1919 Buick Model HX-45 Touring

Lot details
Registration No: CY 4210
Chassis No: 527298
Mot Expiry: Exempt

- Supplied new to John Evans of Swansea and chauffeur driven until 1932

- Bodied by John Norman (Cardiff) Ltd, restored late 1990s / early 2000s

- Said to possess 'very good' 3.9 litre engine, gearbox and interior

Further Info:

The nameplate inside its driver's door shows this delightful four-door four-seat Touring Buick to have been bodied by John Norman Coachbuilder (Cardiff) Ltd, Wales, the country it remained in until purchased by the Somerset-based vendor last year. The car's first owner was textile importer John Hugh Evans of Swansea, who evidently employed a chauffeur to drive him between the stores to whom he sold cloth and haberdashery. In 1932 title passed to timber merchant Dan Lloyd of Bwlchllan, who reputedly installed the vehicle in his works and retained it for some 46 years before selling to a Mr Bliss of Nanteos Mansion, Aberystwyth. He originally planned to restore the Buick, but had a change of heart when he realised just how much was entailed, whereupon it was consigned to a field until rescued by John Powell in 1998.

Making good use of existing contacts in the United States, Powell purchased a variety of spares and a donor car. He also acquired a centre lathe on which to make other parts from scratch. After three or four years of hard graft, the Buick was finally up and running once again. The vendor (only the second keeper to drive the Buick on public roads) acquired it to use as a wedding car, but those plans fell through, hence its current availability. 'CY 4210' is finished in Maroon over Black and trimmed in Maroon leather. It is powered by a 3.9-litre straight-six OHV engine of 27.6hp, that drives through a three-speed manual gearbox. Braking is on the rear wheels alone. The fuel is nowadays fed by an electric pump, but the original Autovac comes with the car. The vendor currently regards the bodywork and paintwork as 'excellent', the engine, transmission and interior trim as 'very good' and the Black double duck hood in as-new condition.