Need help determining what model Buicks I have

[Guest Yeagley]

Hi everyone, I have been looking at the site for a long time, but recently joined. I have 2 1930 Buick bodies I picked up a few years ago. I got them home and put them in my barn until I had more time and more parts. They are both 4 door sedans. One body is about 6"-8" longer than the other. All the wood is in bad shape. The bodies are pretty complete from the cowl back. Im always on the hunt for parts at swap meets and the internet, but I need to know exactly what they are. The only numbers on the cars are the fisher tags on the fire wall. The shorter car of the two says: Job No.30009 Body No.12321 The longer car says: Job No.30109 Body No.6045 Any info anyone has would be greatly appreciated. I have a guy locally that has a frame for a '30 Buick, but I need to know what I have first. Thank you

[Glassesguy]

Job 30009 is a 1930 model 47 4 dr sedan w/ a 118" wheelbase. Job 30109 is a 1930 model 61 4 dr sedan w/ a 132" wheelbase per my 28-41 Parts Book.

[jscheib]

So, it seems there is no model number on a plate on the fire wall very near the other tag you are reading. There were three series in 1930, 40, 50 and 60. Wheelbase was 118" for the smallest 40 series, others were 124" and 132". You should measure the wheelbase to be sure. Both his frame and your two should have a metal plate on the frame, I think it is just beheind the pasenger side front tire. Model 47 and 57 are the smaller 4 door sedans and 60 is the larger 4 door sedan. I hope this helps. Otheres have some detail listings that may be able to tell from the Body number, but you might also search for an engine number on both.

If you can find a tire size, that may help also. 29" x 5.50 on 40 series, 31" x 6.5 on 50 series and what might be a misrint on the Standard Catalog indicates 19" x 6.50 on the 60 series.

John

[Guest Yeagley]

Thanks for the reply. All I have are the bodies. No frame or tag that tells the model number. It might take me years, but I want to find enough parts to get them on the road again. Were the radiator shells or hoods the same size on the 3 different models?

[Bob Engle]

you will want to get a reproduction master parts list. Get the 1932 or 1933 list. It will cover evrything from the early 20's up through the last year. I prefer the hard copy as the CD's are just photos of the pages and are not searchable. From this master parts catalog, you can see which parts fit which models and whether parts from other years match your.

Bob

[jscheib]

Yeagley,

I would say "you are a better man than I" for engaging in that project. I think you could find a rolling chassis and frame, use and/or sell that parts you have for that restoration. My thought is that while they all look similar, there are some small differences in length of the hood and radiator shape (at least for '32, so that is whhat I can offer for ideas.

John

[michaelod]

Virtually no body panels whatsoever will interchange between the 40 and 50/60 series, as well as most of the panels between 50 and 60 series themselves. The 50 and 60 series share most of the same running gear with the exception of the frame which is longer on the 60 series. You will have an extremely difficult time locating enough parts to complete the 60 series car without purchasing an additional nearly complete vehicle. The sad truth is very little comes available for these cars anymore as the sources for most spare parts have long since dried up. I do know where a frame and running gear minus engine and transmission (I bought the engine some time ago) might still be available, along with a good supply of other parts for around $4K but you would still need to locate quite a bit more depending on how complete the body you currently have is. Be aware that financially you would be much better off selling what you have as parts and purchasing a car that is complete. Sadly the economics of trying to piece together a car from multiple sources will be far and away much more expensive than acquiring a complete car, in addition to the fact you will spend the remaining years of your life in an effort to chase down rare nearly non-existent parts, probably without success. Clearly I am a big fan of antique car restoration, but I do feel it is best that one go into this with both eyes open.

Thanks,

[michaelod]

Yeagley,

Here is a chassis that might work out for you although you would need to check with the current owner to determine if it is a 50 or 60 series. A 50 series frame is not compatible with your car although most of the other running gear is. This particular example is clearly a larger series car due to the water coolant pipe running along the top driver side of the engine. This does not appear on the 40 series:

1930 Buick | eBay

Thanks,

[Dwight Romberger]

Yeagley,

I wholeheartedly agree with Michael. Yours would be a monumental task beginning with a partial body with no wood and create a complete 1930 Buick. If you want to enjoy driving your car, unless you have endless time and very deep pockets, sell the parts and buy a completed version of what you really want.

Dwight

Edited August 3, 2012 by Dwight Romberger (see edit history)