So I have a blunderbuss I built (Yes pirate type blunderbuss, it's what I do) and a friend desperately wants it so hes offered a trade and I'm accepting. Basically the blunderbuss for the car (and gas money, some for tires etc). I haven't decided whether or not to keep the car or flip it for cash. Last summer I went by his place (he's not a car guy) and saw the Buick that he had bought in non running condition. The next day to his surprise I had it started and driving around the neighborhood. Since then it has basically just sat in his garage. My though if I keep it is to keep it basically original as it's too nice. More like keep it as a family tow car for the '26 speedster. Might make a really cool complete rig . . .
Im not sure if it is the 4 or 5 person. I say coupeish as it has a back seat and is more "coupe" than tudor considering the trunk in the rear.
Makes a great presentation to have a "Period Correct" tow vehicle to tow your speedster to events!!! The crowd will love it!!
Thats what my thought was, maybe take off hood side panels, upgrade carb and exhaust. As far as restoring myself that is an option for the future but right now I think with minor repairs it will make a decent driver as she is respectably presentable.
One thing of which maybe you know, or maybe not: The 1929 was the 25th anniversary of Buick. To commemorate the anniversary, the 1929 models were totally different than the 1926~1928 models. The public didn't like the 1929's, so Buick redid everything again in 1930. So if you plan to keep it original, parts are basically one year, one make, one model; very little interchange. Still a beautiful car. Jon
I would try to put out some feelers in the world of Buick to see how desirable they are. You might be sitting on a gold mine if they are one-year-only. And as @carbking points out, parts are probably not available at every swap meet you walk into. Even though your speedster and trailer are not too heavy, I'm not sure the drivetrain, handling and braking system would be primo as a tow rig.
Yup, make a nice period tow-car, to flat-tow the speedster. Coupe-ish??? IDK, but I've seen that body style called a Victoria, close-coupled-coupe, dr.'s coupe, a**** others. Kruses' big catalog would probably have good info about that car. Bet that cleans-up real nice! . Marcus...
There is a data plate, I think on the firewall, but we sold ours decades ago, so not positive of exact location. On the data plate will be a model number, 2 digits, dash, 2 digits. Ours was 29-27. The 29 is obvious for 1929, the 27 was the smaller car (wheelbase and engine) 4-door sedan. Once you have those numbers, somewhere Google can find a reference. Jon
You need this. Or you will be going "I wonder if. "..... I am sure it could tow that little '26 speedster. You'll soon have two hundred year old cars
Blunderbuss! Gosh, what a swell word that is. It's just plain fun to say "blunderbuss". And it also makes me want to say "velocipede" and "bumbershoot". Just for fun!
You've already traded, which seems like an amazing trade, now I'd cut the hell out of the car and make a hot rod that any pirate would love to drive! Stock ****s, restoration is for the weak. Hot Rod it or sell it to somebody else from a restoration forum
Well I figured an update was in store. It is home. My son at age 8 LOVES it, even more than the speedster or zephyr! Selling isn't going to be an option. . . Work is started, the headliner didn't make it which wasn't surprising so I have some wood work to do as well on the top. The dash and intake are in progress which will also incorporate a 12v conversion and rewire. For the dash I decided to try a vaneer to cover up the holes as well as flush mount the period radio. The original trim while not cracked is VERY fragile, warped, and missing many or the mounts. My options were use it, replace it, or find another solution. I like my solution. The carb is something that typically is prone to problems so the best option it to replace. I flipped the intake and picked up a Stromberg. Then machined an adapter plate. Eventually I will probably run the Winfield model N.
The Stromberg will give you MUCH superior driveability except for wide open throttle over the Winfield. Even better driveability and power would be acquired if the Ford EE-1 (pictured) was swapped for an early 1930's Buick EE-1. Really glad your son likes it!!! Nice for the youngsters to like any old car. Jon
Every car I have run with a barrel Winfield had excellent drivability and good economy. Although, I don't know anyone who has had a chance to try running a N.
I managed to get the ignition wired up yesterday as part of the 12v conversion. I'm replacing or cutting back to good wire on everything
Lights are the next bit on the wiring, the taillight is very "special" and not in good ways. The lense is long gone but at least the frame is there. The housing smashed and TONS of cracks, oh and while a replacement is available I don't feel like spending hundreds. So off to repair . . . Last night I started, welding is using the same material to repair but brazing is using br*** to stick steel/cast together. Is it welding using br*** brazing rod on br*** or brazing???? I think it's br*** welding, what do you think?
The tail light is starting to take shape nicely and I've started on the lense. Considering I am going to be trailering I want turn signals so I'm going to build a lense with arrows which will make trailer wiring easier when I get to that point. I'm using plexi so bulbs inside will need to be LED keeping it cool. I cut a hole in the fuel tank, there are holes in the bottom and some stuff rattling around. Wow what a surprise at the "junk" but also that the inside isn't that bad. I think with some good cleaning and jb weld it's savable.
The Buick lives, on my way back so far I've driven it almost 600 miles for a period motor camp that was a blast
When comparing to a 26/27 T coupe the size difference is shocking. She really is TOO big for a rod. On the other hand as long as she you don't need to do any chop to get her looking better. We successfully completed the run totalling nearly 800 miles start to finish
I enjoyed reading this thread but didn't vote simply because I really don't know what I would do with it and certainly can't tell you what to do either. When I was born, it was my Dad's 1929 Buick that brought me home from the hospital. I have no memory of the car but have many photographs of it. Dad sold it when the tires needed replacing and he couldn't afford them. Of the fifty or so cars he owned over the years he always said it was his favorite and the one he should have kept. Have fun with it!
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