Buick | Chrysler | Dodge
Formed as the Buick Auto-Vim and Power Company in 1899 as an independent internal combustion engine and motor-car manufacturer. Buick holds the distinction of being the oldest active American marque of automobile, and was a cornerstone of the establishment of General Motors in 1908.
The first Buick was the 1904 Model B, followed by the 1909 Model F. Buick’s early success is attributed in part to the valve-in-head, or overhead valve (OHV), engine. In 1911, the company introduced its first closed-body car, four years ahead of Ford. In 1939 Buick also pioneered the use of turn signals, which did not appear on other car brands until almost a decade later.
Famous models of the 1940’s-50s were the Buick Skylark, Roadmaster, Special and Century. And Electra, Le Sabre, Invicta and Riviera of the 1960’s-70s. Buick won the first-ever race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The 1958 Buick marketed in late 1957, just as the space age began with Sputnik I, was nicknamed “the king of chrome” and had rear tailfins reminiscent of a rocket ship. The 1959, Buick Electra had the aerodynamic Delta Fin. Other design features included the Sweepspear (1940s -70’s) and Ventiports (1949-date).
Chrysler is an American automobile manufacturer founded in 1925 and now owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Chrysler is the smallest of the “Big Three” American automobile manufacturers. It sells vehicles worldwide under its flagship Chrysler brand, as well as the Dodge, Jeep and Ram. Discontinued brands are Eagle, De Soto and Plymouth.
Famous models include the Chrysler Imperial (1926-1993), Le Baron (1977-95), New Yorker (1939-96), Town & Country (1941-88) and Royal (1937-1950).
Dodge is an American brand of cars, minivans, and sport utility vehicles established in 1900 and now owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
Dodge is well-known today for being a player in the muscle car market of the late 1960s and early 1970s with the Dodge Challenger and the Dodge Charger (the ‘Genera Lee’ driven by the Dukes of Hazard).
Later successful models are the Dodge Daytona, Viper sports roadster, the Ram pickup and the Caravan.