Australian 1939 Buick

[mercman from oz]

In Australia, General Motors Holden offered the 1939 Buick 4 door Sedan in either Special Series 40 or Century Series 60.

The Special road a 120 Inch Wheelbase while the Century road a 126 Inch Wheelbase.

I recently came across this great picture of a 1939 Buick taken in Queensland's bush.

Can anybody determine if this car is a Special or a Century model?

Thanks for your help.

[mercman from oz]

I meant to tick that I would like any thoughts on this vehicle. Thanks.

[60FlatTop]

Here is my wife to be standing next to my Model 40 back in 1974. The proportions of the car fenders and wheelbase look similar. My car was unique in having stainless window trim, not common to that Model. The lack of that trim on your car may indicate that it is a Model 40. My car was delivered with dual sidemounts and streamboards which were given up to a more valuable convertible by the person I bought it from. Hence the extra trim.

 

To the tick, my first glance at your car reminded me of my Buick driving Grandma O'Brien who would never back down on a one lane bridge. I don't think the woman in your picture would. My wife would. (Might have something to do with the difference in their height).

Bernie

 

Edited July 11, 2020 by 60FlatTop (see edit history)

[Y-JobFan]

Looks like a Special to me, also appears to be an early one 

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

I see a difference in merchman's picture and Bernies.  I am not sure if the Holden built was the same or not as the American built. If it was, merchman's is a Senior series.

 

  Ben

[BuickBob49]

If you have a high resolution copy of the photo, enlarge it so you can read the lettering at the front end of the stainless steel spear on the side of the bonnet. It should have the series name spelled out in Art Deco/Streamline Moderne lettering in black paint.

[1953mack]

Bottom of the line? I'd say that it looks like the shiny metal around the windscreen's perimeter isn't there, mate.

Cherrios.

[mercman from oz]

Thank you all for your comments. I am trying to locate a picture of an Holden built 1939 Buick.

The picture that I have is large, but I am unable to tell if it reads Special or Century?

In the meantime, these pictures are from the Australian Sales Brochure. You will notice that the door handles are in line with the chrome strips.

Another difference is that these Austrian built Buicks have a split rear window, while the USA models have a single piece.

These pictures are from the original Australian Sales Brochure.

[1939_Buick]

30 minutes ago, mercman from oz said:

Thank you all for your comments. I am trying to locate a picture of an Holden built 1939 Buick.

The picture that I have is large, but I am unable to tell if it reads Special or Century?

In the meantime, these pictures are from the Australian Sales Brochure. You will notice that the door handles are in line with the chrome strips.

Another difference is that these Austrian built Buicks have a split rear window, while the USA models have a single piece.

These pictures are from the original Australian Sales Brochure.

 

Very hard to tell from that angle. Need a side on view. Probably a series 40 special  248ci.  Difference show at the A pillar - rear of front fender

The other GM Fisher USA vs GM Holden (Aust) difference is the side trim at the back. GM Fisher is horizontal: GM Holden is curved.

 

The GMH body is very different to GM Fisher.   Doors and trunk are not the same.  My understanding is front sheet metal and rear fenders/guards were ex USA. 

The shape at the rear valence is different. I took a rear GMH bumper sheetmetal stone guard to NZ, but would not fit my NZ GM Fisher

GMH dash sheetmetal welded in:  GM Fisher dash sheet metal bolted in

Some GMH production photo here --.>  https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/find/Smith%2C+D.+Darian/page:79

 

In USA series 60 Centuries had a chromed alloy /ss window surround and optional on Series 40 (as Bernie's). Not so in Au. 

Interestingly in NZ the locally assembled 1939 GM Fisher series 40 all had the chromed/ss window surrounds. 

 

Will get some better side photos to show the difference

 

6 hours ago, Ben Bruce aka First Born said:

I see a difference in merchman's picture and Bernies.  I am not sure if the Holden built was the same or not as the American built. If it was, merchman's is a Senior series.

