Former Canadian Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson’s custom Oshawa built car is being preserved by GM Canada and the Canadian Automotive Museum (CAM).
It is currently on display in the main gallery of the CAM in Oshawa.
The car was used when Lester Pearson was Prime Minister from 1963 to 1968. Apart from the Toronto international airport being named after him, Pearson is remembered for universal healthcare, the Canadian Pension Plan and the maple leaf flag. He also signed the 1965 Canada-USA Auto Pact.
“There is no other Buick like this one because it has the frame of a Buick LeSabre sedan with the engine of a Buick Wildcat; exterior components from the Buick Electra and interior elements from Cadillac. It is truly one-of-a-kind car and restoration,” said Greg Johnston, CAM Director.
The car was delivered to Pearson in May 1963. It was built at GM Oshawa and restored locally by Fawcette Motors.
The 1963 Buick was able to be restored thanks to a donation of $100,000 by General Motors Canada – the largest financial gift to the museum in its history.
“I am thrilled to welcome this unique piece of Canadian history home to Oshawa and very grateful to everyone who made it possible. The Pearson Buick has a fascinating story and will allow us to develop exciting new opportunities for programming and storytelling,” said CAM Executive Director Alex Miller-Gerrard.