Looking at getting into this car. Its pretty in an ugly sort of way. I'll be the first one to tell you i don't know everything thing out there. does anyone have any, advise, pictures, info, about this car. quirks, parts availability, horror stories. i know in 39 buick had different models but all i know is this car appears to be a 2dr coupe. I ***ume it came with the straight 8, (car has no engine, no trans). I have a 400 sbc at the machine shop now. I wanted to stuff it in a 59 rambler but then this opportunity came up. i can't imagine it would be difficult to fit a SBC into that engine compartment, maybe it is a bit narrow. also ***uming the frame is finished but there is no rear end, i am trying to settle on a price limit, ( it is at an auction, have not got to inspect it yet). i was thinking around 1500-2000. I'm pretty bad at pricing things, but at least i know that about myself. Pictures of what this car could aspire to be would be greatly appreciated Thanks in advance.
<TT></TT> <TT>I really dig the 39 Buick front end. Not too many coupes out there either, mostly 4 doors. Here's some info I glommed from another site.</TT> <TT>1939 Buick Style Chart by SuperCar Specialty</TT> <TT>Description................................................Model....Style...Cyl Century 2dr.Touring Sed.,Sliding Turret Top,5 P***.........68 ......4611A ...8 Century 2dr.Touring Sedan, Trunk Back, 126"W.B. ...........68 ......4611 ....8 Century 4dr.Sport Phaeton,Trunk Back,5 P***.126"Wb.........61C .....4629 ....8 Century 4dr.Touring Sed.,Sliding Turret Top,5 P***.........61 ......4619A ...8 Century 4dr.Touring Sedan, Trunk Back, 126"W.B. ...........61 ......4619 ....8 Century Convt. Cpe, Opera Seats, 4 P***.,126"W.B. .........66C .....4667 ....8 Century Sport Cpe., Opera Seats, 4 P***., 126"W.B..........66S .....4627 ....8 Ltd 4dr.Tour.Sedan, 6 P***.Trunk Bk, 140"W.B. .............91 ......4919 ....8 Ltd 4dr.Tour.Sedan, 8 P***.Trunk Bk, 140"W.B. .............90 ......4923 ....8 Ltd Limousine, Trunk Back, 140"W.B., 8 P***. ..............90L .....4933 ....8 Roadmaster 4dr. Sport Sed., 6 P***., 133"W.B. .............87 ......4809 ....8 Roadmaster 4dr.Sport Phaeton, 6 P***.,133"W.B. ............80C .....4849 ....8 Roadmaster Trunkback 4dr. Formal Sedan, 133"W.B. ..........81F .....4819 ....8 Roadmaster Trunkback 4dr.Sport Phaeton, 133"W.B. ..........81C .....4829 ....8 Roadmaster Trunkbk 4dr.Touring Sed., 6 P***.133"Wb.........81 ......4819 ....8 Special 2dr.Touring Sedan, Trunk Back, 120"W.B. ...........48 ......4411 ....8 Special 2dr.Touring Sedan-Sliding Turret Top, 120".........48 ......4411A ...8 Special 4 Dr.Sport Phaeton/Trunk Back, 120"W.B. ...........41C .....4429 ....8 Special 4 Dr.Touring Sedan-Sliding Turret Top,120".........41 ......4419A ...8 Special 4dr.Touring Sedan, Trunk Back, 120"W.B. ...........41 ......4419 ....8 Special Business Cpe.-2 P***., 120"W.B. ...................46 ......4427B ...8 Special Convertible Coupe W/ Opera Seats, 120"W.B..........46C .....4467 ....8 Special Sport Coupe W/Opera Seats, 120"W.B. ...............46S .....4427 ....8 </TT>
thanks G***er 57, Having looked at that picture more it is real tough to tell if it is a coupe or sedan. Its just a funny angle. Either way i like it. Maybe a new build thread on here soon.
nice '37 suicides are good news! i know i really need to get to look at it but they have set viewing times before the auction. Thanks 20th CC
It does kind of look like a 4 door. Still nice cars though. Jdee My coupe that will get done some year
My dad restored a 39 buick special 4 door sedan.... its the most comfy car Ive evr ridden in. The straight 8 sounds great and has the perfect amount of power. I also think that the front/grille is absolutely beautiful.
