The 1929 Buick Tourer
SILVER ANNIVERSARY MODEL 25 PHAETON – Series 116
The Buick Tourer was produced to cope with the growing popularity of open hood cars. Long wheelbase and extra wide seats combined to give it luxurious roominess. Its low, sweeping lines are accentuated by the folding windshield. It set a new vogue in open cars with its plush upholstery and smart, distinctive performance. It created its market identity through its family oriented attractions and hence it is still considered a great collectable by Buick car enthusiasts.
The 1929 Buick lines were the first to wear completely new styling by Harley Earl (American Automotive designer) and his team. The new bodies rested on new chassis with the frame comprised of thicker steel and deeper cross-sections. Lovejoy shock absorbers provided support and the engines now used steel-backed main bearings for the first time.
The car was purchased in Mylor SA by Brian Anders in the early 1980’s for Peter Lehmann Wines.
Peter Lehmann drove the Buick, in its original condition, in a National Variety Club Bash from Bourke to the Barossa in 1986 which he won.
After this Bash the Buick was extensively worked on by retired mechanic Frank Garrett with help from Mick Anderson. This included brakes, shock absorbers, new clutch plates, reconditioned Head and converted to 12volt.
In 1987 Peter Lehmann and Richard Fewster took the Buick again in the National Bash from Bourke to Barrier Reef. Mick Anderson and Alan Leske went in a backup vehicle. During this Bash it stripped the timing gear at Mt Garnet Qld. and by sheer luck they found another motor in Cairns. Mick was able to go to Cairns, collect what they needed, repair the car and it was back on the road to complete the Bash!
After that Bash the engine blew up and fortunately they were able to buy that complete engine from Cairns, freight it back to the Barossa where they put the timing gear back into the motor and partly reconditioned it.
In 1988 Peter Lehmann and Philip White (wine writer), with Doug Lehmann and Mick Anderson in the back up vehicle, and a group of SA Bashers drove to Bourke to join the Redex Variety Club Bash from Bourke to Blatherskite Park in Alice Springs.
The car continued doing more Bash’s in 1992,1996, 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2009 driven by Doug Lehmann.
In 2000 Dave Cundy from Stockwell in the Barossa did a complete motor rebuild.
In early 2009 the car was taken to Goode Restorations in Clare where it was stripped down, partly re-wooded, rusted body panels replaced and repainted.
The Buick was Car 70 from 1986 to its final Bash in 2009. After this Doug purchased the Buick from Peter Lehmann Wines.
Later that year it went on its final Bash from Adelaide to Alice. After Doug’s passing in 2014 the Buick was purchased by very close friend, Darrel Fargher. Since then the car has had more mechanical work done including the re-chroming of all parts. Darrel has kept the Buick appearance in memory of Doug and his long association with Variety SA.
1929 Buick Silver Anniversary Model 25 Phaeton 116 inch Series
Has a large 239 cubic inch 74 HP overhead valve 6 cylinder engine with counter balanced crank shaft giving a substantial increase in power and smoothness on previous models.
3 speed manual centre change crash gear box and 4 wheel external brakes.
Chassis and Mechanics: Made in USA
Body: Made by Holden in Adelaide. Complete car assembled by Holden.
Frame: Wooden
Body Construction: Wood and Steel
Weight: 1.78 tons or 1,615 kgs)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 14 gallons (53 litres)
Fuel Consumption: 15 mpg (17 litres per 100 kms)
Performance: Estimated top speed 75 mph (120 kms/hr)
Doug Lehmann was a long-time supporter of Variety – the Children’s Charity and entered his first SA Variety Bash in 1991. This ignited his passion for the event which continued for 24 years. The Lehmann family had the Bash in their blood with Peter, Doug’s father entering the first Redex Bash in 1986.
During his time as an Entrant, Doug was instrumental in raising almost $500,000 which is a monumental achievement. What’s more amazing is he did it as one of 7 dwarfs, a little pig, a gentleman, a schoolboy, a boy scout, a Leyland brother to name a few. He delivered four outstanding Bash events in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, raising in excess of $5 million net during his four year tenure Bash Chairman.
Doug Lehmann’s 1929 Buick drove a total of 8558.75km on SA Variety Bash events.
The 1929 Buick Tourer – Series 116
The Buick Tourer was produced to cope with the growing popularity of open hood cars. Long wheelbase and extra wide seats combined to give it luxurious roominess. Its low, sweeping lines are accentuated by the folding windshield. It set a new vogue in open cars with its plush upholstery and smart, distinctive performance. It created its market identity through its family oriented attractions and hence it is still considered a great collectable by Buick car enthusiasts.
The 1929 Buick lines were the first to wear completely new styling by Harley Earl (American Automotive designer) and his team. The new bodies rested on new chassis with the frame comprised of thicker steel and deeper cross-sections. Lovejoy shock absorbers provided support and the engines now used steel-backed main bearings for the first time.
Vehicle Facts
- Buick produced 37 cars during its first year of production in 1904.
- Buick built its one-millionth vehicle in 1923.
- David Buick, founder of the Buick Motor Company, died March 5, 1929 at 74 years old.
- The Buick was known as the “Doctor’s Car” because of its reliability and quality. It quickly turned into a brand that mainstream consumers aspired to own and the wealthy respected.
- Buick changed its slogan from “The Great American Road Belongs to Buick” to “Buick: The New Symbol for Quality in America” in 1989.
Doug Lehmann
Doug Lehmann was a long-time supporter of Variety – the Children’s Charity and entered his first SA Variety Bash in 1991. This ignited his passion for the event which continued for 24 years. The Lehmann family had the Bash in their blood with Peter, Doug’s father entering the first Redex Bash in 1986.
During his time as an Entrant, Doug was instrumental in raising almost $500,000 which is a monumental achievement. What’s more amazing is he did it as one of 7 dwarfs, a little pig, a gentleman, a schoolboy, a boy scout, a Leyland brother to name a few. He delivered four outstanding Bash events in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, raising in excess of $5 million net during his four year tenure Bash Chairman.
Doug Lehmann’s 1929 Buick drove a total of 8558.75km on SA Variety Bash events.