TG57Roadmaster

I can't fill in any blanks about how or why the Packard is in the photo, but I can give you a couple of ballpark suggestions on where it came from. At the time of the photo, the Packard Distributor for Cuba was J. Ulloa y Cia., which ran a dealership in La Habana at 3-5 Prado, beside the Hotel Biscuit. If it's his car, Señor Linares could have bought it there, or it may have come as checked baggage on one the many ships that arrived weekly in the various ports around Cuba. Obviously, all automobiles arrived by ship whether they were part of dealer stock or were brought in by private owners. This ad from a 1926 issue of SOCIAL magazine shows a similar Packard Single Six. The "Dance of the Millions," the wild postwar fluctuation in Cuban sugar prices from 1919-20 played havoc on the island's financial structure, but I don't know how it affected baseball or Señor Linares' finances. In 1920, Cuba's income from sugar was $794,000,000, and in 1921 plummeted to $280,000,000. By 1923, sugar income had rebounded to $422,600,000. This small, grainy image from the June, 1921 El Automóvil Americano shows J. Ulloa y Cia. at 3-5 Prado, where they retailed Chandler, Chevrloet, Cleveland and Packard cars, plus Packard and Federal trucks; later, the address changed to 53 Paseo de Marti. The Prado and the Paseo de Marti are one in the same, and this is one rare instance where the street numbers have changed.. Behind it is the Hotel Biscuit. There is no doubt that J. Ulloa y Compañia's fortunes rose and fell, too, but I believe (and have yet to prove) that around 1931 they bought the former Hotel Biscuit and renamed it Hotel Packard. Both the dealership and the Hotel Packard remained at their locations till the Revolution though, by 1958, J. Ulloa y Cia. was selling Porsches at the 53 Paseo de Marti store. Who knows, perhaps Señor Linares' Packard arrived in the hold of one of the United Fruit Company's ships, as depicted in this postcard... Image from Cubaism. com The Iberostar Grand Hotel Packard Havana just opened after dramatic renovations and additions, having laid empty in ruins for at least 20 years. I was there in November and had drinks in the 6th floor bar/restaurant, taking in the sweeping views out over the infinity pool of La Punta Fuerza and El Castillo del Morro. which I strongly suggest you do if you are ever in La Habana. Anyway, continued success and, ¡Feliz año nuevo! TG

A week ago last Sunday, took the Roadmistress to a friend's gathering at her family's 1790 Century Farm, "Boxwood Manor" in Sandy Springs, SC. They have an annual Fall Festival, with food, music, artisans' works and other vendors, plus a small car show. Her son makes the coolest jack o'lanterns from old oil, gas and watering cans. Just in time for Halloween, I couldn't resist getting a couple! TG

Wow, how cool is that? The publicity train has left the station! TG

"The C-platform was new for 1940 and featured a wider body with no running boards. That platform was used for the Buick Super and Roadmaster for 1940 and 41, the Cadillac Series 62, and the large series Oldsmobile." The C-Body of 1940 was also shared by the Pontiac Torpedo Eight on the 122-inch wheelbase, one of those times (through '41) when a Pontiac would wear the big body. For 1941, an A-Body was shared among all GM lines except Cadillac, that mimicked the wildly popular C-Body design. I'm going to be monitoring your resto progress for tips for some friends in Cuba who are are working on a '40 Super 56C, the only real Super convertible left on the island. Best wishes, TG

My '57 Roadmaster Model 73 about 20 years ago on US 301 in eastern NC.

Fabulous! Eventually I'll find out if the building is still there. TG

Given that our '57s were assembled in 8 plants all over the country, with local sourcing, can anyone even prove there was a standard whitewall width? Is there is a company directive specifying both tire brand and ww width?

