1908 Buick Model 10 Touring Runabout

Buick was the foundation of General Motors when it was founded in 1908 by William C. Durant. That year, Buick production had nearly doubled - to 8,820 cars.

This Model 10 was Buick's most popular model and for good reason. For $900, the buyer received an attractive car equipped with acetylene headlights, oil-fired side and taillights and a bulb horn.

The engine was a T-head, four-cylinder, valve-in-head, with a 3.75-inch bore and 3.75-inch stroke. It displaced 165 cubic-inches and developed 22.5 horsepower.

David Dunbar Buick was a brilliant engineer who made his fortune manufacturing bathtubs. His process of annealing porcelain to iron is credited for making possible the white bathtub and why so many early Buicks are painted white. David Buick however, did not enjoy the continuing success of the company to bear his name. Unable to deal with the frenetic pace as it became big business, he sold his stock and departed in 1908. At the same time Billy Durant used Buick as his basis to form General Motors. The Model 10 Series was Buick's most popular car with more than 10,000 produced for 1910.

This vehicle is a 1908 Buick Model 10 which was Buick's most popular vehicle for 1908. The Model came in one flavor - a Touring Runabout with seating for three and cost $900. A total of 4,002 examples were created, with the Model F being the second most favorite, with 3,281 examples produced. The Model 10 featured acetylene headlights, bulb horn, and oil-fueled side and taillights. The front suspension was comprised of semi-elliptic leaf springs with full-ellipticals in the rear. The 88-inch wheelbase vehicle was powered by a four-cylinder engine that displaced 165 cubic-inches. Power was rated at 40 and shaft-driven to the rear wheels via a 2-speed planetary transmission.

At $900, the Buick was the least expensive vehicle in the model range. The most expensive was the Model 5, which cost a staggering $2,500. This vehicle had seating for 5 and would see only 402 examples produced. The Model 5 served as the replacement for the Model K; it was available in two paint schemes of either blue or red. The Model 10 was available in off-white Buick Gray.

When W.C. (Billy) Durant organized General Motors in 1908, the Buick Motor Company was the financial foundation that made it all possible. At the same time, the highly successful Model 10 series cars were the financial foundation of Buick. It must be remembered that Buick also introduced to the Automotive World the valve-in-head motor.

This car was purchased by the current owner in 1986. The car was in running condition but needed restoration back to its original specifications and finishes. With the help of friends and people in the restoration of antique Buicks, he was able to duplicate all the original parts and finishes.

This car received Special Pamphilon Award in Philadelphia in 1999. It also received a Senior Award from the Buick Club of America.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2008