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Probably the most 'special' about this 1956 Buick Special is the personal story behind it. For most of its history as a full-size car, beginning in 1936, the Special was Buick's least expensive and often the most popular model. Halfway through 1949, Buicks received their first postwar redesign. Then in 1954 a new wider, lower body on an all-new chassis and the more powerful 'Nailhead' V8 engine was introduced.
Mid-1955 brought the Buick Special and Century Riviera (along with the Oldsmobile 88 and 98 Holiday) which are four-door pillar-less hardtops, an industry first. 1956 saw another restyle, the larger 322 cubic-inch (5.3 L) V8 engine, and the addition of the Caballero four-door hardtop station wagon. Throughout this period, Buick Specials (typically two-tone) wore three trademark fender VentiPorts over a chrome 'Sweep-spear' that arched downward from above their front wheel openings to their rear wheels, then up and over their rear-wheel openings.
For the first time - in 1956 - all Buicks used the same engine: Buick's 322 cubic-inch V-8 that developed 200 horsepower and was capable of 110 miles per hour top speed.
All 1956 series cars, including the Special, now featured the rear wheelhouse cutout. The Special also featured three oval ventiports on the front fenders - a Buick styling signature. Standard special equipment included dual horns, map lights, front and rear armrests, directional signals, sliding sunshades, cigarette lighter, and glove box light.
For 1956, Buick climbed to number three in sales, with 572,024 units sold, which represented nine percent of the total market share.
This particular example is finished in Seafoam Green over Dover White.
Mid-1955 brought the Buick Special and Century Riviera (along with the Oldsmobile 88 and 98 Holiday) which are four-door pillar-less hardtops, an industry first. 1956 saw another restyle, the larger 322 cubic-inch (5.3 L) V8 engine, and the addition of the Caballero four-door hardtop station wagon. Throughout this period, Buick Specials (typically two-tone) wore three trademark fender VentiPorts over a chrome 'Sweep-spear' that arched downward from above their front wheel openings to their rear wheels, then up and over their rear-wheel openings.
For the first time - in 1956 - all Buicks used the same engine: Buick's 322 cubic-inch V-8 that developed 200 horsepower and was capable of 110 miles per hour top speed.
All 1956 series cars, including the Special, now featured the rear wheelhouse cutout. The Special also featured three oval ventiports on the front fenders - a Buick styling signature. Standard special equipment included dual horns, map lights, front and rear armrests, directional signals, sliding sunshades, cigarette lighter, and glove box light.
For 1956, Buick climbed to number three in sales, with 572,024 units sold, which represented nine percent of the total market share.
This particular example is finished in Seafoam Green over Dover White.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
1956 Buick Series 40 Special Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Buick Series 40 Special
(Data based on Model Year 1956 sales)
1956 BUICK SPECIAL RIVIERA Chassis#: 4C2048099 Sold for USD$18,150 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1956 BUICK SPECIAL RIVIERA Chassis#: 4C4026565 Sold for USD$13,200 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1956 BUICK SPECIAL RIVIERA Chassis#: 4C4033956 Sold for USD$28,600 2023 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Az. | |
1956 Buick Special Wagon Sold for USD$31,900 2022 Mecum : Las Vegas | |
1956 Buick Special Convertible Sold for USD$73,700 2021 Mecum : Chattanooga | |
1956 BUICK SPECIAL CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: 4C1020191 Sold for USD$50,600 2021 Barrett-Jackson : Houston | |
1956 Buick Special Sold for USD$68,000 2021 GAA : July 2021 | |
1956 Buick Special Estate Wagon Sold for USD$20,000 2021 GAA : April 2021 | |
