www.earlyfordv8victoria.com P.O. Box 53517 Broadmead RPO
Victoria, British Columbia V8X 5K2
Collectible gas pump head from Dave Dyer.
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1. Club Executive – contact information.
2. 2017 Club agenda & events.
3. Minutes March 14th 2017 regular meeting
4. Club news – updates, breaking news & BC Auto events
5. Tech talk – V8 members input, Q&A. Suggestions News.
6. Photos – special interest.
7. Buy & sell – parts, restorations, collections. Wanted dead or alive
8. Committees – contacts, functions, updates, help.
9. Fun page – could be anything – members contributing.
10. Miscellaneous – news and other interests.
Contributions and input from EFV8 members and associates for Rumbles Newsletter are always welcome
Page | 2 MARCH 2017
Early Ford V8 Club R.G. #109
Victoria, British Columbia
Name Telephone Email
President Chris Chown 250 595 0312 [email protected]
Vice President Lauri Stevens 250 478 7565 [email protected]
Treasurer Jim Jennings 250 477 5594 [email protected]
Secretary Don Landels 250 588 1300 [email protected]
Directors Dennis Mounce 250 478 6440 [email protected]
Lauri Stevens 250 478 7565 [email protected]
Chris Chown 250 595 0312 [email protected] Jim Jennings 250 477 5594 [email protected] Bill Pritchard 250 656 7029 [email protected] Don Landels 250 588 1300 [email protected]
First Past Bill Pritchard 250 656 7029 [email protected] President
Page | 3 MARCH 2017
2016 Club Agenda & Events ACTIVITY AGENDA – January through December
DATE EVENT SUBJECT TO CHANGE & UPDATES
JAN. 10 REGULAR CLUB MEETING – 7:30 AT THE WELL.
JAN 28 CLUB TOUR - AVAIATION MUSEUM 11:00 AM lunch to follow.
FEB 14 REGULAR CLUB MEETING – 7:30 AT the Citadel.
FEB 18 CLUB TOUR – DAVE DYER COLLECTION & SHOP.
MAR 14 REGULAR CLUB MEETING – 7:30 AT the Victorian
APRIL 11 REGULAR CLUB MEETING – 7:30 AT the Victorian
APRIL 15 CLUB TOUR – GARY CLARKE COORDINATOR DETAILS TBA
MAY 9 REGULAR CLUB MEETING – 7:30 AT the Victorian
MAY 26 – 29 ROCK & ROLL FOR LITTLE SOULS
JUNE 13 REGULAR CLUB MEETING – 7:30 AT the Victorian
JUNE 24 SPECIAL MEETING F&F COMMITTEE.
JULY 23 37TH ANNUAL FORDS & FRIENDS CAR SHOW & SHINE. SHAS grounds.
Meeting Minutes March 14th, 2017 Regular Meeting.
Opening: The regular meeting of the Early Ford V8 Club RG 109 was called to order at 7:30PM by President Chris Chown, at the Victorian at Mackenzie Retirement Home.
Present: There were 22 in attendance. Thank you all for attending.
Page | 4 MARCH 2017 Approval of Agenda: March 14th agenda was approved by Tony Cond, 2nd Donna Bada- Unanimous. Distribution at meeting commencement.
Approval of Minutes. Motion to approve February 14th minutes, by Reg Ash, 2nd Jack Stidson - Unanimous.
BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES:
Club President Chris Chown discussed details of our new venue arrangement with our new venue at the Victoria at McKenzie. The cost is $25 per meeting and the price includes refreshments and baked goods. Chris wished to thank Gary Clarke for helping to make the arrangements. It was noted that the Century Toppers also meet at this venue. Our previous meeting venue at the Citadel Church was $42 per hour.
Chris Chown reported that Al Wills has made significant progress with the updating our club’s bylaws. Al Wills further reported that there were some minor changes made to the document. Al suggested that we may wish to change our name on the document. Tony Cond pointed out that this may not be possible. The document was distributed by Chris Chown via email and hard copy at the meeting. Please review and forward suggested edits to Chris.
