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The Buick chassis was a popular one with companies that built commercial vehicles such as ambulances, hearses and station wagons. Buick referred to its station wagon as an estate wagon. They were offered only on the 50 series chassis and designated it 'Model 59.'
Buick did not build these bodies. Instead, they were built by outside vendors such as Biehl Auto Body Works of Reading, Pennsylvania, which built this body. Only five of the 495 original built remain.
The Buick Series 50, also known as the Super, was built on a 121 inch wheelbase chassis and powered by Buick's 248 cubic-inch, inline eight that developed 107 horsepower.
The birth of the Buick Estate Wagon is fascinating and is attributed to Mrs. Bunny McLeod, the wife of Hollywood film director Norman McLeod. When asked by Buick chief Harlow Curtice why she didn't have a Buick in her garage, she responded that Buick did not build a station wagon. On the train back to Michigan, Curtice and GM design chief Harley Earl sketched what became Buick's first production station wagon. It was given the name 'Estate Wagon,' by Buick's ad man, Arthur Kudner. The prototype example was given to Mrs. McLeod in a surprise presentation at the Cocoanut Grove in Hollywood.
Beginning in mid-1940, Buick built just 495 examples of the Estate Wagon.
This particular example is thought to have been used by movie studios in California early in its life. The current caretaker acquired this vehicle around 1991 from John Sweeney of Homer City, Pennsylvania. The current owner's restoration shop spent over 5,000 hours on the vehicle. The Northern Ash and African mahogany wood body is entirely new and was strengthened with modern glues and techniques, then finished with 40 coats of clear lacquer. The engine has been rebuilt and upgraded with insert rod bearings. The car features the optional under-seat heater and under-dash defroster.
This Buick Super Estate Wagon won Best of Show against 2,000 other cars at the 2010 Charlotte AutoFair. The wagon also has garnered AACA First Junior and Senior awards, AACA Grand National and Senior Grand National badges, and the AACA National Award in 2013. In addition, the Buick Club of America recognized this outstanding restoration with its Senior and Gold Awards.
It is believed that only 12 examples of the 1940 Buick Super Estate Wagons have survived.
Buick did not build these bodies. Instead, they were built by outside vendors such as Biehl Auto Body Works of Reading, Pennsylvania, which built this body. Only five of the 495 original built remain.
The Buick Series 50, also known as the Super, was built on a 121 inch wheelbase chassis and powered by Buick's 248 cubic-inch, inline eight that developed 107 horsepower.
The birth of the Buick Estate Wagon is fascinating and is attributed to Mrs. Bunny McLeod, the wife of Hollywood film director Norman McLeod. When asked by Buick chief Harlow Curtice why she didn't have a Buick in her garage, she responded that Buick did not build a station wagon. On the train back to Michigan, Curtice and GM design chief Harley Earl sketched what became Buick's first production station wagon. It was given the name 'Estate Wagon,' by Buick's ad man, Arthur Kudner. The prototype example was given to Mrs. McLeod in a surprise presentation at the Cocoanut Grove in Hollywood.
Beginning in mid-1940, Buick built just 495 examples of the Estate Wagon.
This particular example is thought to have been used by movie studios in California early in its life. The current caretaker acquired this vehicle around 1991 from John Sweeney of Homer City, Pennsylvania. The current owner's restoration shop spent over 5,000 hours on the vehicle. The Northern Ash and African mahogany wood body is entirely new and was strengthened with modern glues and techniques, then finished with 40 coats of clear lacquer. The engine has been rebuilt and upgraded with insert rod bearings. The car features the optional under-seat heater and under-dash defroster.
This Buick Super Estate Wagon won Best of Show against 2,000 other cars at the 2010 Charlotte AutoFair. The wagon also has garnered AACA First Junior and Senior awards, AACA Grand National and Senior Grand National badges, and the AACA National Award in 2013. In addition, the Buick Club of America recognized this outstanding restoration with its Senior and Gold Awards.
It is believed that only 12 examples of the 1940 Buick Super Estate Wagons have survived.
