Cal-Van Auto Accessories opened its first store at 546 Kingsway on March 1, 1952. The business was an idea that grew from discussions between Charlie Bogart and Graham Fraser Jr.

Charlie owned C.F. Bogart Co. Ltd., a wholesale auto parts distributor. Graham had gone to work for C.F. Bogart after graduating from UBC in 1951. Graham owned a customized ‘36 Ford coupe, and he and other young enthusiasts who were also building specialty cars were looking for speed and custom equipment. He convinced Charlie Bogart to special order parts for this market. As that part of the business grew, it became a problem with Charlie’s wholesale customer accounts. Hence, Cal-Van was born, with Graham as manager and Charlie as partners. Charlie had come up with the name, from California and Vancouver, since most of the performance and custom parts were brought in from California.

Coincidentally, the first formative meeting of the British Columbia Custom Car Association (BCCCA) was held on Jan. 24, 1952, at the empty shop on Kingsway that was to become Cal-Van Accessories soon after. Graham was an original BCCCA member and

CAL-VAN AUTO ACCESSORIES LTD - Inducted 2003

                                                Supporter

Cal-Van with early hot rods, 1953 (Larry Braine collection)

By Larry Braine from information supplied by Graham Fraser Jr., 2004

served on the executive of the new car club. His father, Graham Fraser Sr., owned a service station and was a major supporter of the car club from its inception.

Cal-Van grew slowly but steadily through the fifties. One of the first key employees was Brian Devine who remained with Cal-Van for many years. Charlie Bogart was pleased and excited about what Graham and his employees were doing at Cal-Van. Unfortunately, Charlie died of a heart attack in 1960 at age 54. He was missed greatly.

In the late 50’s the store expanded to property next door and installed

mechanical services and a dynamo-meter. A couple of years later a larger store was built covering both proper-ties. From 1965 through the 1970s the business showed great growth and profit and expansion into 13 retail outlets. A new warehouse distribution centre was created to feed the stores, and a separate division was created, called DIX Performance Ltd.

During the 1980s Cal-Van was establishing itself as a major distributor of speed equipment and high perform-ance parts throughout Canada. The US factory people ranked Cal-Van among-st the top 10 warehouse distributors in North America.

In the 1990’s, acreage was acquired in Coquitlam, and a new warehouse and office complex was built. The number of staff in both retail and wholesale reached 200 persons.

Finally, in 1993, a decision was made to either downsize or sell the business. Ultimately the business was either sold in sections or liquidated. Fortunately, all of the fine, loyal em-ployees were offered positions with the purchasers of the company. Graham Fraser Jr. retired to spend more time skiing, boating with his family.

Graham Fraser Jr.