Beautiful restoration only a few years old. New paint, chrome, and interior. Rebuilt straight-8, new wide whitewall radial tires, recent tune-up, brakes just serviced. High-quality Buick at a very reasonable price.
Someone spent a great deal of money on it in the not-too-distant past, including a high-quality Carlsbad Black paint job, lots of fresh chrome, and mechanical upgrades to make it easy to drive. You’ll note that all four doors fit beautifully, the paint has a deep shine that doesn’t come cheap, and the whole car has a well-assembled look that only comes from spending money. There’s probably more in the paint and chrome than we’re asking for the entire car! The bumpers are fresh chrome, the grille has been restored at some point although it’s starting to show some micro-blisters once again (it’s just pot metal), and the stainless along the sides is in great shape. It’s worth noting that in 1940, running boards were optional, and this car has them, making it easy to climb in and out.
The gray cloth interior is brand new and again, wasn’t done inexpensively. The soft mohair-like fabric isn’t quite what they were using in 1940, but the patterns on the door panels and plain seating surfaces are quite correct. The factory bench seats remain firm and supportive, perfect for long tours, and the commanding driving position gives you a great view in all directions. All the gauges are fully operational and the engine-turned panels for the instrument panel and glove box door are correctly patterned and very nicely restored. Plush carpets are neatly trimmed and protected by modern floor mats, so you shouldn’t worry about getting in and going somewhere in your new Buick. Unfortunately, the clock is not working, which is common, but on the plus side, everything else is, including the turn signals, which actuate bulbs in the Buick emblem on the trunk lid. And speaking of the trunk, it’s neatly finished with gray mouse fur upholstery and includes a full-sized spare tire with tools.
But the real reason Buicks are special is under the long hood: the “valve in head” straight-8 engines. The 248 cubic inch straight-8 makes 110 horsepower and offers a seamless flow of torque that zips the sedan around without any effort at all. There’s a wonderful sewing machine smoothness and a distinctive sound to the Buick Eight that is all part of the charm, and it cruises at 50-55 MPH pretty easily. Around town, let the torquey little eight pull the car around in high gear—you don’t really need to downshift unless you drop below about 8 MPH. Impressive! It’s also nicely detailed with correct gray engine enamel, a factory oil bath air cleaner now converted to a paper element, and a proper 2-barrel carburetor. The automatic choke works as advertised, and to start a Buick all you need to do is turn the key and push the throttle pedal to the floor. A few turns of the starter and it barks to life with a pleasing yet unusual exhaust note that’s unique to the straight-8s. This car also features a new wiring harness, freshly rebuilt carburetor, and a fresh tune-up, so it’s read to drive and enjoy.
The 3-speed manual transmission doesn’t need any special techniques—it’s a standard 3-on-the-tree. Gear ratios are well-chosen and with 4.10 gears in the rear end, it makes shifting unnecessary except for very slow going and dead stops. The front suspension is conventional GM fare, with knee-action shocks on the independent front end, but the rear is supported by coil springs, a torque tube, a panhard rod, and a sway bar, making Buicks some of the best-riding and handling cars of the era. It’s a difference you can feel. And even though the Special was the entry-level Buick, it still feels substantial and like a luxury car. Brakes are reasonably powerful hydraulic drums and the steering is properly sorted so it is neither heavy nor imprecise, making it a joy to drive. Original steel wheels wear trim rings and hub caps, as well as correct Dante Red paint, and it sits on brand new 6.50R16 Coker wide whitewall radials that absolute transform the ride and handling.
Today, as in 1940, this is a heck of a lot of car for the money. Call today!
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
