1913 White History

1972 - 1990

The White's new owners were the McClungs, friends of the Bell family

We kids in the family were heartbroken that the White was leaving, as it had become part of the family. I remember feeling that at least it was going to a family friend, as in March of ‘72 the White was purchased by Barrie McClung of Victoria. The McClungs had enjoyed many Sunday dinners at our house and Barrie was very enthusiastic about the old car.

Barrie drove the White on some local tours and then started on some of the “must do” repairs that were needed. He ended up with the car back down to the bare frame and I think was quite surprised to see that many of the repairs that had been done back in ‘67 were of a very temporary nature, and it was a miracle that it had made it this far. Barrie went through the White from one end to the other, and I think it is fair to say that if not for all the work he did at this time, the White would probably not have survived to this day.

The White carried some pretty impressive dignitaries in parades

Barrie McClung gave the White a new look in 1973

The White was repainted green at this time and seemed to have a permanent home, but then the Mighty Chalmers came along. With a once in a lifetime chance to buy an all original, totally unrestored 1911 Chalmers, the White was once again sold.

In September of 1973 the White was purchased by Robert Brotherston of Victoria. I don’t know how much use the White received in the next few years as Mr. Brotherston fell into ill health, and in 1979 the White was sold once again.

The new owner was Wilf Bomford of Mill Bay. Mr. Bomford was not an old car enthusiast but was an antique dealer. I believe he purchased the White as an investment and hoped to flip it for a good profit. A number of deals fell through over the next few years as the White was promoted as an all-original unrestored car, but upon inspection prospective buyers found it was obvious that this was not the case. The brass lamps and other items were sold off and the White spent a number of years under an open lean-to behind a second hand store on the highway at Mill Bay.

I went to have a look at the old girl in the summer of 1981. When I asked Mr. Bomford to see the car, he remarked to his wife that he thought he could make thousands more than he hoped for. I was shocked and dismayed at the deteriorated state of the car at this time. I was also surprised that it was much smaller than I had remembered it as a kid. When I asked him how much he wanted, he replied he wouldn’t take less than $15,000. In 1981 that was an awful lot of money, especially to a 19 year old kid. I knew there and then that I would not be getting my White back any time soon.