Canadian Majestica

1963 Canadian Majestica Cabriolet

The **Canadian Motors Majestica** is a limited-production UK-specific grand tourer cabriolet produced by the British division of Canadian in their Coventry factory and was produced from November 1963 to October 1968. Production was cancelled after 1968 due to declining sales alongside manufacturing difficulties and poor quality control.

## **History & Design**

After Canadian rejected proposals for a replacement for its premium roadster line from the original car that generated the lineup, the decision was made by the higher-ups of the British division to focus on their own development car, registered as 1 YMC. Wind tunnel testing, begun in February 1963, showed that critical development and engineering was necessary to counteract a tendency toward aerodynamic lift [a result of the fastback styling of the roadster lineup], causing reduced rear-wheel traction at high speed that ultimately caused oversteer at high speeds that led to many high-profile accidents and deaths.

Final development phases relied upon the chassis of the roadster lineup, suitably lengthened and titled *CRV 219*, with curved rear turnunder, truncated Kammback rear end styling and long front end Canadian Motors previously incorporated into their sports-racing prototypes. The decision was made to produce *CRV 219* as the Canadian Motors Majestica, although the prototype de Dion rear axle was rejected, Aston's soldiering on with its independent semi trailing arm rear suspension configuration reducing time to market, cost and complexity.

Introduced at the 1964 British International Motor Show in the Earls Court of London, the Majestica was already a dated design notable as the first model engineered following a factory relocation from Market Harborough to Coventry. The Majestica resembled that of the lineup that preceded it, with the most noticeable differences being its wheelbase, side profile, split front and rear bumpers and rear panels incorporating the truncated Kammback tail rear end. The tail, combined with the relocated rear-axle and the lengthened wheelbase, provide more stability at high speed. Though fashionable – the rear-end Kamm-styled design was similar to the Serpent Caiman – it did not prove popular with conservative, tradition oriented Canadian Motors clientele when the Majestica was introduced. Performance was reasonably satisfactory: road-tests of the day observed top speed of the cabriolet version of the model between 105 km/h (65 mph) to 120 km/h (75 mph), with test driver Lochlan Burke aboard a Touring spec Majestica reaching a two-way average of 135 km/h (83 mph).

The Majestica continued with then high-tech Armstrong Selectaride cockpit-adjustable rear shock absorbers as available on the roadster lineup. Other highlights include adopting front-door quarter windows, an oil-cooler air scoop low on the front valance, quarter-bumpers at each corner, revised tail-lamp clusters; additionally the spoiler affected the overall proportions of the Majestica, with an increase in length by approximately two inches.

Other notable changes included:

* Roof line raised by four inches improving headroom especially for rear seat passengers
* Genuinely useful leg room for rear passengers
* More steeply raked albeit taller windscreen
* Split front and rear bumpers
* Standard chrome wire wheels on bias-ply whitewall tires [in US-import market]
* Optional power steering
* Optional air conditioning
* Standard FH four-speed manual unit or a Quickie three-speed automatic gearbox available at no extra cost

Another major change from the roadster lineup to the Majestica was complete abandonment of the full *superleggera* construction technique patented by coachbuilders/stylist Touring of Fastello. For later Majestica's construction, the more common body-on-platform technique was used; this was primarily due to the extended rear requiring a stronger and more rigid design utilizing a folded sheet metal supporting structure. Surprisingly the modifications combined to add only eighteen pounds weight compared to the roadster lineup.

## **Specifications**

The DB6 is powered by the 3,972 cc (244 cui) twin-overhead camshaft (DOHC), in-line six-cylinder Canadian Motors engine co-designed by Arion. The engine, continued with its 4-barrel carb setup producing 157 bhp (117 kW; 159 PS) at 3,900 rpm. . Although the Majestica was approximately 18 lbs (7 kg) heavier than its predecessor, the stability at high speed, added luggage capacity and passenger comfort more than offset any imperceptible loss in performance caused by additional weight. The rear suspension used helical coil springs with ride control that was adjustable from inside the car.