THE 1954 BUICK LANDAU

[xp-300]

I recently came across this B&W photo of The 1954 Buick Landau on the web. The web site states it's from an unknown location and an unknown date.

The photo code at the bottom left hand side indicates the photographer's name was Evans. The date it was taken; September 8, 1954. I'm not certain what the code means at the bottom right hand side. I believe it's a file number of the photo.

The Landau appears to be quite unkempt and the garage in my view a bit of a dump.

The other car in the photo appears to be a Cadillac with the trunk up and and the rear passenger side door open.

The question is this.

Where was this photograph taken?

[old-tank]

I recently came across this B&W photo of The 1954 Buick Landau on the web. The web site states it's from an unknown location and an unknown date.

The photo code at the bottom left hand side indicates the photographer's name was Evans. The date it was taken; September 8, 1954. I'm not certain what the code means at the bottom right hand side. I believe it's a file number of the photo.

The Landau appears to be quite unkempt and the garage in my view a bit of a dump.

The other car in the photo appears to be a Cadillac with the trunk up and and the rear passenger side door open.

The question is this.

Where was this photograph taken?

Paint cans on the shelf and a spray gun on the wall suggests that this is a body shop...also painters often wore white.

[smithbrother]

WOW, looks like a wood floor, so probably on second floor. If it weren't for the paint booth I would say it was a twin to the agency dad had back in the late 40's.

Dale in Indy

[xp-300]

Hi Dale.

I take it all is well with you.

Good to see you back in the forums so soon.

[xp-300]

Paint cans on the shelf and a spray gun on the wall suggests that this is a body shop...also painters often wore white.

I saw that also, which gave me the thought that this may be a GM customising shop.

The Cadillac I thought may support the idea of a GM custom shop.

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But where? What state? What town?

[Jack Stacey]

Maybe one of the Fisher body plants? Either 21 or 1 in Flint MI, or Detroit MI. Those windows look similar to the Fisher plants, but then again, a lot of factories in the 50's had those windows. It could be that they were prepping it for one of the Motorama shows that year, since it missed the '53 Motorama.

[xp-300]

Maybe one of the Fisher body plants? Either 21 or 1 in Flint MI, or Detroit MI. Those windows look similar to the Fisher plants, but then again, a lot of factories in the 50's had those windows. It could be that they were prepping it for one of the Motorama shows that year, since it missed the '53 Motorama.

I think Jack is onto something.

I found these photos of the Landau, taken at the BCA National in Danvers last year. (from the web)

[xp-300]

Trying to be a Landau?

[xp-300]

Again with the Landau look!!!!

[Landau1]

Dear Sir: For more detailed information on this one-of-a-kind Motorama car, find a copy of the Sept 2010 issue of Classic Car. It details the history of the Landau, orginally owned by my Dad, Robert F. Blair. The car won the AACA Senior Car Award last year and is owned by Bob Coker. You can see more about it on You Tube as well. The interior has been completely redone and car looks brand new. It still has only 24,000 miles on it. I got to drive it at a showing in Texarkana in 2008.

Robert K. Blair
Austin, TX

[xp-300]

Dear Sir: For more detailed information on this one-of-a-kind Motorama car, find a copy of the Sept 2010 issue of Classic Car. It details the history of the Landau, originally owned by my Dad, Robert F. Blair. The car won the AACA Senior Car Award last year and is owned by Bob Coker. You can see more about it on You Tube as well. The interior has been completely redone and car looks brand new. It still has only 24,000 miles on it. I got to drive it at a showing in Texarkana in 2008.

Robert K. Blair
Austin, TX

Robert;

Thank you for the info.

I do have the issue you mentioned of Classic Car and I have also seen several of the uploads on You Tube that you mentioned.

Last year I had the good fortune of seeing "The Landau" at the Buick Nationals in Danvers, Ma.

The car is just.......well...... gorgeous.

One of the best Buicks that I have seen, and have had a chance to enjoy, and admire.

The car is stunning and its history is remarkable. Your family's ownership and involvement with "The Landau" adds to it's flavored history.

Bob Coker has done an excellent job with it and also allowing others to see and enjoy the car.

I hope that will continue in the future of "The Landau".

I admit to being a bonafide "Buick Nut" and can not get enough of this car.

Mr Earl I sure, would understand my sentiment.

[NTX5467]

There is also a book on GM's Motorama Cars, which details ALL of the Motorama show cars GM had up until the last ones, in the later 1960s(?). Quite a book! Seems like there are some factory pictures of the "beverage service" depolyed in the rear seating area, too? Or possibly the similar things in a later Cadillac suicide-door sedan? It's a great book, when I looked at it . . . about the time the "Landau" subject came up in here.

