Wilson Motor Body Co. Ltd.

[David Dunlop]

This company has a long history, going back to the turn of the last century in the Toronto area. They were a long standing family owned business, owned and managed for the most part by the Shanahan family, who I believe still operate a Ford dealership somewhere in the Toronto area called Paddy Shanahan Ford.

From 1919 to 1923, their Motor Body factory was located at 295 College Street in Toronto. In 1923 they moved to 1153 Queen Street West (at Abell) and operated there until 1942 when they outgrew the plant with their wartime production. Their wartime claim to fame was production of the cabs for the 3-Ton FWD SU-COE and the 2K1 WIRE-5 15-cwt Wireless truck body.

In 1942 Wilson opened a much larger plant in Long Branch at what was then 1466 Lake Shore Road. The property was later redesignated as 3560 Lakeshore Blvd West.

In 1965, Wilson again relocated, this time to Burlington, Ontario where they remained until bought out by Nodwell in 1980. As mentioned, the family may still operate a Ford Dealership in Toronto. Might be worth somebody from the area tracking them down to see if they have any family photos of the plant in wartime production they could share.

David

[Ian Johns]

There is a Shanahan Ford just north of TO in Newmarket.

[David Dunlop]

Probably them, Ian. Thanks for the update.


David

[David Dunlop]

A couple of examples of what Wilson Motor Body was doing at the outbreak of World War Two. The first is a trailer from 1939 and the second a truck body from 1940.

David