Vehicle Description
The Buick Motor Company was the cornerstone General Motors was
built on.� Charles Nash was President and General Manager of Buick
by 1910 and oversaw a thriving automaker that sold nearly 30,000
automobiles in that year.� Early Buicks included very small to very
large automobiles, and trucks, that enabled the marque to compete
throughout the industry.� Buick also utilized racing extensively to
establish a reputation for speed and durability.� Early drivers
including �Wild' Bob Burman, Louis and Arthur Chevrolet, Lewis
Strang and others raced Buicks; high profile races for production
automobiles were held on Long Island, at Savannah, Indianapolis and
Daytona Beach.� Two bright red �Buick Bug' racers were also
constructed for Burman and Louis Chevrolet in 1910, who raced them
around the country.� These special �wind cheaters' were equipped
with huge 622 c.i. four-cylinder engines mounted in shortened
single-seat racing chassis covered with streamlined bodies
emblazoned with rams heads painted on the front of each car and
were crowd favorites wherever they raced!� Buick also offered
sporting options for their regular customers. Both the popular
Buick Model 10 on a 92-inch wheelbase and the larger Model 16 on a
112-inch wheelbase were available as sporting Roadsters.� The
Roadsters consisted of only two seats mounted on a standard chassis
with a hood, cowl and fenders.� Their construction was actually
quite clever, however, allowing for exchange of a gas tank, a
single rear seat or a wider rear seat that converted the car into a
Tourabout or Surrey, all on the same chassis. This pretty 1910
Buick Model 16 Roadster is an older restoration, very well done and
preserved in proper working order.� In an era when only a single
color was offered on many models, here the body, fenders, chassis
and wheels are all finished in white.� The appearance is all the
more sporting for the single color, highlighted with red coach
lines on the fenders, hood, wheels, frame and front axle.� A
brightly polished brass finish adorns the head lamps, radiator and
script, coach lights mounted on the cowl and a large flared bulb
horn. �The brake and shift levers and wheel centers are also
finished in polished brass.� The simple instruments include a
Stewart speedometer and mileage recorder and a brass oil sight
gauge.� An acetylene tank is mounted on the right side to provide
gas for the lamps, while a round gasoline tank is mounted on the
rear deck behind the two seats.� Black tires are mounted on the
wood spoke wheels.� Neither a windshield nor top was provided,
given the sporting nature of this early Roadster.� The seats are
constructed of wood - that may be original to the car - and
upholstered in black tufted leather that looks to be new.� The
large 318 c.i. engine prominently displays four individually cast
cylinders and produced 32.4 horsepower. �The cylinder heads are not
removable, so the workings of the push rods and valve gear operate
in plain site adding to the charm of this very early Buick.� The
three-speed sliding gear transmission sends power to the rear axle.
�The car has been set up for touring, a concealed electric starter
has been skillfully added, the rear brakes have been converted to
hydraulic,and a modern air filter has been installed, all enhancing
the enjoyment of driving this automobile that was constructed
before the adoption of electric starters, lights, and juice brakes.
Here again is a wonderful brass era automobile, this one fitted
with a sporting Roadster body that evokes the Age and Buick's early
sporting history.� This car presents and drives equally well -
aided by a concealed electric starter - and will be eagerly
welcomed by the Buick Club of America, Antique Automobile Club of
America and the Horseless Carriage Club of America as well as other
brass club activities, parades and local shows.
