Details
1939 BUICK MODEL 60 DUAL COWL PHAETON "SALOON TOURER"
COACHWORK BY MALTBY
Chassis No. 636816990
Maroon with cream interior
Engine: eight-cylinder in line; Gearbox: three-speed manual; Brakes: drums all round; Suspension: front, independent coil springs, rear solid axle, coil springs. Left hand drive.
Buick was a company formed in 1903 and began selling cars in 1904. By the late '30s they had two men recognised as "geniuses" in the car industry in charge of their new models - Harley Earl, GM's first design director, and Charles Chayne, their chief engineer since 1936. They were intent on establishing Buick as the rival to Cadillac within GM when it came to luxury cars. There are many who believe Buicks were superior to Cadillacs.
It is rare to find an English bodied Buick, but this special Redfern designed "Saloon-Tourer" by Maltby represents such a car. The car was apparently ordered by GM who wanted to see Maltby's work on one of their own chassis. They sent to Maltby, a small, but respected coachbuilder of Folkestone, England a Century Series 60 chassis with a 126 inch wheel base and instructed him create a special one-off show car for the 1939 International Automobile Show in Copenhagen, Denmark. Francis Henry Redfern, who patented the hydroelectric top mechanism in 1935, personally supervised the construction of this special car.
The body was made of aluminium and featured front and rear doors set on common hinges, and dual windscreens. The interior was quite sumptious with English walnut, cream leather with maroon piping and beige carpeting. An unusual factor was that both the interior and the exterior compartments had fitted luggage. In the European manner, a fitted tool compartment was installed in the rear "drop deck" and a lap robe was included.
Initially, GM had no intention of selling the car, only being interested in how well it was constructed. However a Danish furniture manufacturer after seeing the Buick on the show stand had to have this spectacular one off. It was sent to him in Denmark which was invaded in late 1939 and the Buick was hidden from the Germans during the war years. After the war, it was used on ceremonial occasions by visiting heads of State. Both General Eisenhower and Winston Churchill are believed to have been chauffered in the car.
Imported in 1969 by Russell Creason, the Buick was in very good overall condition. Mr Creason used it until 1981 when the restoration commenced. It was completed in 1985, and in the Michigan Grand Classic car show, it was judged to be a 100 point car. Since then it has been a first place winner at both the Pebble Beach and Meadowbrook Concours. Most recently it received a first prize in the Classic Car Club Spring Grand Classic Show and was given a "Senior" award.
COACHWORK BY MALTBY
Chassis No. 636816990
Maroon with cream interior
Engine: eight-cylinder in line; Gearbox: three-speed manual; Brakes: drums all round; Suspension: front, independent coil springs, rear solid axle, coil springs. Left hand drive.
Buick was a company formed in 1903 and began selling cars in 1904. By the late '30s they had two men recognised as "geniuses" in the car industry in charge of their new models - Harley Earl, GM's first design director, and Charles Chayne, their chief engineer since 1936. They were intent on establishing Buick as the rival to Cadillac within GM when it came to luxury cars. There are many who believe Buicks were superior to Cadillacs.
It is rare to find an English bodied Buick, but this special Redfern designed "Saloon-Tourer" by Maltby represents such a car. The car was apparently ordered by GM who wanted to see Maltby's work on one of their own chassis. They sent to Maltby, a small, but respected coachbuilder of Folkestone, England a Century Series 60 chassis with a 126 inch wheel base and instructed him create a special one-off show car for the 1939 International Automobile Show in Copenhagen, Denmark. Francis Henry Redfern, who patented the hydroelectric top mechanism in 1935, personally supervised the construction of this special car.
The body was made of aluminium and featured front and rear doors set on common hinges, and dual windscreens. The interior was quite sumptious with English walnut, cream leather with maroon piping and beige carpeting. An unusual factor was that both the interior and the exterior compartments had fitted luggage. In the European manner, a fitted tool compartment was installed in the rear "drop deck" and a lap robe was included.
Initially, GM had no intention of selling the car, only being interested in how well it was constructed. However a Danish furniture manufacturer after seeing the Buick on the show stand had to have this spectacular one off. It was sent to him in Denmark which was invaded in late 1939 and the Buick was hidden from the Germans during the war years. After the war, it was used on ceremonial occasions by visiting heads of State. Both General Eisenhower and Winston Churchill are believed to have been chauffered in the car.
Imported in 1969 by Russell Creason, the Buick was in very good overall condition. Mr Creason used it until 1981 when the restoration commenced. It was completed in 1985, and in the Michigan Grand Classic car show, it was judged to be a 100 point car. Since then it has been a first place winner at both the Pebble Beach and Meadowbrook Concours. Most recently it received a first prize in the Classic Car Club Spring Grand Classic Show and was given a "Senior" award.