Thanks for the additional comments, Mr. Blair! Glad to see you're in here!

Happy Holidays!
NTX5467

[MrEarl]

Dear Sir: For more detailed information on this one-of-a-kind Motorama car, find a copy of the Sept 2010 issue of Classic Car. It details the history of the Landau, orginally owned by my Dad, Robert F. Blair. The car won the AACA Senior Car Award last year and is owned by Bob Coker. You can see more about it on You Tube as well. The interior has been completely redone and car looks brand new. It still has only 24,000 miles on it. I got to drive it at a showing in Texarkana in 2008.

Robert K. Blair
Austin, TX

Hi Robert,

you recognize this feller I'm sure

[xp-300]

Hey Lamar, Is that third photo a Girl On Buick?

I noticed with interest (in the third photo), how the sweep spear, and the placement of the Century logo; are dramatically different to that of the actual 1954 production car.

[MrEarl]

Good eye Dave. Yes these are some old 4 inch glass slides from '53 and '54. The Century depicted here was possibly an early design consideration, with the rear part of the sweep spear similar to that of a sedan.

And boy those judges are about to fall off the stands gawking at that nice car eh?

[my3buicks]

That picture in the body shop - it appears that the Landau has its sweep spear removed and is just the outline.

[smithbrother]

Hate me if you wish, but I have a very hard time understanding the trunk lid and straps. I'm just not a lover of 4-door verts either. They are prone to SHAKE, RATTLE and ROLL. IMO. I guess if you are the President on parade.

With that said, EACH TO HIS/HER OWN.

If you love it, GOOD FOR YOU.

Dale in Indy

[xp-300]

That picture in the body shop - it appears that the Landau has its sweep spear removed and is just the outline.

Hate me if you wish, but I have a very hard time understanding the trunk lid and straps. I'm just not a lover of 4-door verts either. They are prone to SHAKE, RATTLE and ROLL. IMO. I guess if you are the President on parade.

With that said, EACH TO HIS/HER OWN.

If you love it, GOOD FOR YOU.

Dale in Indy

Keith:

I too noticed something wrong with the side of "The Landau", but i couldn't put my finger on it. You may recall my comments in the opening post, "The Landau appears to be quite unkempt....."



Dale:

I always enjoy your comments even though we are not always in agreement. The beauty of the forums, to express opinion and not hate anyone for expressing the truth.

One may not like the truth, but don't hate the messenger.


My reasons for enjoying "The Landau" are numerous. I look toward "The Landau" show car, not as a glimpse into the future but rather a view to the past.

The entire concept of "The Landau" was to take a modern car (at its time) and turn it into a classic luxury automobile. Reminiscent of the late '20's thru the very early '40's.

It was more about what Buick was, rather than where it was going. The other show cars were doing that job. It was not about technology or innovation, but rather "Class and Style".

My photos and link below, explains it much better than I.

The second & third photos shows The 1941 Buick Limited Brunn Bodied Landau. Buicks example of their effort into the "Luxury Field". It could have worked, but Cadillac put a stop to that.

See the link below of a related thread I started three years ago.

1940 & 1941 Buick Brunn Bodied Coachwork

[xp-300]

Mr Earl: And boy those judges are about to fall off the stands gawking at that nice car eh?

.....or the cheekbones!!

[smithbrother]

Thanks David, you did GOOD in explaining, like I said, "If you love it, GOOD FOR YOU.

Never have I, or will I, ever try to talk someone out of their likes or dislikes. I was just trimming the tree. Maybe someday I will explain that statement, hehehe.

I know I'm a tad weird, but I'm a nice guy......., and having fun, " FUN IS GOOD"



Dale in Indy

[xp-300]

smith brother

I know I'm a tad weird,

Your weird! When did that happen?

I didn't think so.

[NTX5467]

Before there were real "trunks" made into cars, they were external to the vehicle . . . especially IF there was a rumble seat AND people liked to travel. Hence, the additional look of an external trunk (complete with leather straps to keep it situated and closed) on the Landau is there to impart "someone of means", who can afford to travel on trips (longer than the weekend . . . as in a "steamer trunk"?). Of course, that four door Buick would be perfect for travelling! Kind of like the implication of "old money", rather than "showey new money" (which would include Cadillacs, back then).

Just some thoughts,
NTX5467

[smithbrother]

It all stated in 1937, I was born backwards, MY NOSE RUNS, MY FEET SMELL.

Weird......, but having fun.

Dale in Indy

[xp-300]

If that's the basis for being weird, then were all weired.

[xp-300]

Came across these photos of "The Landau" on the Internet. There from the 2011 BCA National.


That's MrEarl in the drivers seat in the second photo.

Got to love that "Landau".