1934 Buick 8/40 Sedan

Description

With a history dating back to 1904, Buick has been the longest established American automotive maker for a number of years now and, under the direction of William C. Durant, formed the cornerstone of the General Motors Corporation. Always regarded as maker of quality automobiles, only Cadillac sat above Buick in GM's automotive empire. Buick introduced a range of advanced overhead-valve straight eights in 1931 that formed the mainstay of the company for the next decade. Buick's 1934 model range saw significant modernization, with new streamlined styling evident across the range, which consisted of the 40, 50, 60 and 90 models. The 40 had a 233-cid straight eight sitting in all new 117-inch wheelbase sealed chassis frame which also boasted General Motors' advanced new "Knee Action" independent front suspension and famously smooth torque tube driveshaft. Buick offered five different basic bodies by Fisher, including a four-door Sedan, a Business Coupe, a Sports Coupe with rumble-seat, a Club Sedan with a built-in boot and a two-door Touring Sedan. Buicks were also exported to Australia as CKD (knock-down kits) from Canada and bodied locally by Holden from as early as 1922 and General Motors began an Australian operation in earnest in 1926, with assembly plants around the country. Australian 8/40s differed from their American counterparts in having larger rear quarter lights, leather upholstery with a drop-down rear armrest, a clock and twin side-mounted spares as standard equipment. The asking price was £495 in 1934, with a Sedan, Coupe and Roadster the only styles catalogued locally.