Remembering the Buicks of 1940
It was in 1940 that GM celebrated its 25 millionth car. Some of the most impressive cars of this year were the Buicks. They were stylish with beautiful ornamentation.
There were six Buick series all together, each having its own set of unique features and model types. The 1940 Buicks had much fuller grilles with heavy horizontal bars. The headlights receded into the fenders. Buick models for this year were 4 x 2 engine rear-wheel drive cars with four gears (three forward and one reverse). Each Buick for 1940 came with a 90-day or 4000-mile manufacturer’s warranty. Let’s take a look at the different Buick models of 1940.
Buick Series 40 Special 8
The Buick Series 40 Special 8 was built on a 121-inch wheelbase and came in seven models. The available models, their body weights and prices were as follows: 41 Four-Door Sedan, 3660 pounds, $996 retail price; 41C Sport Phaeton, 3755 pounds, $1355 retail price; 41T Taxi, 3700 pounds, $1000 retail price; 46 Business Coupe, 3505 pounds, $895 retail price; 46C Convertible Coupe, 3665 pounds, $1077 retail price; 46S Sport Coupe, 3540 pounds, $950 retail price; 48 Two-Door Sedan, 3605 pounds, $955 retail price.
The Buick Special was released in 1936, and by 1955, it was one of Buick’s best sellers. It was an entry level full-size car that could easily be identified by its three vent ports.
The engine used on this series was a 107-horsepower straight eight-cylinder engine. The bore and stroke were 3 3/32 inches x 4 1/8 inches. It had an engine displacement of 248 cubic inches with a 6.1 compression ratio. The tires that were used measured 6.50 x 16.
The hood on the Buick Special models was two-piece and could be opened from either side. The Buick Special featured a locking gas cap door, fog lamps, a heater, and even a clock in the glove compartment door. The speedometer went up to 110 mph. It had a three-spoke steering wheel, a two-piece windshield, and knob-controlled vacuum wipers.
At the windshield was a cowl ventilator to keep the car cool on hot summer days. The gas tank could hold 17 gallons of fuel. The car also had an engine coolant capacity of 14 quarts and an oil capacity of 7 quarts to keep the engine cool and well-lubricated.
Buick Series 50 Super 8
The Buick Series 50 Super 8 was built on a 121-inch wheelbase and was offered as five different models. The available models, their body weights and prices were as follows: 51 Four-Door Sedan, 3790 pounds, $1109 retail price; 51C Sport Phaeton, 3895 pounds, $1549 retail price; 56C Convertible Coupe, 3785 pounds, $1211 retail price; 56S Sport Coupe, 3735 pounds, $1058 retail price; 59 Four-Door Wagon, 3870 pounds, $1242 retail price.
The engine used on this series was the same as that of the Series 40 with the same specifications. The tires were the same as well.
Buick Series 60 Century 8
The Buick Series 60 Century 8 was built on a 126-inch wheelbase and was available in five distinct models. The models, their overall weight and pricing were as follows: 61 Four-Door Sedan, 3935 pounds, $1210 retail price; 61C Sport Phaeton, 4050 pounds, $1620 retail price; 66 Business Coupe, 3800 pounds, $1128 retail price; 66C Convertible Coupe, 3915 pounds, $1343 retail price; 66S Sport Coupe, 3765 pounds, $1175 retail price.
The engine used on this series was a 141-horsepower straight eight-cylinder engine. Its bore and stroke were 3 7/16 inches x 4 5/16 inches. The engine displacement was 320.2 cubic inches with a 6.25 compression ratio. The tires that were used measured 7.00 x 15.
Buick Series 70 Roadmaster
The Buick Series 70 Roadmaster was built on a 126-inch wheelbase and came in five models. The models, their overall weight and pricing were as follows: 71 Four Door Sedan, 4045 pounds, $1359 retail price; 71C Sport Phaeton, 4195 pounds, $1768 retail price; 76C Convertible Coupe, 4055 pounds, $1431 retail price; 76S Sport Coupe, 3990 pounds, $1277 retail price.
The engine used on this series was the same as that of the Series 60 Century 8 with the same specifications. The tires were the same as well.
Buick limited models: Built for comfort and space
The Buick Limited series was advertised by Buick as “beyond ordinary.” It offered spaciousness and luxury that could not be matched. For the power plant, it used a Dynaflash valve-in-head straight-eight engine that was electrically balanced to create a smooth drive and ride. It had gentle coil springs for all four wheels to enhance the ride even more.
Buick Series 80 Limited
Available in six unique models, the Buick Series 80 Limited was built on a 133-inch wheelbase. It’s models and their weights and pricing were as follows: 80C Streamlined Sport Phaeton, 4540 pounds, $1952 retail price; 81 Four-Door Sedan, 4440 pounds, $1553 retail price; 81C Trunkback Sport Sedan, 4540 pounds, $1952 retail price; 81F Trunkback Formal Sedan, 4455 pounds, $1727 retail price; 87 Streamlined Four-Door Sport Sedan, 4380 pounds, $1553 retail price; 87F Streamlined Formal Sedan, 4455 pounds, $1727 retail price.
The engine used on this series was the same as that of the Series 60 Century 8 with the same specifications. The tires that were used measured 7.50 x 16.
Buick Series 90 Limited
The Limited gets even bigger in size and price with the Series 90. Offered in only three models, it was built on a 140-inch wheelbase. The models, body weights and pricing were as follows: 90 Four-Door Eight-Passenger Sedan with auxiliary seats, 4645 pounds, $2096 retail price; 90L Eight-Passenger Limousine with auxiliary seats, 4705 pounds, $2199 retail price; 91 Four-Door Sedan, 4590 pounds, $1942 retail price.
The engine used on this series was the same as that of the Series 60 Century 8 with the same specifications. The tires that were used measured 7.50 x 16.
Overall production for the 1940 Buick totaled 278,784 models. The rarest of these were models 87 and 87F, 80C, 66 and 66S, 61C, and 41T. Buick offered models for just about every size family and every need for car owners. Classic car enthusiasts today can appreciate the diversity of models available for restoration and automotive fun.
