The 1937 Buick 80 series Roadmaster towncar and its history

One day in 2014, while I was googling, I came across this car being advertised for sale in the USA. It was a 1937 Buick 80 series Roadmaster Towncar, custom-bodied by Franay, of Paris.The chassis and cowl had been exported to France and the bodywork completed by Franay. The advert gave the history of the car. It had been bought by one Charles d'Espinay, of the Chateau de Doumy, stored throughout the Second World War in Norway, driven regularly from 1945 to 1952 and then stored in Houvier, Normandy from 1952 to 1979. It was sold to a Mr Mike S. James of England, by the original owner's daughter, Mrs Chantal Morancon. Mr James restored the exterior and mechanical parts but not the interior. The latter was lined with brazilian rosewood and there was a decanter with cut glass goblets. The windows between the driver and passenger compartment rolled down. Talk about 'the height of luxury' ! Nancie talks about the chauffeur driving her and Mimi to various places, in this car.

In 1984 the car was sold to Coys of Kensington, the well known auction house for classic cars, racing cars and other exotic cars. Bought by Tom Crook Classic Cars of Tacoma, Washington, it was shipped to the US where it was bought by Dr Neal W. Gapoff of Albany, California. He sold it a year later to Ed Curry, of Hanna, Utah and it was inherited by Michael Curry in 2013. He was selling it in 2014 when I found the ad. How amazing to find such a detailed record of a particular vehicle that my Mother rode in over eighty years earlier! The internet is a real Treasure Trove.