1910 Buick Model 17 Five Passenger Touring

1910 Buick Model 17 Five Passenger Touring
Chassis no. 5383
318ci Overhead-Valve Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
Single Stromberg Carburetor
48bhp at 1,200rpm
3-Speed Sliding Gear Transmission
4-Wheel Leaf Spring Suspension
Rear Mechanical Brakes

*Offered in tour ready condition with electric start
*Former AACA Senior National First Prize winner
*Revolutionary "Valve-In-Head" engine design
*Powerful and rapid, wonderful for Brass Era touring events

THE EARLY BUICKS

By 1910 the company founded by David Dunbar Buick, the Buick Manufacturing Company of Flint, Michigan, was an important player in the US auto industry both in sales numbers and in competition success. Following several management shake-ups, Buick upped the ante with the arrival of super-salesman William C. Durant in 1904. Durant used Buick as one of the cornerstones of his new General Motors Corporation, and it remains so today.

The 1910 calendar year saw an impressive 29,425 Buicks sold, putting the company among the top selling American carmakers. The 1910 Buick line was wide-ranging: from a tiny 2-cylinder chain-drive roadster through ten different series and models, all of those being larger automobiles with 4-cylinder engines and Buick's signature overhead valve layout. The Model 17 represented the mid-priced 4-cylinder offering. Mechanical siblings with the Model 16, the slightly longer Model 17 shared the same cast-iron, 318 cubic-inch displacement (4½ x 5" bore and stroke) engine developing 48bhp. The healthy sized engine in the relatively light chassis resulted in good performance for its size. Technical features included mechanical valve lifters, shaft drive from the 3-speed transmission and a multi-disc clutch to the rear axle. A top and windshield were optional. One particularly attractive aspect of the Model 17 was its extended hood, which as ever gives the car a significant presence.

THE CAR OFFERED

A beloved touring car from the Carlson collection and one of their 'go-to' cars for their frequent brass era tours. Praised for its comfort and power this excellent example is well proven over the years. Discreetly fitted with an electric self-starting system that relieves the driver of the task of hand starting the big four. These Buicks 17s have an excellent reputation and this is a first class example.

Impressively turned out in a lovely deep burgundy body accented by crimson wheels and chassis, this fabulous Brass Era Buick offered from the Carlson Collection is a stunning example of this much sought-after touring car. Like all Buicks of the era, the Model 17 shares an impressive sporting lineage, with track records set at Indianapolis (with Louis Chevrolet at the helm) and a rash of stock-class victories.

Those achievements directly benefitted production cars such as this, and with ample power from the robust inline-four and a light, 112.5-inch wheelbase chassis, this Model 17 an outstanding choice for the touring enthusiast, particularly with its stylish five-passenger open tourer body. Fine detailed from the button-tufted leather to the polished brass lamps and fittings, and optional top with windscreen. It was awarded an AACA Senior National First Prize back in 1986, and clearly benefits from meticulous care and freshening since then. Accompanying literature includes a reproduction instruction booklet and technical features manual. Beautiful, imposing, and a proven performer, this Buick Model 17 is bound to return endless miles of motoring pleasure.