Tony Cond reported that the new Camosun College Gift Agreement has been signed. This change switches our bursary to the newly created Early Ford V8 Club Award Program. Camosun will distribute $500 yearly (from existing funds) to a deserving Automotive Tech Student. Tony reported that Camosun College is very happy with the change. EFV8 will receive an invitation in May to present this year’s cheque. It was suggested that we could also bring along a couple of the member’s vehicles.
CORRESPONDENCE.
Chris Chown received a letter from the Salvation Army thanking the EFV8 club for the generous donation of $720.00. This is money raised from our Ford and Friends Show 2016 and donations made by members at the annual Christmas Party.
The club received an email from BC Registries and Online Services confirming our Society registration.
Jim Banks forwarded a letter outlining recent changes to the ICBC Collector Plate program. Full details are available on the ICBC website. The program now includes vehicles from 1974 and earlier. This is a change from the previous cut-off from 1958.
TREASURERES REPORT.
Treasurer Jim Jennings reported that all accounts are in a current position. Full financial details for any member are available upon request through the club executive.
Page | 5 MARCH 2017 We will be publishing our new rooster within the next few weeks. If you haven’t paid your dues yet, please contact Jim to asap.
Treasures report approved by Reg Ash, 2nd Mike Mortimer. Unanimous
NEW BUSINESS.
Chris Chown announced the formalization of Club history committee headed by Bob Mortimer. This initiative will help capture the EFV8 Club #109’s rich history which currently is scattered amongst the members. It was suggested that we try and digitize photos, memorabilia and other printed materials and post them on our website. Reg Ash mentioned that Jack Stidson has 3 albums and many boxes of club historical items in storage. The idea was welcomed by members in attendance. A few members shared some great memories ranging from the first Ford and Friends Car Show in 1980 to the time when Don “Big Daddy’ Garlits attended our event. If you have any items, please bring them forward to be digitized or better yet scan them yourself if you can and forward to Al Will and Chris Chown.
Reg Ash reported the club has several odds and ends of club Regalia including hats and t-shirts. Chris Chown suggested we table Regalia for an upcoming meeting to discuss and make a formal decision as to our needs moving forward.
COMMITTEE REPORTS / UPDATES.
BC SOCIETES REGISTRATION / CONTSTITUTION BYLAWS. (See Business Arising)
CHRISTMAS PARTY.
Anna Meyer and Steve Butler reported that the club has first choice of Friday’s in December at the Glen Meadows Golf Club for our 2017 Christmas Party. It was unanimous that the dinner will take place December 8th. Anna will deliver the $500 deposit required to hold the venue for the club. Anna will begin her search for entertainment and report back to the club at a future date.
FORDS & FRIENDS 2017.
Lauri Stevens reported that the F&F committee will be holding their first meeting shortly. Lauri and Bruce Somers plan on meeting with the new President of the Artifacts Society at Heritage Acres to discuss this July’s upcoming show. The show will be promoted at the upcoming Rock N’ Roll for Little Souls Show, May 26th – 29th at Pearkes Arena. Lauri mentioned that the Carson Auto Group now has an on-line application for sponsorship and the club will use this portal for our request. It is hoped by using this we will not run into delays collecting our sponsorship dollars.
SHOP TOURS.
Chris Chown reported on behalf of Gary Clark who was unavailable to attend as he was in Port Angeles to pick up his new car – 1953 Ford Crestline. The car was shipped from South Carolina. Chris also thanked Gary for his outstanding job he has been doing with the tours for the club!
Page | 6 MARCH 2017 Chris reported that the club members in attendance at our February 18th shop tour of Dave Dyer’s shop and collection were truly amazed at what they saw. Dave was an excellent host and very welcoming. Dave will be thanked and receive a plaque from the club to show our appreciation of his hospitality.