I had a 39 2 dr sedan, chopped 5 ,camaro clip and rear end. I put a 383 stroker motor and drove the wheels off of it. I believe that is a 4 dr sedan. Can't really tell by the picture. I am not capable of sending a picture but I could send one snail mail if you like. PM me and I'll get that to you if you like. TP
jDee, That is what this car will inspire to be like, i just love the lines. this car is really growing on me. Thanks for the help everyone!
I sold an opera coupe last fall to a couple from New Brunswick. Great car. We changed out the shocks to tube style. Changed the rear gears to those from a 53 (3.70 if I recall) and it really became a great car. Love those straight eights. The 39 grill may be considered ugly by some, but it is certainly unique and beautiful in my opinion. You will need more info to determine value.
I had figured i would need some more info to determine the value. It's just so hard not to fall in love with a car like that and in a high pressure auction setting its all to easy to throw your hand up and spend 3k on something thats not worth it. If all the work done so far is solid though, you can't beat a good start. Does mean i can't ***** about the PO though. Something we are all to fond of. Thanks again guys
My first car in 1959 was this '39 Special with twin side mounts. Great car, but try to tell that to a 17 year old with eyes on a custom '52 Ford convertible.
I,m a 39 Buick fan, since I was a kid, my uncle had a 39 Buick which i thought was the neatest car and it was the most powerful as the speedometer went up to 120 mph!
39 Buicks are considered by most to be beautiful cars. They command a fairly high price. They are all straight eights, either the regular "small block" Special engine or the bigger Roadmaster unit. If you can land that car for 15-2000 and it is as good as it looks in the picture, it would be a steal
Thanks Carl. I hope i can get me hands on it. It will be a real fun project. does anyone know what rear ends came in these? and possibly how to ID them. Thanks again
the Buick suspensions were kinda in a world of thier own, which one oldtimer junkyd owner told me , and with Buicks he's basically right. However hot rodders just take that info and use it to mean 'think out of the box'. It just means to get the info needed to do what you want done. All the old Buicks had a seperate frame, so start from there. Here,s a discussion about this from the HAMB. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4612577&highlight=39+buick+rear+end#post4612577 37/38 Buicks were different somewhat than 39's, and 39's are similar as far as I know all the way to 53, including rear end gears etc. And even into the V8 era on some things. but in the end they are well built ch***is and bodies that can be made into good custom or street rod material. I am more into being stock or mildly modified old cars but the only way that is reasonable is in finding a really nice original car. costs and availablity of parts in restoring an oldie is a daunting job. Modifying with available used car parts [junkyd picker gg] is way more reasonable for the average guy. I would rather someone build a rod with any old car rather than letting it be destroyed. theres no reason any old Buick,Olds, Cads, Mopar,or Nash, etc,wouldnt make for a great car to build.
thanks rusty and 39cent, I feel the same way about building cars. I would love a straight 8 for this car but the fact is that i have a 400 sbc right now. im only 21 years old and i know i still have a lot to learn, thats why this car will never be in a magazine or be 100% original. it may however place in a local car show and i guarantee it will give me hundreds of hours of cruising. i hope to learn somethings along the way and maybe prepare myself for that build that will end up in a magazine (if they will still make magazines when i'm old) Thanks for all the help and support guys. i'll keep you posted.
quick update. the car never reached the reserve. It would have been nice to know that there WAS a reserve on it!! i had highest bid @ $900 and the reserve was set at 3K. would have been real nice to have for 900!! car had ALL of the molding and trim pcs. even the original door panels and dash. just not looking to get 3 grand deep in it right now. Thanks for the help anyway.
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