 

  Ben

 

Edited July 11, 2020 by 1939_Buick (see edit history)

[mercman from oz]

By comparison, here are pictures of the USA Special and Century.

Notice the position of the door handles and the one piece rear window.

[1939_Buick]

Both the GM Australia and GM USA artist were liberal with scale.  Cars are drawn lower-longer than reality

I have never seen an 1939 AU with streamboards, but may exist

 

Edit

 

 

 

Edited July 11, 2020 by 1939_Buick (see edit history)

[mercman from oz]

Here are pictures of a Australian Holden Bodied 1939 Buick Special Sedan.

[mercman from oz]

General Motors Holden only offered the 1939 Buick Sedans in either Spacial or Century in Australia.

It is obvious that this 1939 Buick Limited is an Imported Model.

This car is currently undergoing a full restoration in Queensland.

[50jetback]

Holden bodied 1939 Century

 

 https://www.justcars.com.au/cars-for-sale/1939-buick-century-sedan/JCW5005058

 

Holden bodied 1939 Special

 

https://www.justcars.com.au/cars-for-sale/1939-buick-special-/JCW5090302

Edited July 12, 2020 by 50jetback (see edit history)

[mercman from oz]

That is a great picture of a 1939 Buick Special that is for sale in Just Cars Magazine.

Notice the split rear window that General Motors Holden fitted to these Australian 1939 Buicks.

[1939_Buick]

8 minutes ago, mercman from oz said:

General Motors Holden only offered the 1939 Buick Sedans in either Special or Century in Australia.

It is obvious that this 1939 Buick Limited is an Imported Model.

This car is currently undergoing a full restoration in Queensland.

Am certain some senior series 1939's had bodies by Martin & King (Melbourne).  Was told (by owner at the time) a series 90 near Melbourne had the M&K body replaced by a imported Fisher body shell ~25 years? ago.  Are other 1939 90's ex USA/[UK]Canada supplied new for government - hire car use.

 

 

[1939_Buick]

GHM rear bumper has more curvature

Both cars are series 40 specials

Edited July 12, 2020 by 1939_Buick (see edit history)

[BuickBob49]

Were leather seats standard in GMH cars? What about the shift pattern in 1939 with the new column shift? Same as with LHD cars, or reversed?

[mercman from oz]

BuickBob49, I cannot answer your question authoritatively, as I am not an expert on Buicks, just interested in all makes of American cars.

To answer your question, from the Sales Brochure, it says that the Interior is finished in "Super Dull Finish Leather".

Also, attached are photos of an actual RHD 39 Buick dash and steering wheel, as well as the page from the Original Sales Brochure.

If you are not familiar with this great Brochure Web Site, I am sure that you will find plenty to interest you on it.

In addition to a section on USA cars, there is also a section on Canadian and Australia.

I have been scanning old car brochures in my collection and sending them in so that everyone can benefit

We have to preserve these old pieces of literature, as originals are fast disappearing.

Frequently, I hear that when the original older owner dies, his off spring merely discard all old literature into the Garbage Bin.

If any reader has any Brochures that are not listed, I am sure that the owner of this Web Site would appreciate good scans.

Regards Mercman <><

http://oldcarmanualproject.com/

[1939_Buick]

1 hour ago, BuickBob49 said:

Were leather seats standard in GMH cars? What about the shift pattern in 1939 with the new column shift? Same as with LHD cars, or reversed?

As photo above the column change was mirrored.  The transmission casing & bell housing-clutch castings were also mirrored.

However the graphic artist (in USA?) did not get the column change lever in the correct position for the AU sales literature 😉

Edited July 12, 2020 by 1939_Buick (see edit history)

[1939_Buick]

USA Fisher S40 at the top.  Aust GMH S60 at the lower.  Difference is at the A pillar-fender

For the pursuit, both are non standard colors. But GMH did do a Casino Beige.  Seems to be a common color

With a sidemount on a series 40 the door cannot be fully opened

 

Edited July 12, 2020 by 1939_Buick (see edit history)