1940 Buick Series 50 Super

The ascension of Harlow Curtice to the presidency of Buick in 1933 signaled a turning point for the foundational GM division. Although the automotive industry was still grappled with the realities of the Great Depression, Buick soon prospered and solidified its growing reputation for superior engineering, refined styling, affordable pricing, and luxurious amenities. An integral part of the company's success was its powerful and modern 'Valve-in-Head' overhead-valve, eight-cylinder engine.

Buick expanded its model range throughout the 1930s, culminating in the revised 1940 lineup with no less than 10 open models. The model range included the entry-level Series 40 Special, the Series 50 Super line, the larger Series 60 Century, and the Series 70 Roadmaster. The top-of-the-line models included the Series 80 and 90 Limited models. Total calendar-year production reached 310,995 units, including the four millionth Buick automobile built. This placed Buick in fourth place in American sales rankings and marked the GM Division's best product in its history to that point.

The 1940 Buick Series 50 shared its 121-inch wheelbase chassis with the Series 40 Special line. Body styles included a four-door touring sedan, four-door convertible phaeton, 2-door Sport Coupe, 4-door Estate Wagon, and the 2-door Convertible Coupe. The interior was done in Smart Bedford cord upholstery in two-tone Tan. Additional interior features included the engine-turned dash panel and glove compartment.

For 1940, Buick introduced the new Fore-N-Aft Flash-Way directional signals and sealed beam headlights. The 1940 Buick convertibles were among the first production automobiles to be equipped with a power-hydraulic folding top. Power was supplied from an overhead-valve inline eight-cylinder engine displacing 248 cubic-inches and delivering nearly 110 horsepower. They had a semi-floating rear axle, independent front setup with coil springs, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, and a three-speed manual transmission.

The 1940 Buick Super's introduced many important future styling cues. They had a modern appearance with the deletion of side-mounted tires and running boards, yet retaining the classic Buick design cues of the past.

by Dan Vaughan

Estate Wagon
Chassis number: 0K0612500
Engine number: 54012662

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.