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1940 Buick Series 50 Super Estate Wagon

  • Chassis Number: 0K0612500
  • Engine Number: 54012662
  • Body Number: 473
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.

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 Series 50 Super image  1940 Buick Series 50 Super image  
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 Series 50 Super image  1940 Buick Series 50 Super image  
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 Series 50 Super image  1940 Buick Series 50 Super image  
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.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1940 Buick Super Estate Wagon0K06125002020 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 Wagon137876372016 Worldwide Auctions The Houston Classic $120,000$150,000
1940 Buick Super Estate Wagon136876152016 Gooding & Company : The Amelia Island Auction $275,000$325,000
1940 Buick Super 50 Sedan237312016 Silverstone Auction Restoration Show Sale   
1940 Buick Super Coupe Backdraft337718682013 Russo & Steele Newport Beach$47,000  
1940 Buick Super Coupe Backdraft337718682012 Russo and Steele Scottsdale   
1940 BUICK SUPER 2011 McCormick's Auction 51Palm Springs, California$4,500  

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1940 Buick Series 50 Super

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Other Buick Series 50 Super model years

1940 Buick Series 50 Super Vehicle Profiles