I'll just throw these Fisher Body Service Bulletins in here since they give the names of the wood body parts. They're undated, but finding additional issues may help. TG

For comparison's sake, here's a '29 Landau Phaeton spied at a West Coast auction in 2004 bought, I believe, by the Peterson Museum. Beautiful cars, in any condition! TG

That's the former Cofer Collection Tucker #34 in Waltz Blue. It lived in Tucker, GA for decades until it was auctioned a few years ago. Mr. Gene Cofer let us use it, his favorite of a large collection, to establish our Main Street Car Show in Anderson, SC, in 2000. Over the years it's been on the street a lot, for parades and promotional events to benefit the hobby. Seen here at the 2000 inaugural show and in our former downtown garage, when Dave Bowman got to drive it a bit during the week it was in Anderson, taking #34 one afternoon to visit residents of a downtown retirement home. The lady in the pink blouse, her father was a dentist (in the B&W photo, the man in the white brimmed hat with his hands on his hips) who bought the rights for the Tucker dealership when #17 came here in 1948 and, of course, lost his shirt. Don't know if it was that particular shirt he was wearing that day... ? #34 was the most-original Tucker extant before its sale, and was restored after that purchase. TG

I should have double-checked before, but it should be Mod. 57- 56R rather than 57-53. Like lancemb says, plus with the incorrect title info, tell your dad to run away from this one. TG

Not a parade or July 4th, but the Roadmistress, my '57 Model 73 Riviera Sedan is Red, White and Blue the whole year through. TG

Hi MrEarl, Can a Mod please move this post over to Postwar Buick so we can advise this guy before his dad buys this car? Thanks! TG

The Data Plate on the firewall looks fishy, particularly the clean "rivet" on the left,and the goofy red thing on the right. Also, the right side appears to have been jimmied. This is what a data plate should look like... I would recommend this post be moved to the Postwar Buick Forum here to further sort this out. TG

5D1023951 5 = Series 50 Super D = 1957 1 = Flint Assembly Plant 023951 = Sequential build number Mod. 57-53 Incorrect...should be 57-76R for Super Coupe Style: 57- 4539 = 2-door Super Coupe Incorrect...should be 57-4537 4539 is Super Sedan Body No: G 11535 = Sequential body number of 2 door coupe Trim: 533 Trim 533 is not listed in my Master Body Parts Manual Paint : C X: C = Dover White (on the bottom below the Sweepspear); X = Sylvan Gray, a nice medium metallic Spring Color intro'd. in March, 1957. ACC: (Accessories, or options) B F I: B = Heater/ Defroster; F = Safety Group; I = EasyEye Tinted Glass The Trim number could be mistakenly struck...531 was Black Cloth and Ivory Cordaveen vinyl but 1956 533 was Black Nylon fabric with Red Cordaveen vinyl. Hope this helps, TG

Congrats Ben! Aren't the surprises in life the most fun? With the copious pictures and explanations, your 263 "Hop-Up" should pave the way for others to tackle a similar project. Here's a toot from my horn to yours on receiving the Repair/Reconstruction/Technical Writing Award. ? TG

Thanks all for your enthusiastic felicitations! TG

I have no idea why Dad took my picture in a high chair, but it's early-1958 and I'm next to their '56 Mercury Custom 2DRHT. It was their first new car, and the one that took me home from the hospital in suburban L.A. My Cousin David was about three years older than me, standing next to the Mercury, a picture that West Peterson kindly colorized for me many years ago. It was Heath Green and Classic White, a real stunner. TG

I am honored to be the recipient of "The Terry B. Dunham Historical Award," for 2018, the Buick BUGLE's Literary Award, for my article, "The History of Buick on La Isla de Cuba." Presented just last Saturday at the BCA's National Meet in Denver, the award pays homage to legendary Buick historian and author Terry B. Dunham. I met Terry at Hershey about 20 years ago, our only face-to-face meeting, but we communicated about Buick history over the years before his untimely passing in 2012. What a thrill to receive recognition for an unchartered area of Buick history about which Terry would be enthsuiastic, encouraging and proud. From the Buick Club's 2012 Tribute... "Terry B. Dunham, 72, the founder and a past president of the Buick Heritage Alliance, died on Friday, November 2, 2012. Terry was considered one of the world’s leading experts on the heritage of the Buick automobile, creating an award-winning book, a national enthusiasts’ organization, an innovative website for vintage car owners and major magazine articles." http://www.buickclub.org/terry-dunham-tribute/ Thanks to the BCA, BUGLE Editor Pete Phillips and Cindy Livingston, Graphic Artist Extraordinaire! TG

