1946 8/40

S. G. Pearce - Australia	The assembled Chassis
This car's chassis was shipped unassembled from the Flint, Michigan plant in the U.S. to General Motors Holden plants in Australia. Engine and running gear were sent fully assembled. The first 8/40 didn't roll off the line until December 1946, and a total of 1100 were produced until the 1947 model was released in 1948.

Buick production ceased at the end of 1948 due to the release of the first Australian produced car, the 48 / 215, which was to become known as the FX Holden. All production facilities at General Motors Holden were required for the new vehicle.

This blue section is extracted from the
NSW Buick CarClub of Australia Web site
from their History section

"With the war over, Holden was unable to obtain the necessary chassis to build bodies on and it was not until December of 1946 that the first Buicks rolled off the line.

Only 8/40 chassis were bodied by Holden, but now they were identical to their Fisher body counterparts. Upholstery was either leather or Cord, still with the pull down centre armrest on the back seat.

Holden production of 1946 and 1947's is thought to be around 2000 and basically arrived on the market a year late, i.e. 1946 models were sold in 1947 and 1947 models in 1948.

Some Super and Roadmaster models were Dealer and privately imported at that time.

Buicks of this era were popular with Government Departments and Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies used a 1947 Buick along with a Bentley for official use into the 1960's.

The story goes that he liked the old Buick so much that when it was replaced in 1958 by a new Roadmaster Limited, he ordered the new car banished and the old one returned.

However the old car had already been sold, so a similar car was conscripted from the P.M.G. fleet and refurbished. The 1958 was passed down to his deputy Jack McEwan."

"Holden stopped Buick body production in 1948 when capacity was needed to produce the new Holden car. General Motors no longer imported Buicks, but left that to individual dealers like Preston Motors in Melbourne and Stack & Co in Sydney.

The number of these imports is not known accurately but is thought to be in the region of 100 to 150 cars per year until 1952. "

Straight Eight Buick Fireball Engine

As a point of interest all three of the Buicks mentioned in the above extract still exist, although the '58 suffered a massive head on collision, which bent it rather badly. It has been under reconstruction for some years and will eventually be back on the road.

Both the other cars are known and can be easily identified. A number of other cars have been erroneously claimed as being being used by Prime Minister Menzies.

To purchase a car of this type required a government permit. This was because of pressure to 'Buy British' and some draconian import laws were introduced to this effect. A waiting list at times of up to 18 months to 2 years long was common. Wartime rationing still existed and went on until about 1948.

Most cars went to government agencies, Commonwealth, State, Civil, Military, Local Governments and the leftover went to the public sector mostly to doctors, politicians and men and women of prominence.

Some of the very first vehicles were diverted to the US Forces still in Australia, part of the clean-up and occupation forces going to Japan. These were abandoned by the US Forces in Darwin at the sudden transfer of the forces to Okinawa and mainland Japan.

A Melbourne dealer got wind of the cars and sent a busload of drivers, with mechanic's to (ahem!) retrieve them. They drove them back to Melbourne where they were sold on the black market for cash.

This particular vehicle (at left) was produced in July 1947 and was the 906th 46 8/40 built.

The first owner who can be traced was one of the original members of the Buick Car Club of Victoria.

It was driven every day and over just about every road in Australia.

In the days before 4 wheel drives became the popular towing vehicles they are today, Buicks were noted for their pulling power and roadability.

The above car was bought from that original club member by it's next owner when the local council made him get rid of some 25 parts cars he had stored in the front and back yards of his home.

It was then restored and registered again in 1989. The original colour was black but it is currently painted green.

Power is by a 248 Cubic Inch Straight Eight of 110 brake horsepower. Driven carefully the car gives around 16 to 18 miles per (Imperial) gallon

The Special was capable of just under 100 m.p.h.(160 kph) and is still easily capable of 85 mph.

It is a delight to drive on the open road, tracking beautifully at speed. With a turning circle better than a lot of newer cars it is easy to handle in city traffic as well.

The transmission is column shift with non-synchro first and synchromesh on 2nd and third gear. First gear is normally only used for starts on hills otherwise 2nd gear is all that is needed for starts on level ground.

Accessories:

Vaccum operated windscreen wipers and washers. Fitted with turn indicators as standard.

Gauges are fuel, oil pressure, ammeter, temperature, speedometer with odometer and trip meter, Clock. Valve Radio.
Side mounted rear armrest with ashtrays and central pull-down armrest.

Coil spring suspension fitted with Armstrong shock absorbers.
Through flow vents.
Glovebox, Map and Boot Lights.

Differences between Australian and US built models:

• The most obvious is right hand drive.
• Heavy duty Springs and shock absorbers (rides higher than US models).

• No heater or demister.
• No valence panel under front bumper.
• Aussie doors are of different construction, inner sections have only one opening.

• Dashboard is not removable in the same fashion as the US version.

• Battery is under drivers side front seat.