|
|
1923 Buick 23-45
Lot #139 (Sale Order 38 of 168)
In 1923, Buick announced that its five-passenger touring car reaches the highest pinnacle of value that it has ever attained. Always mechanically fine, the marque’s catalogue continued, always positive in power and in action, this car may also be singled out for its beauty, its convenience or its comfort. One hundred and two years later, that’s still true. Cosmopolitan Motors is pleased to present a fine example of Buick’s Model 23-Six-45, featuring its original 242-cubic-inch straight six engine, which still provides plenty of power and runs very well. 1923 was a banner year for Buick. The cornerstone marque of General Motors offered Series 23 models in both four- and six-cylinder variants, with wheelbases from 109 to 124 inches, and prices from $865 to $2,200. They proved so popular that in 1923 Buick would turn out some 210,000 cars, including the one millionth Buick, completed March 21 of the year. Of Buick’s impressive ’23 array of 15 open and closed body styles, the six-cylinder five-passenger touring car was the most popular. This example is in very good condition, having been stored inside by its longtime owner and primarily driven at local shows and parades. The interior has two reupholstered, black leather bench seats, a beautiful wooden steering wheel, and black carpeting. The canvas top is in excellent condition and shows well. The exterior maroon and black catches – and pleases – the eye, particularly the beautiful, crowned fenders, a new feature in 1923. This elegant touring car has been loved by a large family, for many, many years, the current owner says. When her father, Dan was a young man, he developed a love for cars – and specifically, 1920s-vintage Buicks. He admired the valve-in-head design that became an early Buick trademark, producing power, endurance, long life and economy, as Buick proudly asserted. Being mechanically inclined, he started collecting parts and pieces of these cars with the intent of building his own. He would collect parts wherever he could find them. One day, he was out for a drive in Eastern Washington, passing wheatfields and farmhouses, when he spied some parts in a field that looked interesting. He pulled over to check them out. As he was looking around, the owner of the field came out to see what was up. They got to talking and Dan told him what he was looking for and what his plans were. The farmer told Dan he had something to show him. They made their way to a barn, which held this beautiful 1923 Buick in excellent condition. The car had belonged to the farmer’s father, who had died several years before. A sale ensued. Since that day, Dan would always bring the Buick Model 23-Six-45 out for family gatherings and weddings. He entered it in many parades and car shows (where it always won first prize) and was always happy to bring it out for show and tell, to anyone who wanted to see it. He was pleased to show off the large collection of trophies and ribbons he had collected. He was frequently known to drive it a couple miles to town to get the mail and just enjoy the feeling and history it provided. Dan passed away in 2011 at which time, his daughter Teresa bought the Buick from his estate, and to this day, she has maintained possession of it. Now, she has decided to let go of her father’s dream car. It has come time to pass the car along to allow someone else to love this beautiful vehicle and take it out for show and tell, Teresa says. I hope whoever gets the pleasure of owning this car next knows exactly what a treasure they have, and love and appreciate it as much as my family has. The voice of a Buick copy writer from 1923 echoes that sentiment through the mists of time: Riding in this Touring Car, you will be conscious of a new sense of ease. This sale offers an opportunity for you to experience the wonderful ease that Dan felt, driving to town, and to become the next steward of this magnificent Touring Car.
|
Sat,
May
31,
2025
10:30 AM
Pacific
