Chassis No. 2718844
Engine No. 2878284

According to an Automotive Research Services report conducted by the late Terry Dunham, this rare 1934 Fifty-Six S Sport Coupe with rumble seat was produced in Buick's Flint, Michigan plant. The model itself was rare—just 1,192 for the year—accounting for just 1.6 percent of Buick production. Yet, this example is even rarer as one of 541 for the U.S. specified from new with dual side-mounted spares. The report shows that the inline eight-cylinder engine fitted is within range for the model year.

Perhaps even more impressive than the rarity of the model is the high quality of the restoration and the story of those behind it. Charles Bidwell had his first ride in a 1934 Buick Fifty-Six S Sport Coupe when he was just a few days old on his way home from the hospital. This early interaction with his family's stylish choice of automobile created a lifelong passion for the Buick brand and, later in life, ignited a quest to acquire an identical 1934 Fifty-Six S Sport Coupe to restore. Once found, Odyssey Restorations of Spring Lake Park, Minnesota was tasked with the restoration of this very complete example. Over the course of 18 months, 4,500 hours went into the restoration—one that became a firm favorite of those at Odyssey. Once finished, the stunning coupe hit the show circuit, capturing nearly every important award for a vehicle of its type and era including the AACA Senior Grand National First Prize and James Melton award, CCCA Museum Trustees award, and most importantly, the Buick Club of America's Gold Award and twice the Guy Bennett Award for Best of Show. Furthermore, in 2003 this special Buick took home the inaugural Spirit of Buick award, a Bulgari trophy handed out by Nicola Bulgari himself!

Since entering the Academy of Art University Collection in 2010, the car was displayed at the Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance in 2014. Nearly 20 years and some 1,800 miles have passed since the restoration, yet to this day, it remains a stunning demonstration of restorative talents with the paintwork remaining superb according to a Broad Arrow Specialist during cataloging. Surely, this must be one of the finest, if not the finest, Fifty-Six S Sport Coupes remaining. It is offered with vintage photography and Terry Dunham's all-important Automotive Research Services Report.