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The 1938 Buick Special 40 Is Put Through Its Paces
Reprinted from NRMA’s “The Open Road” January 27, 1938
Studying the general specification of the new Buick 40, it will be evident to those compentent to judge that designers have gone very carefully over a model that has proved highly successful during several years of development. Naturally the current 40 is an improved car with even better performance and more striking appearance. A drastic modification of rear suspension design is noted, vertical coiled springs supplanting the long semi-elliptics that have been used for a number of years.
As an engineering job Buick always commands respect, and on the recent “Open Road” trial, a fine performance demonstration was given. Evidence of conventional Buick practice is found on all points. The engine, gearbox and axle contours are essentially the latest version of well established Buick types, both in style and proportioning.
Mechanical Specifications
Briefly running over the specifications, an eight cylinder over-head valve motor is built in unit with the clutch and gearbox, totally enclosed for best protection and rigidity, and fully rubber-mounted. Rearwards, torque tube drive is employed, and again totally enclosed. A sturdy hypoid type semi-floating rear axle provides the main drive. Independent pantagraph front suspension and coil rear springs produce shockless and comfortable riding. The frame is redesigned with deep central and main members, and box sectioning ensures strength at most stressful points. Hydraulic four wheel braking combines with low geared centre point worm and double roller steering to provide certain and effortless control.
A very usefull power-to-weight ratio is indicated. The rating of the motor is 30 h.p., and the sedan as tested weighs 32.5cwts. Due to motor improvement, the maximum horsepower is now stated to be 107 at 3400 r.p.m., and although this represents well over 6o m.p.h., it is clear that the engine will not lack power in the normal speed range.
Fine Performer
The Buick 40 is not a deceptive car. Its long sleek lines and strong appearance give the impressioionm of super performance, and our test observations prove that it is a splendid hill-climber, and quick off the mark in acceleration tests.
An interesting minimum speed demonstration was given. the pegged eighth of a mile (220 yards) was covered in 1 minute 55 seconds, which works out at 3.8 miles per hour. Remarkable steadiness and entire absence of missing or transmission clatter was observed; the ticking of the elecric clock could be distinctly heard. While there is seldom any real use for low top gear running of this nature, it certainally denotes perfect compression balance, uniform carburetion, correct ignition timing and so on.
As a guide to the car’s acceleration ability we quote its top gear runs from 10 to 30 m.p.h. in 6 3/5ths secs., and to 50 m.p.h. in 12 4/5ths. secs. From rest to 50 m.p.h. occupied only 13 secs. Then the test hill was tried. In top gear 2 mins. 40 secs. was taken to negotiate the 1 in 10 rising grade, which includes a number of sharp bends. The second gear climb was made in 2 mins. 16 secs.
Riding Qualities
During the whole trial run, and the hill climbs, without rear passengers, ample opportunity to assess the riding and cornering ability of the car with its entirely new rear suspension was afforded. We found that cornering stability was highly satisfactory and rough roads could be negotiated with commendable absence or transferred shock or vibration.
Adoption of coil springs fore and aft is claimed to produce bettersyncronisation of the susspension system. This is the first application of coiled type rear springing to a stock American car. The retension of torque tube drive makes their use possible, since the springs have but one duty, which is to support the weight of the chassis and body. The torque tube transmits forward motion, and a transverse rubber bushed tie rod restrains the frame against side sway relative to the rear axle. An interesting and valuable point is that four shackles and eight grease points are disapensed with.
Higher Claims
The manufacturer claims that the new suspension promotes better tracking of the rear wheels, and a greater margin of safety in the event of a blow-out occurring. Powerful telescopic shock absorbers of hydraulic type control the up and down movement very capably. Our general impression is that the independent front coils and the rear assembly are well planned and should add to the popularity of the car. Fast cornering did not produce abnormal roll, and no skidding was noticeable.
As stated earlier, the 1938 mpotor develops slightly more power. The main alteration to the motor appears to be adoption of a new piston with a deflector formed above the crown. This effect is to create greater turblence and to concentrate the main body of the charge closer to the spark plug. In this way more of the heat of combustion is converted into useable power. More direct gas flow past streamlined intake valves and passages assists the process still further.
The motor is nicely finished and one of the most accessable of the moderns. Automatic ignition control per govenor and vacuum sets the timing correctly under all conditions. Utter silence and absence of vibration may be claimed fearlessly. The crankshaft is a massive drop-forging with five main bearings, and 2 in. crankpins, fully counter-weighted, and fitted with an harmonic balancer. A large capacity fuel pump with booster is
cam-shaft driven. automatic choke and idle speed control, an over-sized air cleaner and silencer, air cooled generator, and six bladed fan are numbered among the likeable points.
Clutch and gearbox control is light and positive; gearshifting is made easy by a very definite type of syncro-mesh, which at no time failed to function with smoothness and accuracy.
The new Buick 40, taken all round, is a practical full-sized car that will appeal to purchasers requiring something a little above average. At £525 (plus tax) this luxuriously appointed touring sedan is offered completely equipped and with such prominent features as all steel body and roof construction, all safety glass, and a large rear luggage compartment. Comfortable long distance travel is assured by provision of wider seating and deep,well padded upholstery.
The wide screen and windows afford good vision, although smaller proportioned people will prefer a higher seat. This is to some extent catered for, however, by arranging the front seat to rise slightly as it is adjusted forward.
In view of the rather drastic nature of “The Open Road” test run, the fuel consumption of 17.5 miiles per gallon is considered quite good. No coasting in neutral gear was indulged in at any time and all test work and normal running is included in the calculation. The Buick is a delightful car to handle, and with its improvements undoubtedly does credit to a famous name.
Posted 09/2006 |
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