heard my two children did, and just a year ago my 6-year- came directly from my grandfather, as we visited him frequently. Fondly, I recall sitting on a footstool near his about her great-great grandfather’s invention. feet as he sat in his large, comfortable chair, recounting old granddaughter did a “show and tell” at her school the steps he took in tinkering, planning and ultimately George Foote Foss building a gasoline engine automobile, which was to November 23, 1968) was (Septembera mechanic, 30,blacksmith, 1876– be the first in – later dubbed “The Fossmobile.” bicycle repairman and inventor from Sherbrooke, Quebec. During the winter of 1896, he developed a four-horsepower single- cylinder gasoline powered automobile. In the spring of 1897, he completed George Foote Foss – Circa 1897 gasoline-powered automobile to be built in Canada, his invention: the first

Massachusettswhich was, later to referred buy a turret to as lathethe “Fossmobile”. for his expanding George Foote Foss sitting in his yet-to-be-completed Fossmobile It was in early 1896, during a trip to Boston,

In the early 1960s (I was only about age 7), I recall machinewere rented shop, out thatfor $4.00 my grandfatheran hour. He paid saw the his fee first to automobiles.have a ride, but These unfortunately, cars, electrically after driven a ride broughams,of only half of renewed interest in his accomplishment. It was an hour, the batteries died. Returning to Sherbrooke, thatthen everyonethat he aroundwas presented me was talkingwith two about honorary a flurry he decided to build an automobile that would address memberships: one from the Vintage Automobile Club this problem. of (VACM) and the other from the prestigious My grandfather drove his car in and around Sherbrooke, Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA). Only two Quebec for four years. He later moved to Montreal, Quebec, where the car sat idle for a year before he sold other Canadian to receive this was Colonel Robert it for $75 in 1902. He had previously turned down an CanadiansSamuel McLaughlin, have ever receivedwho started this latter the honour.McLaughlin The offer to partner with Henry Ford who went on to form the Ford Motor Company. He turned down the offer, as major automobile manufacturers in Canada. he believed Ford’s Quadricycle vehicle to be inferior WithMotor these Car Company two initiatives, in 1907, there which came was a swarm one of of the media first attention, and I can recall being shown newspaper backing to mass-produce the Fossmobile, citing his clippings, many of which I still have in my possession toinexperience the Fossmobile. to do so, He as also he was turned only down21 years financial old at today. Not only were there photographs and articles the time. written about his honorary memberships, but many of I am often asked if I know if my grandfather had any regrets about not partnering with Ford or not mass- producing his invention. From everything I recall thein 1954 local by papers The Sherbrooke also reprinted Daily his Record earlier. writing, “The hearing him say, he had no regrets. He enjoyed a True Story of a Small Town Boy,” originally published

JUNE(CONT’D 2019 ON | pagePG. 10) 9 (CONT’Dsimple FROMlife and PG. 9) I heard him say on more than one The hope is to honour my grandfather’s legacy and occasion,at age 92, so that perhaps “you don’this theory live was a long right, life at with least thefor bring to greater light this significant chapter of stresseshim. of running a big business.” He passed away Canadian history. With its completion, this Tribute Automobile will be a tangible embodiment of the first gasolineclassic automobile car built in shows.Canada. However, There is a it growing will eventually interest inbe showcasingdonated to a theCanadian completed museum Tribute to enhance Fossmobile historic in

The workshop in Sherbrooke, Quebec

Recently, I re-opened the Foss family archives, to better understand and accurately document my grandfather’s remarkable accomplishment. My Driving the hilly streets of Sherbrooke – 1897

Canadian event with automotive enthusiasts, education for current and future generations. objective has been to find ways to share this historic Further information can be found on the website: historiansas a means andto build future networks, generations foster collaboration of Canadians. and To www.fossmobile.ca. Fundraising has been initiated, thisshare end, important I have established historical memorabilia. “Fossmobile Enterprises,” hoping to attract personal donations and corporate sponsorships to help with the cost of building the As George Foss’ grandson, I have talked with some visionaries, and I am seeking the help of other potential experts in vintage automobile restoration for a very Tribute Fossmobile. Anyone wishing to participate canwww.gofundme.com access a “Go Fund website. Me” link Alternatively, from the Fossmobile a cheque (the reproduction of an inventor or manufacturer’s website or use the search word “Fossmobile” on the special project. The goal is to use reverse engineering Ronald M. Foss can be sent to Fossmobile Enterprises. product), to create a “Tribute Automobile,” emulating as closely as possible the specifications of George Foss’ invention of the first gasoline powered automobile Executive Director builtbased in solely Canada: on detailed the Fossmobile. scrutiny ofThere original are Fossmobileno original [email protected] Enterprises drawings,photos. so the Tribute Automobile will have to be (416)Burlington, 565-0294 Ontario I have begun the process of acquiring vintage parts from the era, with the hope of building this automobile, replicating parts only when it is absolutely necessary. I will provide oversight for this process and collaborate with automobile historians and experts. Along the way, the journey will be documented, while ensuring attention to detail.

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