1916 Buick Series D

In 1916, Buick introduced the Series D. It was not a new model, just a new name; in prior years the Series C and Series B had been used. The Model D-34 and D-35 were powered by a four-cylinder engine that displaced 170 cubic-inches and produced 35 horsepower. The styling was new for this year and these models were targeted at the low-priced, entry-level market. The cost to own the D-34 was $660 which was not the cheapest car on the market, Ford had that title, but it was one of the more affordable vehicles available. These two models sat on a wheelbase that measured 106-inches.

Next in Buick's model D-Series line were the D-44, D45, D46, and D47. These were a two-door roadster with seating for two, a four-door tourer, a two-door coupe, and a two-door sedan with seating for five, respectively. The D44 was the least expensive costing $985 while the D-47 was the most, costing $1,800. The D-45 was the most popular with a total of 73,827; it was the most popular Buick model during this year.

These cars rested on a 115-inch wheelbase and powered by a six-cylinder engine that displaced 225 cubic-inches and produced 45 horsepower. Standard colors for the D-45 was Buick Green or Blue-Black with black fenders; standard colors for the D44 was Delft Blue with Black wheels and fenders.

The top-of-the-line D-Series were the D-54 and D-55 which rested on a 130-inch wheelbase. These vehicles were not the most expensive, but they did have a larger wheelbase and a 331 cubic-inch engine which produced more horsepower than the other models. These two models had been apart of Buick's line-up since 1915 and this would be their final year of production.

Production reached 105,471 total vehicles produced by Buick in 1916. This was a large increase over the prior year, which had seen 42,553 units produced.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2007