1938 Buick Special Model 46-C: The Classic Car That Fits Any Need

The 1938 Buick Special is noteworthy because of its long production run. It was produced, in fits and starts, until 1996. This article is about the car being produced from 1936 to 1942 and again from 1946 to 1949. It had an 8-cylinder engine, and this iteration of the car helped Buick retake the top spot in car sales at General Motors, and was elegant in its styling.

The 1938 Buick Special was a full-size car, and it was not downsized into a mid-size car until 1963. It was offered as a coupe, sedan, convertible, and (later) as a station wagon. That is incredible diversity, and it helped to increase the vehicle’s appeal to consumers. How many of these cars do you think are still around?

1938 Buick Special Summary

Beginning in 1936, the Buick Special Series 40 model range represented the marque’s entry-level full-size automobile. There were muliple automobiles produced, and each made a brand name in the series 40s. 1936 was a very successful year for Buick, and it was the first time that the car company used names rather than the simple serial number to name its cars. In that sense, this car is a noteworthy addition to the Buick family.

The first Specials, in 1936, rode on a 118-inch wheelbase, but for the next model year, this was increased to 122 inches as all Buicks grew for that year. This was a full-size car. The 8-cylinder engine was also new, and was now of 248 cubic inches. The Special (and all other Buicks as well) underwent a full restyling for 1938, with a more enclosed nose and a wider grille. The wheelbase for the 1938 Buick Special was also two inches shorter. However, the exterior features of the car remained unchanged.

In 1940, there was a small restyle, and the wheelbase increased further by an inch. This was also the only model year that a four-door convertible Special was offered, although only 552 were built. The 1938 Buick had a convertible version, but it was two doors. Prices in 1940 started at $795 for the Business Coupe to $925 for either the 4-door Touring Sedan or 2-door Convertible. Convertibles were more expensive.

For 1941, the bodywork was all new and very differentiated from the 1938 Buick. The changes included front fenders, a very obvious part of the car, now very closely integrated into the car’s overall design. This was previously not the case. The Estate Wagon became part of the Special lineup. A fastback was offered in the Series 40. It had special trim and was offered as a four-door touring sedan and a two-door business coupe. Thus, the flexibility of the line continued to be on display. This was the case as early as the 1938 Buick.

Also new was the 40-A series (the regular Special now being the 40-B), a version on a three-inch shorter wheelbase which shared its body with the 1941 Oldsmobile Series 70. The 1938 Buick and the Oldsmobile were both part of General Motors. These two series, with a restyle reminiscent of the 1939 Y-Job, continued into the abbreviated 1942 model year. Production ended on 4 February 1942. The Special was now offered as the entry-level luxury vehicle that the LaSalle previously held.

Production of the automobile stopped and resumed, with a larger body. There were minor changes in the car, which was odd given the break in production. The prewar body was finally replaced halfway through the 1949 model year. Post-war Specials were only available as a four-door sedan or a two-door “sedanet,” until the new 1949 models arrived.

The car was in popular culture. In the movie ‘Mildred Pierce‘, Veda Pierce, Mildred’s daughter, played by actress Ann Blyth, was given a 1938 Buick Special convertible as a gift. It was then valued at $1,077 for the Model 46C. The movie Small Town Conspiracy also features a 1939 Buick Special 8 that the main character of the film, John Haleran (Zen Gesner), drives as his police car. That car remained the property of director Ralph Clemente and was untouched for a long time until sold to Florida car restorer and collecter.

Conclusion

The Buick Special, which the 1938 Buick Special was a part of this line, had a large effect on the automotive industry in the United States. The car was produced, with several breaks in production, in the US until 1996. There are many collectors out there who have restored this car. They tend to display it at car shows.