Description
Author: Professor Francois Therou, Hardbound, 310 Pages, ISBN: 9780912346007 - First Edition, 1971 - ** Very rare book in excellent condition ! - Some damage to the dust jacket -
AUTHOR'S PREFACE
Obscure history and memory record that Buick was one of the most numerous and popular marques of the "Brass Era." If this be the case, it would seem a curious fact that public records concerning the early Buick Motor Company's efforts are so scarce. This is, in part, explained by Buick's failure to advertise in the publications of the day and the withholding of gratis coverage by these magazines.
Too, in the early days of automotive advertising, actions seemed to be much more effective in selling automobiles than eloquent descriptions of their merits. Thus it was that Buick invested heavily in racing teams to publicize their product. A most successful venture, Buick won upwards of 90% of contests entered, racing everything from their two cylinder "Model F" to the sleek, powerful, "Model 16."
Whatever the other contributing factors to the lack of Buick documentation may be, Buick historians and hobbiests are, in the main, frustrated in attempts to find the complete information they seek. It was for a solution to this universal problem of Buick enthusiasts that the Therou Buick Literature Collection was formed. And, to this end, "BUICK, THE GOLDEN ERA" was conceived as an expedient method to dissemenate the wealth of information so badly needed for the authentic documentation and restoration by enthusiasts. Every sales catalog from 1904 through 1915 is depicted, plus owners manuals from the three major brass era models.
Finally, selected excerpts of major components from parts manuals are shown to give a complete picture of the model being studied. To insure authenticity only original Buick Motor Company published material was reproduced, exactly as printed by the factory. Here then, at last, is the vital document for the early Buick enthusiasts of the world, "BUICK, THE GOLDEN ERA."
Born in Central Alberta, Canada, Mr. Therou's interest in Buick was first aroused as a child on his grandfather's farm near Laugheed. Many of his earliest automotive memories center around riding in and dreaming of restoring the family McLaughlin Buick.
Studying in North Dakota, California and Paris, France, relegated further automotive pursuits to the back seat. But, with academic endeavors completed and a career in Education well under way in Southern California, Professor Therou once more returned to an old friend — Buick.
Having owned three of the major "Brass Era" Buicks, he knows well the justifiable pride of ownership that all enthusiasts share in these marvelous machines. The current project is the restoration of a 1909 two cylinder "Model F." His pride and joy is of course the "Jouvin-Desrosiers Buick" pictured on the cover, and here with the author.
