Rare Straight-Eight: 1933 McLaughlin-Buick
Founded in 1905, McLaughlin Motor Car Co. was a Canadian manufacturer of fine automobiles that used Buick engines. It was sold to General Motors in 1918 and it became GM of Canada. Some of their cars would be called McLaughlin’s, while most would be McLaughlin-Buicks. The seller’s sedan was built in 1933 during the height of the Great Depression that had spread outside of the U.S. This McLaughlin-Buick has been in storage for more than 30 years and needs a complete restoration. It’s located in Parkhill, Ontario and available here on Kijiji for $2,800 (which may be stated in Canadian currency).
The McLaughlin-Buick was an upscale automotive offering that was positioned between Oldsmobile and the LaSalle by Cadillac. These cars were never produced in large quantities, with 1933 production slightly higher than the year before at 2,382 units. The upward projection continued into 1934 at 4.091 cars. They were beautiful machines and were known to carry around all sorts of royalty and VIPs, including the Prince of Wales, President Franklin Roosevelt, and Prince Charles and Diana. Source: Wikipedia
This 1933 4-door sedan has restoration project written all over it. It’s been living in a barn since at least the 1980s and is said to be complete. Which is a good thing, because things like taillights, headlights, horns, glass, spike wheels would not be easy to source and replace today. The motor has been disassembled and is likely a 344 cubic inch straight-eight that would have produced 104 horsepower. The rollback roof and all interior materials are going to need replacing.
These cars don’t change hands very often due to their likely low survival rate. But when they do and are in excellent condition, fetching six figures is not unheard of. At $2,800 CN ($2,165), buying this car isn’t going to break anyone’s bank, but the restoration costs might. Anyone seriously considering cars like this should do as much homework as possible on parts availability before taking the plunge.
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Comments
I’m surprised those Canucks would let this car escape the Great White North, don’t ‘cha know, eh?
I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking aboot
I want this car great project will need a lot of labour and money
This McLaughlin family also invented a soft drink called Old Belfast Dry Ale made with ginger. Later named Canada Dry.
That’s going to take a LOT of buffing!! LOL
A very cool find, but will require many, many hours of hard labor intensive work to bring this beauty to its former glory. I’m a Buick fan, but this is far beyond my capabilities. I sure hope the right person purchases it for a full restoration. It matters not if Canadian or American as long as their pockets are deep and their patience is long enduring.
God bless America
Hahahaha. You spelled dog wrong.
Far beyond my meager skills but I would love to have it.
this car is not beyond my skill, but it is beyond my budget. I m of the opinion that cars should be driven. For that reason id restomod the drive line, steering, brakes, and restore the body and interior.s As for the original drive line and steering id restore them too, after which id put them on a running stand. Restoring cars can be a full time job and some guys manage to make a carrier out of it, but any mechanic will tell you that this project will be a lot of work that won’t likey pay you back if thats your goal. sadly a lot of these old cars will never get restored because most guys with deep pockets have moved on from this era of autos.
This looks like a parts car to me. Where did you get the idea that it has a 344 cu. in. engine? I cannot find a series or model number given anywhere. Only the 80-series and 90-series will have the 344, and they are very rare.
Pretty sure the top insert is not a roll back . . . My 1934 Chevrolet Master has the same top insert . . According to the repo owners manual for my car , underneath the top covering there was metal mesh that served as a radio antenna . . Supposedly it came that way whether you were one of the few that had a radio . . The headlight reflectors on this car are amazing . . I wish mine were that good . .
Sorry days gone by the new generation don’t care about these car’s pop can’s
I would love to SEE this one fully restored, I bet it would be a SHOWSTOPPER .
Canadian I agree that would be a good car to modify and restore as best as possible.
Good candidate for a person that specializes in these auto’s as they have all the real hard parts, and knowhow.
Lets hope that the right person finds this prize and a deal can be made. There is 3k worth of parts, really double that.
I have a 7-seat Limo RHD in India which needs a lot of TLC. Many American cars from the 1920’s to 1960’s which came to India RHD were built in Canada. So I was very interested to see this car existing.
I’d like to buy it. Please contact me.