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Researched and contributed by Michael Monaghan from the original “Australian Monthly Motor Manual - January, 1950"
The 1955 Buick series 40 Special has just been announced in america and under more normal and happier circumstances this would be a matter of great interest to the Australian motoring public. unfortunately, however, the number of new Buicks to come to this country will be so limited as to be negligible. However, even with dollars the way they are, everyone is interested to know what Buick is doing, and even if you cannot have one you can at least read about it.
It is just ten years since Buick introduced the Special, a car primarily designed to collect its share of the medium priced market. In the 1950 Special series, Buick has the same idea in mind and the new car has been designed to sell at a lower price and regain Buick’s position as the third most popular car in America. The Special is the smallest car in the range and the new model introduces bodies of new and advanced type, roomier, lower and wider than any previous Buick body. A notable feature is an increase of 11 in. in the width of the rear seat, and although the wheelbase has been increased 1/2” to 121 1/2”, overall length at 204 in. is 3 1/2” less than before. The design of the body is most attractive, with swept back wings running full length of the car and merging into the rear fenders. Roof pillars are much narrower, and the curved glass windscreen wider with the consequent great improvement in visibility. The front grill treatment marks a complete break with convention in that the radiator grill itself serves as front bumper. This simply consists of a large wrap-round bumper in which are mounted two parking lights with the vertical grill teeth mounted between them.
Buick 40 Special Features New Body
The rear of the body sweeps straight down and contains a huge rear vision window and includes a very large trunk without breaking the attractive line of the body. Lights on the rear fenders include tail and stop lights and have provision for direction indicators. Lamps mounted in the large wrap-round bumpers are optional backing lights.
The interior of the car is well but not elaborately appointed. Instruments are neatly laid out in front of the driver and the three-spoke steering wheel has been stripped of its its luxury fittings. A glare-proof mirror is fitted and the area swept by the windscreen wiper blades is increased from 379 to 573 sq. in.
The Special is a full six passenger car with comfortable seating for three persons both front and rear. The door handles on the new car are of the push-button type and the handle turns in toward the panelling with no open end to catch on clothing. In the interest of economy the pull type bonnet opening has been abandoned and the bonnet is now opened by a key fitted in the front port-hole.
ENGINE DETAILS
From the standpoint of mechanical design there are many important detail changes although the major units remain practically the same as before. The straight-eight overhead valve engine is rated at 110 b.h.p. and compression ratio is 6.3:1 used with the conventional gearbox. However a Dynaflow drive is offered as optional equipment, and with this fitted the compression ratio is stepped up to 7:1. With this set-up the engine develops 120 b.h.p. at 3,600 r.p.m. Due to the lower bonnet, changes have been made to the carburettor, and the air cleaner is of the horizontal type. Little change has been made to the chassis and the four-coil spring suspension is continued. The steering has been improved and now has more positive action. Braking remains the same, and generally speaking the chassis layout is unchanged. An improved lay-out has been adopted for the heater and fresh air equipment, and one of these now runs on either side of the motor, with the radiator core for the heater mounted on the bulkhead. Altogether the new Buick Special is a decided improvement on the previous model. It offers the same accommodation and the same power, but is lighter in weight, smoother in line, and offers more room and visibility.
It will sell at a lower price, too, which is really the most important point in these days of continually rising prices.
Posted 03/2011 |
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