Buick Series 90 Limited (1936–1942) Origin
Buick renamed its Series 90 model range beginning from 1936 to include the designation “Limited”. The change in the name was in lieu of celebrating the advancements in the model designs as well as the improvements in their engineering. The 1936 models shared a common chassis with the Cadillac Series 70 model range. The Series 90 Limited was preceded by the Series 90 which was produced between 1931 to 1935.
The new Series 90 Limited had superiority over the previous models in terms of technicality. Some of the features which the Buick Series 90 Limited had included the improved front suspension, all-steel passenger compartment tops (Turret Top design of GM), alloy engine and an improved engine cooling system, and an improved hydraulic safety braking system.
Just like in the previous models, the designer of the Series 90 Limited was Harley Earl. These 1936 to 1942 models came in only two body styles which are the 4-door sedan and the 4-door limousine. A D-body platform was used by all GM exclusive cars. The transmission of these cars was a 3-speed sliding shift manual transmission. Stay with me till the end and I promise to get you the major specifications of this classic car model
Buick Series 90 Limited (1936–1942) Overview
The Buick Series 90 Limited were the largest and most expensive vehicles of luxury amongst all Buick-produced cars. In the late 30s, Buick’s model cars were very common among British Royalty. The likes of King Edward VIII of England who relinquished the throne to marry a divorced American that he was in love with, and also the fourth son of King George V who was the Duke of Kent also used a Series 90 Limited limousine.
The large models of the Limited model cars ran on a wheelbase that was about 138 inches (3,505 mm). In 1938 however, the wheelbase was extended to 140 inches (3,556 mm). The Roadmaster and Limited versions of the Series 90 had their wooden structures replaced with steel ones in this same year and were, therefore, the last passenger cars of the Buick model range to use wood compartments.
All the cars produced by Buick went through a major exterior redesign in 1939 with the exception of the Buick Series 90 Limited. However, Buick added a sectioned rear compartment to the 1939 model which separated the driver from the passengers in the rear of the vehicle. There was also a glass partition between the driver and passengers for increased privacy. Furthermore, optional AM radio was featured for the first time.
In 1940, Buick renamed most of the cars in its Series designations and gave them names. The Buick Series 40 was given the name ‘Special’, Series 50 was given the name ‘Super’, while the Series 60 was named ‘Century’. The Series 70 was named ‘Roadmaster’ while ‘Limited’ was the name of both the Series 80 and Series 90.
Buick Series 90 Limited (1936–1942) Engine
Engines used by the Series 90 Limited include a 320 cu in (5,293.9 cc) which was capable of producing 120 hp (89 kW; 122 PS) and a Buick Straight-8 engine which generated 141 hp (105 kW; 143 PS) which was introduced in 1939.
Production – Do not use in voice over
Buick continued the production of its Limited model range until the eve of WWII as the last Buick was produced on the 2nd of February, 1942. After WWII, the production of extended wheelbase cars was put to an end by the company and the Series 90 Limited nameplate was canceled.
The total number of units of the Series 90 Limited which were produced by the company from 1936 to 1942 were 16,106. The number of units produced in 1936 were 4,086, 3,697 in 1937, 1,491 in 1938, 1,451 in 1939, 1,739 in 1940, 3,006 in 1941, and an estimated 636 units in 1942.
Buick Series 90 Limited (1936–1942) Price
I did promise the major specs of the Buick Series 90 Limited and as we’re now at the end of this video, I’m sure you would want to know how much these cars go for. Well, they cost around $2,453 which is about $48,911.78 in today’s market. That’s quite the sum, right?
That’s all for today guys. I’m sure you loved this article, so hit that share button, and stay tuned for more classic car articles.
