Buick has a long and storied history in the American automotive landscape. Not only is it the oldest active automaker in America, but it was also the first to make a production engine with overhead valves. It was also the first to put turn signals on its cars, and a Buick car won the first race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. You won’t find the greatest Buick of all time, the 1961 Buick Special, at your Buick dealer, but it’s important to recognize the brand’s innovative history.
Hall of Fame: The 1961 Buick Special
There were a lot of great Buick models built before the 1961 Special came on the scene, but the Special represents a significant milestone that transcended Buick’s long history, and that’s what makes it our pick for the best Buick of all time. The 1961 Special debuted an all-aluminum 215 cubic-inch V8 engine, which made it the lightest mass-produced V8 of the time. This engine was capable of 200 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque with the right tuning.
However, this barely scratched the surface of what the engine was capable of. A stock version of this engine qualified for the Indy 500 in 1962, and in 1966, the same engine became the basis of the Repco V8 that won the F1. Buick eventually sold the engine rights to the British Rover Company.
Quality Car in a Small Package
The 1961 Buick Special stood out at the local Buick dealer in many ways. It was the return of the Special name, which was a big deal to Buick at the time. It was also the first time since 1934 that the accelerator wasn’t mounted on the starter. The 1961 Special was a compact Buick built on the unibody GM Y platform. For the calendar year of 1961, 291,895 Special units were produced. A total of 277,422 units were built for the model year.
The Buick Special was a new compact car for Buick, and it quickly found a strong following. Even though the Special’s exterior style was similar to larger Buicks of the same time period, it had a distinctly compact profile. Fancy trim was kept to a strict minimum on the Special, and it came with standard features like dual sun visors, cigar lighter, windshield wipers, and dual armrests. The base trim came with cloth and vinyl upholstery.
Deluxe models boosted the luxury with plush carpeting, rear armrests, an upgraded steering wheel, and rear ashtrays. The top trim was further distinguished by a highlighted bright strip on the upper body.
Car of the Year
The new Buick Special enjoyed significant popularity between its debut in 1961 and its full redesign in 1963. The compact car was a new thing for Buick, and it quickly soared in popularity. A new V6 engine in 1962 helped it snag Car of the Year from Motor Trend. In 1963, the Special was redesigned, but that only lasted a year before a new lineup was revealed for 1964.
Finding a 1961 Special at your Buick dealer is unlikely, but this classic car is a staple at car shows around the country. Buick has made several classics over the years, but the 1961 Special stands out.
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