1927 Buick Standard Six

The North American market experienced a sharp, but brief, recession in the late 1910s caused by the end of wartime production and an influx of labor from returning troops. By March of 1919, the recession was over, but ten months later the economy experienced another recession as the market continued to adjust to peacetime. Although brief, it was nonetheless devastating and 1920 was the single most deflationary year in American history. A strong recovery quickly followed, along with artistic and cultural dynamism, leading to the phrase, the 'Roaring Twenties.'

This period of history witnessed a greater embracing of modern amenities, including automobiles, radio, electrical appliances, films, and telephones. Rapid industrial and economic growth was fueled by accelerated consumer demand, the birth of aviation as a business, and mass-market advertising. Leading metropolitan centers were the hub of this revival and it spread widely in the aftermath of World War I, and by the middle of the decade, prosperity was widespread. The second half of the decade was known as the 'Golden Twenties.'

Buick weathered the difficult recession years due to the vast resources of General Motors and its lineup of four- and six-cylinder models that were competitively priced and outfitted with attractive features. Under the stewardship of General Motors' President William C Durant, Buick production rose dramatically from 750 cars in 1905 to 8,802 in 1908 when its most popular product was the four-cylinder Model 10. The company's first six-cylinder model was introduced in 1914 and for a period in the 1920s, the range would consist entirely of sixes.

Buick had one of the most respected engines in the American car industry, made famous for its 'Valve-in-Head' construction. The 225 cubic-inch Six was dropped in 1918 and replaced by a larger 242 CID version that produced 60 horsepower, an increase of 15 horsepower. In 1924, the displacement grew to 255 cubic inches, horsepower to 70 bhp, and came with a removable cylinder head and aluminum crankcase. The frames and axles were stronger, and braking was now handled by four-wheel mechanical drums. The 1924 Buick model lineup included the Series 24 Four and the Series 24 Six. A year later, the company adopted a new series designation with the Standard Six replacing the previous 24-Fours as the lower-priced Buicks. The Master Six used the same engine of the previous 24-Six, and the Standard Six received a new six-cylinder engine with a 191 cubic-inch displacement, overhead valves, mechanical valve lifters, four main bearings, and delivering 50 horsepower at 2,800 RPM. The Standard Six rested on a 114.3-inch wheelbase and the Master Six used either a 120- or 128-inch platform.

The 1926 Buicks wore new styling and gained new air, oil, and gas filters, one-piece brake linings, and a stronger clutch for its three-speed sliding gear transmission. The engine displacement of the Master Six grew to 274 cubic inches and horsepower was rated at 75.

The styling introduced in 1926 continued into 1927 with only minor updates. The Standard Six continued to be the entry-level model and its 207 CID inline-6 offered 63 horsepower at 2,800 RPM. Body styles included a two-door sedan, a sport roadster, and a two-passenger coupe priced at $1,195. The DeLuxe Sport Tourer was $30 higher and the country club coupe and four-passenger coupe were priced at $1,275. The sedan listed at $1,295 and the town brougham sedan was $1,375. The most popular Standard Six was the four-door sedan with 40,272 units built, followed by 33,190 examples of the two-door sedan. There were 11,688 of the country club coupe and 11,032 of the Town Brougham sedan. 10,512 were two-passenger coupes, 7,178 were the four-passenger coupe, 4,985 were sport roadsters, and 3,272 were DeLuxe Sport Tourers.

Comparatively, the Master Six was priced from $1,395 to $1,995. The Standard Six had a 114.5-inch wheelbase and the Master Six continued to use either a 120- and 128-inch platform. Production was slipt nearly evenly between the two 1927 Buick models, with slightly more of the Master Six being built.

by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2021