1935 Buick Series 40

The 1935 Buick model lineup was comprised of the Series 40 resting on a 117-inch wheelbase, the Series 50 on a 119-inch wheelbase, the Series 60 on a 128-inch wheelbase, and the Series 90 measuring 136-inches. All were equipped with an inline, overhead-valve V8 engine with mechanical valve lifters and five main bearings. The 233 cubic-inch version powering the Series 40 delivered 93 horsepower, the 235 CID in the Series 50 had 88 horsepower, the Series 60 had a 278 CID version with 100 hp, and the Series 90 had a 344.8 cubic-inch displacement and 116 hp. All were backed by a three-speed sliding gear transmission with synchromesh, a single dry plate clutch, and floor shift controls. On all four wheels were mechanical brakes and steel spoke artillery wheels.

Prices on the Series 40 ranged from $795 to $925, the Series 50 from $1110 to $1190, the Series 60 from $1375 to $1675, and the Series 90 from $1875 to $2175.

Buick began using the Series 40 designation in 1930, representing the entry-level model and powered by an inline, overhead-valve six-cylinder engine. The Series 40 was retired in 1931, replaced by the Series 50 and a range solely powered by eight-cylinder engines, before returning in 1934 and re-assuming the entry-level position. Buick's synchromesh transmission gained helical gears and the automatic starting mechanism received revisions mid-year that prevented the starter from being used to move the vehicle while the ignition was locked.

The 1934 Buick Series 40 was priced lower than the preceding entry-level 1933 Buick Series 50, with prices of $795 to $925 compared to the 1933 Series 50 pricing of $995 to $1065. The Series 50, Series 60, and Series 90 continued to be apart of the lineup, but the Series 80 was retired in 1933 (only to re-appear in 1936).

1935 Buick Series 40
1935 would be the final year for the mechanical brakes and the total wood frame body on Buicks. Period sales brochures guaranteed a top speed of 85 mph, although the speedometer went up to 100 mph. The Series 40 was visually similar to the 1934 version, gaining a lockable glovebox and dual windshield wipers. A convertible coupe body style joined the lineup and was priced at $925, the same price as the sedan. Along with a smaller footprint than its siblings, the Buick Series 40 had painted headlight shells while the others had chrome headlight shells.

In 1936, the Series 40 became the 'Special,' the Series 60 became the 'Century, the Series 80 the 'Roadmaster,' and the Series 90 the 'Limited.'

Production of the Buick 'Special' would continue through 1958, and then from 1961 through 1996.

Buick built 77,007 examples of the 1935 Buick Series 40 sedan, 21,214 of the victoria coupe, 10,912 of the business coupe, 1,488 of the business coupe, and 2,476 of the sport coupe.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2021