1936 Buick 40C Special

Little, if anything, is known about a significant chunk of our Buick’s life. We do know that it is understood to be just one of three right hand drive cars built, out of that 1,488 total, possibly destined for the South African market. The badge on the grille indicates that it is a Canadian-built McLaughlin-Buick - cars built by GM's Canadian subsidiary benefitted from favourable import duties in the rest of the British Empire, and thus McLaughlin-Buicks sold well in the UK, South Africa, Australia, etc.

The car’s life before about 2001 remains a little opaque until it comes into the possession of Paul Markland in that year. Paul had acquired the bug for historic rallies when he drove for a camera crew on the London to Peking rally in the year 2000. By 2001 we know he had signed up for that year’s 25,000-kilometre Inca Trail with his son. Their rally weapon of choice? This 1936 Buick Special Convertible. Bought in, seemingly, stock condition and with a dickie seat in the back, Paul had the Buick “totally stripped down and overhauled - with strengthened rear shock absorbers fitted” in preparation for the trip.

The Buick and its passengers obviously endured, as by 2016 current owner, Neil, was looking for a steed in which to undertake the Peking to Paris rally. In what Neil describes as “a rush of blood to the head” moment, he signed up to the rally before having a car or even a willing co-driver. Luckily both fell into place when our Buick fulfilled the former role, and Neil’s neighbour Richard, the latter. With the rigours of the Peking to Paris rally being of another magnitude of gruelling, Neil had much preparatory work undertaken on the Buick (more of which, later) but none that we know of on Richard.

As bugs of this nature are inclined to be, this one proved hard to shake and other epic adventures soon followed with the Buick. These included The Blue Train, Alpine Trial, Flying Scotsman, Rally Round Africa culminating with 2022’s Sahara Challenge. Neil’s rallying adventures have now taken him in a different direction. Consequently, this remarkable vehicle is now available to purchase by its next lucky, and probably adventurous, owner. After a thorough mechanical recommissioning, this charming Buick would make a perfect entrée companion to the world of historic rallies.

The Buick Special’s design was all new for 1936 with the model year being the first of the so called “turret top” bodies. Characteristics of this period include vee-type windshields, wedge-shaped radiators and bullet-shaped headlights. So popular and successful these changes proved that they remained, with only minimal revisions, until 1949.

Records suggest that the Buick was originally white with a change to yellow and maroon registered in 1995. Certainly, pictures found of it on Paul Markland’s acquisition in 2001 show it in its current eye-catching livery. You might expect an 87-year-old car with a history of extreme competition to be better served by a reading of the last rites more than a light buffing with a chamois leather. In this case, at least, you would be wrong.

The paintwork looks to be smoothly and thickly applied and exudes a good level of lustrous shine from the panels, particularly on those curvaceous maroon wings. Given the condition of the car it seems most likely that it has been professionally repainted in its recent history. The bodywork presents well, too, with no major dents, dings or corrosion noted. Currently, the heavy ribbed and chromed front bumper is off the car but is present and included. The other irregularity noted is that the offside headlamp has seemingly been pushed out of alignment.

Speaking of the headlamps, they are a period delight with bullet-shaped, deeply chromed backs and mesh stone guards fitted to protect the big lenses. The wing mounted side lights are equally charming with their long, tapered “cigar tube” bodies. The tall, slatted radiator cowl is topped with an art deco, chromed Buick mascot which successfully suggests a sense of rapid forward motion even at a standstill. The original period look is enhanced by a large, leather bonnet strap, articulated chromed search light and V-shaped, split windscreen.

The black fabric hood appears to be in fine fettle with no significant holes or rips noted. Even the plexiglass rear screen is undamaged if a little discoloured. The curved rear panel houses a light alloy framed fabric finished boot lid where the earlier dickie seat once lived. The rear of the Buick is fitted with its large, chromed bumper and a single leaf-spring is mounted to provide some sacrificial protection for more valuable panels - and also serves as a spare should there be any issue with the rear springs.

