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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 Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2016

Related Reading : Buick Series 40 History

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....
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Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1954 Series 40 Special
$2,265-$18,050
1954 Buick Series 40 Special Base Price : $2,265

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Other 1954 Buick Models

Series 40 Special

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
337,909
121.50 in.
8 cyl., 248.00 CID., 110.00hp
$1,800 - $1,980
164,446
121.50 in.
8 cyl., 248.00 CID., 110.00hp
8 cyl., 320.20 CID., 152.00hp
$2,050 - $2,560
190,884
122.00 in.
8 cyl., 264.00 CID., 143.00hp
$2,265 - $2,265
381,249
122.00 in.
8 cyl., 264.00 CID., 188.00hp
$2,230 - $2,975
334,017
122.00 in.
8 cyl., 322.00 CID., 220.00hp
$2,415 - $2,780
220,242
122.00 in.
8 cyl., 364.00 CID., 250.00hp
$2,594 - $3,165
139,213
122.00 in.
8 cyl., 364.00 CID., 250.00hp
$2,640 - $3,260

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