Lucy, This is the interior of an original '40 Special sedan, showing the door, vent and window handles with their ivory plastic inserts. I think it will be difficult to find them, but GM parts were standardized and others will fit. Years ago a friend gave me a shoebox of interior trim, and this is what I have for you. I believe they came from a '40's Cadillac (not sure), but I don't have the round escutcheons that go between the handles and the door panel. Those can always be acquired later. They are the same size and similar in style, all metal, so they won't deteriorate in the sun and weather as the plastic-knobbed originals would. The little spring clips fit in the slots as shown, and you push the handles onto the rounded shaft and the clips lock the handles in place. If you want them, send me a PM with an address so I can get these to you before you return to Cuba. I look forward to meeting you and your super Super on my next visit! TG

Hi Lucy, I see that your friend's '40 Super is shown on the Avenida del Puerto, up by the Plaza de Armas. The only '40 Buick I've seen is this Special sedan on Calle Neptuno, and other places around Centro Habana, but how exciting to see the convertible! The Buick Club of America's magazine, the BUGLE just published extensive coverage of the Buicks I've seen in La Habana, and I would have loved to included your friend's Super. (I've made seven trips to La Habana since August, 2016, and will make my 8th next month.) The data tag like the one circled in kgreen's post above, like the one sean1997 posted would have looked like this originally. It may not be readable, but the "Paint No" (number) is what we need to determine the original paint color. The top line should read "1940 MOD. 56C." I have a box full of old door handles at my garage and will check to see if any of it will work. It may not be specific to '40 Buick, but the GM handles of that period will work. I am not sure if I have any outside handles, but will let you know. Below is a friend's '40 Roadamster convertible for the sake of comparison, with the correct 4-section hood louvers, door handles and trim. And a '40 Super 56C with the 3-section louvers...from an RM/Sotheby's auction. https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/AM04/Vintage-Motor-Cars-at-Amelia-Island/lots/164-1940-buick-super-convertible-coupe/193057 I will let you know what door handles and window cranks I find tomorrow, and good luck! Tom Gibson

Lamar, My friend, I am humbled by your kind comments on the June issue of the BUGLE. Credit Editor Pete Phillps for running with the idea, and Graphic Designer Cindy Livingston for making the raw material leap off the pages. Months ago, around the time I sent Pete some of my Havana Buick pictures, Rose Titus had sent Pete her fine "Impressions" story, unsolicited content that every news-starved editor appreciates. David Landow's impressive BHA article on Harold's Casino with the "Silver Dollar Buick" was a serendipitous and timely topic for the Cuba issue, given the island's gambling notoriety in the Batista era. Coupled with Cindy's informative "Old Cars" intro piece, they are wonderful bookends to the presentation of my work. Rarely is a writer/photographer given the opportunity to offer up so much material in one place at one time, and hat's off to Pete and Cindy for allowing me to contribute so beautifully to the June BUGLE. Remember, they do this 12 times annually for the membership, year-in, year-out, and often don't get the praise they so richly deserve. Thanks again, MrEarl! TG

Escanaba had a Cadillac dealer, too, but I can't help but think your 75R would have caused quite the mild sensation there. Makes one wonder who the original owner was. TG

Poff Buick, the "Upper Peninsula's No. 1 Buick Dealer" a cool post-intro ad for the '57sNewspapers .com. TG

What a great project, and she's going to be a beauty. The car's Escanaba. MI origins explain the rust, which could have been worse, right? They use a lot of salt during the long winters in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. TG