1942 Buick Other

Sedan

Straight 8

Manual

Clear

Gasoline

On February 2nd 1944, Mr. Harold B. Herstedt was allotted $1500 to purchase this 1942 Buick advertised here by CarsandDogs1970. He was authorized $1500 by the Office of War and Rationing Board. As a Military Engineer stationed at Moffitt Field Aeronautics Lab, Mr. Herstedt was granted this $1500 voucher by Robert S. Ash, Chairman of War Price & Rationing, BD. 83.1.5. On February 11th, 1944, Mr. Herstedt placed his order for the Buick at Howard Automobile Company in Oakland, California. He added a heater and radio options for a grand total of $1849.29 at the time the order was placed. Mr. Herstedt also traded in a 1940 Oldsmobile convertible of which the value was to be determined at time of delivery. These details are verifiable by documents and photos that have been compiled over his 70 years of ownership. In March, Mr. Herstedt was notified his Buick was ready for delivery. This was war time and as the story goes, Mr. H was concerned that his vehicle would not be released. He grabbed his two official documents and two Military Policemen and in their uniforms headed over to the Howard Automobile Company in his hometown of Oakland, California. On this day, there would be no complications in receiving the vehicle he ordered. This part of the story has been corroborated by family members over 5 decades. A year into ownership of Buick, Mr. H removed the dual carburetors and intake in favor of a single carburetor. The original dual carburetor set up has been preserved tightly wrapped in plastic for nearly 7 decades. Mr. H did not like the "spurting" of the dual carburetor set up. The vehicle was serviced at Seibert Buick & International Trucks thru 1951 being the earliest records in our possession. In 1953 Mr. H switched to Carl Simpson Buick which was also in Mountain View, California minutes from Moffitt Field. The buick was serviced there thru 1970. There are more records that can delve into the history of this vehicle. In 1985 by chance Mr. Russell Chatman and Mr H. crossed paths as Mr. H was having trouble with the Buick and Mr. Chatman pulled over to assist in his 1938 Olds. Mr. Chatman was 27 years old at the time and agreed to take over service of the Buick. Mr. Chatman maintained the Buick and became a son to Mr. H. In 1994, Mr. H gifted the Buick to Russell as he had retired from driving. Russell kept the '42 in Harold's garage and used it as a reason to keep in constant touch. At the time of Mr. H's passing, it was willed to Russell and has been with him ever since. Russell has not been driving the '42 and in honor of Harold's wishes, Russell wants to give someone a chance who will drive it. It's a 3 speed on the column, with manual brakes. The straight 8 runs well and everything works from the radio to the light in the glove box. It's obvious that this vehicle has been cherished and lightly touched. In 1970 the service records show 36,000 miles on the odometer. We believe that the 60,000 miles showing is original. There is plenty of history to go along with this great machine and please feel free to ask any questions. The charm is undeniable and you better be ready to take some pictures with all the passerbys. There has been body work on the passenger front fender and touch up here and there. It is what it is and it is here for you. If it's exactly what you have been looking for, feel free to drop us a line. If you would like an inspection performed, we live close by Fantasy Junction Classic Car Specialists. Thank you for your time and all our best.