Ever heard of the Buick Aero Car? Look at this early photo

[Pete Phillips 2,014]

I have never seen this photo nor heard of the "Buick Aero Car". I ran across it on a friend's Facebook posting, but he knows nothing about it.

Looks like something from the 1910s at a race track. If anyone has any information on this, I would like to know more about it. I think it would make a good article in the Buick Bugle if we could find out more about it.

Pete Phillips, BCA #7338

[Car-Nicopia 371]

Here a little more info:

 

https://theoldmotor.com/?p=161110

[Roadmaster71 71]

Photo offered for discussion on Facebook.

https://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2017/11/buick-aero-car-1920.html Submitted by Marc Hendrix

 

Better photo shows sign on rear that appears to read “Aeroplane Propelled ”

There is also another sign on the side of the car that is not clear.

 

The photo seems to have also appeared in a Facebook group (within Facebook search for Yacht Club des Avions de la Route.) that discusses vehicles that mix technologies such as airplanes, cars,and boats. The text is in French and English.

I suspect the car was powered by an airplane (Aero?) engine.

Edited December 31, 2020 by Roadmaster71
errors (see edit history)

[Pete Phillips 2,014]

"Roadmaster71", I suspect it was powered by a Buick engine. Otherwise, why call it a Buick?

[60FlatTop 6,219]

Wasn't that the promotional car for a radio show about a pin up girl photographer who got into situation comedies. His grandson took the show over. Bob something?

[60FlatTop 6,219]

1 hour ago, Roadmaster71 said:

I suspect the car was powered by an airplane (Aero?) engine.

 

Maybe not. Those old Popular Mechanic readers did some strange stuff. This is not "aero"

 

I sat in one but there was not way I'd go up in it. Pilot in the second seat for visibility. The old guy they did talk into the test flight only broke his wrist "landing" it.

[50jetback 535]

10 hours ago, Pete Phillips said:

"Roadmaster71", I suspect it was powered by a Buick engine. Otherwise, why call it a Buick?

 

It certainly looks like a Buick motor, six cylinder and early 20's. But have a good look at it and you can see it is reversed with the radiator facing backward ( just follow the top water distribution pipe ).

 

That means there is no transmission ( which should be hanging out the front ).

 

Look closely at the photo and you can see a propeller has been bolted to the crankshaft ( it is spinning and hard to see ). In fact

you can read " Aeroplane Propellor " written on the front panel.

 

So my suggestion is this old Buick was propeller driven and hence called Buick Aero Car.  

Edited January 1 by 50jetback (see edit history)

[50jetback 535]

http://buickcarclubaustralia.com/wp-content/uploads/Pre-War-mag-Jan-2018.pdf

 

 

After a bit more research page 10 confirms and gives more detail.

[Terry Stock 14]

Go here:

https://www.fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html

and search: Buick aero car

There's only one hit.

The 1921 story says it has a 6 cylinder Buick motor plus a propellor.  Has reached 65 mph. 'Airplane car" built in L.A.  Includes a murky photo.

 

Edited January 5 by Terry Stock (see edit history)

[Terry Stock 14]

Better image, same article here:

https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=LAH19211008.2.486&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------1