miahshodan Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 I don't have access to the car right now, but this is a picture of a 37 Buick that was in my Grandfather's collection. I can't seem to find what it is. Assume it is a custom coachbuilders work? The suicide front door and regular back seem unique as does Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 This looks to me like a Brewster-bodied Town Car. If you look at the Buick Club home page (buickclub.org), there is an image of a 1936 version. The windshield treatment of the '36 looks very much the same as the '37 that was in your grandfather's collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithbrother Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 Great reflection of the girl in the drivers window.Dale in Indy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 (edited) I am leaning more toward a English or European body. A rear or side shot would be very helpful but the first "clue" is the headlights, the lens/bulb is foreigh. Then there is a foreign license plate behind the Utah plate.Custom body makers usually have at tag somewhere with their name. Edited April 9, 2013 by Barney Eaton (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jscheib Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 I agree with Barney. Most definatly European and possible Carlton.A question for the original poster - you stated "was" in the collection. Does this mean the car is not in your posession currently?John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jscheib Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 There are also some other interesting gems nearby. Quite a collection.John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 I agree with Barney. Most definatly European and possible Carlton.A question for the original poster - you stated "was" in the collection. Does this mean the car is not in your posession currently?JohnYou guys are clearly correct. I caught the headlamps, but thought that they may have been retrofitted. However, I failed to look closely at the body belt line, which definitely dips toward the rear of the body and is very unlike the Brewster bodies. The treatment of the side windows is also very different from Brewster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jscheib Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 It looks like the car in front is a '32 Buick, and the one in rear possible also Buick. Hope we hear more.John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miahshodan Posted April 10, 2013 Author Share Posted April 10, 2013 It looks like the car in front is a '32 Buick, and the one in rear possible also Buick. Hope we hear more.JohnLong story short, the picture is about 8 years old. My Grandfather had a large collection of Buicks but started to sell them off before he passed away. His wife sold more and she died recently leaving the 37 to my father, but as it is a ways away from me, I don't have the opportunity to get more pictures or information at this time. he will be going to take a look at it soon, and hopefully get more information. The car in front is a 32 and is for sale here: 1932 Buick 91 Four Door Club Sedan, 5 Passenger, Series 90 for sale | Hemmings Motor News Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jscheib Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Curious, just what is the project in the back and is it still available? The '32 is sure nice.John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miahshodan Posted April 15, 2013 Author Share Posted April 15, 2013 More information: My father went and looked at it in person and found it is a 131 inch car with a body by Franay. We believe it is a Series 80. The Driver roof is removable and the passenger cabin has seats that fold forward to allow additional rear occupants to sit sideways. There are also some decanters and crystal glasses in the back. The story (not sure if it was documented) is that the car was hidden during the war ( I think in France) and brought back to the states after the war. The car in the background is no longer available, there are just these two cars left of the collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 Great reflection of the girl in the drivers window.It looks like she could be sitting in the driver's seat! Ooo, the Twilight Zone...Here are some other car bodies by Franay, most famous for their pre-WWII Delahayes and Delages - COACHBUILD.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithbrother Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 She's the driver, I seem to find the strangest things, hehehe. Dale in Indy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 If you have a photo of the rear end treatment, that would be helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miahshodan Posted April 16, 2013 Author Share Posted April 16, 2013 Here are some additional photos I got this week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted April 16, 2013 Share Posted April 16, 2013 Franay was a custom coach builder from Paris, France. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted April 16, 2013 Share Posted April 16, 2013 Great pictures glad your father snapped them. Get plenty of pictures, this Buick needs to be documented before it gets hidden away in a private museum. I love all custom bodied cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 Wow, this car is unusually beautiful. I'm not generally impressed with European coachbuilders' efforts on American chassis. The Germans always try to make them look like a Mercedes-Benz, most of whose big sedans of the late-30s were butt-ugly, imo. The French tried too often to make them look like Hot Wheels racers, long before the toys were created. This Buick by Franay, however, has a very attractive post-war Bentley look about it. Again, the Parisians got it right, well before their time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miahshodan Posted July 23, 2013 Author Share Posted July 23, 2013 My father is looking to sale the car. We are looking at options now, but I thought you all might be interested in additional photos I have posted out at: https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=AFAEA9AA6D973250!2426&authkey=!ACexpWx1MfwPv_Y Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miahshodan Posted July 23, 2013 Author Share Posted July 23, 2013 And here is the additional detail we have found: 1937 Buick 80 series Roadmaster TowncarCustom Bodied by Franay of ParisSerial# 3132459Engine# 83284714details:English style lightsleft hand drivebrazilian rosewood? interiorretractable soft roof for driver.includes decanters and gobletsside facing jump seats pull down from parition in backmirrors, dome and side lights in the rearroll down windows between driver and rear compartment.Timeline:1937 Chassis and cowl exported to France and custom bodied by Franay? bought by charles D'espinay of Chateau Doumy ?1939-1945 Stored in Norway during WWII1945-1952 driven regularly1952-1979 stored in Houvier Normandy, Fance1979 sold to Mr. M.S. (Mike) James in England, from the original owners daughter, Chantal Morancon?. Mr. James restored the mechanical and exterior, but left the interior.1984 Sold to CYS (assumed dealer) either Tripps end Motors of South Hampton or Coys of Kensington?1984 Sold to Mr. Tom Crook in Renton Washington and shipped to the US.1985 Sold to Dr. Neal Gapoff, Albany California1986 Sold to Ed Curry, Hanna UT2013 Inherited by Michael Curry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Roth Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 then you are Elna & Ed's granddaughter?We enjoyed their company on many tours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miahshodan Posted July 25, 2013 Author Share Posted July 25, 2013 then you are Elna & Ed's granddaughter?We enjoyed their company on many toursYea, I am Ed's Grandson. The women in the pictures is my wife. I know they loved going on tours and enjoyed the company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now