Our next shop tour is coming up mid-April at Sean Drivers shop in Sooke. Details to follow.
A reminder that the Rock N’ Roll for Little Souls Show is set for May 26th – 29th at Pearkes Arena. We will need members to volunteer to man the table throughout the weekend. We will have a sign- up sheet at upcoming club meetings.
In addition, Gary is organizing a Poker Run Saturday, May 13th which travels between retirement residences. Participants are also treated to lunch as part of the fun. You are encouraged to bring your classic vehicle, but you can participate using your daily driver. Please let Gary know if you are interested.
EARLY FORD V8 #109 WEBSITE.
Al Wills reported that our club website has had many items uploaded in the past month and encouraged all members to spend some time on the site. The member’s only area is fully functional and starting to be used by some members.
Al has plans to start a “Member Rides” section on the website and would like all members to send a couple of photos of their vehicles and in particular a picture of you with your vehicle.
Al reminded club members that he is the webmaster not web getter! Meaning if you have something you think we should include on the site, please send it to Al.
Chris and Al also recognized Ben Pritchard (Bill’s son) for all the hard work he has provided over the years to developing and maintaining the website.
HIGH SCHOOL AWARDS PROGRAM.
Tony Cond reported that the High School Awards Program committee held its first meeting this past month. Members in attendance were Norrie Spencer, Lew Williams and Tony. Several items were discussed as to what the program will look like moving forward. He stressed that nothing is set in stone now but they had several thoughts as to how they would like to see the program evolve.
Plans discussed include:
• visiting high schools and showcasing vehicles and presenting a brief talk on what the club is about. • They would like to distribute a few free Ford & Friends passes to students • Create a youth fund • They agreed that they would not buy equipment and on a case by case basis distribute some funds towards ite.ms such as oil, rags, etc.
Page | 7 MARCH 2017 More details to come at future meetings. Club President Chris thanked Tony and the committee members for their work thus far.
TECH TALK. There was no tech talk this month.
BUY & SELL. Chris Chown mentioned that he still has four x 3 speed transmissions he is needing to get rid of. Price is negotiable. Lampposts on his driveway are not approved by Emily!
ANNOUNCEMENTS. There were no announcements
ADJOURNMENT. Motion to adjourn by Reg Ash at 8:30 pm / 2nd by Donna Bada Carried.
Minutes submitted by Don Landels. Approved by Chris Chown
50/50 draw - Congratulations to Chris Chown winner of $18! Chris also picked up a new jacket in the 50/50 and Reg Ash left the building with a new hat.
If you are aware of any errors or omissions, please contact club Secretary, Don Landels.
Next meeting is April 11th at The Victorian, 4000 Douglas St.
Please join us and bring a buddy.
Club News
The Excellent Dave Dyer Shop Tour.
On February 18th, a large group of V8 members plus guests were treated to a very special shop tour, hosted by Dave Dyer in Metchosin. Dave’s assortment of collectible automobiles along with the extremely impressive automotive memorabilia is truly amazing and a treat to see. Many interesting items, coupled with several hilarious stories, made this tour informative and entertaining. My personal favorite is the story about the 2-ton Ford purchased in southern Manitoba for $1.00 and the driven to the island. Cost of fuel was $1,500.00 and several hours in bull low as Dave and his father tackled the treck over the Rocky Mountains. If you ever get a chance, ask Dave to tell you about uphill bicycle passing on that trip.
Page | 8 MARCH 2017 Dave is a gifted mechanic with many examples of his talent on display in and around his home. The dream shop has several projects underway ranging from vintage to racing along with memorabilia refurbishing. No lacking for comfort in the “dream shop” as it has a heated floor, kitchen, entertainment center and personal laundry facilities! The range of vehicles is perfectly impressive but even more remarkable is his unique collection of automotive memorabilia. The very special and rare assortment of vintage gas pumps, signs, service station equipment like air pumps and tire changers are all brilliantly restored and display as brand new. The White Rose gas pumps, oil cans and advertising was especially striking.
