Automotive/ICE brands • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
Buick history under General Motors. Origin: USA. Status: Active. Founded in 1899 by David Dunbar Buick, Buick is the oldest active American automotive marque and a founding pillar of General Motors, known for premium vehicles, overhead valve engines, and a strong presence in NASCAR and international markets.
Chronological Storyline (21 Milestones)
1899 CE
Buick Auto-Vim and Power Company founded
Scottish-born David Dunbar Buick founded the Buick Auto-Vim and Power Company in Detroit, initially producing internal combustion engines for agricultural and marine use before pivoting to automobiles. #USA #Independent #OverheadValveEngine Source — Wikipedia:
David Dunbar Buick's portrait. By Unknown, possibly J. W. Hughes - Mitchell, James J. (1891) Detroit in History and Commerce: A Careful Compilation of the History, Mercantile and Manufacturing Interests of Detroit, Detroit: Rogers & Thorpe, p. 79 OCLC: 20905032., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5562438
May 19, 1903 CE
Buick Motor Company incorporated
The Buick Motor Company was officially incorporated in Detroit by David Dunbar Buick, backed by Benjamin Briscoe Jr., marking the formal beginning of the automotive marque. #USA #Independent #OverheadValveEngine Source — Wikipedia:
Springfield Motors Buick (Springfield, Oregon) By Visitor7 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17111690
Jul 1, 1904 CE
First Buick automobile produced
The Buick Model B, the first production Buick, was completed in Flint, Michigan, featuring the revolutionary overhead valve engine designed by Eugene Richard. #USA #Independent #OverheadValveEngine Source — Wikipedia:
1911 Buick Model 14 serial # 3252,currently undergoing restoration. Owned by Joe Kieliszek, Walton Hills, OH. By Joe Kieliszek - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5783861
Sep 11, 1904 CE
William C. Durant takes over Buick
William C. Durant gained control of the struggling Buick Motor Company, using it as the foundation to build a massive automotive empire by rapidly increasing production and sales. #USA #GeneralMotors #OverheadValveEngine Source — Wikipedia:
Portrait of William Crapo Durant, founder of American automobile manufacturer General Motors, circa 1916 By Unknown photographer - Wood, E. O. (Ed.). (1916). History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions, (Vol. 2). p. 32. Via Google Books, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12742750
Sep 16, 1908 CE
General Motors founded on Buick success
William C. Durant founded General Motors in Flint, Michigan, with Buick as its core division, leveraging Buick's immense profitability to acquire other brands like Oldsmobile and Cadillac. #USA #GeneralMotors #OverheadValveEngine Source — Wikipedia:
The Completed Hudson’s Detroit in January 2026 By TheWxResearcher - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=181055237
1936 CE
Buick introduces the Century model
Buick launched the Century, combining the smaller Series 40 body with the larger Series 60 engine, creating a high-performance vehicle that earned the nickname 'banker's hot rod.' #USA #GeneralMotors #V8Engine Source — Wikipedia:
1997-2002 Buick Century photographed in Washington, D.C., USA. By IFCAR - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19335627
1948 CE
Dynaflow automatic transmission debuts
Buick introduced the Dynaflow, the first passenger car torque converter-type automatic transmission, initially offered on the Roadmaster, setting a new standard for smooth shifting. #USA #GeneralMotors #AutomaticTransmission Source — Wikipedia:
"Come Look at All Three with Dynaflow Drive. " By Unknown author - Buick advertisement in the Jefferson City Post-Trubune, Oct. 11, 1949, pg. 4., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=113745044
1953 CE
Nailhead V8 engine and Skylark introduced
Buick celebrated its 50th anniversary by introducing the Skylark convertible and the new 'Nailhead' V8 engine, which featured a vertical valve design for compact packaging and high torque. #USA #GeneralMotors #V8Engine Source — Wikipedia:
1961 CE
Aluminum V8 engine debuts in Skylark
Buick introduced an all-aluminum 215 cubic inch V8 engine in the compact Special and Skylark models, a groundbreaking lightweight design later sold to Rover and widely used in British cars. #USA #GeneralMotors #V8Engine Source — Wikipedia:
The 401ci Nailhead V8 engine in a 1964 Buick Wildcat. "Wildcat 445" is the name of this engine, with "445" referring to the engine's torque (in foot-pounds). By Mr.choppers - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=79707253
1962 CE
Wildcat and Riviera concept debut
Buick introduced the Riviera as a personal luxury car concept, which entered production in 1963 to compete with the Ford Thunderbird, featuring a powerful V8 and elegant Bill Mitchell styling. #USA #GeneralMotors #V8Engine Source — Wikipedia:
