It was not just BUICK! "We're going down to The Buick," people in Flint would say. It was a widely used colloquial expression, no doubt perpetuated because people looked upon building Buicks as something special. And it was----and is! In the history of the American Automobile industry, there is no more dramatic and significant a chapter than the Buick's. A plumbing inventor, David Dunbar Buick, founded the company. A carriage manufacturer, William C. Durant, promoted it. Later a red-headed former spark plug executive, Harlow Curtice, saved it. A coachbuilder by trade, Harley J. Earl, became the 1st top executive ever appointed in Design of a major corporation, General Motors, in American History! And there have been so many more. The Buick is a story of people. In 1908 Buick was the #1 producer of automobiles in the US. That year it provided the base for what would become the world's largest industrial corporation--General Motors. For 2013, "BUICK" is our featured car! This portion of the event is being hosted by "Free Spirit" Chapter, Charter Chapter Buick Club of America. The "Free Spirit" Chapter was conceived in August of 1977 at Das Awkscht Fescht (August Festival) in Macungie, Pennsylvania. DAF, a three-day show, is one of the largest annual car shows in the country. To my amazement on the last day (Sunday) of the show when the field is laid out and divided for different car clubs, there were no Buicks represented! Three friends kicked around the idea of forming a local Buick car club. Constant communication followed amongst the three, leading to a meeting on September 6, 1977. This Chapter's first meeting was held on that sixth day of September at the Americus Hotel in center city Allentown. The cost of the meeting room was twenty-five dollars. The Chapter's name became to be called the "Free Spirit". A newsletter was conceived and designed. It was also decided that the Chapter's meeting would be held on the first Tuesday of every month. The "Free Spirit" Chapter of Pa was born.

However, as the word spread about our newly formed Buick Chapter it soon became apparent that the Chapter was formed without filing all of the appropriate paperwork with the Buick Club of America. We did get our hands slapped for that lapse of proper protocol. However, in spite of this oversight, we were forgiven and our Chapter's Charter was approved. We were "born-again" and now an officially sanctioned Chapter of the BCA known as the "Free Spirit" Chapter of Pa, a chartered chapter of the Buick Club of America. And, here we are thirty-five years later. We have come a long way achieving even what some older chapters have yet to do: Regional shows every other year, national BCA shows, Spring and Fall Tours, summer picnics, and annual Christmas parties. We have been very fortunate to have had the members we did; for without them we would have stagnated. No one member deserves the credit for this Chapter's success and accomplishments. All contributed in their own way to the common good of the "Free Spirit" Chapter. Of course as in any similar non-profit organization some may contribute more than others; but, all have given of themselves in varying degrees at different times. And we are blessed for their participation. Now you know our past as well as our present. Ponder what you read and see here to give some thought to become part of this proud Chapter's future?

On behalf of the Founding Fathers and the current members, the "Free Spirit" Chapter welcomes you to our website, www.buickfreespirit.org., our club, our many activities, and hopefully our membership. While the show will be celebrating its' 50th Anniversary, the "Free Spirit" will be celebrating BUICK'S 110th Anniversary! Please stop by the main feature tent to say, "HELLO!"

(provided by)

Sally Getz

Director, "Free Spirit" chapter