1936 McLaughlin-Buick Series 90 Limited Limousine

Lot details
Registration No: CAR 752
Chassis No: C04933
Mot Expiry: April 2012

Unveiled in late 1936, the 1937 model-year Buicks were styled by the legendary Harley Earl. Technically superior to their predecessors, they featured all-steel 'Turret Top' coachwork and improved independent front suspension, hydraulic brakes and engine cooling system. The flagship Series 90 Limited Limousine was powered by a 130bhp 5.2-litre OHV straight-eight engine. Manufactured by both Buick (LHD) and its Canadian McLaughlin-Buick subsidiary (RHD), it found favour with business tycoons, celebrities and heads of state worldwide.

Trimmed in Black (front) and Grey (rear), 'CAR 752' was first registered in Hertfordshire on November 4th 1936 and was still resident in that county some twelve years later; in the care of E. Stevens (Cheshunt). It then passed through the hands of G. Jarvis & Son Ltd (Rugby), Comficab (Reading), Barry Dockree (Guildford) and Stephen John Stevens (Chilworth) before being acquired by Keith McCarron Child (Crawley) in 1981. At this point the venerable Buick was apparently treated to an extensive body-off restoration that included: a bare metal repaint, retrim, rewire and overhaul of the engine and suspension. It then covered some 5,000 more miles before being purchased by the vendor at the H&H sale of July 2006. In his care, both the braking and cooling systems were refurbished and the car has covered a further 1,000 miles and played a central role at family weddings etc.

This magnificent McLaughlin-Buick has many notable features, including: twin side-mounted spare wheels, a wind-up division window, occasional seats, armrest-mounted smokers' sets and an intercom; not to mention an art deco dashboard complete with 110mph speedometer, a glovebox-mounted clock and valve radio. 'CAR 752' is now offered complete with period luggage, a range of spare parts, workshop and owner's manuals, photographs of its restoration, and recent history. It is MOT'd into April next year and taxed until the end of June.