Image of 1938 Buick Special 40, Note: These illustrations use artistic license and may differ from actual historical models.

Engine Specifications
Engine:	Straight-8
Displacement:	248 cu in (4.1 L)
Horsepower:	107-125 hp
Torque:	Estimated 200 lb-ft
Compression Ratio:	6.15:1
Ignition System:	Battery Ignition
Cooling System:	Liquid-cooled
Performance Specifications
0-60 Time:	Estimated 15-20 seconds
1/4 Mile Time:	Not available
Top Speed:	80-85 mph
Transmission and Drive
Drive Type:	Rear-wheel drive
Transmission Type:	3-speed manual
Fuel and Efficiency
Fuel System Type:	Carburetor
MPG:	Estimated 10-15 mpg
Dimensions and Brakes
Brakes:	Drum brakes
Wheelbase:	122 inches
Weight:	3,400 lbs

1938 Buick Special 40: An American Eight with Quiet Confidence

The 1938 Buick Special 40 made a strong case for buying a Buick: it offered the presence and smoothness of a big American car without the price tag of the company’s larger, more luxurious models. Built by Buick, a General Motors division, the Special was the entry point to the Buick lineup, but “entry-level” did not mean basic. It came with a straight-eight engine, substantial construction, and the kind of carefully finished cabin that helped Buick earn its reputation as a step up from an ordinary family car.

The Special arrived during a difficult period for the American auto industry. The United States was in the grip of the 1937–38 recession, and buyers were watching their spending. Buick’s answer was a well-equipped car that looked and felt more expensive than its position in the lineup suggested. A notable detail is that the Special used the same basic 248-cubic-inch straight-eight formula found in other Buicks of the period, giving buyers the smoothness and character of an eight-cylinder engine in the company’s most accessible series.

1938 Buick Special Styling and Cabin

The Special’s exterior has the unmistakable proportions of a late-1930s American car: a long hood, rounded front fenders, a tall glasshouse, and a rear body that flows into a gently tapered trunk. Its upright grille is filled with vertical bars, while the headlights sit neatly in the front fenders rather than appearing as separate lamps perched above them. Bright trim adds definition without overwhelming the bodywork, and the running boards connect the front and rear fenders in a continuous, substantial sweep.

Inside, the Special was built for comfortable everyday travel. Depending on the body style and trim, buyers could find broadcloth or mohair upholstery, a wide front bench seat, a painted or woodgrain-finished instrument panel, and neatly arranged gauges. The materials were durable and appropriate to Buick’s mid-market position, with more visual polish than a strictly utilitarian car. Modern conveniences were limited by today’s standards, but the cabin offered good space and a commanding view of the road.

Paint choices varied by body and production details, but period Buick palettes included a range of solid colors and two-tone combinations. Dark shades such as black, maroon, and deep blue suited the car’s formal character, while lighter colors helped show off its rounded fenders and chrome. On surviving cars, original paint codes and trim combinations are worth checking carefully because restorations often substitute a color that looks period-correct but was not offered on that exact model.

The Special range included several closed-body choices, generally including two-door coupe forms and four-door sedans. Exact availability could vary by model designation and market. The four-door sedan is among the most recognizable and practical versions today, while coupes have a sportier profile and often draw attention at shows. Open Buick models existed in the broader lineup, but buyers should verify a claimed Special convertible against factory documentation rather than assume every body style was offered in Series 40.

Buick Special 40: Engineering and Historical Impact

At the heart of the 1938 Special was Buick’s 248-cubic-inch inline-eight, rated at about 107 horsepower. It was paired with a three-speed manual transmission, with synchromesh helping make gear changes smoother than in older, unsynchronized gearboxes. Hydraulic brakes and Buick’s suspension engineering also reflected how quickly American cars were moving toward easier, more controlled everyday driving.

The Special’s importance was less about introducing a single revolutionary feature and more about bringing Buick’s established engineering and finish to a wider group of buyers. Its straight-eight engine delivered a smoother power flow than many contemporary six-cylinder engines, while the car’s solid feel and substantial styling reinforced Buick’s position between mainstream brands and the more costly prestige marques. The Special helped define the formula Buick would rely on for decades: comfort, refinement, and an impression of quality without moving all the way into luxury-car territory.

Its design also captures a turning point in American styling. The separate, upright forms of earlier cars were giving way to bodies with more integrated fenders, enclosed headlights, and smoother transitions from hood to cabin. The 1938 Buick is not as streamlined as the dramatic fastbacks that followed, but it shows the industry moving toward the unified, modern-looking car of the 1940s.

