Great-Great-Grandpa's Car - What model?

[Guest 503Labs]

Hi all,

 

This is my first time posting.  I am trying to find out the exact model of this old Buick.  It belonged to my great-great-grandpa, born in Germany and immigrated to Iowa in the late 1800's. This was taken on our family farm.

 

I have looked at the Model 10, 14, 16 etc but I can't find an exact match.  A couple things I have noticed:

 

1) There is a door open on the left side which appears to be for the back seat. In the original photo, there are three people in the car - two in front one in back.

2) I don't see a crank on the front nor a place where it usually would be, maybe it is further under rather than on the grill?

3) Many of the models I have looked at have a large bowed stabilizing bar or crossbar (not sure that's the right name for the part) running between the front tires.  This doesn't seem to have that. **This has been a major hang up, to find one with a similar front end.

 

Any help is greatly, greatly appreciated.

 

Zach

 

[Guest 503Labs]

I didn't know there was such a page

 

I will try to find it as well.

 

Thank you.

[Terry Bond]

1906 Model G.

[Guest 503Labs]

Terry! You are the man.  Thank you! One question.  Everything looks identical except for the lights up top. In my picture they are round in this they are more lantern shaped.  Was this an option to have different ones on the model G?

 

Thank you again! I now see why people post in these forums so much quick help!

Edited August 21, 2017 by 503Labs (see edit history)

[Rusty_OToole]

The lights were an accessory bought from outside suppliers. It could be the light manufacturer made a change part way through the model year and you are seeing early and late versions.

[CarlLaFong]

The lamps on grandpa's car are, certainly, OEM. The restored car may have lamps that were "close enough" or, perhaps, Buick might have used different lamps when one style was not available that day.

[oldcarfudd]

With that open door, it would have to be a model F.  The G was a roadster with no doors and no back seat; the F was a a touring car with no front doors, but a back seat with doors.  Otherwise, the same car.  Big, powerful 2-cylinder cars with engines mounted underneath and chain drive.  One cylinder pointed forward, the other aft; the crankshaft was transverse, and the engine was hand cranked from the right side.

 

Also, I believe this was a 1908-09-10 model.  The 1906-07 radiators were different.

 

Gil Fitzhugh the Elder

 

 

[Terry Bond]

Correct, original supplied lamps were by Cororan and the lamps on your family car are correct.  As often happens with restorations however, other lamps that are "close" are used if correct originals can't he located, although the Corcoran lamps are not too difficult to find.  I believe the restored car is a two seater while yours is a four seat touring style body.

'Terry

[Terry Bond]

Gills knowledge on these early Buicks is far more extensive than mine so he put the "icing on the cake" for you.

Terry

[1937hd45]

Great original photo, car is so new the center rib on the front tire is still clearly visible. Welcome to the AACA Forum. Bob

[DAVES89]

That's all well and fine but what's the dog's name?

[Spinneyhill]

Rover. What else would it be?

[Guest 503Labs]

You guys are great. Thank you so much for the fast help. I spent the weekend in a fully restored 1931 Model A and it got me inspired to start learning about this car. 

 

Gil, It is good to meet you on here. I hope you don't mind if I bother you with some other questions down the road. 

 

I dont know know the dog's name but rover sounds about right. 

 

Now here is a question out of curiosity . How hard is it to find and similar year model F for sale?  Where would one start to look online?

 

Thanks again,

 

Zach

[imnuts4fords@comcast.net]

I believe the car is a 1909 or 1910.  You can see two levers, one on each side of the rubber bulb for the horn.  One is for reverse and the other is the rear outside brakes which came out in 1909 (I think).  It definitely is not a '06 or '07 as the front fenders are flat and not flared. I forge t when they changed the vertical finned tubes in the radiator to a more "normal radiator.  It might have been in 1910. You can see the gas tank filler right behind the radiator filler on top of the hood.  The Model F Buick was a 22 HP 2-cylinder car and was probably the most popular 2-cylinder (and powerful) car in the day.  

Don

[nzcarnerd]

21 minutes ago, imnuts4fords@comcast.net said:

I believe the car is a 1909 or 1910.  You can see two levers, one on each side of the rubber bulb for the horn.  One is for reverse and the other is the rear outside brakes which came out in 1909 (I think).  It definitely is not a '06 or '07 as the front fenders are flat and not flared. I forge t when they changed the vertical finned tubes in the radiator to a more "normal radiator.  It might have been in 1910. You can see the gas tank filler right behind the radiator filler on top of the hood.  The Model F Buick was a 22 HP 2-cylinder car and was probably the most popular 2-cylinder (and powerful) car in the day.  

Don

Yes, 4.5" bore x 5" stroke for 159 cid - 22 hp @ 1200 rpm - according to The Standard Catalog - more power than a Ford T.    92" wheelbase vs 100" for the T - both cars weigh about the same.

[imnuts4fords@comcast.net]

This 2-cylinder Buick can easily stay up with a stock Model T Ford.  A friend in So. California tours with his Model F on the big-car tours and easily keeps up.

Don

[oldcarfudd]

Zach, these critters don't stay for sale very long.  There was a partially restored one on the HCCA website that sold in 2 days.  There's a Brass Buicks Yahoo site that has a classified section.  I'd look at these daily.  I suspect most 2-cylinder Buicks change hands by word of mouth.  That's how I sold mine - a guy I knew thought I might sell, and he called me up.  Try to find a Horseless Carriage Club group near you, and put feelers out.  If you're serious and live anywhere near Orange, VA, go visit the 1-and 2-cylinder tour there next month.  There are always some F Buicks on those tours.  One might be for sale.  In any event, you might be able to snag a ride in one, which will either cement your desire for one or convince you an early car isn't for you.  They're a lot more work than a Model A Ford!

 

I'll be at the Orange tour with a 1-cylinder Cadillac and a 10-hp Stanley steam car.  Look me up if you come!

 

Gil

[Curti]

And here is a case when the white tires look better than the black.  Cuz that is how they came.

[Terry Bond]

Here is a good pic of an 09, beautiful car.  I could just see Rover riding high in the back seat.

Terry

[Larry Schramm]

I agree on it being a '09 or'10 Model F. I have an '08 and it has only one lever.

 

Also true on work of mouth sale for these cars.  That is how I got mine.

[Guest 503Labs]

Thanks, Larry. Would love to see a picture of yours!

 

This has been very helpful. I appreciate everyone chiming in. 

 

Zach

Edited August 22, 2017 by 503Labs (see edit history)

[Larry Schramm]

7 hours ago, 503Labs said:

Thanks, Larry. Would love to see a picture of yours!

 

This has been very helpful. I appreciate everyone chiming in. 

 

Zach

 

Zach,

Would send you pictures of it, but I am redoing it and it currently is a 1,000 ++ piece 3D puzzle. 

 

Currently there are pieces in at least four locations and soon to be in two states.