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No 65 -- The 1937 Buick 40 Special 8
Reprinted from NRMA’s “The Open Road” June 3, 1937
For 1937 there are four Buick models, with two engine sizes. The smallest car, the Special 40, has a wheelbase of 122in., and rates 30 h.p. A slight increase in rated horsepower is indicated in comparison with last year’s production. This car has now been tested exhaustively by “The Open Road” and found to measure up to modern standards in all respects. The mileage indicated was 1610, but some traces of stiffness were at times dectectable.
Intended for utility and reasonable economy, the 40 is eminently suitable for fast touring work, and handles well in congested traffic. Built by one of the best known American manufacturers, and fitted with an elegant and sturdy Australian all-steel body, Buick offers all that is demanded in respect of appearance, and performance figures ranlk with the best in our series of road tests. Overhead valves are, of course, continued.
New body Styling
Buick styling is entirely new this year, with a new treatment of exterior streamlining that conveys the unmistakable impression of speed. The unisteel turret top is now an established feature, and the drip mouldings afford full protection against entry of water from the roof. the die-cast radiator grill in chromium, imparted a smart racy effect. This front end treatment is continued tastefully along the bonnet sides and to the rear end of the body. Fairly wide and deep seating is provided, with a low floor, and the upholstering reflects fine craftsmanship in design and execution. Interior fittings are in moulded Tenite of pleasing design. Below the upholstery and such coverings there is much of interest in the layout and construction of the steel body., The doors are worthy of special mention, and it is difficult to imagine any sag taking place, apart from normal wear in the hinges. Cross braces of massive proportions, and die-pressed channels are freely employed.
Resists Strains
Taking the body structure as a whole, it is seen that it is inherently rigid and resistant to strains and vibration. Welding is used in its construction to the exclusion of bolts, screws and rivets. Doors fit closely and neatly, and soft rubber packs exclude draughts and water. Armorplate safety glass is fitted to all side windows and the wide vee screen for added safety. Sound-proofing material is applied to interior of panels and the steel top.
The “40” is a pleasurable car to drive. The motor is alive with power and neat in appearance, straightforward and accessable. quiet and smooth throughout the usefull range of performance, it proves to be well able to handle this 32 cwt sedan without any apparent effort. When once under way, very littlethrottle is called for to maintain 40 or 50 m.p.h. on goog roads. A slight vibration is noted only when picking up in top gear from lowest speed. No fuss or distress is envinced at the highest speed.
Moderate compression, ratio 5.7 to 1, is used, and excellent pickup was recorded. Assisted by the rapid smooth changes that are possible with the syncromesh gerabox, the rest to 60 miles per hour and standing quarter mile runs were accomplished through the gears in commendable respective times of 15 4/5 seconds and 21 2/5 seconds. Using top gear it is possible to reach 40 miles per hour in 10 seconds, or 30 in 6 3/5 seconds on a level road, so it is evident that Buick will leave a lot of cars when the green light shows.
This maker favours a fairly low second or intermediate speed ratio, namely 1.6 to 1 in the gearbox, or 7.3 (engine to rear wheels). The final drive pair is geared 4.4 to 1. The result is that abundant power is available in second gear on account of the fact that the engine speed is nearly twice that of top gear. Maximum second gear speed is 61 m.p.h. on the speedometer.
A fine showing was made on the winding test hill at Kurrajong which was handled in top and second gears with power in hand. Speedometer accuracy can be claimed up to 55/60 miles per hour, and the usual excess becomes apparent as speed is increased.
Gearbox and exhaust silence are points in this car’s favour. All gears are helical-toothed, and a highly developed syncronising mechanism applied to top and second speeds makes perfect gear changing possible. The lever needs no amount of force to overcome the resistance of the selector plungers. Add to this a smooth acting, single plate, spring cushioned centre clutch, and you have a highly satisfactory transmission system. The clutch pedal requires rather firm pressure for full disengagement; otherwise it is faultless.
Rearwards, conventional Buick practice is unchanged, a large diameter tubular drive shaft and one forward universal joint being enclosed in a stout torque tube. Thus oil leakage from, or entry of mud and water to universal joint or rear axle is impossible, and rear springs may be shackled fore and aft since the torque tube transmits the drive from the road wheels to chassis.
Braking Test
Control as demonstrated by braking figures was highly satisfactory on this trial, and for ordinary driving or sudden deceleration hard pedal application was not necessary. Hydraulic pressure generated in a master cylinder, foot-operated, expands two opposed shoes into contact with 12in. centrifuse drums on all four wheels.
From thirty miles per hour the car was stopped on an even keel without noticable deviation from straight ahead in 34 feet, while 15 feet was measured for the 20 m.p.h. stop. An inverted hand lever located below the cowl convenient to the right hand serves to operate the rear internal shoes through an equalised cable and conduit hook-up.
Coming now to the description of roadability, it may be stated that the Buick 40 is a good riding car over the roughest of surfaces, no undue shocks being transmitted to the body structure. The frame is an exceptionally massive x-braced structure of deep section, with redesigned one-beam-sectioned central cross member of increased strength. Riveting and welding are utilised in building these frames.
Suspension
Independent front suspension follows the coiled spring and pantagraph arm practice that has been used by this maker since 1934. The vital parts are sturdy drop forgings, accurately shaped, and threaded pins and bushes are used at points of oscillation. Rear springs are 2in. wide, 54 1/2 in. in length, underslung. Torsional stabilisers front and rear control side tilt very effectively, and rubber bushes prevent rattles at attachment points. On turning corners or running on a high crowned road their ability to arrest side sway is quite marked. Hydraulic shock absorbers at front and rear serve to prevent pronounced up and down movement. Steering is of worm and roller frictionless type. A new box is now used with full provision for adjustment. Low gearing is employed, 19 to 1 being the ratio, providing outstanding ease of steering. A comfortable driving position, inspiring confidence, is given. The front seat is adjustable fore and aft and the wheel is not placed over-high.
Popular Features
Taken all round, the new Buick is a car that most people will like, being responsive to the controls, powerful, and efficiently planned. Accessability of the motor and accessories is of a high order, and automatic features are incorporated to relieve the operation of responsibility. Economy of fuel is evident from our final result of nearly 18 miles per gallon, this is including all test work, and without any coasting whatever throughout the run.
Starting is instantaneous hot or cold, largely due to the highly developed heated manifolding and automatic choke control.
An interesting addition this year is the new Stromberg AA1 carburettor, styled the Aerobat due to certain aero carburettor features. This is a plain tube, twin downdraught type, but the fuel chamber entirely surrounds the body, ensuring accurate fuel level under varing operating conditions and car tilt angles, and preventing surge and overflow on sharp turns. No petrol fumes were noticed at any time. The new car is an improved edition of the 1936 series in numerous respects, and undoubtedly upholds a well earned reputatoion.
Posted 09/2006 |
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