Winnipeg (automobile)

The Winnipeg was a Canadian automobile manufactured in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in the early 1920s. The backers of the car were brothers Frank and Dave Ogletree, EL Herbert and Louis Arsenault.[1]

A factory was purchased, and a pilot model was built for promotional purposes. The car was actually a badge engineered Hatfield Model A-42 tourer, manufactured in Sidney, New York.[1] The Hatfield was shipped in pieces to Winnipeg, reassembled, and fitted with a Winnipeg radiator emblem and hub caps.[1] Additional features were a set of chains for the wheels and a non-burstable radiator.[1] The car was promoted using the slogan "As Good As The Wheat".[2]

The car was driven extensively in order to persuade potential investors to buy stocks in the company.[1] By 1923, Hatfield had stopped producing 4 cylinder cars, so Winnipeg decided to produce a 6-cylinder car. Still not having enough money to build their own cars, they again imported a car.[1] This time the George W Davis Motor Company of Richmond, Indiana, provided enough parts for 10 tourers, which again featured Winnipeg badges and hub caps.[1] Money for the assembly was provided by a syndicate headed by George Shutler, who took a lien on the 10 cars as security.[1]

The company closed down when employees and creditors petitioned to receive moneys owed to them.[1] Frank Ogletree attempted to refinance the company, but to no avail. Shutler disposed of the Davis-based cars, while Frank Ogletree drove the 1921 prototype back to the family farm at Dresden, Ontario. Louis Arsenault would try again with the Derby.