Engine Performance and Road Manners

With roughly 107 horsepower, the Special was built for steady progress rather than quick acceleration. Period gearing, vehicle weight, engine condition, and body style all affect performance, but a healthy example is generally estimated to reach about 75 to 85 mph at its upper end. A modern estimate for 0 to 60 mph is roughly 20 to 25 seconds. These figures are best treated as approximations, not guaranteed factory test results for every car.

On the road, the straight-eight is the star. It produces a smooth, even note and pulls in a relaxed manner, especially once the car is moving. The three-speed manual requires deliberate shifts by modern standards, and the steering feels slower and heavier than that of a contemporary car. The Special’s long wheelbase helps it settle into a comfortable highway rhythm, though narrow roads and tight parking demand patience.

The suspension favors comfort. It can soften the sharp edges of ordinary pavement, but a worn example may bounce, wander, or clunk over uneven surfaces. On winding roads, the car’s size, period tires, and relatively soft setup encourage a measured pace rather than aggressive cornering. The driving experience is best described as mechanical and unhurried: a broad bench seat, a thin steering wheel, the gentle hum of the eight, and a clear reminder that the driver is operating a nearly 90-year-old machine.

Living with a 1938 Buick Special

Most Specials today serve as show cars, touring cars, or occasional weekend drivers. Some owners use them for local events and vintage motoring tours, where the Buick’s comfort and straight-eight character are real advantages. It is not a sensible modern daily driver for most people, particularly given its braking distances, lack of contemporary safety equipment, and limited protection from today’s traffic.

Routine work is manageable for an owner with mechanical experience and the right workshop references. The basic engine design is understandable, and many service tasks follow familiar prewar-car principles. However, age changes the equation: ignition, carburetion, cooling, fuel delivery, wiring, brakes, and suspension may all need attention before regular use. Parts support is available through specialist suppliers and Buick clubs, but trim, body panels, and model-specific details can be harder to source than common service items.

Reliability depends more on restoration quality and maintenance than on the car’s reputation when new. A carefully rebuilt engine and properly sorted brakes can make a Special enjoyable on tours. A neglected example can quickly become a project involving scarce parts, specialist labor, and a long list of deferred repairs. Before buying, inspect the frame and body for rust, confirm that the engine and transmission are correct or documented, and make sure the cooling system works under real driving conditions.

1938 Buick Special Facts and Myths

The Special was Buick’s volume-minded series, which is one reason it is more attainable than the marque’s larger and rarer models. It is not generally known for a major speed record or a famous endurance achievement. Its appeal lies instead in representing the kind of well-appointed American car that families and professionals could aspire to during the late 1930s.

One common criticism is that prewar Buicks are heavy and slow by modern standards. That is fair if they are judged by current traffic, but it misses their original purpose. The Special was designed for comfort, dependable transportation, and composed highway travel, not sporty acceleration. Another frequent misconception is that every restored car is factory-correct. Repainted bodies, replaced upholstery, and engine swaps are common enough that documentation and close inspection matter.

Collector Values and Availability

Production figures for individual 1938 Buick Special body styles are not always easy to verify, and totals can differ depending on how model designations are grouped. A reasonable working estimate is that Buick built roughly 70,000 to 90,000 Series 40 cars for the model year, with the four-door sedans and coupes accounting for much of the visible supply today. That is an estimate, not a confirmed count of surviving cars. The Special is uncommon in ordinary traffic but appears regularly enough in the collector market to be more attainable than many low-volume prewar automobiles.

As a broad U.S. market guide, a project car may sell for around $8,000 to $15,000, depending heavily on completeness and rust. A presentable driver or older restoration might fall in the $18,000 to $35,000 range. A high-quality, well-documented restoration can reach roughly $40,000 to $60,000 or more, especially if it has desirable bodywork, excellent craftsmanship, and strong provenance. These are general estimates; condition, originality, location, and auction demand can move the price substantially.

Values for sound, usable examples have generally been steadier than those for the most fashionable prewar classics. Exceptional restorations can command stronger prices, but restoration costs are high and are not always recovered at resale. The best buying strategy is to choose a complete, structurally sound car with a well-documented history rather than paying a premium for shine alone.

Why the 1938 Buick Special Still Matters

The 1938 Buick Special 40 combines a smooth straight-eight engine, handsome late-1930s styling, and a comfortable, substantial cabin in a package that remains more accessible than many prestige classics. It was not designed to break speed records. It was designed to make everyday travel feel refined, and it still communicates that mission clearly.

For collectors, the Special is a rewarding link between the upright cars of the early 1930s and the more integrated postwar designs that followed. For drivers, it offers a direct, tactile experience that modern vehicles cannot reproduce. Its lasting charm is simple: the Buick makes an ordinary stretch of road feel like an occasion.