1904 Buick Model B

The first production Buick was also the shortest. The 1904 Model B rode on a wheelbase of 83 inches, more than 17 inches less than a 2013 Buick Encore. The Model B Buick was powered by an inline two-cylinder engine with valve-in-head, cast-iron block, a float feed carburetor, and a displacement size of 159 cubic-inches. They had a two-speed planetary transmission with mechanical brakes on two wheels.

In 1899, David Dunbar Buick sold off his plumbing business to the Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company and organized the Buick Auto-Vim and Power Company. The purpose of this new venture was to produce gasoline engines for marine and farm use. It was re-organized in 1902 to Buick Manufacturing Company. Walter Marr joined Buick's venture along with Eugene Richard. Together, they built the valve-in-head engine with testing performed in 1903. Financial backing for this new project was Detroit sheet-metal manufacturer Benjamin Briscoe.

In 1903, the company was re-organized into the Buick Motor Company. A prototype Buick was shown in the summer of 1904 with the first sale of a Buick following in August. Within a few short months, the company had orders for sixteen Buicks. By the close of the year, a total of 37 examples were produced.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2013