1931/32 Buick radiator caps

[Bob Engle]

I know the standard cap for 31/32 was the flying 8 with the 8 forward. 33 had the 8 trailing. I am trying to find documentation on the accessory caps for 1931 and 1932. I have documentation on the Mercury cap for 1932 from the 1932 Buick facts book as well as an accessory sales bulletin. I have photos of 1931 and 1932 Buicks with the Goddess cap and the Mercury cap on them. The book, "The Buick a Complete History" lists the Goddess as a 1932/33 cap. I suspect this is an error.

Does anyone have documentation on the What was offered in in 1931 and 1932?

Thanks

Bob

[Guest Jim Jordan]

Bob,

I have two different colored original dealer brochures for the 32 and neither one mentions the goddess cap in the "Special Equipment" or accessory section.

It would be interesting to know where the goddess or mercury cap originated. Maybe a dealer promotion?

Jim

Edited December 26, 2011 by Jim Jordan (see edit history)

[jscheib]

I have heard that Mercury was a'32 option, but I have no factual information. I too heard that Goddess was not an option on '32, again no actual evidence. As a side note, I had an interesting question regarding this subject at the National in Danvers. It seems there were aboyt 6, maybe more between '31 ande '33 that had Mercury caps, and only two of us with the "8". I was asked by an owner of a car that is under restoration, if the "8" was an "optionZ", because he saw so may with Mercury. So, maybe my "8" is the more "uncommon" cap. An interesting viewpoint, no??

John

[Mark Shaw]

I am sure the Flying 8 is the standard cap, but there are subtile differences between the 31 and 32 Flying 8 caps.

[Bob Engle]

The Flying 8 for 1931 and 1932 have the same part number in the parts manual, so if there are differences they are in the casting patterns.

There was a run of Mercury caps that were cast in Stainless sometime back in the 80's of 90's. This is why so many show up on restored cars. All of the factory photographs have the flying 8 cap.

How about the Goddess as an option for 1931? Is there any accessory sales literature to document this? I had one comment that the Goddess came off the Cadillacs of that period and were not a Buick option.

Bob

[Guest Jim Jordan]

I have an early (2001) Don Sommer, American Arrow Corp. Accessory Catalog for Classic Era Motorcars.

There is a whole assortment of American made mascots and caps including Buicks, Marmons and Duesenburgs. The mascots are of high quality durable stainless steel that Don has made up and were for sale.

Don was a master craftsman and specialized in radiator mascots. The detail of the mascots are incredible and the castings of the highest quality.

Included in the catalog are pictures and descriptions of the 30-32 Buick Goddess and Mercury caps. Costs were $425. I think Don was the source for many of these caps that you see out there, in fact my local Buick friend has a stainless Goddess on his 34 Coupe.

Don writes most factory original mascots and caps were made of zinc and were of low quality.

My original zinc gazelle cap on my 34 Chrysler roadster had some damage so I replaced the cap and gazelle with a new one from Don about 9 years ago. The quality is unbelievable.

Dons original web site was www.donsommer.com, not sure if is still active.

thank you,

Jim

[Mark Shaw]

You can find them here, but I saw no flying 8 caps....

American Arrow Don Sommer

Edited December 27, 2011 by Mark Shaw (see edit history)

[Guest outlaw car man]

Hi Bob,

I have a nice collection of original 1933 Buick literature. The big blue dealer catalog, shows all models in pullout form, but no goddess. Same with the other literature.

None of the literature shows a removable trunk either. The 80-90 series had a larger trunk also, which makes me believe there is a dealer option book out there somewhere, like the Buick vanity book that went in the slot on the left passenger side ashtray, however maybe that was a standard feature and not shown ?

Heaters ? Radios ?

I have a book showing all the extras on a Ford , displayed at the dealer showroom, including the upgraded " greyhound" radiator cap, which I believe Lincoln used also. Maybe the same for Buick and the goddess & Cadillac

Whitewall tires and chrome wire or artillary wheels were offered and shown.

My black 33 90 has old mudflaps on it !!! Dealer option ?

Reason for this rambling, may be the same for 32.

Buick seemed like they were lost in 1933.

Sandy

[Bob Engle]

Thanks for the info Guys.

I do know that none of the factory information on 1932 Buicks, covers accessories and dealer options. I do have documentation on the Mercury cap for 1932. It is mentioned in the "Buick facts for 1932" which was a dealer/sales information book. I also have a photocopy of 2 pages from "Buick Parts and Service Pointers" that lists several accessories including the Mercury cap for 1932. I also have a 1995 #16 newsletter from Mac Blair 1932 Buick registry that list the accessories available in 1932. It lists the Mercury cap,

but NO Goddess cap.

From what I now know, I am confident that the Mercury cap is the only accessory cap offered in 1932.

I am still looking for documentation on 1931 accessory caps.

I will attempt to contact Don Sommer and see where he got his information on the reproduction Mercury and Goddess caps.

Bob

[Bob Engle]

After searching for information on 31,32,33 radiator caps, I have found documentation that lists the Mercury cap as a dealer option for 1931 and 1932. It is not listed on any factory literature, just dealer sales literature. The Goddess was the 1933 Buick dealer option Radiator cap.

I know there are books published showing otherwise, and that Don Sommers makes the Goddess for 1931,1932 and the larger base for 1933. None of this would be acceptable documentation at Judged AACA or BCA meet.

I would love to see some documentation proving me wrong on this point.

Bob

[jscheib]

Good point Bob,

As I said abopve, there are no so many Goddess and Mercury repro caps that thde standard is more "unusual". I rest my case as i want to have my '32 appear just as it might have existed.

John