Buick Special Touring Sedan 1941Coordinates 40.7737101,-96.6554439
Picture dated June 2012
The Buick Special name was first used in 1936. It was Buick's lowest-priced full sized until the introduction of the le Sabre, was discontinued in 1958, then reintroduced in 1961 as a mid sized car.
1936 was a very successful year for Buick and also marked the first time of using names rather than the serial numbers which had been in use before. The first Specials rode on a 118 in wheelbase, but for the next model year this was increased to 122 in as all Buicks grew for that year.
The engine was also new in 1937, and was now of 248 cu in rather than 233 cu in. The Special (and all other Buicks as well) underwent a full restyling for 1939, with a more enclosed nose and a wider grille. The wheelbase was also two inches shorter. For 1940, there was the another restyle and the wheelbase increased by an inch. This was also the only model year that a four-door convertible Special ("Sport Phaeton") was offered, although only 552 were built.
For 1941 the bodywork was again all new, with the front fenders now very closely integrated into the cars overall design. The Estate Wagon migrated from being a Super into the Special lineup. Also new was the 40-A series (the regular Special now being the 40-B), a version on a three inches shorter wheelbase which shared its body with the 1941 Chevrolet.
For more information see here.
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