1937 Buick Special Model 46C Five-Passenger Convertible Phaeton

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

“The Special for 1937 brings Buick ownership within the realm of reality for anyone who yearns to possess a truly great car.” As the effects of the worldwide Great Depression were easing, Buick was ready with their Special model, providing both value and luxury. Despite the difficult times, Buick had been an engineering leader, with independent front suspension coming in 1934, and hydraulic brakes and a new, smoother Synchro-Mesh transmission added in 1936. 

For 1937 the Buick line was extensively restyled. The new design, largely the work of Frank Hershey (who would later create Ford’s 1955–57 Thunderbird), was longer, lower, and wider than the 1936 cars. The Special’s smaller inline-eight got a longer stroke, taking it to 248 cu-in and 100 hp. Buick’s 1937 design featured a revised Art Deco influence with a divided front grille, horizontal bars, squared-off fenders, and streamlined headlight shells. Despite lowering the overall height by 1.5 inches, the floor was dropped 2.5 inches to maintain headroom. The Buick Special also received a longer 122-inch wheelbase for the model’s eight body styles. 

As popular as the 1937 Buicks were, the striking $1,020 model 46C Five-Passenger Convertible Phaeton had a production run of just 1,689—the rarest Series 40 for 1937. 

Highlights 

• Mostly original condition 1937 Buick Convertible Phaeton 

• Older restoration resprayed in dark green with brown leather interior 

• Powered by a 248 cu-in Valve-in-Head straight-eight engine 

• Three-speed Synchro-Mesh manual transmission 

• The Body by Fisher tag decodes as: 

  • Model: 40C – Special 

  • Style: 37-4449 

    • 37 – 1937  

    • 4 – Buick  

    • 4 – Series 40 “Special”  

    • 49 – Convertible 

  • Body: 565 – Fisher Body sequence number 

  • Trim: 346 – Gray Leather (now brown) 

  • Paint: 508 – Samarra Beige (now green) 

Features 

• Twin side mount spares with hard covers  

• Dashboard-mounted AM radio 

Known Imperfections 

• This vehicle has no side windows, though frames are present

• No convertible top  

Included 

• 1937 Buick owner’s manual 

• Assorted spare parts 

 Ownership History  

This 1937 Buick Special Model 46C Five-Passenger Convertible Phaeton has been located in Maine since 12 June 2020.