1906 Buick Model F

Phaeton - Touring
Chassis number: 2320

This 1906 Buick Model F 5-Passenger Phaeton was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars sale at Hershey, PA presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $20,000 - $30,000 and offered without reserve. Bidding surpassed the estimates with the final bid settling at $31,900 including buyer's premium.

The car is powered by a horizontally-opposed twin-cylinder engine that displaces 159 cubic-inches and produces 22 horsepower. There is a two-speed planetary transmission and two-wheel mechanical brakes. The 87-inch wheelbase is suspended in place by a solid front axle and a live rear axle. Three-quarter elliptic leaf springs can be found in the front and semi-elliptic springs in the rear.

Many years ago, this Model F Buick was treated to a cosmetic restoration. It is finished in maroon and there are a generous amount of dings and scratches throughout. The leather on the seats have cracked due to age and some mildew has formed. The top is a replacement Naugahyde fitted on original painted bows. The chassis is painted cream and there are no floorboards. The complete set of brass lighting is still intact, including the Neverout headlamps and tail lamp, and Gray & Davis side lamps.

by Dan Vaughan

Phaeton - Touring
Chassis number: 2525

This 1906 Buick Model F 5-Passenger Phaeton is complete, but in need of a major restoration. Rust, dents, scratches, and dings can be found throughout. There is a split running down the left side of the tonneau. The headlamps, side lamps and horn are in tact, though badly deteriorated. There is no front floorboards, no radiator cap, no top or bows, and the tail lamp is missing.

This barn find was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars sale at Hershey, PA presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $15,000 - $20,000 and offered without reserve. Bidding surpassed the estimates with the final bid settling at $27,500 including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Phaeton - Touring

The Buick Model F was introduced in 1906 and lasted until 1910 with a total of 1200 examples produced.

The car is powered by a horizontally-opposed twin-cylinder engine that displaces 159 cubic-inches and produces 22 horsepower. There is a two-speed planetary transmission and two-wheel mechanical brakes. The 87-inch wheelbase is suspended in place by a solid axle and a live rear axle. Three-quarter elliptic leaf springs can be found in the front and semi-elliptic springs in the rear.

These cars were elegant, durable and fitted with powerful engines for this era. In 1906, the Buick Model F proved its capabilities by entering a 1,000 mile relay run from Chicago to New York. At the completion of the event, only the Model F had traveled the complete distance and earned the nickname 'Old Faithful.'

David Buick was a Scottish-born bathtub manufacturer and the founder of the Buick marque. He was joined by a Michigan bicycle merchant named Walter Lorenzo Marr and a French machinist named Eugene Richard. These individuals devised an engine with valves in the cylinder head, opposite the pistons rather than the more popular way of alongside them. The term 'Valve-in-Head' was appropriate and would become a hallmark of Buick cars even in the modern era.

William Durant was impressed by the products created by David Buick, Walter Marr, and Eugene Richard and invested in each of these companies. He became a member of Buick's board of directors in 1904 and soon extended a $300,000 stock issue for the Buick Motor Company. He was an avid stock speculator, an investor, and a superb salesman. He sold more than 1,100 Buicks before the company had a chance to create 40 examples.

The Model B was the first car produced by Buick and introduced in 1904. It was a four-passenger tourer that sold for $950. The Model B was followed by the Model C in 1905 and the Model F followed a year later. Production of the Buick Model F lasted until 1910 with a total of over 1,200 examples were produced.

The cars were elegant, durable, and fitted with rather powerful engines for the era. In 1906 a Buick Model F proved its capabilities by entering a 1,000-mile relay run from Chicago to New York. The event was staged by the Chicago American and Examiner. At the completion of the event, only the Model F Buick had traveled the complete distance and earned the nickname 'Old Faithful.'

by Dan Vaughan