1940 Buick Series 50 Super Estate Wagon

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.