Beautiful 1933 Buick Victoria Coupe....

1933, in the middle of the Great Depression, was a tough year for American industries, and the Buick motor company was no exception. Buick met this economic challenge by designing the most beautifully styled cars it had ever produced (and, in the opinion of one who loves classic car styling, 1933 was Buick’s all-time peak styling), powered exclusively by straight eight engines (prior to 1933 Buick had offered both eight and six cylinder engines). In addition to impeccable classic styling, better and more powerful engines, Buick for 1933 offered a variety of refinements such as crank out vent windows front and rear providing what they advertised as “Fisher No-Draft Ventilation”.

Of the various models Buick offered, the closed cars with the very best lines were Buick’s five passenger coupes, commonly known as Victoria Coupes. The car we are offering for sale is a Victoria Coupe of the Fifty Series, a Model 58.

This is a rare car; 1933 was Buick’s lowest production year since 1914; a grand total of only 4118 Model 58’s were produced. Who knows how many remain, but not many: you can watch ads in Hemmings Motor News for years and not see this model offered for sale.

Standard features on the Victoria Coupe include a massive and very handsome, slightly Vee-shaped grille, huge free-standing headlights flanked by twin chromed horns, fender mounted side lights, a pop-up cowl vent, five stylish and functional hood louvers on each side of the engine compartment, crank out vent windows for both the front and rear seats, beautiful streamlined tail lights, and a gracefully swept “beavertail” rear end with a built-in trunk.

Exterior “extras” on this car include twin fog lights, artillery wheels (the better looking of the two wheel styles available in 1933, and the more practical as well), dual side mounted spares complete with wheel covers, and a folding luggage rack. Its interior “extras” include a heater, radio, and clock. Other features include: cigarette lighter, pull-out art deco ash tray in the dash, two rear seat ash trays, anti-theft ignition switch/steering wheel lock, and an unusual headlight dimming system that allows the driver to dim the right hand headlamp while maintaining the left beam on high (advertised as a courtesy when passing another car!).

This car is a real head turner in its present condition, but it is not a show car. It is a driver, and I have had a lot of fun driving it. I owned this car from 1985 to 2013 and enjoyed driving it regularly. In fact, when I bought it in Oklahoma, I drove it home to Tennessee!

Problems: The car needs new upholstery on all the interior panels and also a new headliner. The seats, which were reupholstered (correctly, in mohair) in the 1960s are still quite serviceable. The car needs some rust (not extensive) removal and a re-spray. With new upholstery and a re-spray this would be a show car.

Other problems: I had the radio was restored by a reputable antique radio restoration service advertised in HMN, but I think they did not do a good job as it still only pulls in a couple of local stations. The cigarette lighter does not function properly. The windshield wipers function sporadically and I suspect they have a vacuum leak. Compression is somewhat low on one cylinder.

Additional assets: This is a low milage car, with only 59,386 miles on the odometer (actual milage believed to be under 62,000, as there was a period while the odometer was broken, during which I drove possibly 1500 - 2000 miles). The car comes with a set of four almost brand new Coker tires. Also included in the purchase price is a ton of spare parts: engine, front and rear ends, Marvel carburetor, instrument cluster, and many more parts. Purchaser of this car will also receive an original Fisher Body Service Manual, a reprint of the 1933 Buick Owners Manual, a special tool necessary for the removal of the window crank handles, and a pair of 1933 Tennessee license plates!

In the late 1970s this car was on display in the Newport Automobile Museum and valued at $17,500 - $22,500 (in 1978 dollars!). According to the NADA price guide the average retail value of this model is $19,700, with high values ranging up to $30,600. I believe the car I am offering for sale is average or better in condition and well above average in features, but I am asking only $21,500 for this car, including all the extras mentioned above. Purchaser must arrange for transportation.

UPDATE: THIS CAR HAS A NEW OWNER:

I have sold my Buick to Mr. Stan Schwenn. Stan has upgraded the mechanics of the Buick with a modern powerplant and drive train, and he replaced the old mechanical brakes with hydraulic ones. But he has kept all exterior appearances original (Stan says that from just looking at the car from outside you cannot tell it has been modified). As a result, Stan now has a beautiful, classic 33 Buick that he can drive comfortably at modern highway speeds (70 - 75 mph) and and count on stopping safely!

Although he is currently (2013) enjoying driving the Buick, Stan says he would consider selling this car so he can take on another old car project. Stan can be contacted at:

Mr. Stan Schwenn, 1105 S. Fairmount St. Davenport, IA 52802

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