The 16-inch steel wheels are finished in well presented yellow paintwork. These are fitted with a matching set of recent looking, chunky Michelin Latitude Cross tyres in a generous 205/80 configuration. Twin spare wheels and tyres are fitted to the wings to provide double redundancy when, almost inevitably, needed during rally stages.

As can be seen in the gallery below, the driver's side window is cracked and will need replacing.

In contrast to the authentic period charm of the exterior of the Buick, the cabin features all the 21st Century accoutrements that a successful rally car needs. The twin Corbeau GT sports seats dominate the snug cabin. These are finished in black fabric with vinyl wear panels. These are supportive, high-backed and deeply bolstered items that are surprisingly comfortable. Red, four-point harnesses are fitted.

Other, very obvious modern boons to rallying include a quartz tachometer, thick roll bar and high-capacity fire extinguisher. The dashboard is awash with enabling technology in the shape of a Garmin GPS Map 276CX unit, a Monit G200 GPS rally computer and a set of LED Brantz rally timers. There are no excuses, in here, for not knowing where you are or for how long you have been there. Other useful enhancements include an easy access fuse board, 12 volt and USB power outputs and a fuel pump cut off switch. The boot area is surprisingly commodious as can be seen by the amount of rally related paraphernalia which is currently stowed there.

For the period and considering the Series 40 was the entry level car, the car’s original specification was none too shabby. The overhead-valve, inline-8 powering the Special had a 233 cubic-inch displacement, a two-barrel Stromberg downdraft carburettor, five main bearings, mechanical valve lifters, and delivered 93 horsepower at 3,200 RPM. This was mated to a three-speed sliding gear transmission with a single dry plate clutch and floor shift controls. Stopping power was performed by hydraulic drums on all four wheels.

Despite the Buick having been lightly prepared for the rigours of the 2001 Inca Trail rally, Neil decided something more substantial was required for the Peking to Paris. Consequently, he commissioned an upgrade of the suspension with gas struts, bump stops and straps. A roll over bar was installed, as was an electric fan and electronic ignition. An upgraded battery and quick jump start point were added and the tyres were replaced with Michelins suitable for Mongolia. The radiator was also reconditioned. After the Peking to Paris Neil replaced the fuel system and tank, fitted new carburettors and a new sump guard.

As you may sense from the Buick’s “in situ” photo-shoot, the car is currently a non-runner. It does turn over, but a 2022 condition report advises a number of issues that will require addressing. These include some variances in the compression across the cylinders, various leaks and unwanted knocks and noises. The report suggests that an engine and gearbox rebuild be undertaken before the Buick is further used. It would seem prudent that a full check and recommissioning of all mechanical systems be undertaken by the new owner.

The paperwork archive was not on-hand at the time of our photo-shoot. As such just two data sheets found in the car were able to be photographed for review. The current V5 registration document has also been supplied. Neil confirms, however, that the car came with two ring-binders full of receipts and paperwork when he bought it.

During his ownership Neil has added another ring binder’s worth of invoices and receipts for the extensive work undertaken, only some of which were detailed above. Neil has confirmed that all of the paperwork will be included with the car. Additionally, there are several boxes (pictured) of spare parts included in the sale.

A 1936 Buick Special Series 40 Convertible is already a exceptional car. Under 1,500 were originally made with the intervening 87 years, likely, reducing that number exponentially. Add to that that only three right hand drive examples were thought to have been built and that rarity and scarcity is dramatically multiplied.

Factor in this exceptional car’s history in the last 20 years or so and you have something as unique as it is compelling. The Buick seems to have mechanically suffered somewhat for its adventures, but it still represents a totem of an automotive life brilliantly lived that would seem hard to equal. It is obvious that, after some professional recommissioning, this is a car that can continue to write its unique story well into its 100 year and, probably, beyond. Bid today to be part of that amazing story. We estimate that it will sell for between £15,000-£20,000, and it is on offer at no reserve, so the highest bid will take it.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Winstow Toll, Cambridgeshire. To arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.