Frontenac 1931 to 1932 radiator badge
Frontenac 1932 radiator badge
Frontenac radiator badge (33)
Frontenac was the Canadian make built by Dominion Motors Limited at the former Durant factory at Leaside, Ontario, from 1931 to 1933.
On this page: History · Models · Literature · Known cars
History
In 1931, as the end approached for Durant Motors, the Canadian Durant factory at Leaside became an independent company. Dominion Motors Limited received its charter on March 14, 1931, and on May 4, 1931 Durant Motors of Canada was dissolved, with all its assets taken over by Dominion Motors.
The Durant name was quickly dropped from the cars in favor of Frontenac. The first Frontenacs were based on Durant designs; later models were based on De Vaux designs, some of which appeared as Continental cars in 1933 after De Vaux went out of business.
Dominion Motors ceased production in December 1933.
Models
Model E (6-18)
The first car built by Dominion Motors under the Frontenac name. Based on the Durant 6-19, with changes to wheelbase, engine size and body detail. De Luxe models had “free wheeling” and the Startix automatic starting system as standard. Fact sheet: 1931 Frontenac E.
6-70 (Frontenac Six)
Introduced in 1932 to replace the Model E; essentially an E with trim updates. Fact sheet: 1932 Frontenac 6-70.
6-85
Introduced in the spring of 1932 and based on the 1932 De Vaux 6-80, with a “simplified” free wheeling and automatic starting. Fact sheet: 1932 Frontenac 6-85.
ACE
A special-order 1933 Continental Ace, imported from Continental’s Grand Rapids factory rather than built at Leaside. Fact sheet: 1933 Frontenac ACE.
C-400
The four-cylinder 1933 C-400 was based on the Continental Beacon. It sold for half the price of the previous year’s Frontenacs, a sign of the economic conditions of 1933. Fact sheet: 1933 Frontenac C-400.
C-600
The six-cylinder 1933 C-600 was based on the Continental Flyer. Fact sheet: 1933 Frontenac C-600.
Open questions
- Was the 6-33 the model number of the 1933 ACE, or was it another model built in 1933?
- Did a 1933 C-800 exist?
If you can help, please contact one of our technical advisors.
Sales literature and manuals
Frontenac literature known to the club. Click a picture to enlarge it.
Sales brochures and folders
1931
Frontenac 1931 sales literature, A-31-401-2
Frontenac 1931 sales literature, A-31-402-2
1932
Frontenac 1932 sales literature, A-32-401-2
Frontenac 1932 sales literature, A-32-402-4
Frontenac 1932 sales literature, A-32-405-1
Frontenac 1932 sales literature, A-32-407-4
1933
Frontenac 1933 sales literature, A-33-401-4
Frontenac 1933 sales literature, A-33-402-4
Instruction and owner’s manuals
1931
Frontenac 1931 sales literature, C-31-401-12
Known surviving cars
Frontenacs were built by Dominion Motors at Leaside, and a number of cars were imported from the Continental factory at Grand Rapids, Michigan. The known cars are listed by the factory recorded for them.
Leaside (Toronto), Canada
| Year | Model | Body style | Car number | Engine number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1932 | 6-70 | Four Door Sedan | T-1394 | 22A 28456 |
| 1932 | 6-70 | Four Door Sedan | T-7418 | 22A 28187 |
| 1932 | 6-85 | Coupe | T-1290 | |
| 1933 | ACE | Four Door Sedan | T-191-1262 | 1077 |
| 1933 | C-400 | Four Door Sedan | M-1435 | C400 1764 |
Grand Rapids, Michigan (manufactured by the Continental Automobile Company)
| Year | Model | Body style | Car number | Engine number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1931 | E | Four Door Sedan | G-1719 | 22A 29091 |
| 1932 | E | Four Door Sedan | G-1740 | |
| 1932 | 6-70 | Coupe | G-1760 | 22A 29021 |
Registry cars in detail
1933 Frontenac C400 Four Door Sedan M-1435
Factory: Leaside, Canada; Upper Body Color: dark blue; Lower Body Color: black; Fender Color: black; Pinstripe Color: none; Wheel Color: dark blue; Wheel Type: wire; Upholstery Material: heavy cloth-like; Upholstery Color: beige; Location: Canada.
1932 Frontenac 6-70 Four Door Sedan T-1394
Factory: Leaside, Canada; Upper Body Color: green; Lower Body Color: green; Fender Color: black; Wheel Type: wire; Location: Canada.
1932 Frontenanc 6-70 Four Door Sedan T-1394 (registry photo 1)
1932 Frontenanc 6-70 Four Door Sedan T-1394 (registry photo 2)
1932 Frontenanc 6-70 Four Door Sedan T-1394 (registry photo 3)
1932 Frontenanc 6-70 Four Door Sedan T-1394 (registry photo 4)
1932 Frontenanc 6-70 Four Door Sedan T-1394 (registry photo 5)
Do you own a Frontenac, or know of one? Please contact one of our technical advisors so it can be added to the registry. Owners’ names are not published.
Related pages
- Frontenac photo gallery
- Frontenac serial numbers
- Continental, the source of the 1933 models
- De Vaux, the source of the 6-85
Sources: Baldwin, Georgano, Sedgwick and Laban, The World Guide to Automobile Manufacturers, p. 899; Durnford and Baechler, Cars of Canada, pp. 181–187 and 351–352; club registry records.