BUICK RIVIERA IN HOLLYWOOD VINTAGE CARS - (BLACK CALIFORNIA LICENSE PLATE) BUICK By PATRICE RAUNET - RAUNET HOLLYWOOD, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2774802
1970 CE
GSX stage one muscle car launched
Buick entered the muscle car wars with the GSX, powered by a 455 cubic inch V8 producing massive torque, making it one of the fastest and most potent American muscle cars of the era. #USA #GeneralMotors #V8Engine #NASCAR Source — Wikipedia:
Buick GS By Unknown author - Here, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=122435014
1976 CE
Turbocharged V6 engine introduced
Buick introduced a turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine in the Regal, responding to the fuel crisis by offering V8-like performance with better efficiency, paving the way for future performance models. #USA #GeneralMotors #Turbocharged #V6Engine Source — Wikipedia:
Picture of a Buick 3800 V6 Series I (L27) Engine in a 1995 Buick Regal. Picture taken by myself of car that I own and released under the Creative Commons License. By The original uploader was Xearis at English Wikipedia. - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Liftarn using CommonsHelper., CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12316644
1982 CE
Grand National dominates NASCAR
Buick's turbocharged Regal dominated the NASCAR Winston Cup Grand National series, winning 22 races and the manufacturer's championship, driven by legends like Darrell Waltrip and Bobby Allison. #USA #GeneralMotors #Turbocharged #NASCAR Source — Wikipedia:
1984 CE
Regal Grand National performance peak
The Buick Regal Grand National became a performance icon, with its turbocharged V6 making it one of the fastest production cars in America, capable of out-accelerating contemporary Ferraris. #USA #GeneralMotors #Turbocharged #NASCAR Source — Wikipedia:
1987 CE
GNX supercar released
Buick partnered with McLaren Performance Technologies to create the GNX, a limited-production supercar with a turbocharged V6 producing 276 horsepower, becoming the ultimate expression of Buick performance. #USA #GeneralMotors #Turbocharged #V6Engine #NASCAR Source — Wikipedia:
2020 Buick Regal Sportback (United States) front view By AJM STUDIOS - https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajmstudios/50132719687/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=107996735
1999 CE
Buick enters Chinese market
General Motors established a joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, launching Buick in China where it quickly became a dominant and prestigious brand, eventually surpassing US sales volumes. #USA #GeneralMotors #InternationalExpansion Source — Wikipedia:
Logo of SAIC-GM, joint venture WITH SAIC Motor and General Motors By Unknown - Here, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=122639804
2008 CE
Enclave launches crossover success
Buick introduced the Enclave crossover SUV, which became a massive sales success and helped redefine the brand for a new generation, moving away from traditional large sedans toward premium crossovers. #USA #GeneralMotors #CrossoverSUV Source — Wikipedia:
A 2022 Buick Enclave facelift photographed in Manhasset, New York, USA By Kevauto - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=120091038
2012 CE
Verano compact sedan introduced
Buick expanded its lineup with the Verano, a compact premium sedan based on the Chevrolet Cruze platform, aimed at attracting younger buyers to the brand with accessible luxury and turbocharged options. #USA #GeneralMotors #Turbocharged Source — Wikipedia:
2017 CE
Avenir sub-brand launched
Buick launched the Avenir sub-brand as its premium luxury tier, similar to GMC's Denali, offering upgraded interiors, advanced technology, and distinctive styling on models like the Enclave and LaCrosse. #USA #GeneralMotors #LuxuryVehicle Source — Wikipedia:
Buick Avenir concept By Yahya S. from Livonia, United States - Buick Avenir concept, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=114857113
2020 CE
Buick discontinues sedan lineup in US
Buick ended production of its last traditional sedan, the LaCrosse, in the North American market, fully transitioning to a crossover-only brand in the US with the Encore, Envision, and Enclave. #USA #GeneralMotors #CrossoverSUV Source — Wikipedia:
2010 Buick LaCrosse CXL photographed in Woodbridge, Virginia, USA. By IFCAR - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7757797
2024 CE
Transition to electric and ICE crossovers
Buick began introducing its Electra E-series electric crossovers in China while maintaining ICE-powered Encore and Envision models in the US, balancing the transition toward electrification with traditional powertrains. #USA #GeneralMotors #ElectricVehicle #CrossoverSUV Source — Wikipedia:
1967 Buick Electra 225 Custom 4-door hardtop photographed in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Finished in Arctic White. By MercurySable99 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=149382649
