Today I received a well proportioned 1:43 Ford, a 1934 2 door convertible by Auto Buff. It needs a little work before I show it here on the forum. But here's my question: Who, where, and when was Auto Buff? The underside of the model has "AUTO BUFF / 1934 FORD."
Randall Olson in FORD IN MINIATURES mentions Auto Buff as a U.S. firm of the late 1970's- early 80's, specialized in Fords of our scale, 1930's and 1940's. Jerry Rettig in his fine AMERICAN WHEELS lists Auto Buff as an American builder of kits and finished models, and he also lists the 1934 Ford as being TU and TD (top up and down), being Auto Buff #20 & 21. Mine is a TD, in box #21 top up. On the web, a seller offered a later Ford model and added, "Auto Buff went out of business after they made a 1953 Ford light van in Coca Cola colors and got sued." The writer did not specify the source of his information.
That, gentlemen, is what I have found. I have started the correction of several years of inattention to this nice little Ford, with the intentions of posting it here soon. Can anyone further identify the maker? David H
As I find information on old brands, I try to add it to https://www.hobbydb.com/marketplaces/hobbydb/subjects/auto-buff-brand , but I do not know much about them.
@karl Thanks, Karl. One of the sites I checked was your fine Hobbydb. Your very first Auto Buff picture gave me some good information. It was a top up '34 Ford, obviously the companion to mine. And, like mine, your pictured model has narrow white walls on the tires. I was thinking of changing these on mine, but not I'm not sure. Your good picture (and I like the green color, too) show that Auto Buff probably used these narrow whites.
Good pictures, Albert. I have a similar '40 convertible on order. Your last photo is the coupe version of my '34 convertible. Of particular note for me is yours also has the smaller ringed white walls, as does mine. I like these Auto Buff models and will keep an eye out for more. Thanks. David
The owner of Auto Buff, B. S. ‘Mac’ McReynolds, is detailed in hobbyDB (press 'more'), and I added a better description (and Albert's photos) !!!
Many thanks, Karl. You have found more material on B. S. ‘Mac’ McReynolds than I have ever seen before. Well done!









