1924 Buick Master Six - $17,900 - Orange Village, OH - Older restoration still in very good condition. Unusual and attractive opera coupe with luxurious interior. Brawny 6-cylinder power and 4-wheel brakes make for a great tour candidate.
Restored in the early 2000s, this 1924 Buick model 24-48 still shows quite well wearing correct Cobalt Blue paint, black fenders, and wonderful white pinstripes to highlight the car’s many curves and moldings. The car is extremely clean and must have been an excellent example prior to the restoration, as there is no trace of rust or pitting on the undercarriage and the bodywork demonstrates no evidence of patching or repairs. The paint shows a nice gloss, but as is typical of modern urethanes, there’s a bit of “orange peel” that could be easily remedied to take this car to the next level. Both doors fit well and the trunk lid on the “turtle deck” closes snugly using the large skeleton key that accompanies the car. Brightwork shows a combination of chrome, nickel, and brass that works quite well with the car’s overall patina, particularly the bright headlight trim rings whose design echoes the shape of the radiator shell.
The driver has a comfortable fixed bucket seat, with a smaller folding jump seat for front seat passengers. In back, there’s a wider bench that’s spacious for one and cozy for two, giving it an air of exclusivity and privacy, if not practicality. The upholstery is quite accurately done in mohair materials that look authentic and professionally installed. Our cameras have trouble accurately capturing the color, but depending on the light it goes from brown to gray to almost purple, but whatever the situation it complements the Cobalt Blue bodywork quite nicely. A massive wooden steering wheel feels fantastic in your hands and steering is actually quite light, even at low speeds. The instrument panel offers ornate gauges in good condition, although only the ammeter is currently functional. The primary controls are laid out in conventional fashion, with the shift pattern in early Buicks being the exact opposite of the majority of manufacturers and it’s easy to master with just a short drive.
Buick’s rugged overhead valve inline-six was enlarged to 255 cubic inches and 70 horsepower in 1924, making it competitive with its peers. Newer engine enamel and gaskets suggest that the engine was rebuilt in the not-too-distant past, and it runs quite well thanks to a recent and extensive service of both the carburetor and ignition system. The original updraft carburetor was fully rebuilt and there are new points, condenser, cap, rotor, plugs, and wires in the ignition system, so it starts and runs beautifully. New brushes on the generator side ensure a strong electrical system and there’s a new battery under the passenger’s feet. An auxiliary oil pressure gauge mounted on the block shows almost 30 PSI at idle, so we have no concerns about the internal mechanicals, and it has been nicely detailed in olive green engine enamel. On the road, it accelerates smoothly without much effort, happily cruises at 45-50 MPH, and has a wonderful bubbly idle that sounds muscular. The transmission is a 3-speed manual that requires double-clutching, and we’ve found that going slowly is better than trying to rush it—the big Buick doesn’t seem to mind and pulls cleanly in top gear from little more than a walking pace. The original wood spoke wheels with demountable rims have been correctly painted and pinstriped to match the body and wear Lucas blackwall tires of indeterminate age.
This is a lot of car for less than the cost of a garden-variety Model A sedan. With a brawny six cylinder engine and an elegantly appointed body, it’s the ideal starter car for the hobbyist that wants something a little out of the ordinary, and would make a great addition to any Buick lover’s collection.
For more information and photos, please visit www.VintageMotorCarsUSA.com.