1939 Buick Series 60 Century

The Buick Century models built between 1936 and 1942 combined the largest and most powerful Buick engine of the time with the smallest and lightest Buick bodies. The Series 60 was introduced in 1930 serving as the top-of-the-line Buick with a 132-inch platform and powered by a 331.4 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine. In 1931, it moved downmarket and assumed the position within the lineup previously occupied by the Series model, resting on a 118-inch wheelbase and equipped with a 272 CID eight-cylinder engine. In 1936, Buick adopted a new naming scheme with the entry-level Series 40 being called the 'Special,' the Series 60 as the 'Century', the Series 80 as the 'Roadmaster,' and the range-topping Series 90 as the 'Limited.' All were equipped with eight-cylinder engines with displacement sizes that ranged from $233 CID to 320 CID, and horsepower from 93 hp to 120 hp.

The Series 40, 60, 80, and 90 contineud into 1939, with the Series 40 priced from $950 to $1,400, the Series 60 from $1,175 to $1,720, the Series 80 from $1,540 to nearly $2,000, and the Series 90 from $2,075 to $2,450.

For 1939, Buick engineers worked to improve aerodynamics without totally redesigning the vehicles. All 1939 Buick models received a narrower hood, thinner front door pillars which allowed larger glass area, and a new two-piece 'waterfall' grille with thin vertical bars. The Century rested on 15 x 7.00 four-ply tires with larger hubcaps. The wheelbase measured 126-inches, six-inches larger than the Series 40, and fourteen-inches shorter than the Series 90. The Series 60, 80, and 90 shared the largest engine available, a 320.2 cubic-inch unit with a 6.35:1 compression ratio, five main bearings, mechanical valve lifters, a Stromberg carburetor, and producing 141 horsepower at 3,600 RPM and 130 lb-ft of torque at 1,000 RPM. All of Buick's 1939 engines had eight-cylinders and were backed by a three-speed sliding gear transmission with a single dry plate clutch and column controls. The Special and Century received a new clutch assembly with just nine parts compared to the 41 parts used in the 1938 clutch assembly. Stopping power was provided by hydraulic drums located at all four wheels. A 'No Rol Hill-Holder' feature helped with acceleration for vehicles parked on steep hills.

New features included direction signals in the rear and a push-button 'Sonomatic' radio. The Series 40 and 60 two-door and four-door body styles could be equipped with an optional 'Sunshine Turret Roof' (a sunroof). The Series 60 was available with the optional rocker panel trim strip. The interior was done in mahogany. Early examples had a speedometer with 15 mph increments.

The sport coupe was priced at $1,175 and 3,408 examples were built. The four-door Sport Phaeton with seating for five had a base price of $1,715 and 249 examples built. The two-door touring sedan had a price of $1,200 and production of 521 units, and the four-door touring sedan listed at $1,250 and was the most Century popular body style in 1939 with 18,462 units built. The most expensive was the convertible coupe at $1,345 and 790 units built.

Buick's 1939 model year production was 208,256 units, a healthy increase from the 168,689 units (model year production) of the previous year. Harlow Curtice, Buick's chief, was determined to set a new sales record, accomplished with innovative advertising and promotions, and a host of product improvements. To that end, Buick became the official pace car for the Indianapolis 500. the all-new front fascia of the 1939 Buick lineup successfully transitioned the automatic fashions of the 1930s with the modern designs of the 1940s. 1939 was the final year for externally-mounted headlights and the grille was no longer reserved for the radiator, as it too was stretching horizontally out over the fenders.

The 'Century' nameplate would remain part of the Buick model lineup for many years, from 1936 through 1942, from 1954 to 1958, and from 1973 to 2005.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2021