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1954 Buick Series 40 Special

The 1954 Buick Special received a new body and chassis that was lower and wider than the previous year. This was the first major update since 1949 when it was given all-new post-War bodywork. The 248 CID engine which had been used since 1937 continued until 1951 when it was replaced by the larger 'Fireball' straight-eight. Also in 1951, a two-door hardtop coupe joined the body style lineup.

The previous 'Fireball' engine was replaced by a more powerful 'Nailhead' V8, delivering 143 horsepower, an increase of nearly twenty horsepower more than its predecessor. The overhead-valve engine had a cast-iron block, 7.2:1 compression, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, and a Stromberg or Carter two-barrel carburetor. It was backed by a three-speed manual transmission or optional Dynaflow drive automatic. When equipped with the Dynaflow, that engine was tuned to 8.0:1 compression, and horsepower rose to 150 hp.

Body styles included a 2- and 4-door sedan, a convertible coupe, a station wagon, and a hardtop coupe. The most popular body style was the hardtop coupe which saw 71,186 examples produced. The sedan was also popular, with over 70,000 examples finding buyers.

Powering the Series 40 Special was an overhead valve eight-cylinder engine that displaced 264 cubic inches and offered over 140 horsepower.

Located on the front fenders were three oval ventiports. In the back were dual 'bullet' taillamps. The windshield was a large, Panoramic unit that offered plenty of visibility. Inside, the upholstery was done in nylon except for the convertibles which had leather trim.

The two-door sedan had a factory base price of $2,200 and the sedan was an additional $65. The hardtop coupe was priced at $2,300 and the convertible coupe sold for $2,570. The station wagon was the most expensive, at $3,160.

Production of the Buick Special continued through 1958 when its entry-level duties were handled by the LeSabre. The 'Special' nameplate was revived in 1961 and continued to be used through most of the 1960s and 1970s.

by Dan Vaughan

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