Dave Gelinas (XP-300)

Steve: I'm a Buick guy, but that sign is awesome.

OK Folks! Here's another. The 1951 Buick XP-300 Motorama Show Car. Oh yes! The models name in the photo, Marjorie Needham, age 21.

Rob: Your right about company cars. Mine is now a Toyota Corolla; and I hate the thing. Your also correct IMO on the styling cue of Centurion influencing the 1971 Riv. I had not noticed it till now.

Here is a photo of Chief Engineer for the XP300, Charlas A. Chayne. He is at the wheel and GM General Manager Ivan Wiles is standing. The second photo is the XP-300 rear end treatment. Awesome in my view.

Is this a national outfit the rest of us should be aware of?

It looks like a good solid candidate for restoration.

Hi Rob: It is C. A. C. It's the initials of Charles A. Chayne, head of GM Engineering in 1951. The XP-300 was his personal car after its use in the Motorama. I like the way he incorporated his initials into a Buick shield.

One of the most unique features of the 1953 Wildcat were the front hubcaps which incorporated a new technology called 'roto-static brake cooling discs'. This technology used a cooling duct on the wheel that remained stationary to provide a fresh flow of air to the front brakes. The hubcap never spun with the wheel. They remained stationary while the wheels revolved around them. I tell you, Buick had a vast array of technology and new ideas. When the current owner, Joe Bortz restored the car. One of the grills within the hubcap that covers the cooling duct was beyond repair as well as several hubcaps. He had to have them fabricated at a considerable amount of money.

This photo was taken in 2005 at Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance. I believe that was before Bob Coker took ownership of The Landau, and was in the collection of John O'Quinn.

Another Girl on Buick. Lamar: There is no question that Buick had considerable talent in its styling department. Their show cars were a trip in a time machine to the future. In my view no other GM auto maker came close. Buicks had "Style and Class". Buick was not number one in the GM scheme of things, (Cadillac saw to that after they complained to GM about the 1941 Buick Brunn Bodied Limited). But, Buick was a very close second to Cadillac, because of the talent of their styling and engineering departments. No other GM auto came close to Caddy as Buick did. IMO

Lamar; I agree. If the hardtop version is thrown into the mix my choice would be the hardtop. The hardtop version was new to me till I came across the photo. I was unaware of it and have as yet been unable to find any info on it. Maybe others can share their thoughts or knowledge on the subject.

None other, but the 1954 Buick Landau. Shown with the Skylark wheels, before the the original (stolen) hubcaps were replicated to replace them.

Lamar great photos. Awesome photos. My bucket list would add the 1951 Buick XP-300 to yours. (The XP-300 is the name I use for my forum posts) I have always had a hard time deciding which of the two show cars I liked best. The 1951 Buick XP-300 or the 1953 Buick Wildcat. The XP-300 was of course Charles Chayne's, (head of GM Engineering) personal car after its use in the Motorama. His initials are shown on the bright work in photo number 10 (Top left to right) In my view the grill work of the 1951 XP-300 is a styling cue still being used on Buick today. Here are some photos of that Motorma Show Car.

After posting this on another thread today 11-8-12; I thought this subject should have it's own thread. I recently came across a photo of a hardtop version of the Buick Wildcat Show Car. I'm certain most of us are aware of the convertible version of the Wildcat. I was not aware of the hardtop. In my view the hardtop version influenced the 1955 Buick lineup. The convertible influenced the 1954 Roadmaster. Listed below are some of the differences. 1. The sweep spear. 2. The open rear wheel well. 3. The lack of vents on the rear quarter panel. 4. No fender skirts. 5. Different hubcaps. ( May have influenced The 1954 hubcaps) 6. The rear bumper appears to be different. If we all look a bit closer I'm certain there are other differences, but the ones I listed appeared to be the obvious ones. I've posted both Wildcat versions for comparison.<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

:cool:

I'm posting this here because of the influence the 1953 Buick Wildcat Motorama Show Car had on the 1954 Buick Lineup, in particular the Roadmaster. I recently came across a photo of a hardtop version of the Wildcat Show Car. I'm certain most of us are aware of the convertible version of the Wildcat. I was not aware of the hardtop. In my view the hardtop version influenced the 1955 Buick lineup. The convertible influenced the 1954 Roadmaster. Listed below are some of the differences. 1. The sweep spear. 2. The open rear wheel well. 3. The lack of vents on the rear quarter panel. 4. No fender skirts. 5. Different hubcaps. ( May have influenced The 1954 hubcaps) 6. The rear bumper appears to be different. If we all look a bit closer I'm certain there are other differences, but the ones I listed appeared to be the obvious ones. I've posted both Wildcat versions for comparison.

The new guy should be "Shaken, not stirred". It could loosen him up a bit. :cool:

I'd agree with Connery as the best. He was the original. I would not agree with Moore as worst, and I always thought Brosnan was very cool. IMO

Patience is a virtue especially when restoring a car, but not any car. This one is a Buick. Bob, did you use the same restoration shop as with the 1955 - Buick series 68 - Motorama Prototype? The Buick is looking good Bob, I'm sure your proud of it.

Here is a web site with some awesome Buick photos. Below are two photos from the site of a 1954 Buick Super. The angle of the second photo shows the influence the 1953 Buick Wildcat Motorama Showcar had on the 1954 Buick lineup. The Buick has had only two owners since new. The car is not for sale but I couldn't resist posting it here for all to see. Reynolds Buick GMC Blog: Buick is a Beauty, too

Lamar; Nice.Very nice.

I posted this one on Girls On Buick IV today. I thought it should go here also.

I guess I have nothing to do this evening! Here's another Girl On Buick. Photo from the web.

OK Guys! Here's some more, these are from the GM Motorama Shows. Left to right they are........... 1. 1953 Buick Wildcat 2. 1956 Buick Centurion 3. 1961 Buick Pink Flamingo 4. 1961 Buick Flamingo Interior View 5. 1951 Buick XP-300

Ken: Great looking photo, but then again, the subject matter was easy. Buicks are easy to work with. :cool: