1931 Series 66 - Comments Please

[B Jake Moran]

https://duluth.craigslist.org/cto/d/duluth-31-buick-special-sports-coup/7188193116.html

 

I am interested, but don't know much about 1931 Buicks

[lancemb]

I don't know much about 31 Buicks either, but looks like a wonderful car.

 

I thought you were done buying old cars?

[B Jake Moran]

I am. It's fun to look and see what is out there. It's a tough drug to beat. 

[B Jake Moran]

Sorry I did not get the link up right

[John_S_in_Penna]

Isn't 1931 the first year for Buick's synchro-mesh transmission?

That would make the car easier to drive, and to many collectors,

more desirable.

[suchan]

Beautiful car, great colors, and I think all but the 50 series had synchro transmission.

[Str8-8-Dave]

So I'm finishing restoration of this exact model and I paid the asking price of the one you are looking at for a partially restored incomplete car that needed a lot of work.  The Craig's list car here looks to be very complete and has wire wheels.   I have a car buddy who is an AACA member/contributor who has one of these cars, same model, 8-66S, that has never been apart.  He has been an invaluable resource as I try to make my car complete and authentic. his car and mine have artillery wheels.  If you are interested in one of these cars grab it.

 

These were great cars. In 1931 Buick discontinued all their overhead valve 6 cylinder cars and brought out 3 series of inline overhead valve 8's.  50 series cars had open drive shafts, 221 cu in 8 with single barrel Marvel updraft carburetor and heat control systems that made 77hp.  Early 50 series cars transmissions were not synchronized but they got that later in the model run.  50 series cars had single servo brakes and headlight wiring was housed in stainless flex-armor conduit that exited the bottom of the headlamp housing and passed thru the side of the radiator shell.  50 series cars were 114" wheelbase. 

 

60 series, like this car, had 272 cu in engines with Marvel 2 barrel updraft carburetor and heat control systems, held more oil and coolant and made 90hp.  Transmissions were synchro-mesh.  These cars were 118" wheelbase, had duo servo brakes and torque tube drive (enclosed driveshaft).  Headlight wiring for these cars was enclosed inside the headlight stanchion tubes. 

 

80/90 series cars had same engine architecture but were bumped to 344 cu in and had 104 hp.  80/90 also had syncro-mesh transmissions with dual disc clutches where 50/60 cars were single disc clutches.  80 series cars were 124" wheelbase, 90 series 132". 

 

I'm still fascinated by the engines in these cars, beside being overhead valve they all had roller tapped cams, dual point distributors, oil temp regulators, all gear drive generator/water pump/distributors radiator front shutter water temp control and the fan belt drove, well, the fan, exclusively, and the fan hubs have oil reservoirs with stand pipe filling arrangements.  When these cars run properly they are very smooth and quite powerful for their time.

 

Let us know if you decide to move on this car, I'd like to keep track of it.

 

Dave

 

https://forums.aaca.org/topic/309205-my-1931-buick-project-the-saga-begins/

 

Edited September 19, 2020 by Str8-8-Dave
Corrected 50 series wheelbase to 114" (see edit history)

[Str8-8-Dave]

Gee- it's quiet here...  C'mon everybody- cheer the man on to buy the car LOL...

 

On a more serious note the one item I did notice is missing from this car is the windshield regulator board and inside rear view mirror.  These cars had crank-up windshields with a regulator knob on the left side of the car above the windshield and the mirror mounted to the center of the board.  to the right of the regulator handle on the bottom edge of the regulator board there is a nickel plated slotted bracket that the windshield wiper motor control handle hangs down from.  If you get serious about this car ask the seller if he has these parts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 19, 2020 by Str8-8-Dave
Correct text, add picture (see edit history)

[B Jake Moran]

Thanks Ben for adding a good link. I've been off the laptop for a couple of days.  Guys I like the car but am generally out of the hobby and if I were to jump back in i probably could not secure funds fast enough. Maybe.  There is a 1931 series 90 coupe for sale and posted under the Not Mine section for $25,000 and has been for a year.   Closed cars in the $20k range seem to not be selling.  

I think $20,000 is a lot to spend on a collector car but when I retire in 13 years it would t seem as bad.  But I'll be 70 and then not much time to enjoy the cars.  

 

[Mark Shaw]

On 9/19/2020 at 5:44 AM, Str8-8-Dave said:

50 series cars had open drive shafts, 221 cu in 8 with single barrel Marvel updraft carburetor and heat control systems that made 77hp.

Only the early 50 series had open drivelines; about half way through the year they all had torque tubes.

[B Jake Moran]

Car has really great colors as others have noted. 

[JayG]

Front fender mounted signal lights and dual tail lights isn't original for 31.

[Str8-8-Dave]

Yeah- the turn signals came along in 32 along with dual tail lights (standard).  A few 31's got optional right tail lamp, they all got the left.

[BucketofBolts]

You could not ever get a rust bucket of that vintage into the condition that the seller has with that vehicle.   $25,000 is about 50% or less of what it would cost to pay someone to restore the car.  If someone is in the market for that model car then the price is a good price for the buyer. Problem is how many potential buyers are out there that desire this particular car?  

[Dave39MD]

I bought one just like it a few years ago and really enjoy driving it. The one for sale looks good from the pictures you should go check it out!

 

Dave

[B Jake Moran]

17 hours ago, BucketofBolts said:

You could not ever get a rust bucket of that vintage into the condition that the seller has with that vehicle.   $25,000 is about 50% or less of what it would cost to pay someone to restore the car.  If someone is in the market for that model car then the price is a good price for the buyer. Problem is how many potential buyers are out there that desire this particular car?  

It has been noted by some members who are into the 20's and 30's or earlier, that the market is shrinking for these cars.