Welcome to the MCAAC Web Site!

The Manitoba Classic and Antique Auto Club (MCAAC) is a non-profit organization of hobbyists, incorporated under the laws of the province of Manitoba.

MCAAC is a member of the National Association of Antique Automobile Clubs of Canada (NAACC).

MCAAC is one of the oldest automobile clubs in Manitoba. Members collectively own hundreds of antique and classic vehicles ranging from horseless carriage high wheelers and brass Model T’s to muscle cars and vintage sports cars. Our collections also include many trucks, motorcycles and even a vintage dirt track racer. The film industry looks to MCAAC members to provide vehicles for period movies.

The purpose of the Club is to bring together, in good fellowship, persons who are interested in the preservation, restoration and admiration of vehicles 25 years old and older.

MCAAC recognizes as “Club Cars” vehicles which are essentially as manufactured. Modifications for reasons of safety or other minor changes which do not significantly alter the appearance of the vehicle are acceptable.

The Club has a variety of activities throughout the year starting with the New Year’s Day Frost Bite Tour and including monthly meetings, the swap meet, garage hops, corn roast, other tours and dinners. These gatherings foster friendships which cross all generational lines. We take pride that most of our activities are geared to involve our families including toddlers, teens or octogenarians.

Any person of good character who wishes to enter into the fellowship of the MCAAC may join. Ownership of a qualifying vehicle is not a condition of membership, only an interest in the vehicles and related topics is necessary. Our members come from all walks of life.

Members receive the Club's monthly publication, the Sidemount Reporter. This magazine announces club activities, presents articles of interest to the membership and provides free want ads. A comprehensive lending library is available to members doing research or reading for pleasure. Club merchandise such as jackets, T shirts and caps is available to members at or near cost.

MCAAC general meetings are held monthly. If you are interested in membership we encourage you to come as a guest to one of our monthly meetings (see Events page for dates/location) or contact us for a membership application form.

How it all Started

The first meeting of what would become the Manitoba Classic & Antique Auto Club, was held at the Free Press building on Carleton Street in Winnipeg on February 14, 1960.

The idea for a car club was put forth by Dennis Cloutier and his girlfriend (later to be his wife) Lorna Mailey.

In a letter to the editor of The Side Mount Reporter dated 2005, Dennis recalls how the MCAAC was started; "Having been previously involved with other car clubs, mostly of the rod and custom variety, I thought that a vintage car club might be a good idea. Lorna Mailey (whom I later married) and I began to contact people we had already met and proposed the idea. I phoned a few people from outside Winnipeg including Bill Heaman from Carmen, Jim Strait from Neepawa and Bob Rostecki from Brandon and asked them if they would be interested in coming to Winnipeg for a meeting regarding the idea of a vintage car club.

I then reserved a meeting room at the Winnipeg Free Press and phoned everyone back a second time with the date and time. This would become the first meeting of The Manitoba Classic & Antique Auto Club as stated above."

Denis went on to say, "In all probability, had it not been for Lorna's enthusiasm and hard work, the club would not have come into existence when it did."

While everything starts with an idea, it is usually the enthusiasm and hard work that follows an idea that determines whether the outcome will be a success. There have been many people over the past half-century (and counting) that have contributed to the success and longevity of the Manitoba Classic & Antique Auto Club. There were thirty three Charter members (members in good standing for the year 1960) and some are still active with the MCAAC today!

In 1970, as a Manitoba Centennial Project, the club purchased the remains of the original Lockport bus - a 1918 Ford Model TT. It was used by George Donald from 1918 to 1931 to carry passengers from the street car line to the Red River Locks in Lockport, where he then rented out little fishing punts. Thus, he was known as "busman and boatman". His daughter, Mrs. Mabel Davis, became the first licensed bus driver in Canada. Today, this bus is an integral part of our club activities.

When public insurance was introduced to Manitoba in 1971, the MCAAC became involved with MPIC for appraisals of our old cars. This relationship continued for many years. The MCAAC was also instrumental in the introduction of the "Vintage" license plates in 1971.

Over the years, the MCAAC has sponsored a number of successful car shows, the latest being at the Winnipeg Convention Centre for our 35th anniversary in 1995. We also sponsored the swap meets at Polo Park Shopping Centre for many years. The MCAAC has now joined with the Red River Exhibition Association to provide a bigger and better weekend swap meet.

Member Links - Password required to view (contact Membership Chair for password)

2024 Member Roster
2024 Auto Roster by Make
2024 Auto Roster by Owner
2024 Auto Roster by Year
2024 Complete Roster
2024 Roster Addendum (April-May)

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