Pre war Buick identification

Hi Guys

I'm in the UK and trying to identify the series type of what I understand is a Buick in the attached picture (2nd from left license plate RG2646).

It belonged to my late grandfather (he died in Normandy, WW2) and was first registered in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1932. That is all I know.

Particularly interested to find out what the script is on the radiotor above the license plate - any ideas?

Ultimate aim is to find out what happened to this car which was sold on in 1944.

Thanks guys.

Dave

I think both of the cars on the left are 1931 Buick series 50 models - the first of the straight eights. They appear to have the newer style radiator cap. I presume they would be Canadian-built McLaughlin-Buicks sold new in UK. The second one looks to have lost its badge bar already. I think the 'script' you can see above the number plate is just some thing on the photo.

I think the next two cars are an Austin and a Hillman and I am not sure but the car on the right might be an Erskine.

Radiator shell indicates 1930 or 1931 and as nzcarnerd points out the radiator cap appears to have the 8 on it which of course was used on 1931 models ( 1930 was still a 6 cylinder engine ). That and the 1st registration being in 1932 probably points to a 1931 model Buick Dominion Sedan.

There should be a bar running between the headlights ( as on the far left car ) which has BUICK in a rectangle in the centre ( is this the scipt you mention? ).

There should also be some chrome staunchions under the headlights ( also visible on the left hand car ) which are missing on RG2646 - maybe accident damage saw these items damaged badly and not replaced?

I have attached copies of a period road test of a similar vehicle in the UK back in 1930/31 which you may find of interest.

If looking at the first Buick the radiator looks a little bit wider than the second Buicks,my thought is that the second Buick is aMcLaughlin 1930 6 cyl.Picture of Candian built 1930.

Leif in Sweden

Basically, I agree with Stuart's acessment. The fact that the bumper is also missing on the second car would also suggest front end crash damage could be responsible for the missing parts.

Hi

Just attached a few pictures of a 1931 McLaughlin Buick 90LX, registered in Edinburgh. Had a quick look for the registration numbers in the photos and they don't seem to be registered with the DVLA anymore. Sorry I can't help.

Colin

Thanks everyone.

Just been reminded that this pic has had an outing before - http://forums.aaca.org/f170/mystery-dimples-scotland-271537.html - and we are still no further in identifying the car on the right.

Leif, I think the apparent difference in radiator size might be an illusion caused by the angle of the photo. Both cars appear to have the same type of radiator cap. I think these are 1931 series 50s, which used the smaller 1930 Marquette chassis whereas the 1930 series 40 was a bigger car and became the 1931 series 60.

Re the Buick registered in Scotland from Colinvoice, that is obviously a big series model and might have a larger radiator. It is certinly a much bigger car all round.

Any 1931 experts out there can say how much difference, if any, there was in size of the radiator shells in 1931 between the different series?

50jetback's attachment illustrates that cars were sold new un Uk with no bumpers.

Yes that's right.

I asked a local car club here in the UK and the gentleman there must have come to this site with it.

Very keen to find out more about all in the picture but mostly about RG2646.

Thanks again for all help.

Just giving this thread a bump.

Have come to a dead end trying to get some information through researching the license plate.

Anyone got any thoughts or any UK members have done asimilar seach?

Thanks guys.

Bringing this back to the top on the offchance someone is passing.

Been a year or so since I brought this back to the surface in case anyone can help?

Thanks guys.

Interesting that you brought this one up again just as I was cruising through the pre war Buick section. I see that I was the first to reply back at the beginning. Don't have anything further to add though.

It is a 50 series as the larger series all had the round crossbar between the framehorns. I would bet on the 31 year.

Bob Engle

Interesting that you brought this one up again just as I was cruising through the pre war Buick section. I see that I was the first to reply back at the beginning. Don't have anything further to add though.

Many thanks. Your input was much appreciated.

Guys

8 years on from my first post came to a dead end some time ago on this but a COVID-19 lockdown has brought me back to this.

Anybody who can add anything to the much welcomed help above would be appreciated.

Thanks