David Dunbar Buick was a brilliant engineer who made his fortune manufacturing bathtubs. His process of bonding porcelain to iron is credited for making possible the white bathtub.  Unfortunately, Buick spent his fortune (and that of others) developing a motorcar as well as one of the first patents for an overhead-valve engine. His financial backers had given up, except for William “Billy” Crapo Durant, Flint, Michigan’s leading citizen . . . and salesman. Durant’s sales ability instilled newfound confidence in the Buick motorcar and its future. By 1910 only Henry Ford sold more cars. David Buick, however, wouldn’t enjoy the continuing success of the company to bear his name. Unable to deal with the frenetic pace as it became big business, he sold his stock and departed in 1908. At the same time Durant used Buick as his base to form General Motors. By the end of 1908, and thanks to the persuasiveness of Durant, GM included Oakland and Oldsmobile along with Buick. 

Despite its handsome lines, the Series 50 Convertible Coupe was built in limited numbers. Only 506 were built for domestic sales and another 83 for export. At a cost of $1,230 new, power was supplied by Buick’s 88-h.p. 235-c.i.d. straight-eight.