Even Buick’s entry-level Special boasted a super-smooth “straight eight” engine in 1937, and this 1937 Buick Special Series 40 in Caldwell, West Virginia could become special to a new owner soon. The long-stored, long-nosed Buick comes to market here on eBay where it awaits an opening bid of $17,500 as we go to press. The inline eight cylinder turns but does not start, and indoor storage (perhaps not completely dry) has left this classic in reasonably good shape inside and out.
Painted wood grain on the steel dashboard is typical of the era, as is the non-collapsible steering column poised to spear your heart. A rectangular Art-Deco instrument cluster features a sweeping speedometer flanked by a quartet of gauges informing the driver about Water, Fuel, Oil, and Battery. A large monaural radio speaker guarantees you’ll hear tonight’s episode of The Lone Ranger.
A persistent drip may have caused trouble for the roof and rear window frame, but some imperfections are guaranteed with any “find.” A profile shot would tell the exact model. The Model 46 (Two-Passenger Business Coupe) and Model 46S (Four-Passenger Sport Coupe) appear to differ only in the Sport Coupe’s longer doors and rear opera seats, the latter not evident in the pictures provided. How about those wide whitewall tires… still holding air!
If original, the 248 cid (4.1L) inline eight cylinder made 100 HP, 30 fewer than the 320 cid version in Buick’s three other Series (Limited, Roadmaster, and Century). Thanks to OldCarManualProject for some details. The I8 makes a tight fit, even within the Buick’s elegant elongated snout. Aggressive 4.40 rear axle gears help turn the 16 inch wheels and tires and make the most of the even 100 HP. Last inspected in May of 1991, this Special deserves some special treatment and a second life after 30 years of slumber. Have you driven a straight eight?
You’d think for the ridiculous starting bid the seller would roll the car out that garage door, clean it up, and THEN take the pictures. Todd asked if any of us had driven a car with this engine and I have, but it was in a ’40 Willis hot rod. Glass smooth and in that light car with all that low end torque really got off the line.
My Dad had a ’37 Buick Century straight 8. That is where I learned some cuss words about the carburetor. He later had a straight 8 ’50 Packard with overdrive that I learned to drive when I was almost 16. He would “open it up” but forget to engage the overdrive by letting up on the accelerator. It was still going strong at 90 mph without overdrive.
These are great cars. I liked my 37 Buick Special 4 door trunkback sedan so much that I bought the exact 37 Special Business Coupe as in your article (even the same color scheme). The Business coupe has less than 1000 miles on a complete ground up nut and bolt restoration. I think his starting point is a little optimistic. I could let mine go for around $40k.
Beautiful car. Too bad that drip wasn’t discovered earlier and dealt with.
I’d wager the drip was indeed discovered earlier, and the owner simply said. “meh.”
About 1987 I was vending Rolls-Royce spare parts at the RROC national meet in the Greenbriar Hotel. As I had a “Vendor pass” for the event and I was not paying for a hotel room, I found out I could eat at the Hotel’s employee cafeteria. Talking with some of the employees as we ate, one of them said she knew of a 1930s Rolls-Royce sitting in an old garage not very far away.
At the end of the meet I followed her detailed map over to near Lewisburg, WV. Peeking in thru the garage window I was saddened to see a Buick business coupe, and not a Rolls-Royce. I’m pretty sure it was this car, but the person in the house gruffly said it wasn’t for sale, and I never looked further. Had the Buick been for sale at a good price, I would have probably bought it, because it’s a fairly rare coupe.
Ive owned four straight eights and been over the road with four of them… Had a 38 special trunk back sedan for 9 years, needed the engine rebuilt. last year for floor shift.. Used it in my wedding in 1976. Very similar to the 37.. Owned a 52 special sedan twice, three on the tree.. Was a one owner my first go round with it.. Sold to a buddy,he sold it after bad luck with it. Then bought it again from a guy he sold it to. Had a 39 that needed restoration but ran beautifully… Then after I got divorced I bought a 40 super sedan… These motors have a very distinctive sound to them… Very smooth running , very durable great driving/handling machines…
My first car, in 1965, was a 194p Super equipped with the Fireball straight-eight and Dynaflow transmission.
Compared with the Oldsmobiles, Cadillacs, and Pontiacs of the day, which were fitted with noisy, rough-shifting Hydramatic transmissions, the Buick was glided smoothly and quietly from stops. The car had been driven more than 100,000 miles when my uncle gave it to me in 1965. And though 100,000 miles is hardly impressive now, back then it was quite remarkable for any drive train.
I added about 20,000 miles to the odometer before giving the car to another uncle, He, in turn, drove it a year before selling it. Thereafter, I lost track of the car. Before its sale, however, neither the engine nor the transmission had ever been overhauled.
Wow, you can buy a nice survivor or restored coupe for that price. They obviously are testing the water.