1940 buick

[Guest]

I recently purchased a 1940 Buick street rod. This car is a 4-door sedan, but does not have the suicide doors (the back door is hinged in the front). Also it does not have the rear quarter-panel window behind the rear door. All of the pictures I have seen show the 4-door sedan with the suicide doors. Is my car really a 1940 Buick?

[Guest]

There is a photo of the 1940 4 door on ebay at the following site: <A HREF="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2131576481" TARGET=_blank>http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2131576481</A>

[The Old Guy]

The 40 Buick used two different body styles. The special and Century had the carry over body from the 39 and they had suicide doors. The Super and Roadmaster had rear doors hinged at the front, so you have either a model 51 or 71

[Guest]

Thanks a lot. The fender badge (hood release) says "Special", so I am assuming that the badge was replaced somewhere along the line. The next question (thanks for indulging me) is how do I tell if it is a Super or a Roadmaster?

[The Old Guy]

Measure the wheel base. If it is 121 inches ,it is a Super and if it is 126 inches ,it is a Roadmaster

[Guest]

You could also check the ID Plate<BR>Super series began with 50 51 0r 51C<BR>Roadmaster series began with 70 as 71 or 71C<BR>all of these were 4 door. 1940 was the last year that side mounts were available.