The Fossmobile, Canada’s first successful gasoline powered automobile, created by Sherbrooke mechanic, blacksmith and bicycle repairman George Foote Foss, is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. His grandson, Ron Foss, is in the process of rebuilding the vehicle using original parts where possible, to create a replica as a tribute to a significant moment in Canada’s automotive history and more importantly, Foss’s legacy.
Through the establishment of Fossmobile Enterprises, which has a goal of sharing Foss’s accomplishment through collaborations and networking, Foss took on the tribute project and is getting excited for the Fossmobile’s grand unveiling.
The vehicle is almost complete and Foss, in collaboration with the Sherbrooke Historical Society, is hoping to bring the vehicle back to Sherbrooke where it all began to mark the 125th anniversary of its invention.
The project, however, has hit a few speed bumps along the way.
“We plan to unveil it at the end of April and there will be a few local activities here (Ontario), but the next big initiative is to hopefully bring it to Sherbrooke the 19th, 20th, 21st, of August at the Marché de la Gare,” said Foss.
