Buick Estate Woody Wagon, 1940
Buick Estate Wagon
Buick Estate Wagon•
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Chassis No.: 13787637
Auction: Monterey 2023
Auction date: August 19, 2023
Lot No.: S157
$66,000 | Sold
- Odometer: 23,733 miles
- Engine: Inline 8-cylinder
- Transmission: Manual
- Exterior: Maroon
- Interior: Maroon
- Body: Woody Wagon
- Super Model 59
- AACA National First Prize in 2000
- Carolina Regional AACA Senior Award 1998
- Buick Club of America Senior Division 2000
- This model was designed by Harley Earl and commissioned by Harlow Curtis
- 1 of 500 built by the Biehl Body Company of Reading, Pennsylvania
- The Buick 59 was unveiled at the Coconut Grove on Wilshire Boulevard
- Meticulously maintained both mechanically and cosmetically
- AACA Regional Meet medallions
- Two owner’s manuals
- Informational binder
- Luggage
Meticulously maintained both mechanically and cosmetically, this 1940 Buick Model 59 Estate Wagon is one of just 500 built that year. It’s finished in maroon with Mahogany paneling surrounded by White Ash framing and a textured vinyl roof covering the top, the dark red color allowing for the brightwork and woodwork to gleam. The maroon interior features leather and wooden door panels and an ivory-colored steering wheel. Powered by a 248 CI inline 8-cylinder engine with a 3-speed column-shifted manual transmission, the wagon is equipped with a semi-floating rear axle, 4-wheel hydraulic drum brakes and front and rear coil spring suspensions.
Very nicely equipped, it boasts an AM radio, a clock, carpeted mats and more, marking it as truly a spectacular wagon for the era. This particular Estate Wagon has earned a number of awards and distinctions, such as the AACA National First Prize in 2000, the Buick Club of America Senior Division in 2000 and the Carolina Regional AACA Senior Award in 1998. It’s also dressed with AACA Regional Meet medallions and is accompanied by a luggage set, two owner’s manuals and an informational binder. Remarkably luxurious, well-equipped and stylized for the day, the development of the 1940 Buick Model 59 Estate Wagon is the stuff of legend and simply the result of a friendly conversation.
Buick General Manager Harlow Curtice attended a party hosted by his friends Hollywood film director Norman McLeod and his wife, Bunny, at their home in Toluca Lake, California. Discussing cars and the industry, Bunny remarked they didn’t own a Buick because there was no station wagon in the company portfolio. Returning to Michigan, Curtice worked with Harley Earl to sketch out some ideas on what Buick’s first station wagon should look like and commissioned the construction of 501 bodies to the Biehl Body Company. Buick would export six, selling 494 in the U.S.
The unaccounted-for wagon debuted the new Buick model at a surprise party presentation in the Coconut Grove nightclub at the Ambassador Hotel on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. Norman and Bunny McLeod were invited, and Bunny was presented with Body No. 1.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/1092405/1940-buick-estate-woody-wagon/
Cost
242,385 AED
