1931 Buick 94 - $169,900 - Bedford Heights, OH - Through the first three decades of the twentieth century, it was Buick alone that championed the inherently superior and better performing overhead valve engine in popularly priced automobiles. However, 1931 saw a shift for the Buick Company. Buick decided to scrap their old six-cylinder engine as the engineers felt that it had reached its limits in size, smoothness and efficiency. In its place, Buick employed an all-new straight eight to power its cars. The cachet of adopting a new Buick engine throughout its line was thought to be good for the marketplace. However, with a price tag of over $1,300 in 1931, this was an amount of money that many people simply did not have.
On the other hand, the Model 94 Roadster, Buick’s top of the line car in 1931, escaped Buick’s general middle-class appeal and began to tread into the territory of Cadillac, as it had everything the luxury car buyer could want.
The 1931 Buick Model 94 Roadster presented here was formerly part of the private collection of Marvin Tamaroff. It is likely one of the finest examples extant and continues to display a high quality restoration with just 41 miles showing on the odometer since restoration. It was in outstanding rust-free condition with less than 39,000 original miles before the restoration was commissioned.
The exterior was painted in black and the undersides of the fenders were finished in red – a theme that is carried out through the rest of the car. The interior was fitted with red leather upholstery and red carpeting, while the rear mounted trunk is done in black leather to match and, like the cases contained within, is lined in red. Very well equipped, the Model 94 Roadster has twin driving lights, dual cowl lights, wind-wings, dual side mounted spares with covers and mirrors, a rumble seat and side windows which may be installed should the car get caught in the rain. The car has semi-elliptic leaf spring front and rear suspensions with a semi-floating rear axle and four-wheel mechanical brakes. Simply outstanding, the Buick Roadster had no problem earning its CCCA Senior badge (number 1437S). Its new owner will surely enjoy showing this car with pride on the concours field. Beautifully presented with a striking color combination, it is a superb example throughout.