My first Buick was a Black 1950 four door previously owned by Fred Miller of Scobey Montana. When I bought the car it had the original ownership documents in the glove box. Fred had died in 1973 but I found his daughter Beth Snodgrass who lives in Colorado.
When I sold Black Fred I put the poppies pictured below, from Black Fred, into the new car. The older waxed paper poppies are originals that I guess were bought by Fred Miller. I added the plastic one .
Other hints of the cars past people were a piece of Black Jack gum and a hair pin, found under the front seat.
Finding Beth was surprisingly easy. The car had the original purchase papers and all of the registrations up to 1972. I googled the name and town, and emailed a number of folk/agencies I thought may be able to help. The clincher was a minister in Scobey who has maintained contact with Beth. You could imagine Beth's surprise when I telephoned her to say I had her father's car in Australia. This was thirty years after she sold it thinking it was to be scrapped.
Fred Miller had volunteered time restoring farm equipment for the Scobey Pioneer town http://www.scobey.org/museum.html
Much of my interest in Buicks came from hearing my parents talk about my fathers 1935 Buick and my cousins 1950.
From the stories I have heard, and what my imagination has added, my father was a bit of a lad in his flash car. My grandfather said my father was a "Lair" getting around in that car, but it was obviously to my mothers liking.
After some time of hooning and swooning the car was sold for the deposit on their first home. The Buick became 42 Ewing Street Lismore NSW.
My dad, 1935 Four door, Cousin Frank and his Buick, Jimmy and Me with the two Freds, Me and Blue Fred.
I used my first Buick on a daily basis for six years. That means to work each day, and to cart things, and folk on the weekend. Fred is my Jimmy's favourite car. To this day he still prefers Fred over the new one.
During the time I owned Black Fred I bought and restored two old houses
and Fred was there helping. Removing the back seat and adding roof racks was a
quick way of getting Fred ready for work. I
drove Fred everywhere and while it was an oddity at first, I dare say our neighbourhood became accustomed to seeing
the car on the road.
At the right is a poster for a local pub. This was not a planned shot. I was coincidently rounding the corner as the photographer took the shot.
The first car had done 149,000 Miles when I bought it. I added 11,000 miles while I owned it. I had no accidents, and surprisingly few breakdowns. Great car, Great times, Thank you Fred.
After a couple of years of "four door" ownership I started looking for a two
door. This car was one I looked at for I think 13KUS
After three years of looking Blue Fred became available in Canada. I would have loved to have kept the black car, however it was not possible as I do not have a garage . The black car has gone to a collector who will restore it to it's former magnificence. One thing that is certain, Black Fred will never sport roof racks again.
The new owner and Fred. Finally a garage!