David Dunbar Buick (17 Sep 1854 – 5 Mar 1929) was a Scottish-born inventor producing many innovations including a lawn sprinkler, and a method for permanently coating cast iron with white vitreous enamel still in use today. During the 1890s, Buick developed an interest in internal combustion engines and set up a new company, the Buick Auto-Vim and Power Company. Buick soon turned to the development of a complete car, rather than just an engine.
In early-1902, he established the Buick Manufacturing Company with the objectives of marketing engines to other car companies, and manufacturing and selling its own cars. Manufacturing and development problems ensued, and at the end of 1902 Buick was out of money with only one car to show for his work. Buick was forced to loan money from a friend and fellow car enthusiast, Benjamin Briscoe. With this financial help, Buick formed the Buick Motor Company.
In 1906, David Buick accepted a severance package and left the company that he had founded, and sold his share of the company to then president of Buick, William C. Durant, for $100,000 (equivalent to $3,000,000 in 2021) making him a wealthy man. Buick died aged 74 nearly broke 25 years later. Durant later founded General Motors.
The Buick Motor Company became the cornerstone of the General Motors empire.
Buick car restorations performed by Finch Restorations in recent times are provided below.
