The Buick Special Series 40 was the entry point to Buick’s 1939 range, but it was far from basic. It offered the smooth straight-eight power, comfortable ride and refined engineering that had become central to Buick’s identity.

This four-door Sedan combined that mechanical refinement with fresh styling and a Fisher-built body, making it one of Buick’s most successful models of the year.

Buick’s Straight-Eight Character

Power came from Buick’s 248 cubic inch, approximately 4.1-litre, overhead-valve straight-eight engine producing 107 horsepower at 3,400 rpm.

The straight-eight layout was prized for its smoothness and flexibility. With eight cylinders arranged in a single line, the engine delivered power in a particularly refined manner, making it well suited to a car designed for comfortable long-distance travel.

Buick had used straight-eight engines throughout its range for much of the 1930s, and by 1939 the design had become one of the marque’s defining features.

Overhead-Valve Engineering

Unlike many American manufacturers that relied heavily on side-valve engines, Buick had a long tradition of overhead-valve design.

Placing the valves in the cylinder head improved breathing and helped the engine produce strong performance without requiring excessive displacement.

This gave the Series 40 a useful combination of smoothness, power and efficiency for its class.

A New Look for 1939

Buick substantially revised the appearance of its cars for 1939.

The front end became broader and more integrated, with a wider grille and a more enclosed appearance. Increased glass area improved visibility and helped make the cabin feel lighter and more modern.

These changes reflected the wider shift taking place across the American motor industry as cars moved away from the upright styling of the early 1930s towards lower, smoother and more integrated body shapes.

Fisher Body Construction

The body of this Sedan was built by Fisher, the long-established coachbuilding and body-manufacturing operation within General Motors.

Fisher bodies were used widely across GM marques and were known for combining large-scale production with good structural quality and finish.

By the late 1930s, Fisher had become a central part of General Motors’ manufacturing system, allowing models such as the Buick Special to be produced in large numbers while maintaining a strong level of refinement.

The Series 40’s Place in the Range

The Special Series 40 sat below Buick’s larger Century, Roadmaster and Limited models.

Although it was Buick’s most affordable series, it still shared many of the qualities buyers associated with the marque, including straight-eight power, comfortable accommodation and substantial construction.

That made the Series 40 especially attractive to buyers who wanted Buick refinement without moving into the more expensive upper ranges.

A Popular Sedan

The four-door Sedan was one of the most successful body styles in the 1939 Series 40 range.

A total of 111,473 examples were produced, showing just how important this model was to Buick’s overall sales.

Its popularity came from a straightforward combination of passenger space, refinement, strong performance and a price that made Buick ownership accessible to a broader group of buyers.

Built for Long-Distance Motoring

Cars such as the Series 40 were designed for a period when long-distance road travel was becoming increasingly common.

Improved highways, stronger engines and more comfortable enclosed bodies meant motorists could travel further and faster than they had only a decade earlier.

The Buick’s smooth straight-eight engine and spacious Sedan body made it particularly well suited to this kind of touring.

This Car

This 1939 Buick Special Series 40 Sedan combines many of the features that defined Buick before the Second World War.

Its 4.1-litre overhead-valve straight-eight, three-speed manual transmission and Fisher-built body gave it a balance of smooth performance and everyday practicality.

This example also has a New Zealand connection through its association with Albert Scaife of Paraparaumu, adding a local chapter to the story of one of Buick’s most successful pre-war models.