2020 RM Sothebys : Open Roads, North America
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $90,000-USD $110,000
Lot was not sold
2018 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $175,000-USD $225,000
Sale Price :
USD $145,600
2017 RM Sothebys : Hershey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $175,000-USD $225,000
Sale Price :
USD $160,000
2016 Gooding & Company : The Amelia Island Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $275,000-USD $325,000
Lot was not sold
1940 Buick Series 50 Super Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Buick Series 50 Super
(Data based on Model Year 1940 sales)
1940 Buick Super Chassis#: 53911146 Sold for USD$35,200 2023 Mecum : Indy | |
1940 Buick Super Model 59 Estate Wagon Chassis#: 137554990 Sold for USD$86,800 2022 Bonhams : The Audrain Concours Auction | |
1940 BUICK SUPER CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#: AZ381500 Sold for USD$29,700 2022 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Arizona | |
1940 Buick Super Convertible Sold for USD$25,300 2021 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1940 Buick Super Estate Wagon Chassis#: 13754990 Sold for USD$55,000 2020 RM Sothebys : Open Roads, Fall | |
1940 Buick Super Estate Wagon Chassis#: 13754990 Sold for USD$50,600 2020 RM Sothebys : Auburn Fall Auction | |
1940 Buick Model 51C Super Convertible Phaeton Chassis#: 13791814 Sold for USD$45,920 2019 Bonhams : Quail Lodge Auction | |
1940 Buick Super Series 50 Convertible Coupe Chassis#: 13809773 Sold for USD$32,480 2019 Bonhams : Tupelo Auction | |
1940 Buick Super Estate Wagon Chassis#: 0K0612500 Sold for USD$145,600 2018 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
1940 BUICK SUPER SPT COUPE Sold for USD$14,963 2018 McCormick's Auction # 64 | |
1940 Buick Super Estate Wagon Chassis#: 0K0612500 Sold for USD$160,000 2017 RM Sothebys : Hershey | |
1940 Buick Super Convertible Coupe Sold for USD$29,700 2017 Auctions America : Auburn Fall | |
1940 BUICK SUPER 4 DOOR Sold for USD$7,409 2012 McCormicks Palm Springs Auction 53 | |
1940 BUICK SUPER Sold for USD$8,505 2011 McCormicks Auction #50 - Palm Springs CA | |
1940 Buick Super Two Door Sold for USD$14,300 2011 Leake Car Auctions - Oklahoma City, Ok | |
1940 BUICK SUPER Sold for USD$2,000 2009 Silver Auction - Bernie Zieminski's Collection | |
1940 Buick Super Eight Sedan Chassis#: 54009189 Sold for USD$17,600 2008 RM Auctions - The Astor Collection | |
1940 Buick Super Convertible Coupe Chassis#: 13833681 Sold for USD$58,850 2004 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island | |
1940 BUICK SUPER FOUR DOOR SEDAN Sold for USD$3,100 2003 Kruse Auction - Scottsdale, AZ |
Buick Series 50 Supers That Failed To Sell At Auction
1940 Buick Series 50 Super's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1940 Buick Super Estate Wagon | 0K0612500 | 2020 RM Sothebys : Open Roads, North America | $90,000 | $110,000 | |
1940 Buick Super Convertible Coupe | 2016 Dragone Auction Greenwich Weekend Auction | $40,000 | $50,000 | ||
1940 Buick Super Estate Wagon | 13787637 | 2016 Worldwide Auctions The Houston Classic | $120,000 | $150,000 | |
1940 Buick Super Estate Wagon | 13687615 | 2016 Gooding & Company : The Amelia Island Auction | $275,000 | $325,000 | |
1940 Buick Super 50 Sedan | 23731 | 2016 Silverstone Auction Restoration Show Sale | |||
1940 Buick Super Coupe Backdraft | 33771868 | 2013 Russo & Steele Newport Beach | $47,000 | ||
1940 Buick Super Coupe Backdraft | 33771868 | 2012 Russo and Steele Scottsdale | |||
1940 BUICK SUPER | 2011 McCormick's Auction 51Palm Springs, California | $4,500 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $43,317 range.
1965 GMC CUSTOM PICKUP Chassis#:1002PF29744A Sold for $42,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1968 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 427/390 CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:194678S407410 Sold for $42,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:1FAHP69A15Y105268 Sold for $42,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1969 Chevrolet Camaro Chassis#:124379n505200 Sold for $42,900 2024 Mecum : Houston | |
1979 Jeep J10 Chassis#:j9a25nn012679 Sold for $42,900 2024 Mecum : Houston | |
1968 Chevrolet Camaro Chassis#:124378n399602 Sold for $43,450 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Chassis#:136176a130169 Sold for $42,900 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1974 Volkswagen Type II Bus Chassis#:bh346937 Sold for $43,450 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1968 Chevrolet Camaro Chassis#:124378n329955 Sold for $42,900 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1925 Amilcar CGS Cyclecar Coachwork by Attributed to Duval Chassis#:14193 Sold for $43,732 2024 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde a Paris | |
1948 Cadillac Series 62 Club Coupé Sold for $43,693 2024 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
1992 Jaguar XJR-S Chassis#:SAJJSAES4EK183170 Sold for $43,693 2024 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
1972 CHEVROLET C10 CUSTOM PICKUP Chassis#:CCE242J167444 Sold for $42,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#:124379N630342 Sold for $42,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
2005 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED RUBICON CUSTOM SUV Chassis#:1J4FA64S35P374682 Sold for $42,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1979 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM WS6 10TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION Chassis#:2X87Z9L175910 Sold for $42,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1963 CHEVROLET CHEVY II NOVA CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#:30437K121338 Sold for $42,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1933 PLYMOUTH DELUXE CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#:PE08371 Sold for $42,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1958 CHEVROLET IMPALA CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#:F580142798 Sold for $42,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1937 FORD CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#:NCS94338 Sold for $42,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ |
1940 Buick Series 50 Super
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