What does Can-Am Stand for - or just a name?

[groundeffect]

Hi, I'm just curious to know what "Can-Am" actually stands for? Any stories behind how BRP came up with the name?

Cheers.

 

[Smylinacha]

Canadian American MC Company

 

[RShrimp]

Generally the abreviation stands for Canadian- American.
There used to be a racing series called Can-am. which was the the badest of the bad! 7.0 liter full bodied cars on a road course! They would make your chest vibrate! (7.0 liters=427ci)

 

[BajaRon]

There used to be an American component to the business both with off road motorcycles and auto's. The American component has long since gone away. But Can-Am built such a great reputation, why change the name?

I guess Americans still buy the Canadian product and so that link still remains.

And Canada has passed up America in the Free Enterprise catagory, so it is likely that more innovative products will be coming from the other side of the border.

 

[groundeffect]

Thanks for the replies!

Cheers.

 

[COOLMACHINE]

Probably not an Electra 225

Generally the abreviation stands for Canadian- American.
There used to be a racing series called Can-am. which was the the badest of the bad! 7.0 liter full bodied cars on a road course! They would make your chest vibrate! (7.0 liters=427ci)

Of course, I don't imagine they drove any Buick Electra 225's but that's the size of my Buick engine. 7.0 liter, 425 ci.

 

[RodO]

Like others have said, it's based on the recognition of how closely our 2 countries are attached.

There's also the CanAm Highway -- see my signature. And a similar acronym for another highway, Alcan, is for the Alaska-Canadian Highway constructed during World War II that connects the contiguous U.S. to Alaska through Canada.

 

[DannyS]

Never saw a Buick Electra but I did see a Gran Sport runing in the Can-Am circuit. It was raced in Canada and the states hence the name.

 

[woodz428]

Generally the abreviation stands for Canadian- American.
There used to be a racing series called Can-am. which was the the badest of the bad! 7.0 liter full bodied cars on a road course! They would make your chest vibrate! (7.0 liters=427ci)

I think they were allowed to enlarge them somewhat. They had a lot of neat powerplants. Including an Olds 455 w/FI. The Boss 429 engine was used for a short period as an all aluminum 494. Now...that was some racing.

 

[COOLMACHINE]

Alcan... yep

Like others have said, it's based on the recognition of how closely our 2 countries are attached.

There's also the CanAm Highway -- see my signature. And a similar acronym for another highway, Alcan, is for the Alaska-Canadian Highway constructed during World War II that connects the contiguous U.S. to Alaska through Canada.

Funny you mention that Rodo. I saw a documentary on that highway and battles last weekend. I'm 46 years old I've never ever heard of it before then. We were being invaded. I was completely surprised. Something they did not teach me in my Public Education.

 

[COOLMACHINE]

Never saw a Buick Electra but I did see a Gran Sport runing in the Can-Am circuit. It was raced in Canada and the states hence the name.

That would of been neat to see. When was it that you saw it?

 

[COOLMACHINE]

I think they were allowed to enlarge them somewhat. They had a lot of neat powerplants. Including an Olds 455 w/FI. The Boss 429 engine was used for a short period as an all aluminum 494. Now...that was some racing.

Racing is right! Aluminum 494. Wow, I wonder what the difference in weight would of been between the aluminum and metal block?

 

[COOLMACHINE]

nice graphics

Never saw a Buick Electra but I did see a Gran Sport runing in the Can-Am circuit. It was raced in Canada and the states hence the name.

BTW DannyS,
I like those graphics you have on your ride. :thumbup:

 

[DannyS]

Thanks they are from Spyderdetailing.com Peter does good work. I think I saw the Buick in around 69 or 70 can't remember. It was giving away to much weight.

 

[RodO]

Funny you mention that Rodo. I saw a documentary on that highway and battles last weekend. I'm 46 years old I've never ever heard of it before then. We were being invaded. I was completely surprised. Something they did not teach me in my Public Education.

We're watching your six -- it's even in our national anthem:

The True North strong and free!
...
We stand on guard for thee.