Photo: BaT User: rgasmar
Petrolheads today tend to gloss over cars and trucks built before World War II. It seems there's simply more objectively cool stuff built in the 50s and 60s than there was before WWII popped off in 1939. Well, this 1939 Buick Special was one of the last American automobiles to leave the factory before the second great boogaloo. After getting the full restomod treatment from Kindig-it Design in Salt Lake City, Utah, we think the modern crowd would be a heck of a lot more interested.
The second generation Series 40 Buick Special, made before the war, after the war, and even during the war in limited numbers for U.S. Military personnel, left the factory sporting either a 3.8-liter (233-cu in) or a 4.1-liter (248-cu in) straight-8 engine. Both were healthy-sized engines for their day, ones that could cruise more or less at the lower end of modern highway speeds without too much trouble. But engine tech's come leaps and bounds since the late 30s. So after a complete engine-out restoration process, Kindig-it Design's Buick Special was prepped to receive a six-liter GM LS2 V8, most known for being the base engine of early C6 Corvettes and also the Pontiac GTO, Chevy Trailblazer SS, and the Saab 1-7-X Aero.
It's lovingly paired with a GM 4L60E automatic four-speed transmission, a nice upgrade from the three-speed synchromesh gearbox that came with the car just before the war. The stock four-wheel drum brakes and leaf spring suspension is also deleted. In its place is a set of Wilwood disk brakes at all four corners. It's backed up by a multi-link suspension setup in the rear with a custom TCI suspension in the front using air bags from Air Lift for a smooth ride that feels like a modern car. At the rear of the vehicle, a Currie nine-inch rear end keeps the back end in check under hard acceleration and cornering, and the Intro Design 17-inch wheels make for a look that melds modern design with old-school sensibilities in a way few restomods can manage.
Inside, the situation is much the same. This Buick's cabin is accented with ample helpings of plush cream leather, varnished wood, and polished metal to make for a space you wouldn't mind spending an eight-plus hour-long road trip inside. The impressively soft-looking upholstery was taken care of by JS Custom Interiors of Salt Lake City. Their work includes the leather seat covers as well as installing the Dakota Digital gauges, an aftermarket air conditioning unit from Vintage Air, and all the custom woodworking. Add it all up, and is it any surprise the thing sold for $125,000 before taxes and fees on Bring a Trailer? There are used Bentleys and Rolls-Royces out there for the same money that aren't nearly as nice.
It's lovingly paired with a GM 4L60E automatic four-speed transmission, a nice upgrade from the three-speed synchromesh gearbox that came with the car just before the war. The stock four-wheel drum brakes and leaf spring suspension is also deleted. In its place is a set of Wilwood disk brakes at all four corners. It's backed up by a multi-link suspension setup in the rear with a custom TCI suspension in the front using air bags from Air Lift for a smooth ride that feels like a modern car. At the rear of the vehicle, a Currie nine-inch rear end keeps the back end in check under hard acceleration and cornering, and the Intro Design 17-inch wheels make for a look that melds modern design with old-school sensibilities in a way few restomods can manage.
Inside, the situation is much the same. This Buick's cabin is accented with ample helpings of plush cream leather, varnished wood, and polished metal to make for a space you wouldn't mind spending an eight-plus hour-long road trip inside. The impressively soft-looking upholstery was taken care of by JS Custom Interiors of Salt Lake City. Their work includes the leather seat covers as well as installing the Dakota Digital gauges, an aftermarket air conditioning unit from Vintage Air, and all the custom woodworking. Add it all up, and is it any surprise the thing sold for $125,000 before taxes and fees on Bring a Trailer? There are used Bentleys and Rolls-Royces out there for the same money that aren't nearly as nice.
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