Our tour was followed with a delicious lunch at the My Chosin Café, where were we treated to excellent food, warm hospitality and fine service. A very good day all around.
This shop tour was another great one and our most sincere appreciation goes out to Dave for allowing the EFV8 to view the collections. I would like to congratulate and thank Gary Clarke for doing his usual fantastic job of putting this all together. Our next tour is in in mid April and Dave is going to join us, so make sure you say hello and thank him for his excellent hospitality.
Page | 9 MARCH 2017
Page | 10 MARCH 2017 TECH TALK
If you have any technical issues you would like to share please submit to the Rumbles editor. Thank you.
Future Ford race cars and performance models could sport large 3D-printed parts.
3D printers are great at making small items, but what about large car parts? Ford is trying to scale up automotive 3D printing with tests of a massive Stratasys Infinite Build 3D printer. Installed at the automaker’s Research and Innovation Center in Dearborn, Michigan, Ford says the machine is capable of making most large, one-piece car parts. The carmaker is currently trying out the Infinite Build unit to evaluate the viability of 3D- printed parts for future production cars.
The Infinite Build works like other 3D printers, but on a larger scale. Designs are uploaded to the machine from a computer-aided design program, and are printed out one layer at a time. Ford uses its 3D printer to make parts out of plastic, which are fed into the machine from large canisters. When a canister is empty, a robot arm switches it out for a full one.
Ford doesn’t think 3D printing is currently capable of producing car parts in large volumes, but it does believe the process is more cost effective for low-volume parts. The tests focus on parts that could be used on special performance models and race cars, as well as the creation of prototype parts or personalized items for customers. Printing out something like a prototype intake manifold or spoiler is much faster and cheaper than the traditional processes for making these parts, Ford says.
Ford has already experimented with 3D-printed parts. A Ford race car equipped with a 3D- printed intake manifold won the 2015 Rolex 24 at Daytona, as a matter of fact. But while the Infinite Build 3D printer allows Ford to scale up its efforts, others are thinking bigger. Local Motors has 3D printed entire bodies for its Strati electric car at trade shows, and plans to sell the Strati to customers.
Page | 11 MARCH 2017 Granted, the Strati is a small, open-topped car with a relatively simple design. It will probably be awhile, if ever, before conventional cars are mass produced with large numbers of 3D printed parts. But who knows, maybe your next Ford Shelby Mustang will have a 3D printed spoiler.
VMCCA changes its name to Vintage Motor Car Club of America in bid to attract new members
April 1957 VMCCA rally. Photo by Jon Delorey.
After nearly 80 years as the Veteran Motor Car Club of America – and after about 20 years of attempting to change the name – the members of the club voted last week to officially change the name to Vintage Motor Car Club of America, hoping that by altering that one word, they’ll be able to recruit more members.
“It was really the result of confusion over the word ‘veteran,'” Don Knight, the newly elected president of the VMCCA said. “When the club was formed in 1938, old cars were referred to as ‘veterans,’ but in more recent years we were more perceived as a military car club or that you had to be a military veteran to join.”
Page | 12 MARCH 2017 Knight said that confusion cropped up almost constantly. Somebody recently offered to donate a large sum to the club specifically to fund a restoration project for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, while the producers of a television show contacted the club to see if club officers could help track down war veteran car collectors.
By avoiding that association, Knight said, he hopes the new name will communicate to potential members that they are welcome to join regardless of their status as military veterans.
The name change was not necessarily intended to attract younger members or to change any other aspects of how the club – devoted primarily to touring – will operate. While certain chapters and specific tours restrict the cars participating to stricter cutoff years (the VMCCA-hosted Glidden Tours restrict participating cars to 1942 and older, for example, while a Nickel Age chapter restricts eligibility to 1916 to 1927 cars), VMCCA tours generally allow unmodified cars 25 years and older to participate.
