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1962 Buick Special

After a brief absence, the 'Special' name re-joined the Buick lineup in 1961, returning as the company's entry-level model offered in sedan, station wagon, and sport coupe configuration. The Special of the 1940s and 1950s was an entry-level model, but at the end of 1958, it was retired and the LeSabre with all-new styling took over its duties. When the Special re-appeared in 1961, the LeSabre moved upmarket, priced above the Special and below the Invicta and Electra.

The styling of the 1961 Special was similar to the larger Buick models, with three ventiport appliques per front fender. It received minimal brightwork and trim, and standard features included a cigar lighter, electric windshield wipers, dual sun visors, and dual armrests. Power was from a 215 cubic-inch V8 with overhead valves, a cast aluminum block, hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, and a two-barrel Rochester carburetor. It delivered 155 horsepower at 4,600 RPM and was backed by a three-speed manual transmission. A Dual-path Turbine Drive transmission was a $189 option.

The 1962 Buick Special was the first American car to be powered by a V6 engine. It was a 198 CID unit with overhead valves, 8.8:1 compression, four main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a two-barrel Rochester carburetor, and delivered 135 horsepower at 4,600 RPM. The 198 'Fireball' engine was reverse-engineered from the 215 CID V8 and incorporated many of the same parameters, but was in cast iron. The V6 was backed by the tried-and-true three-speed manual or optional Turbine drive. A four-speed manual was optional on the V-8s. The 215 CID V8 with the cast aluminum block was now optional, delivering the same 155 horsepower as the previous year.

Along with changes to the powerplant, Buick added a 'Deluxe' trim package on the Special, available only on the sedan, convertible, and six-passenger station wagons. These versions received a plusher interior with nicer vinyl and fabrics, full carpeting, rear armrests, a Deluxe steering wheel, foam seat cushions, rear ashtrays, dual horns, visors, and a cigarette lighter. Bright strips were placed along the body and an oil filter was added to the engine. The Deluxe added approximately $200 to the base price of the vehicle.

The base Special was available as a two- and four-door sedan, 6- and 8-passenger station wagon, and a convertible. Prices ranged from $2,300 to $2,740. The sedan was the most popular with 23,249 examples produced, followed by the two-door sedan with 19,135. 7,918 were convertibles and 7,382 were the six-passenger station wagon. 2,814 were the eight-passenger wagon.

The Special Deluxe was popular, with 31,660 examples of the sedan built, 10,300 of the station wagon, and 8,332 of the convertible.

The base Special came equipped with small hubcaps, directional signals, heater and defroster, cloth and vinyl interior, cigar lighter, dual armrests, dual sun visors, and three ventiports per front fender. 'Special' script could be found ahead of the front wheelhouse. Convertibles were fitted with an outside rearview mirror. Optional equipment included an air conditioning system, power brakes, two-tone interior, bucket seats, Deluxe wheelcovers, backup lights, and power steering.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible

The Special was first introduced for the 1961 model year as a compact car. In 1962, the model lineup was expanded to include a convertible model for each of the Buick Special series. Standard equipment included dual sun visors, front door armrests, cigar lighter, electric windshield wipers, directional signals, heater/defroster and outside rear view mirror.

Sharing a platform with the also-new 1961 Oldsmobile F-85 and Pontiac Tempest, the Special was positioned as a premium compact. Exterior styling was patterned after the full-size Buick, and models included a sedan, coupe and station wagon. A luxurious Skylark Sport Coupe with standard bucket seats was introduced in the spring of the model year. For 1961, a technically advanced aluminum V8 was the only engine available.

For 1962, the big news was under the hood. In an effort to reduce costs and increase sales, a new 198 cubic-inch V6 became standard in all Special models. Delivering 135 horsepower, this 90-degree cast-iron engine was the first V6 in an American production car. Called the 'Fireball V6,' it was also Buick's first six-cylinder engine since 1930. Notably, it would go on to be one of the most popular engines in history, with more than 25 million produced. The 215 cubic-inch aluminum V8 was optional on Special and standard on Skylark models. Not surprisingly, the V6-powered Special won Motor Trend's coveted 'Car of the Year' award in 1962.

A convertible body style, available in both Special Deluxe and Skylark models, was also new for 1962. This example, a Special Deluxe convertible, features the 'Fireball V6' engine and two-speed automatic transmission.

Sales of Buick Specials in 1962 were 148,770 compared to 86,865 for 1961.

Buick introduced the Series 40 in 1930 as a replacement for the Series 116. The Series 40 rode on a 118-inch wheelbase and powered by a 258 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine which produced 80 horsepower. Braking was through mechanical drums found on all four corners. The suspension was comprised of semi-elliptic springs and Lovejoy hydraulic shock absorbers. During its first year, there were six body styles to select from, including a Sedan, Sport Roadster, Business Coupe, and Special Coupe in two-door configuration. A Phaeton and Sedan version were offered with four doors, with the four-door sedan with seating for five being the most popular body style on the Series 40. Pricing was rather competitive, starting at $1260 and continuing through $1300. The Phaeton had seating for four or five, and had the lowest sales in the Series 40, total just under 1000 examples.

