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#500461 - 04/07/08 09:48 PM
1937 Buick Slantback 6 Wheel?
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NorthCountryTodd
New Member
Registered: 04/07/08
Posts: 1
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Greetings!
My subject title probably makes my ignorance of the Pre-War Buicks obvious. I recently purchased a property in Northern Vermont. In one of the bays of an "outbuilding" sits what I know is a 1937 Buick 4 door Slantback. But that is where my knowledge ends. Now I am on a fact finding mission! It has the straight eight and the fender mounted spares. Does this sound correct? Were the fender mounted spares available on all the Buick models in 1937? Does anyone know of a source for production numbers? Where can I find some detailed pictures of one of these models? I have never restored an automobile from this era, most have been in the 1960's. But I just love the body lines on this car, from front to rear! Thank you for your time!
Regards,
Todd
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#500481 - 04/07/08 10:48 PM
Re: 1937 Buick Slantback 6 Wheel?
[Re: NorthCountryTodd]
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ZondaC12
Member
Registered: 03/25/05
Posts: 945
Loc: Guilderland, NY
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HEYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!
Welcome to the world of pre-war Buick barges! http://www.prewarbuick.com/gallery/1935-1938-PreWar-Buick-Gallery There's some '37s in that gallery! Also go on google image search images.google.com and put in 1937 buick and feast your eyes!
I don't know that much detail myself, but side-mounted fender wells were optional equipment on Buicks in the 1930s. They are great looking. From 1931, and until 1953, if you bought a Buick it had ONLY a straight 8, only variable was how big the holes they punched in the block were!
Member DaveCorbin will be along very shortly with a BATTERY of production numbers and more of that kind of info. than you might even care to know! 
If you can be sure to snap some pictures of this beauty and put 'em on up here! I do like my trunk-back but the slant-backs have that sleek look of their own.
Are you currently living or plan to live up in that area? If so once you get her all fixed up be sure to bring her to the Hemmings cruise nights in Bennington in the summer if you can, I'd love to see it (and so would many others!) I'm from the Capital Region of New York so I'm not far from there, just haven't gotten around to going to those cruises the last two summers (that's as long as I've been in the hobby).
Hope you enjoy this place, there's lots of people with lots more good tips and facts. Oh....you DID bring snacks, right?  
_________________________
Paul Tariello III BCA #41445 1938 Buick Special Model 41 Whistler Grey original, 86k miles, in my family since '68  Resurrected in May '05 after 25 years of slumber! Thanks Dad.
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#500488 - 04/07/08 11:04 PM
Re: 1937 Buick Slantback 6 Wheel?
[Re: ZondaC12]
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jscheib
Member
Registered: 09/05/03
Posts: 703
Loc: CT
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Sounds like a lucky find. Most likely it is either a 40 or 60 series car, and you should be able to find a tag on the passenger's side of the fire wall under the hood with some numbers, and that will tell you for sure which model. There should also be an ID number plate on the frame on the passangers side by the front wheel. This will give you what is later the VIN for the car. With side mounts it seems likely a 60 series and a Century model. When you look at the photos you will see fender mounted spares were an option. If you find tyhe numbers on the plates, someone here can tell you how many were produced and also if the engine was original and pprobably what month of the year it was produced. Also, the engine number, I think, is also on the right side of the lower engine block.
How far up in Vermont are you?
John
_________________________
'32 - 57-S
'68 Riviera
Assistant Director - Yankee Chapter BCA
ROA, AACA, BDE
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#501083 - 04/09/08 10:47 PM
Re: 1937 Buick Slantback 6 Wheel?
[Re: NorthCountryTodd]
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DaveCorbin
Member
Registered: 02/19/06
Posts: 604
Loc: Texas
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Dear Todd:
As Paul noted, if you post the numbers that are on the data plate on the firewall that say model number, paint code, and trim code, I can tell you what Buick built for you. If you post the motor number and the frame number, I can tell you when and where the car was built, and if the engine is probably original to the car. Also, I can tell you how many of that model were built in 1937.
Regards, Dave Corbin
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#501088 - 04/09/08 10:58 PM
Re: 1937 Buick Slantback 6 Wheel?
[Re: NorthCountryTodd]
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DaveCorbin
Member
Registered: 02/19/06
Posts: 604
Loc: Texas
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Dear Todd:
The availability of sidemont fenders was optional on all 1937 Buicks. However, some models used a standard left sidemount with a right being optional and other models had both sidemounts optional. I hope this answers your question on sidemounts.
Regards, Dave Corbin
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#501134 - 04/10/08 04:56 AM
Re: 1937 Buick Slantback 6 Wheel?
[Re: DaveCorbin]
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Chacheska
Member
Registered: 04/04/01
Posts: 118
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Hi, Todd. I've owned my 1937 Buick Special for 33 years so I can tell you anything you need to know about your Buick. Specials usually didn't have sidemounts but some did. Centurys more often than not had sidemounts. Roadmasters mostly have them and Limiteds always had them. Look inside the engine compartment on the right side. There will be a number on the frame just behind the front wheel. You can see it by looking down from the top. That's your VIN number. The engine number will be stamped on a raised area toward the back of the engine just below the head. Get the body, style, paint and trim numbers off the firewall. Send me an e-mail at chacheska@verizon.net and I can tell you whatever you need to know. 1937 and 1938 Buicks are arguably the best looking cars on the road for those two years. If you read a book called STYLE by David Holls and Robert Lamm you'll see that opinion in print. Holls was a GM stylist so if he thinks those two years of Buicks had the most attractive styling of any other car on the road who am I to disagree. For anyone who hasn't read that book it's an extremely well authored book on the subject of automotive styling from the French coachbuilders up through the 1990's. Highly recommended read.
_________________________
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#501166 - 04/10/08 08:54 AM
Re: 1937 Buick Slantback 6 Wheel?
[Re: Chacheska]
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Grandpa
Member
Registered: 07/10/07
Posts: 41
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Hi Todd,
I believe that if a 1937-38 Buick had side mounts installed at the factory, then the number "6" was hand stamped on the body data plate. The number "6" means that the car has six wheels. However, it seems that not all six wheel cars have the hand stamped number.
Grandpa
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