1942 Buick Special Series 40B

The Buick Special was introduced for 1936, succeeding the 1930 through 1935 Buick Series 40, and offering upscale Buick prestige, style, luxury, and immense value for the money, a tradition that continued through 1958 as a full-size model and returned on the new General Motors mid-size chassis for 1961. The Special nameplate ceased being a standalone Buick model line for the 1970 model year, rather re-assigned as a trim level for 1975 to 1979 and the 1991 to 1996 Century.

Prior to America's full-scale entry into World War II, the Special continued to be known as the 'Series 40,' and the second-generation Special range was refined, enlarged, and updated with the re-styled 1940 models. The wheelbase length increased by an inch and the bodies were restyled. All-new bodywork arrived a year later, with the Special and Century wearing front fenders that extended nearly to the front doors. The front had a wider grille and the headlights were almost fully integrated with the line of the front fenders.

The 1942 Buick Special consisted of the 40-A subseries that used a three-inch shorter wheelbase and bodies with the 1941 Chevrolets. The 40-B designation was assigned to the original Series 40 Buick Specials with the regular 118-inch wheelbase platform and an overall length of slightly more than 202 inches. Both were powered by an inline-8 with overhead valves, a 248 cubic-inch displacement, five main bearings, mechanical valve lifters, and delivering 110 horsepower at 3,400 RPM. The engine was backed by a three-speed sliding gear transmission with a single dry plate clutch and column controls. Stopping power was provided by hydraulic drums at all four corners.

The styling was inspired and reminiscent of the 'Y-Job' of 1938, which had been designed under Harley Earl and generally regarded as the world's first 'true' concept car. Buick would continue this design theme into the war-shortened 1942 model and would return in the post-war era.

The 1942 Buick Series 40A was priced from $990 to $1,260 with body styles that concluded a utility coupe, convertible coupe, touring sedan, family sedanette, and business sedanette. The Series 40B was priced from $1,020 to $1,450 with body styles that included a touring sedan, business sedanette, family sedanette, and estate wagon.

Optional equipment included fender skirts, Super Sonomatic radio, windshield wiper, EZI mirrors, fog lamps, and under-seat heater and defroster.

Buick ended civilian automobile production on February 2nd of 1942 and its factories were transformed to support the war effort. Introduced on October 3rd of 1941, the shortened 1942 model year resulted in 16,601 vehicles built during the 'calendar year' and 94,442 'model year production.'

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2021