Wednesday, June 18, 2008

King Michael of Romania

This is the King of Romania watching a Buick straight eight being tested in factory #11T building #24.
Michael I, King of the RomaniansPrince of Hohenzollern[1][2][3] (born October 251921), reigned as King of the Romanians (RomanianMaiestatea Sa Mihai I Regele Românilor, literally "His Majesty Michael I King of the Romanians") from July 201927 to June 81930, and again from September 61940, until forced to abdicate by the Communists on December 301947. A great-great-grandson of Queen Victoria and a third cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, he is one of the last surviving heads of state from World War II[4][5][6][7], another one being Simeon II of Bulgaria.[8]
Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Original Link.


ROMANIA; ROYAL FAMILY; KING MICHAEL; IN Flint. -AT BUICK PLANT


Celebrities At Buick

Vice President Richard Nixon visits factory #36 in 1955.  The year Buick first offered seat-belts.


Vice President Richard Nixon press release.
1912.
Honeymooners’ stars Jackie Gleason and Audrey Meadows on ‘TV Guide’ cover, week of May 21-27, 1955.
Here's Jackie Gleason on the final line in factory #62. Jackie takes special pride in this particular Buick. "I should." he declared. "I nursed it along from bare frame to the finished product".


Jackie Gleason tightens the wheel on a 1955 Buick. By 1955, Mr. Gleason, who liked to call himself ''the Great One,'' was one of television's biggest stars, and it was reported at the time that the contract for the Honeymooners, which was sponsored by the Buick division of General Motors, called for him to be paid $11 million if the weekly half-hour shows ran for three years. It was said to be the biggest deal in television history.  

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Coleman Car Show 2008

This photo shows the fenders being painted in 1949. The description stated "Waterfall in back picks up flying paint while special ventilating system eliminates need for face masks." If you believe that I have a bridge for sale,called the Brooklyn.

This is the Wilmington Delaware plant.
That's Bill Pennington in the striped shirt. He stated this "Roadmaster" was a barn find from twenty years ago. He also said the vin decoded as number 43 off the line in 1949. He stated this was a Flint built Buick.

Pretty much stock interior except the seats.

Matching louvers.

Still sporting the original "Straight Eight" with some dress up goodies.

These hood's opened from either side.


Bill Pennington's 1949 Buick June 14, 2008.
Link: Complete 1949 Buick Magazine.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Buick Aerial View 1930

Looking north across the Buick site.

Division Street 1934

This view looking north up Division st with Hamilton ave in the foreground shows the east wing of factory #01 has now been removed, including the bridge to factory #06 assembly. The factory #40 transmission plant can be seen beyond the guard shack at the right.