While 86 percent of the club membership voted to change the name – well more than the two- thirds necessary to change the club’s bylaws – Knight said a rather vocal opposition to the name change, based on respect for the club’s founding members and their intent, almost prevented the vote.
“It’s been discussed several times over the last 20 years but never came to a vote before the members because all past presidents didn’t think they would get the two-thirds vote,” Knight said. The results of a survey among the members last year convinced Knight to proceed despite what he once perceived as overwhelming opposition to the name change.
Club members also voted at last week’s national membership meeting to alter the bylaws to conform to IRS regulations. According to Bob Edelman, the club’s treasurer, the prior bylaws didn’t include several boilerplate clauses – among them, an anti-discrimination clause, one forbidding personal benefit from the club by any member, and one addressing the disposition of the club’s assets were it to dissolve – so Edelman said he thought this was an appropriate time to include them. As of 2015, the VMCCA files taxes as a 501(c)7 non-profit social club, and Edelman said there’s no reason to alter that status, despite some calls from members to make it a 501(c)3.
According to Knight, the two votes represent the first bylaw changes for the club since 2002.
“This is a golden opportunity for us to get our name out there and reintroduce ourselves to the old car world,” Knight said.
For more information on the Vintage Motor Car Club of America, visit VMCCA.org.
Page | 13 MARCH 2017
Many parts for sale in Duncan, B.C.
1. 1939 Ford convertible Coupe with majority of body work completed. The car is 100% original and 98% complete. See it at http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/5681597221.html 2. 12 or more good early Ford V8 engines, blocks, etc. 3. Many exhaust & intake manifolds, generators, starters for early V8s. Some racing equipment for Ford V8s. 4. Many other EFV8 parts, fenders etc. 5. 1953 rebuilt Mercury 3 speed transmission with overdrive.
Contact Don Roberts 778 846 5768 or 206 730 2413 (USA)
FOR SALE – MODEL LC-180 LIQUID CARBONIC A.C. ARC WELDER.
$200.00 CDN
An excellent stick welder for all your essential shop needs. Very attractive price, at $200.00 for the first responder.
Please contact Ted & Gloria Jennings at 250 595 4958 if you need more information.
WANTED FOR A 54 MERCURY 2DR HARDTOP.
Could you send out a search warrant for a pair of sill plates for a 1954 Mercury 2door hardtop. I just bought the car and it has the originals, but they need work.
Thanks, Jim Contact Jim McConnell at [email protected] if you can help.
Page | 14 MARCH 2017 1929 Model A. $25,000 OBO
1953 Ford Customline. $6.000 Firm
If you are interested, please call Bill Nicholson 250 592 7162.
1935 Ford Fordor Touring for Sale Floor, under fenders, under running boards prepped and painted Engine, 1949 239 Flathead, total rebuild 2015, including Offenhouser Heads and Isky mild cam, new Water pumps, Flathead Alternator conversion from Generator. New Ceramic Headers and dual tail pipes New 4 core Radiator and Electric Fan. Maintains 85 degrees both sides. Transmission total rebuild 2015 Hydraulic brake conversion, new drums on shoes, new master cylinder, and 4 new wheel cylinders. All new brake line New gas tank, gas line and electric fuel pump and filter. 5 new tubes and tires and 5 powder coated wire wheels. New vintage look gauges
Page | 15 MARCH 2017 Complete upholstery done in the 80's in above average condition Body and glass good for it's age Included are patch panels for the lower front sections of the back fenders. (to replace minor rust) Signal lights and seat belts. Electric windshield wiper motor included but not installed Original 21 stud flathead included, and was running, but burning oil when taken out. Original transmission included as an extra, an lot of bits and pieces collected over the years.
Special links just for you. http://www.memorylaneclassiccars.com/forsale/these-old-fords-2/
Thank you to Don in Parksville for a little music and special Fords.
