A Passion For Classics: My Life With Buicks
Updated: Feb. 18, 2020
The moment he laid eyes on a Buick his father bought in the late 1940s, Keith Horsfall has never wanted another car.
A Brief History of Buicks
The moment he laid eyes on a Buick his father bought in the late 1940s, Keith Horsfall of Alliston, Ontario, has never wanted another car. Today, as members of the McLaughlin Buick Club of Canada, Keith and his wife, Wendy, continue to pursue their passion for these classics.
The Parkwood Estate (above) in Oshawa, Ontario, was the home of Col. Sam McLaughlin, who established the McLaughlin Motor Car Company in 1907. The McLaughlin-Buick, designed and built in Canada, went into production in 1908, using an engine supplied by the U.S. Buick firm. In 1918, the company became General Motors of Canada.
Don’t miss this impressive 1930 Cadillac club sedan restoration.
Vintage Buicks
Here are just a few of the vintage Buicks belonging to members of the McLaughlin Buick Club of Canada. Keith snapped this photo during a 2010 club tour. The club holds annual “homecoming” events, usually in southern Ontario, and tours extensively.
Here’s advice on how to organize your own classic car cruise.
1929 McLaughlin
This gorgeous 1929 McLaughlin is owned by David Johnston of Comox, British Columbia. Like Keith, David is a member of the McLaughlin Buick Club of Canada. The club held its first meeting at the Canadian Automotive Museum in September 1971. It now has approximately 200 active members!
You won’t believe the before-and-after shots of this 1952 Studebaker truck restoration.
1965 Riveria
Keith customized this 1965 Riveria by removing the door handles, moving the antenna, changing the interior front seats, building a new instrument panel with electronic gauges, and installing a new sound system. Nice paint job, too!
Find out why this impressive Model T Ford restoration took 40 years to complete.
1932 McLaughlin
Keith’s friend Stan Munro of Edson, Alberta, restored this 1932 McLaughlin that was owned by his father. Keith and his wife paid Stan a visit back in 2005, while touring western Canada.
Check out 10 of the best cross-Canada road trips.
1912 McLaughlin Touring Car
Check out this 1912 McLaughlin touring car on display at the Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin, Alberta. The museum traces the technological change in transportation, aviation, agriculture and industry from the 1890s to the present. It’s named after Mr. Stan Reynolds, a Wetaskiwin businessman who donated a core collection of 1,500 artifacts to the province of Alberta.
Consider yourself a classic car expert? Test your knowledge with our vintage cars quiz.
