Buick · 1925–1928

Buick Master Six

The Buick Master Six (also Series 40 and Series 50 depending on wheelbase) was an automobile built by Buick from 1925 to 1928. Previously, the company manufactured the Buick Six that used the overhead valve six-cylinder 242 cu in (4.0 L) engine in their high-end cars, and the four-cylinder Buick Four for its smaller, less-expensive model. After 1924, it dropped the four-cylinder engine and designed a small six, the Buick Standard Six, to replace the Buick Four. The name "Master Six" was introduced for high-end cars sharing the GM B platform with the Oldsmobile Model 30, and were powered by the 255 cu in (4.2 L) Buick inline-6 engine released the year before. The yearly changes were a result of a new business philosophy called planned obsolescence.

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Predecessor: Buick Serie D-Six · Successor: Buick Super

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History

As GM was sharing platforms and technology within their divisions, the Master Six was related to the Oldsmobile Model 30 with shared wheelbase and engine sizes. Buick had developed a market reputation as being a conservative luxury car, while the Cadillac and the Packard Six were more flamboyant, extravagant and expensive. The last Emperor of China Puyi bought two 1924 Master Six and started the trend of being China's most popular car. To promote its durability, Buick President Harry H. Basset had a Touring Sedan driven around the world via a dealer-to-dealer network, where each location was responsible for driving the car to the next destination and having the log book signed for authenticity. 1927 saw the introduction of the Gothic Goddess hood ornament on all Buick products. The top of the radiator grille adopted a scalloped look that blended into the top of the engine cover which differed from both Oldsmobile and Cadillac sedans of the same year and was only offered from 1925 until 1928. It shared a similar appearance on all Packard products that first appeared in 1904 on the Packard Four, and the recently introduced Chrysler Imperial. Buick named their six-cylinder cars "Buick Six" from 1916 through 1924, and in 1925, divided them into Standard Six and Master Six. The Master Six used Series 121 and 129 designations in 1929 initially to denote the wheelbase dimensions, then renamed the Series 40 in 1930. All were powered by the overhead valve Buick Straight-6 engine, with multiple body styles, and starting in 1926 used the newly established GM B platform, which it shared with Oldsmobile L-Series. Coachwork continued to be offered by Fisher Body who was the primary supplier of all GM products at this time, and Duco automotive lacquer paint, introduced by DuPont was t

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