The all-new front fascia of the 1939 Buick lineup was the final stepping-stone, and a big one, uniting the automotive fashions of the 1930s and the 1940s. It was the last year for externally mounted headlights, and even these started to look like they were beginning to melt into the fenders. The grille was also no longer reserved for the radiator as it too was stretching horizontally out over the fenders in what is probably the most organic and seamless looking grille in Buick history. The 1939 Buick is unmistakable and has proven timelessly attractive.

The Buick Special Convertible Coupe offered here is one of a reported 4,569 originally produced and is likely one of the finest surviving examples as it is an exceptional car in beautiful overall show condition. Presented in the factory color of Lassen Green, this beautiful Buick also has a tan soft-top and red leather interior. This model of car was powered from the manufacturer by a 248-cid, 107-hp inline Dynaflash eight-cylinder engine. The transmission is a three-speed manual.

This particular Buick is reported as a California car that was known about Sacramento and San Francisco during its earlier years. The car was restored to its current condition in 2013. The current owner recalls the engine had been replaced with a 1951-spec engine, so he found a proper 1939 engine and had it rebuilt by an Orlando-based craftsman for installation. The bodywork and subsequent paint was executed was completed by a nearly 20-year employee of a respected Wauchula restoration shop with a history of top-flight presentations. All systems are said to work properly, barring the trip odometer. The speedometer and main odometer are in working order, while the dash was completely woodgrained by a well-known expert in Winter Haven, Florida. The front floor mats and hogs hair carpet are sourced from the restoration facility of the late Lewis Jenkins in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, as is the trunk interior upholstery. The interior was completed by Hoyt’s Auto Upholstery in Sarasota; another shop with a well-known reputation for antique and classic work in Florida. Hoyt’s also did the top from “scraps, patterns, factory and collector photos.”

The Buick Special in 1939 was synonymous with the Series 40. This particular car is well-appointed with factory folding “opera seats” that fold down transversely and provide under-the-top coverage for two additional passengers. This Buick also has a radio, optional rear fender skirts (see the eighth photo in the array above), fender-mounted parking lights, chrome exhaust tip, deluxe cabin heater, Unity foglights, factory steel wheels that are color-matched to the body and are fit with hubcaps and trim rings, wide whitewall tires and the jack is in the finished trunk area. Attached badging at the front of the car shows that this fine machine received an AACA National Senior First Prize in 2013, and 2014 saw the Buick Convertible Coupe win an AACA Grand National First Prize.

Of course, the open models were the most sought after and gathered additional publicity in period as a Buick Roadmaster convertible became the official pace car for the 1939 Indianapolis 500. The heightened awareness of Buicks superior styling and its reputation for building solid automobiles pushed Buick’s sales past the 200,000 mark, while securing the company’s position as the fourth largest car manufacturer in North America.