This fine example of the 1940 Buick Touring Sedan is owned by Terry and Judy Minor.   It’s only modification is the addition of duel carburetors and exhaust, which became optional factory equipment on the same engine in 1941 and 1942.

Buick renamed its entire model lineup for the 1936 model year to celebrate the engineering improvements and design advancements over their 1935 models. Buick's Series 40 model range became the Special, the Series 80 became the Roadmaster and the Series 90—Buick's largest and most luxurious vehicles, became the Limited. The Century took the place of the Series 60.

The basic formula for the 1936 to 1942 Century was established by mating, the shorter behind the engine cowl, Special bodies to the Roadmaster's larger straight-eight engine (and consequently longer engine compartment).   (In contrast the 1940 Series 50 Super would combine the larger Roadmaster body with the smaller Special engine.)   While the 1940 Special was powered by Buick's 248 cu in inline-8, rated 107 hp at 3400 rpm, 1940 Centuries were powered by Buick's 320 cu in inline-8 at 141 hp, making them the fastest Buicks of the era and capable of sustained speeds of 95 mph or more, earning the Century the nickname "the banker's hot rod."

The Century was discontinued at the end of the abbreviated 1942 model year, during which total model production only accounted for about ten percent of Buick's total output.

1940 Buick Century Series 60, 126 in. wheelbase

 

Model	No. Doors	No. Pass	Cost	Production
Business Coupe	2	2	$1,128.00	44
Convertible	2	4	$1,348.00	542
Convertible Phaeton	4	5	$1,600.00	194
Sport Coupe	2	5	$1,175.00	96
Touring Sedan	4	5	$1,211.00	8,597

Body Maker:  FisherModel Number:  40-61

Weight:  3,935lb.

Engine Type:  Straight 8 L-head

Displacement:  320 cu. in.

Cylinders:  8

Bore & Stroke:  3 7/16 & 4 5/16 inches

Compression Ratio:  6.35 to 1

(Brake/Rated) Horsepower:  (141@3600/37.8)

Torque:  130 ft. lbs. @1000