Spectacular older restoration by Jenkins. Original color combination. Working factory radio. Runs and drives superbly, quiet and smooth. One of the best all-around pre-war Buicks you can own!
This lovely Yosemite Gray Buick 56C was restored by the legendary Lewis Jenkins in the late 1990s and the quality of his workmanship is evident everywhere you look. As one of the biggest names in pre-war Buick restoration, a Jenkins car still carries a certain amount of prestige because you know it was done right, particularly inside which was a Jenkins specialty. Code 547 Yosemite Gray is this car’s original color, and since automakers were just starting to experiment with metallic paints, it has a wonderful iridescent shine to it that looks entirely appropriate. It’s not a modern metallic, but it does glow in the sunlight. Fit and finish are excellent, with doors that fit flush and well-fitted stainless trim that hugs the body’s curves. There are very few signs of use or age, again indicative of the quality of the work and the car it has received in a prominent New England Buick collection. The Super benefited from GM’s all-new “torpedo” bodies, which deleted running boards and gave a longer, lower profile with fenders that were tucked in a little tighter. Dressed in the lovely gray paint, this car looks sleek and elegant all out of proportion to its price.
On any car of this period, the chrome trim can be especially problematic to restore. Things like the grille, hood ornament, parking light housings, and side vents were all made of what we commonly call “pot metal.” In practice it was easy to cast and took plating easily, but in the long term it tended to corrode from within, developing pits that are notoriously difficult (read: expensive) to repair. Nevertheless, someone either found excellent original pieces and had them re-chromed or spent an astronomical amount of cash refinishing the brightwork on this Super, because it remains in first-class condition throughout. Bearing in mind that this restoration is now 30 years old, there’s only the slightest wear on the grille and other cast pieces and the stainless body accents shine up like chrome. Details are crisp and the custom cloisonné emblems front and rear remain bright.
Code 855 means a red leather interior, and that’s what’s inside today. Stitched in the original patterns, it shows only very slight use and the contrast with the charcoal gray paint is just gorgeous. However, as beautiful as the leather is, just look at that dashboard, which has some of the most convincing woodgraining we’ve ever seen plus ornately turned dash instrument panels that replicate the factory pattern exactly. All the gauges work except the temperature gauge, but NOS replacements are readily available and installation is straightforward. We believe the radio was installed by the dealer given the location of the antenna on the side of the cowl instead of inside the front fender, and the Sonomatic AM radio does work properly. The black canvas top is power-actuated by a pair of vacuum cylinders, and it does work but is a bit sluggish, particularly going up, and it might just need some exercise. There’s also a matching burgundy boot that matches the interior. The trunk was fully upholstered in correct burlap-like material and there’s a full-sized spare tucked underneath along.
The Super used the same 248 cubic inch OHV straight-8 engine as the Special, which was rated at 107 horsepower in 1940. In application, however, this car feels lively and energetic around town and cruises easily at 55 MPH without much drama at all. That all suggests someone did their homework in the mechanical department. It starts quickly and easily using the accelerator pedal starting system and settles into a smooth idle quickly without any drama. It’s correctly detailed with corporate gray engine enamel, an oil bath air cleaner, a replacement cloth wiring harness, and proper hose clamps, decals, and other markings. It’s also fantastic to drive.
Underneath it’s just as detailed, with body-colored floors showcasing the satin black frame and suspension components. You’ll note the optional under-seat heater, 3-speed manual transmission with a torque tube driving the rear, which we believe has high-speed 3.90 gears inside. Even the splash pans around the engine are in place—good luck finding a set of those today! The suspension is appropriately luxurious and the manual drum brakes are plenty powerful for the car’s weight and performance. 16-inch steel wheels were painted to match the bodywork and treated to red pinstripes, as well as a set of 6.50-16 BFGoodrich wide whites.
This Buick is beautiful, smooth, competent, and almost practical with a full-sized back seat. It’s the right size so that anyone can manage it and around town it’s quick and nimble. On the open road, it’s a pleasant cruiser, making it an ideal tour car. If you can’t tell, we really like this Buick a lot. Call today!
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