1909 Buick Model 16

The Buick Motor Company was founded in 1903 by David Dunbar Buick and soon the company caught the attention of William Crappo Durant. In 1908, Buick became one of the first members of the General Motors Corporation. This was also the same year that Buick introduced its Model 10 which carried a price tag of $900. During its inaugural year of production, over 4,000 examples were produced, providing Buick and General Motors with financial prosperity. In 1909 Buick introduced the Model 16 which brought even more financial benefits with sales increasing to 8,100 units produced.

The 1909 Buick Model 16 was availed as a Roadster or a Tourabout, both having a base price of $1,750. Power was from a four-cylinder engine with a cast iron block and a 318 cubic-inch displacement. It had a Schebler carburetor and offered just over 32 horsepower. The engine was mated to a three-speed sliding gear transmission and braking was controlled by mechanical brakes on two wheels. The wheelbase measured 112 inches, which was the second largest platform Buick offered - the largest was the Model 17 which was half-an-inch larger, available as a five-passenger Tourer, and had the same base price as the Model 16.

by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2016