The name 'Series 40' remained dormant for a few years, making its re-appearance in 1934. They were again Buicks entry-level vehicle, though much had changed in these few short years. The Series 40 lightweight vehicles powered by an eight-cylinder engine that measured 233 cubic-inches and produced nearly 100 horsepower.

The name 'Series 40' would stick with Buick until 1959 when a new series naming scheme was introduced. During this time, the Series 40 would be powered by eight-cylinder engines which grew in size in power throughout the years.

For 1934, the Series 40 rested on a 117-inch wheelbase and had an entry price of a mere $795. The top-of-the-line Series 40 would set the buyer back $925. The four-door Club sedan continued to be the most popular of the Series 40, selling nearly 11,000 examples in 1934. Five body styles were available, including a two-door Touring Sedan, Sport Coupe, and Convertible Coupe.

For 1935, little changed. A few extra colors were added and the trim was revised slightly. Mechanical problems from the 1934 Series 40 were resolved, such as clutch and timing chain issues. A new body style was added, the Convertible Coupe.

Changes occurred both visually and mechanical for 1936. The car now rested on an enlarged, 118-inch wheelbase. Over 77,000 examples of the four-door sedan were sold, which was a drastic improvement over the prior year's sales figures. Much of the vehicle's aesthetics received attention. The windshields and roof lines became more rounded. The spare tire was mounted discretely in the trunk for some body styles and mounted on the left-hand side of the vehicle for others.

Sales continued to be strong throughout the 1930s for the Series 40. The car grew even larger in 1937, now sitting on a 122-inch wheelbase. The engine now measured 248 cubic-inches and produced 100 horsepower. Production continued until the onset of World War II, when the American automobile producers switched to aid in the production of war-time materials.

When production resumed in 1946, the Series 40 was the only model in Buick's lineup to utilize the prewar Fisher B-body styles of the postwar era. There were two body styles available, both resting on a 121-inch wheelbase and had seating for six. The four-door version cost $1,580 while the two-door version was priced at $1520. These were Buick entry-level vehicles, just as they had been in prior to World War II. Sales were slow, with around 3000 examples produced from the combined sales of the two- and four-door versions. The 248 cubic-inch engine was rated at around 110 horsepower.

Major changes did not occur on the Series 40 until 1950, when the cars were given changes to their styling. The styling was modern and memorable, with the grille being one of the more distinguishable features on the car. Three vent-ports were now located on the side of the engine bay. The public approved of these changes, and sales were strong, reaching over 200,000 for the Series 40 and Series 40D. The Series 40D was a Special Deluxe model that had the same styling and size as the Series 40, but added improvements to the interior, adding trim and molding, and 'Special' on the front fenders.

In 1954 the Series 40 was given a new body that was lower and wider than it previously had. The front had a new grille design which many termed as the 'electric shaver' design. The front and rear windows were curved and there was enough glass throughout the drivers and passenger's view to provide a nearly 360-degree view. Mounted under the hood was a new 264 cubic-inch V8 engine that produced over 140 horsepower. The vehicles outfitted with the Dynaflow gearbox had even more power. A new steering linkage and suspension gave the vehicle a smooth ride, complementing the car's appearance.

By 1956, the Series 40 was given visual changes to its grille, ornamentation, and headlights. New bumpers were added to the front and rear of the vehicle. On the inside, the instrumentation was the same as other Buick models, a trend that had not been seen on Buicks since the pre-War era. Improvements to the engine meant an increase in horsepower, now rated at over 220 for the Dynaflow version. Sales were strong with the 2-door Riviera Hardtop being the most popular, with over 113,000 units sold in 1956. The price ranged from $2410 to $2775. The most expensive Series 40 was the six-person Estate Wagon which saw over 13,700 units being purchased.

There were many changes in 1957 to the Series 40, including a new grille insert, the 'B U I C K' name on the front of the car, chrome wings in the rear, along with a slew of other changes. In the back was a single exhaust pipe, with dual exhausts being offered for an additional cost. The three portholes on the side signified 'Super' while other models received four. Horsepower for the Dynaflow version had now reached 250 with 380 foot-pounds of torque. Sales continued to be strong, though they dipped a little from the prior year.

For 1958 the Buick Series 40 were given dual headlights in the front and an exorbitant amount of chrome. There was a circular ornament with a 'V', symbolizing V8, placed on the front and in the center of the hood. Dual horizontal moldings ran along each side of the vehicle, from front to back. Sales were strong, but they were still on the decline.

For 1959, Buick introduced their Series 4400 as a replacement for the Series 40. The Series 4400 was a very wide car with a modern style indicative of the era.

The Series had served Buick for many years, as their entry-level vehicle. The V8 engine found under the hood (except for the initial years) was more than adequate to carry the large and elegant bodies. Offered in a variety of body styles, the cars were versatile and accommodating to many individual's wishes and needs.

by Dan Vaughan