Page | 16 MARCH 2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeOehDqJc4E If you have any interest in heavy equipment operation and crazy people check this out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DjxonFXUto If you like tractors and amazing equipment check this out, especially the manure monster. http://www.msn.com/en-ca/autos/research/found-cobra-jet-mustang- hidden-in-basement-for-28-years/ar- AAonLWA?li=AAggNb9&ocid=spartandhp This will make you wish!!!
Page | 17 MARCH 2017
2017 Committees: If you will assist anywhere please let us know.
This page is always under construction!!
Name Lead Hands Supporting members Date Formed.
Fords & Friends Bruce Somers, To be determined Jan 2017 Lauri Stevens
High School Shop Awards Tony Cond, Norrie Spencer, Bruce Jan 2017 Lew Williams Somers, Jim Jennings
Newsletter Chris Chown Al Wills, all members 2014
Tours Gary Clarke All welcome 2016
Phone Committee Norrie Spencer, Dave As needed 2014 Wallace, Bob Mortimer Website development Al Wills Chris Chown 2017 Membership Jim Banks, Don Landels 2016
50/50 Refreshments Mike Mortimer Bob Mortimer 2017
EFV8 #109 Club History Bob Mortimer All members Spring 2017 Al Wills contributing 2017 Christmas Dinner Anna Meyer By request as needed. Traditional Steve Butler
Page | 18 MARCH 2017
Preston Tucker launched his car company after World War II. One of the biggest events in his company's story was the unveiling of his prototype Tucker 48—sometimes called the Tin Goose. Tucker's enterprise ended a few years later, and for a decade or so, the 51 cars he completed were not considered all that valuable. Today, however, a top- end Tucker 48 might auction for more than $2 million. (Here's one that recently sold for $1.35 million.) Still, there was a time when you might see a Tucker stuck in the mud behind a barn.
Occasionally, copies of these photographs show up on the internet with the suggestion that you might still be able to find yourself a Tucker stuck in the mud somewhere, but that is really not the case. First, these photos were taken in the early 1970s, and Tucker experts can now tell us where every Tucker automobile extant resides. Along with the Tin Goose, there were 50 production Tucker 48s built. There is one "missing" Tucker 48, but it was almost certainly destroyed, as pieces of it have surfaced.
The photos here are of the Tin Goose, taken behind a barn in Pennsylvania. Near it rested the front half of another Tucker—#1018—one of the few 48s, which no longer exists intact. The Tin Goose was rescued from this field and restored shortly after these pictures were taken, although it was painted maroon instead of the red it wore at its world premiere. The bumpers, which went missing sometime before or during its slumber in the field, also were replaced.
Page | 19 MARCH 2017 The car eventually was sold at auction in Auburn, Indiana, in 1995. It was bought by the William E. Swigart, Jr., Automobile Museum, which bills itself as America's oldest car museum. Its antique automobile collection in Huntingdon Pennsylvania, started as the private collection of an insurance salesman fascinated by cars when they were still an invention. In the early 1990s, the collection did not contain a Tu, cker, so the museum bought two at the auction that day in 1995: the Tin Goose and #1013.
Ten Henry Ford Facts (That Have Almost Nothing to Do with Cars)
If Henry Ford were still around for his 150th birthday (July 30), he'd probably be exhausted of people talking about the Model T or his development of the assembly line. So, in honor of the inventor hitting the century-and-a-half mark, here are some lesser- known facts about one of the most recognizable names in the automobile industry.
1. When he a young man, Ford repaired watches for his friends and family—and he made his own tools to do it. He used a filed shingle nail as a screwdriver and a corset stay as tweezers.
2. Ford became Chief Engineer of the Edison Illuminating Company's main plant in 1893, and was on-call 24 hours a day to keep Detroit's electricity running. He left the position 6 years later—with Edison's encouragement to work on his plans for a gasoline automobile.
