Looking through the Gooding Company Scottsdale catalog site is like flipping through the car cards that titilated our dreams when we were kids. The images may have been small but they became big in our imaginations. The selection of rare and beautiful automobiles shown in this catalog justifies Gooding's move into Scottsdale Fashion Square last year, an event I was privileged to attend. As is my habit, I've chosen to highlight one of the more accessible offerings, a 1934 Buick Model 91 Club Sedan, award-winner at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours. "Accessible" for me means an estimated sale price of $185,000 to $225,000; a lot of money for most folks but a great deal less than the million-plus that highlights major auctions. Think of the money you'll be saving: the restoration alone cost nearly $400,000!
My affection for this particular car goes back to late-teen years at the Balmy Beach Canoe Club when one of our paddlers drove a much-used 1934 Buick Club Sedan. I knew little about cars at the time but was captivated by its styling and luxurious finish, to the extent that I've forgotten the owner but still remember the car. That auto engendered a respect for the Buick marque that remains to this day (though I'd be happier if Buick got out of the crossover game and stuck to sedans). Gooding assures us that the car is "impressively clean and authentic underneath where the 344 cubic-inch straight-eight is finished in correct Buick Green." Thank goodness for that! You'll need to join to view