Car McLaughlin Buick 22/45 Special Touring 1922 for sale

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To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' The Hershey Auction event, 7 - 8 October 2026.
Offered Without Reserve | $15,000 - $25,000 USD

A highly capable and attractive early 1920s touring car
A compelling combination of solid Buick engineering and elevated McLaughlin craftsmanship
Well-presented older restoration in a vibrant color scheme
A historically significant example from a fascinating chapter in North American automotive history
Ideal for touring and showing

Established in 1877 by Robert McLaughlin, the McLaughlin Carriage Company of Oshawa, Ontario, quickly established a reputation for fine coachwork craftsmanship and grew to become the largest carriage manufacturer in the British Empire. On the advice of McLaughlin’s two sons, Sam and George, the company wisely expanded into the growing field of automobile manufacturing, forming the McLaughlin Motor Car Company in 1907.

At first, the company intended to design and build its own unique automobile, but the American engineer who led the project fell ill. Fortunately, the McLaughlin family had developed a relationship with William Durant, then Head of Buick and the pioneering businessman who would subsequently form General Motors. The two parties signed a 15-year deal to put Buick drivetrains in McLaughlin-built automobiles, with the first 154 cars rolling out of McLaughlin’s Oshawa factory in 1908. Following the 1916 reorganization of General Motors, in the wake of a saga that saw Durant lose and regain control of the company, Sam McLaughlin was appointed a Director and Vice President. This advantageous position eventually resulted in the merger of McLaughlin and Chevrolet Canada into General Motors of Canada in 1918. From this point, the manufacturing output of the firm included mainly Chevrolet and Buick products, with the latter maintaining the McLaughlin-Buick name until 1942. Remarkably, Sam McLaughlin remained Chairman of the board for GM of Canada until his death at the age of 100 in 1972.

The 1922 McLaughlin-Buick 22/45 Special Touring is a showcase of what made these cars so special, as they deftly meld Buick engineering with McLaughlin craftsmanship that helped distinguish the Canadian-built cars from many of their contemporaries, including their American counterparts. Its overhead-valve Buick six-cylinder engine produced 45 horsepower and was paired with a three-speed manual transmission.

According to history compiled by a previous owner, this example is said to have been purchased by two brothers who had intended to start a transportation enterprise in Ontario that never got off the ground. It was reportedly stored on a family homestead until being sold to a father and son in Sarnia in the late sixties or early seventies. The car was eventually restored and today presents in attractive driver condition, with a bold color combination highlighted by the large red disc wheels shod in whitewall tires. With its canvas top for all-weather protection and period details, it is an excellent candidate for showing and touring.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/hf26/.