1928 BUICK Standard Six Model 20 Collector Two-Door Fully Restored Award Winner
Vehicle Description
This 1928 Buick 28-20 Standard sedan was restored to original condition by Mr. Harry Lambert, a birth year motivated General Motors engineer born in 1928. Harry’s frame-off restoration won 3rd place at the Buick Nationals in 1983 and was the cover story for the April 1984 national publication. It was stowed in Mr. Lambert’s heated low humidity garage for decades. On his passing, the seller acquired a rust-free non-running Buick with failed paint. The seller restored this vintage pre-war vehicle to show condition. It remains OEM Parkway Green with high gloss black fenders and molding with attractive vermillion stripes. Buick specified upholstery is green-grey mohair cushions with side and headliner in green-gray cotton. OEM flooring is velvet pile carpet. Instrument board and window color harmonizes with trim. Included are the right rear smoking set, carpeted rear footrest with rubber mats in front per original.
The radiator was show finished by John Wright’s Custom Chrome Plating in 2024. The 1928 model year is the first use of Buick chrome. Power comes from a restored 63 HP OHV inline six with 207.1 CI displacement, paired with a non-synchro three speed manual. A reliable multiple disc five dry plate high carbon steel clutch engages each gear. Equipment includes four-wheel mechanical brakes, artillery solid oak wheels, correct size Firestone wide white tires with a matching rear spare, cowl lamps, and adjustable window shades. Hagerty insured value is $23,000 with a clean Ohio title in the seller’s name.
Buick built 32,481 Standards in 1928 but few remain. This five-passenger two door sedan is the Model 20. The included publication, Buick Special Features and Detailed Specifications, notes Artillery 12 wood spoke wheels with steel felloe on 6.25 x21 inch tires. The four-wheel mechanical external contracting brakes provide reliable stops and are paired with a robust rear pair of internal parking brakes. An attractive solid walnut 17.5-inch steering wheel is mounted on polished aluminum spiders. The lighted dashboard includes working amps, oil speedometer and odometer showing miles since restoration. The fuel and temperature gauges are not connected.
The engine is cooled by a 460 square inch Harrison radiator with copper passages and fins with the correct honeycomb pattern. A four blade 17-inch fan is driven by a 2-inch flat leather belt. The Marvel T-3 updraft carburetor is restored with a reliable neoprene needle and plastic float replacing an obsolete sinking cork. A convenient under-dash ball valve enables a required fuel cutoff at routine shut down. Antique automobiles required fuel preheat so steel plugs are installed to enable modern volatile fuel with OEM appearance. The fuel vacuum tank feeding the Marvel is fully restored eliminating over-pressurization typical of aftermarket electric pumps. The updraft carb breathes through the original centrifugal force air cleaner.
Wood floors and wood structures in the doors and roof are replaced with new solid oak parts using original templates obtained by the engineer. There is no soft wood. A complete set of tools including the hand crank starter, brass air pump and jack are stowed in the floor compartment. Extra parts include new Champion W16Y spark plugs, uncut interior fabrics, and a spare water pump impeller. This car won the six-foot trophy and a First Place Award from the Buick Heritage Alliance at the 41st Arthritis Foundation Charity Auto Show in Ohio. This car won a Senior Gold Medal at the Buick Nationals held in Cleveland, scoring 396 out of 400 possible points. Trophies, a BCA LED illuminated logo and many spare parts are included with this auction.
Extensive documents include a photo album showing complete restoration, Restorer journal of each step starting with purchase on 9/11/1979 to show on 7/23/1983. Original, not reproduced 1928 Reference Book, Fisher Body Service Manual, Supplement to the 1927 Buick Shop Manual, 1927 Buick Shop Manual all models, 1928 Buick Special Features and Detailed Specifications, Buick Bugle cover story Volume 18(12) April 1984, Carburetion in Relation to Service, How to Overhaul a Marvel Carbureter [sic] Flint Michigan, Gold Medal scoresheet, and about a thousand pages of paper documents in hanging folder files arranged by year, and hundreds of digital photos and instructions on a USB memory stick.
Known issues include windshield wipers not working, drip from rear of transmission, key to steering lock missing, aftermarket 6V coil, driver side door lock not working, fuel and temperature gauges not currently working. Easy delivery anywhere USA arranged through BAT, deadline is July 14https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1928-buick-standard-six-model-20/