Page | 20 MARCH 2017 3. In 1918, President Woodrow Wilson convinced Ford to run for a seat on the Senate as a Democrat. Ford obliged, sending a letter to the President saying, “If they want to elect me let them do so, but I won't make a penny's investment." He didn’t spend a cent campaigning and still only lost by 4500 votes.
4. Long before Colonial Williamsburg, Ford tried to turn Sudbury, Massachusetts' Wayside Inn— where Longfellow penned Tales of a Wayside Inn—into a living museum of American history. He purchased the Inn, and 3000 surrounding acres, in 1923, and built eight buildings on it including a working grist mill.
5. In 1926, Henry Ford bought the Redstone School House in Sterling, Massachusetts. Ford claimed the school house was the one mentioned in nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” and moved the building to his property in Sudbury.
6. Ford backed up his claims that the school house was the real deal by publishing a book: The Story of Mary and Her Little Lamb and Ford Ideals. Ford converted the building, which was being used for storage, back into a proper school: Classes were taught at the Redstone School House until 1951.
7. During a 1928 interview with the Detroit Times’ George Sylvester Viereck, Ford expanded on his religious thoughts, owing his strokes of brilliance to a “Master Mind”: “Somewhere is a Master Mind sending brain wave messages to us. There is a Great Spirit. I never did anything by my own volition. I was pushed by invisible forces within and without me.”
8 Using wood scraps from his plants, Ford found he could make charcoal briquettes. When Ford’s brother-in-law E.G. Kingsford brokered the site selection for Ford’s charcoal manufacturing plant, Ford named the company Kingsford Charcoal in his honor.
9. During World War I, Ford tried his hand in the aviation business and started the Ford Airplane Company. The U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission recognized Ford as a pioneer of aviation in 2002, but the Ford Airplane Division shut down in 1933 due to lackluster sales.
10. In Aldous Huxley's dystopian society of Brave New World, the world dates its years as Annum Fordum, or "Year of Our Ford." Huxley's characters also use Henry's name as "Our Ford" instead of "Our Lord."
Page | 21 MARCH 2017 March 5, 1929. David Dunbar Buick dies
On this day in 1929, David Dunbar Buick, the founder of the Buick Motor Company, dies in relative obscurity and meager circumstances at the age of 74. In 1908, Buick’s company became the foundation for the General Motors Corporation; however, by that time David Buick had sold his interest in the company.
Buick was born in Arbroath, Scotland, on September 17, 1854, and moved with his family to Detroit, Michigan, as a child. As a young man, he worked in the plumbing industry and developed, among other inventions, a successful process for bonding porcelain enamel to cast-iron bathtubs. During the 1890s, Buick became interested in automobiles and the gasoline internal combustion engine. In 1903, he founded the Buick Motor Company. The following year, William Durant, a titan of the horse-drawn carriage industry, invested in Buick’s company, which was by then based in Flint, Michigan. That same year, the company made a total of 37 autos, known as the Model B. By 1906, Buick had lost control of the business and sold his stock, which would later be worth millions of dollars. Two years later, in 1908, William Durant made the Buick firm the cornerstone of his newly formed holding company, General Motors. Durant soon acquired Cadillac and Oldsmobile, among other car companies. In 1923, Buick built its 1 millionth vehicle. The Buick brand would play a key role in General Motors’ rise to become the world’s largest automaker by the early 1930s (a title it held until 2008, when it was surpassed by Japan-based Toyota). Today, Buick is GM’s entry-level luxury brand and one of the auto industry’s oldest nameplates.
After selling his interest in his company, David Buick became involved in a series of unsuccessful oil, real-estate and automotive ventures. He eventually returned to Detroit, where he worked menial jobs before his death in 1929.
Page | 22 MARCH 2017
This newsletter is provided free of charge to members and associates of the Early Ford V8 Club R.G. 109. Should you wish to contribute an item or offer comments please contact Chris D. Chown via email at [email protected]
Thank you.
Page | 23 MARCH 2017