It's not a T but it might be coming home with me. Can anyone on here tell me what a 4cyl 1917 Buick touring car is worth today? I don't want to pay too much. And are parts available??
pics here: http://www.tfoye.com/Buick.html
Buicks are expensive cars, as are the parts. That being said, they are great runners, and like the T, poor stoppers.
Hi Tim,
That is a nice looking car.
Buicks are good cars.
It is worth what you are willing to pay.
"I don't want to pay too much." No one ever does.
Parts availability will never be as good as it is with the Model T, and I am sure you know that. Bearings, roller and ball, may be on the shelf at your local bearing house. Ignition and other electrical components may be an Ebay hunt.
You will want to join a national Buick club to network with other owners for parts support.
Good luck with your new project. Bill
The hardest part to find is that distributor it is made from pot metal and when they start to deteriorate they crumble kinda like an oreo cookie. other parts to check very carefully are the "U" joints that operate the front brakes (If it has 4 wheel brakes they are mechanical linkage). Value I can't tell you it depends on the condition of the car and the condition of the pot metal that is present also check the water pump I believe it is driven by the generator.
I honestly don't know what it is worth, but a fascinating non T car to be custodian of. Also, here's a a car that used Jackson /Jaxon wheels.
Still need to put a $ amount on it...
And other than the AACA what clubs out there might be relevant to this?
Looks like the small 4 cyl. The ones from that era are not as desirable as the earlier ones. I'd think a 100 pt. show are would be in the $18-22K range. Unrest ored complete, $2-5K. Fair restoration $8-15K
Yeah well he thinks it's worth $25k as it sits... He said the 4cyl was rarer than the six. I guess that's a fair slant on the issue.
Agree with verne. I know of the fairly recent sale of a 1919 Dodge touring. It sold among friends. Maintained original with no top,but the whereabouts of top sockets for $200.00 went with the deal. $7500 including a few extra parts. I wanted to make a call and get nosy before I stated an value opinion. Hope you get it.
BCA. Buick club of America Jim
I probably just killed the deal by being too honest. I hate it when other people think their things are like brand shiny new and made out of gold.
Rare does not equal value. The little four is much more rare than the bigger Buick cars of that era, but they are not nearly as desirable. For $25K, you could get a Horseless Carriage. Recently, a '13/'14 Studebaker four in comparable condition (a comparable car) sold for under $20K after nearly a year on the market.
Tim,
I would agree with Wayne. Buick popularity is related to tourability, and the four is just not powerful enough for the heavy bodies on them. For that kind of money, one would expect a high point car that could do well at any concourse, and yes, for that kind of money you can get an HCCA qualified car--and there are lots more of their tours than there are of Nickel Era cars. It's two years too new!!
Guess what - I've got one of those. 1917 Buick D35 Touring. Mine appears to be about the same or even better condition. I'm also interested in selling it. I'll be very happy to start that discussion with you.
I can only manage one antique car and am sticking with my T for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is parts availability.
However, I can help a little here. There's an active club that's only for 1915-1918 Buick and McLaughlin owners. A monthly newsletter and an active membership. I can help connect you or anyone else to Dean who runs the club.
Here's my D35. I just had it out yesterday. Runs beautifully.
If I had that Buick I'd throw rocks at a Ford. Not built of as good raw materials,but what a car, 4cylinder or six.
4 cylinder. I'm concerned about lack of parts and other "vulnerabilities" suffered by me being an owner capable of screwing something up beyond repair.
I also have to add that the transmission is standard and not nearly as interesting as the tri-pedal on the T.
Great features on this car are the "Fat-Man" steering wheel. See it slid up in the photo. Makes getting in normal rather than a squeeze. There's also a neat little feature on the dash. A small gauge with a window. When the car is running, oil is ported into the window and spins a little dial. You can not only see oil circulating nicely, but also observe the color and apparent viscosity.
What I meant was either a four or a six would be a good car. As far as pot metal parts going bad, there are ways around that. The vacuum fuel systems can cause a profane tirade, but I would bet that car is near perfect and not lose. And not everyone needs or wants to go like a bat out of hell on some 'organized 'tour. A 25-30mph ride on a rural road suite me way better. T's are great, no doubt about it. But relatively few cars like that Buick survived. I'm all out of envy juice. First, a one Cylinder Cadillac. Now this.
Me too---Mine is a 1918 E-35 4 cylinder, complete, straight all original Buick. The E-35's are a scarce item I am told. It too is for sale.
I have owned a 1912 small 4 and currently a '13 small 4 Buick. The '12 was too short coupled for my long frame! They were both very similar engines to the famous Model 10 of the 1908-10 era. My brother in law had a 1911 Model 33, which was the small 4. It was the best in my opinion. A nice driver with its plantary transmission. The 1912 and on were a little more of a handful with the sliding gear transmission. It was especially cramped in the cockpit of the 1912 as it was the first year to have the shift lever inside the car (along side the door) AND the touring body was short coupled. The Buick's ride nice with the spring setup they have. I always joke that our 1910 Model F 2-cyl is like setting in your living room chair! They are good cars, but like others have said, I'd opt for an earlier pre-16 model. Right now, there are some good values in the really old cars.
Tim,
Without seeing it in person, it looks like a $13,000-$15,000 car. The seller's 25K is way over the top though.
Willis