1956 BUICK SPECIAL HEMI CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#: 4C8031553 Sold for USD$60,500 2020 Barrett-Jackson : Fall Auction | |
1956 Buick Special Estate Sold for USD$23,250 2020 Fall Carlisle Auction | |
1956 Buick Special Rivera Chassis#: 4C7019704 Sold for USD$33,000 2019 RM Sothebys : Hershey | |
1956 BUICK SPECIAL CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#: 4C4006877 Sold for USD$66,000 2019 Barrett-Jackson : Northeast | |
1956 BUICK SPECIAL CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: 4C6048499 Sold for USD$55,000 2019 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1956 Buick Special Sold for USD$17,600 2019 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1956 Buick Special Convertible Sold for USD$62,700 2019 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1956 Buick Special Convertible Sold for USD$46,200 2018 Mecum : Las Vegas | |
1956 BUICK SPECIAL CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: 4C6048499 Sold for USD$102,300 2018 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1956 Buick Special Convertible Sold for USD$49,000 2018 GAA : Jerry & June Smith Collection | |
1956 Buick Special 40 Series Sold for USD$8,000 2017 GAA : July | |
1956 Buick Special Sold for USD$14,800 2017 GAA : July |
Buick Series 40 Specials That Failed To Sell At Auction
1956 Buick Series 40 Special's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1956 Buick Special Custom | 4c4004315 | 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | $170,000 | $400,000 | $450,000 |
1956 Buick Special | 4C1192024 | 2021 GAA : November 2021 | $44,000 | ||
1956 Buick Special | 2021 GAA : July 2021 | $54,000 | |||
1956 Buick Special Riviera | 2020 Mecum Auctions : Kissimmee | $28,000 | |||
1956 BUICK SPECIAL | 2018 McCormick's # 65 | $19,000 | |||
1956 Buick Special Convertible | 2017 Mecum : Las Vegas | $45,000 | |||
1956 Buick 40 Special | 2017 Silver Auction Arizona in March 2017 | $22,000 | |||
1956 BUICK SPECIAL WAGON | 2017 McCormick's # 62 | $23,000 | |||
1956 Buick Special Convertible | 2016 Mecum : Kansas City | $40,000 | |||
1956 Buick Special Estate Wagon | 2016 Mecum Indianapolis | ||||
1956 BUICK SPECIAL ESTATE WAGON | 2015 Mecum Chicago | $17,500 | |||
1956 Buick Special Hardtop | 4C1132266 | 2014 Mecum : Anaheim | $17,000 | ||
1956 Buick Special Hardtop | 4C2004982 | 2014 Mecum : Anaheim | $22,000 | ||
1956 Buick Special Convertible | 2014 Auctions America Auburn Spring | $30,000 | |||
1956 Buick Special Two-Door Riviera | 2013 Auctions America Auburn Fall | $12,500 | |||
1956 Buick Special Hardtop | 2013 Mecum Auctions Monterey | $22,000 | |||
1956 Buick 48 Special Sedan 322/220 HP, 3-Speed | 2013 Mecum Dan Mecum's 26th Spring Classic | $19,000 | |||
1956 Buick 48 Special Sedan | 2013 Mecum : Indianapolis | $19,000 | |||
1956 Buick Special Resto Mod | 2013 Mecum Auctions Kissimmee, FL Auction | $48,000 | |||
1956 Buick Special | 2013 Silver Auction Ft McDowell, Arizona | $7,200 | |||
1956 Buick Special Delivery Sedan | 2012 Mecum Auctions Kansas City MO | $22,000 | |||
1956 Buick Special 2-Door | 2011 Dana Mecum's Original Spring Classic Auction 24th Year | $22,000 | |||
1956 BUICK SPECIAL TWO-DOOR HARDTOP | 4C2032015 | 2010 Worldwide Auctions The Auburn Auction | |||
1956 Buick Special | 2010 Branson Auctions Spring 2010 | $19,000 | |||
1956 Buick Special Convertible | 2009 Leake Auctions Dallas 37th Annual Leake Auto Auction Market Hall | $40,000 | |||
1956 BUICK SPECIAL | 2009 Silver Auction Hot August Nights | $23,250 | |||
1956 BUICK SPECIAL | 4C2050987 | 2009 Silver Auction Greater Salt Lake | $16,750 | ||
1956 BUICK SPECIAL | 2009 Palm Springs Exotic Car Auctions February 2009 | ||||
1956 BUICK SPECIAL | 4C4042825 | 2009 Silver Auction Arizona in January | $30,000 | ||
1956 Buick Special Series 40 Hard Top | 2008 RM Auctions Classic Car Auction of Toronto Spring | $6,400 |
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1956 Buick Series 40 Special
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