Toronto’s industrial past holds plenty of surprises, but few are as intriguing as the “ghost” of a test track that once graced the rooftop of a Ford Model T assembly plant. Hidden in plain sight at 672 Dupont Street, this historic building played a pivotal role in the city’s early automotive history, at a time when Toronto was rapidly embracing the wonders of the automobile.
The Model T Comes to Toronto
In 1915, the Ford Motor Company opened its cutting-edge assembly plant and showroom at Dupont and Christie Streets. Positioned beside the Canadian Pacific Railway for efficiency, the factory marked a new industrial era for Toronto. The Model T, introduced in 1908, had already revolutionized transportation worldwide. Priced at just $360 (roughly $9,500 today), it was the first car within reach for ordinary families, promising unprecedented independence and mobility.
A Ford Model T is on display on the second floor. Photo: Bruce Forsyth.
A Factory Designed for the Future
The Dupont plant was built at this site for a practical reason: its close proximity to the Canadian Pacific Railway. A second-floor loading dock faced the rail line, making it easy to bring in parts by train and ship finished cars across Canada and throughout the British Empire.
The building itself was designed for maximum efficiency. The first floor served as a bright showroom, where gleaming Model Ts were displayed for prospective buyers. Above it, the second floor contained the loading docks that connected directly to the rail line for shipping and receiving. The third and fourth floors were the heart of the assembly line, where workers built the cars piece by piece. On the fifth floor was the paint shop, where every Model T received its signature black finish.
Most remarkable of all, the roof held a full test track where each completed Model T was put through its paces before delivery.
A Test Track in the Sky
The rooftop test track was a marvel of its time. Finished cars were hauled to the top of the building by freight elevator and driven in loops to ensure they met Ford’s rigorous standards. Encircled by a four-foot wall, the track was both practical and innovative. Imagine the sight (and sound) of gleaming Model Ts zooming above Dupont Street, a striking testament to Toronto’s place in the industrial age.
Today, that test track is long gone, but its legacy lingers in the imagination. You might say it’s now a “ghost test track,” quietly haunting the memories of a bygone era. If only the rooftop walls could talk—though they might be too busy whispering, “Vroom!”
Freight Elevator Used to Get Model T’s Up to the Rooftop Test Track. Photo: Bruce Forsyth.
A Building That Refuses to Fade
By the mid-1920s, the Dupont plant had outgrown its purpose, and Ford moved operations to a larger facility near Danforth and Victoria Park. Yet, 672 Dupont remained active. Over the decades, it housed diverse businesses, from textile makers to the beloved Planters Peanuts factory, famed locally for its neon Mr. Peanut sign.
In 1994, the owners of coffee equipment seller Faema Canada acquired the site, embracing its history while transforming it into a headquarters and café showroom. Today, visitors can marvel at the building’s restored brick façade and original architectural details, all while enjoying a cappuccino brewed on Faema’s state-of-the-art machines. The first-floor showroom, where Model Ts once dazzled potential buyers, now showcases espresso equipment. And as a nod to the past, two original Model Ts stand proudly in the windows, keeping the site’s automotive heritage alive.
A Ford Model T is on display in the first floor showroom. Photo: Bruce Forsyth.
A Legacy Worth Exploring
While the rooftop test track may have disappeared into the ether, the building at 672 Dupont Street remains a living monument to Toronto’s industrial history. It tells the story of an ambitious city that embraced innovation and helped define a new era of mobility.
So, the next time you are near Dupont and Christie, take a moment to visit this historic gem. It’s not just a place to grab a great espresso, it’s a window into Toronto’s past. If you listen closely, you might just hear the phantom rumble of tires on the rooftop.
The rooftop of 672 Dupont today conceals its secrets.
Discover More of Toronto’s Secrets
Most people walk right past Toronto’s best stories without ever noticing, but you don’t have to! On our HIDDEN TORONTO walking tour, we reveal the secret places and untold tales you won’t find in any guidebook.
And if you are curious what lurks after dark, our GHOST TOURS will take you deeper into the city’s eerie past, where history and hauntings collide.
Special thanks to Bruce Forsyth for allowing us to use his awesome photos!