PASTHINGS Posted March 7 Share Posted March 7 Hello everybody, I have just purchased a 1939 Buick coupe. Trying to figure out if it’s a 40,60 or 80 series. pictures of the frame, engine and firewall numbers I found so far. Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly_John Posted March 7 Share Posted March 7 (edited) Your firewall I.D. tag indicates the car is a series 40, model 46, which is a SPECIAL business coupe. The 13432779 is a frame serial number. The first digit (a 1 in your case) indicates this BUICK was built in the Flint, MI plant. Frame serial number: Plant Name Plant Code Seq Num Start Seq Num End Flint, MI 1 3388547 3596806 South Gate, CA 2 3395088 3592131 Linden, NJ 3 3405088 3593652 I also sent you a private message here on the forum. Just click on the little envelope in the top right corner of this page. John Edited March 7 by Jolly_John (see edit history) 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-g-g0 Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 I had model 46 in 1957! One problem that I encountered was overheating, especially # 8 cylinder. Rebuilt the engine twice. Drove it hard but a fun car! Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 At first glance it has the first version grill and the marker lights on the front fender were a $4.20 option Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zepher Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 Neat little coupe. You should definitely join the Buick club, you'll get tons of help and info there. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1939_Buick Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 (edited) 3 hours ago, Barney Eaton said: At first glance it has the first version grill and the marker lights on the front fender were a $4.20 option And has the small wiper transmission, so very likely the short chassis. The engine serial number may be a restamp. Buick used the letter b for 6, and inverted b for 9. Stamping not the same quality as Buick factory Paint 531 is rainer blue (a very nice color IMHO) Trim 700 Novetly Bedford Cloth Tan Trim 701 Mohair Fabric Taupe Front fender lights may have been $4.20 in 1939 but can be ~$250 now. Lens are hard to find. Years ago a friend in NZ made some plastic lens that were a very good match to glass. Hard to tell difference. PASTHINGS Does it drive and stop OK? Are your intentions to restore it ~ get running as is? Many 1 year only parts for 1939 series 40 Edited March 8 by 1939_Buick (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcapra Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 (edited) I think you got a very rare Buick. I've always seen 4 door sedans as 39 Buicks, but never a small coupe. Looks Chevrolet size. It looks green to me. Is it really blue? Does it have a six cylinder engine like a Chevrolet? Edited March 8 by marcapra (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1939_Buick Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 2 minutes ago, marcapra said: I think you got a very rare Buick. I've always seen 4 door sedans as 39 Buicks, but never a small coupe. Looks Chevrolet size. It looks green to me. Is it really blue? Does it have a six cylinder engine like a Chevrolet? From 1931 to 1953 Buick had straight 8's. Buick bodies are GM B , Chev was GM A https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors_B_platform Car has been repainted blue to green 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcapra Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 I guess I'm thinking of Pontiac and maybe Oldsmobile that had a choice of sixes or eights flathead engines. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 (edited) 2 hours ago, marcapra said: I guess I'm thinking of Pontiac and maybe Oldsmobile that had a choice of sixes or eights flathead engines. Distant cousins! Ben Edited March 8 by Ben Bruce aka First Born (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 (edited) I sold this 3 years ago after owning it for 12 years. I wanted a Buick with the dual side mounts and looked at a lot poor condition and over priced cars. This came from Milwaukee area, owner moved to Hot Springs AR history was lost until around 2000 when it was landed in Palestine TX and I purchased from the owner there. It has every possible option (probably installed when restored) I was able to get a copy of the Buick accessory booklet from The Buick Heritage Alliance... my car had the stream boards...running boards that were only offered in 1939 on Specials and Centurys at no extra cost I also want to correct the price on the front fender lamps, they were $7.50 factory installed. Something I have never heard in a discussion.. the accessory/option booklet list a 3.615/1 gear ratio as an option. here is a copy of a page from the accessory booklet. Edited March 8 by Barney Eaton (see edit history) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick looks fine for 39 Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 I bought my first 39 business coupe the year of Woodstock and I still have it. There are many idiosyncrasies between late and early models and quite a few items are 39 only. I'd be glad to help anyway I can. Thanks Leif 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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