Vintman Posted September 15, 2020 Share Posted September 15, 2020 Hi Folks, Would request your help again please. Have received photo in UK concerning Grandfather in South Afica with a number of American cars. This one has stumpped a couple of our experts as not very much to really see! A hole centrally in the apron and quadrant on the steering wheel. No door handles. Louvres look vertical. As door is open, quite visible dashboard. RHD ! Any Suggestions Please? Regards Vintman (UK) www.svvs.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ariejan NL Posted September 15, 2020 Share Posted September 15, 2020 The car is probably a 1918 Buick. Still with right hand steering for obvious reasons, whereas in the US all Buicks used left hand steering from about 1914. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nzcarnerd Posted September 15, 2020 Share Posted September 15, 2020 I was confused by the stripe just below the top edge of the body. I thought at first it was a 'ridge' but maybe it is just a pinstripe - as found on some restored examples? I see no sign of a gear shift lever so maybe it has the right side shift which was available for right hand drive cars in this era. Although I don't know for how much longer. This 1917 car is in NZ. It has a locally built touring body and right side shift. Yes that is frost on the ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 (edited) The right hand drive cars are McLaughlin's ; or at least McLaughlin built, so lots of small trim differences from Buick. They were possibly badged as Buicks depending on the marketing arrangements in particular export markets. Nickle plated steering column is normal on a McLaughlin. And it probably has right side shift like the red NZ car above. The single , lower rear , exposed door hinge is a give away . I can't think of any other car that has this arrangement apart from 1918 - 21, 5 pas. Buicks / McLaughlin's. Greg Edited September 16, 2020 by 1912Staver (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 (edited) The other way to tell a 1916 / 17 from a 18 or later is the shape of the rear door. 1916 / 17 had a slightly shorter wheel base and the rear door has a cut away curve for the rear fender curve. 1918 and newer have the full rounded rectangle rear doors and the single exposed hinge Greg Edited September 16, 2020 by 1912Staver (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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