Vehicle Description
Before creating his eponymous automobile company, David Dunbar
Buick achieved considerable success in the plumbing industry. He
was the first to successfully develop a method to coat cast iron in
porcelain, thus creating the archetypal white bathtub. The process
Buick developed has since been applied to all manner of products,
from plumbing fixtures to cookware to automobile exhaust manifolds.
Although he could have comfortably rested on his laurels, he sought
more significant challenges and sold his plumbing business to
Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company in 1899. With the proceeds,
he moved into the production of gasoline-powered engines for farm
and marine use, which he reorganized as Buick Manufacturing Company
in 1902. Investors and partners joined the fray, and the firm
changed names to Buick Motor Company along the way. But David Buick
was hampered by either indecision or perfectionism, and his backers
grew increasingly impatient. By 1904, one running prototype was
produced, with customer deliveries following later in the year.
With little to show for their money, investors again put the
company up for sale, eventually squeezing David Buick out. A savior
came in the name of William "Billy" Crapo Durant. The President of
the Durant-Dort Carriage Company, Billy Durant was a dynamic and
enormously influential character in the early days of America's
motor industry. He turned Buick Motor Company's fortunes around,
ramping up capital investment and steadily increasing production to
more than 4,600 cars by 1907, second only to Ford. Buick's early
production models were high quality, mostly conventional cars, with
planetary gearboxes and chain drive. The notable exception to the
convention was the overhead valve layout of the two-cylinder
engine. That arrangement would become an enduring feature of nearly
all future models through World War II and a hallmark of the brand.
The 1908 line consisted of several models - with a haphazard naming
scheme. The Model F touring car and Model G roadster shared the
same chassis and two-cylinder engine design along with all-new
styling for 1908. Four-cylinder Models D & S joined by the Model 10
and the large-displacement Model 5. Central to the model F was the
159 cubic-inch inline two-cylinder, with a healthy output of 22
horsepower. That same year, Durant used Buick as the cornerstone
for his grandest venture yet - the formation of General Motors.
Those early days of GM proved rocky with Durant at the helm, but
the likes of Charles Nash, Walter P. Chrysler, and Louis Chevrolet
all rose through the ranks of Buick and GM at one time or another,
highlighting the long-reaching influence that Buick had in shaping
the future landscape of the American automobile industry. This
charming and attractive 1908 Buick Model F touring car is a
wonderfully restored example that spent the last 30 years as a
cherished part of a private collection. It is in superb condition
throughout, benefitting from light use and regular care in the
hands of the last owner who used the car for show and touring. The
striking livery is correct and featured exclusively on two-cylinder
Models F & G from 1908. The warm maroon paintwork is outstanding,
with glossy, consistent finishing on the wood body and steel
mudguards, accented with black-painted trim. Bright red paint on
the wheels and chassis round out the striking presentation and
further enhance the superb character. The numerous brass fittings
are in excellent condition all around, including the two-position
steering column, headlamps, carriage lamps, and a period-correct
Neverout taillight. Other fine details include the Buick-branded
running boards and a brass acetylene tank. Plum-colored
button-tufted leather carries on the beautiful color palette. Seat
upholstery and leather door panels are in excellent condition,
displaying a light character from occasional use in the hands of
the previous owner while remaining supple and free from excessive
wear. The interior fittings, controls, and woodwork are all in fine
order and represent the attention paid to every aspect of this
restoration. Maroon fabric lines the black vinyl top, and a
removable soft front windscreen provides a modicum of protection
against the weather. The two-cylinder, overhead valve engine sits
midship below the seats. It is well detailed in red paint, brass,
and copper. Some light wear on painted surfaces is consistent with
this car's usable, tour-ready nature. It produces very respectable
power for a twin-cylinder engine, and chuffs along splendidly.
Early brass-era Buicks are somewhat of a rarity, particularly ones
as thoughtfully and properly restored as this example. Offered
after more than three decades in a single collection, this Buick is
wonderfully prepared and ideally suited for touring with the
Horseless Carriage Club or similar groups, and is sure to delight
its next keeper for years to come. Offers welcome and trades
considered For additional details please view this listing directly
on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6639-1908-buick-model-f-touring-open-tourer/