1916 Buick Model D-4 Hearse

Engine: Inline, four-cylinder, liquid-cooled
Displacement: 3.6 L (220.8 ci)
Bore and Stroke: 95 x 127 mm (3.75 x 5 in)
Power: 16.8 kW (22.5 hp)
Transmission: 3-forward, 1-reverse, manual
Weight: 1451 kg (3,198.9 lb)
Capacity: 2 passengers
Original Cost: C $1540 (estimate for bare chassis); C $3212 (estimate for custom hearse body)

Like most trucks of the era, the Buick Model D-4 was sold as a chassis with cowl, hood and fenders. Buyers could have a body built to suit their needs. In addition to hearses and ambulances, delivery vans and open stake truck bodies were also popular uses for this chassis. Hearses of the time were often painted light colours, like white, cream or light grey. The body of this hearse is mostly wooden construction with carved panels to create the look of curtains and columns. The builder of this ornate wooden coachwork is not known. Inside the back of this hearse are casket rollers and floor sockets for adjusting the fit according to the size of the coffin. This hearse has a 1922 Mound City, Missouri, license plate.

David Dunbar Buick founded the Buick Auto-Vim & Power Company in Detroit, Michigan, USA in 1899 to market engines for agricultural use. The company was incorporated as the Buick Motor Company in 1903 and subsequently sold to James H. Whiting of Flint Wagon Works. Whiting moved the company to Flint, Michigan, with the intent of adding Buick's engines to his wagons. The first Buick automobile made for sale was the Model B in 1904; there were 37 Buicks built that year.

A plate riveted to the left side of the dash reads, "In correspondence, always refer to this car as a Model D4."

Chronology:
1903 - David D. Buick incorporates the Buick Auto-Vim & Power Company as the Buick Motor Company.
1904 - James H. Whiting purchases the company and moves it to Flint, Michigan; later that year, the first production Buick automobile is built.
1916 - This Model D-4 hearse is built.
1922 - This Model D-4 hearse is licensed in Mound City, Missouri, USA.
1978 - Stan Reynolds acquires this Model D-4 hearse from its previous owner.
1984 - This Model D-4 is added to the Reynolds-Alberta Museum Collection.