1926 Buick Master Six

Buick was fighting hard to provide competitive and stylish vehicles that were better than the competition. They updated their vehicles during a five-year cycle that began in 1924. Mechanical improvements were also continual, with the four-cylinder engine being abandoned in 1925 in favor of a larger six-cylinder unit.

For 1926, Buick updated the styling for the Standard and Master Six model line-up by adorning them with aluminum hubcaps and gas caps. The radiator shell was slightly redesigned, now appearing smoother.

The Master Six included scuff plates, cigarette lighter, heater, clock, smoking cases, shock absorbers, and a vanity case. The Standard line sat atop of 114.5-inch wheelbase while the Master Six rode on either a 120-inch or 128-inch wheelbase. The cars came in a variety of body styles including sedan, roadster, coupe, touring, brougham, and country club coupe. The Standard and Master Six could be purchased with 2 or 4 doors and could accommodate two to seven passengers, depending on the body style.

Featured is a Master Six Roadster with an additional rumble seat. There is a period golf bag door and dual rear-mounted spare tires. There is a dimmer switch mounted on the steering wheel which made driving at night more civilized. The 274 cubic-inch inline six-cylinder engine provided 75 horsepower. Power was sent to the rear wheels through a three-speed sliding gear transmission. Stopping power was courteous of four-wheel mechanical drum brakes.

During the 1926 model year, Buick set a sales record with 266,753 units being sold. It would take Buick another 14 years to match this record.

by Dan Vaughan

Sedan
Chassis number: 1643423
Engine number: 1598942

In 1925, Buick abandoned their four-cylinder engine in favor of a larger six-cylinder unit. For 1926, styling updates were performed on the Master Six model lineup by adorning them with aluminum gas caps and hubcaps. The radiator shell was slightly redesigned resulting in a smoother appearance. The 1926 Master Six was well appointed with cigarette lighter, heater, clock, scuff plates, smoking cases, a vanity case, and shock absorbers.

Buick enjoyed a record sales year in 1926, selling 266,753 units, a record that would persist for 14 years.

This particular example is in original condition and has been in the same ownership for the past 50-plus years prior to being discovered in a garage where it sat unused. It has its original hood and ornament and currently has less than 95,000 miles, which are believed to be original.

by Dan Vaughan

Buick used the Master Six name beginning in 1925 and it used the same engine as the Model 24-Six of 1924. The Standard Six engine produced 50 horsepower while the Master Six was fitted with a 70 horsepower engine. The Standard Six body styles rested on a wheelbase that measured 114.3-inches while the Master Six had a 120- or 128-inch platform.

The name Master Six would continue through 1928. By 1928, the horsepower in the Standard Six was rated at 63 horsepower while the Master Six had 77 horsepower.

by Dan Vaughan