1936 Buick Special Walk-Around

General Motors' Buick brand was in serious trouble during the early years of the 1930s Great Depression.  But it was saved when Harlow "Red" Curtice was put in charge.  Given the fact that it takes a few years to develop new automobile bodies, his early rebuilding efforts using body styles already in the pipeline were fairly effective.  Nevertheless, it was the 1936 model year's redesigned line that solidified his effort.

For example, model year 1935 production of Buick's entry-level Model 40 was around 38,000.  For 1936, Model 40 (now given the name "Special") production was about 122,000, a gain of more than three times.

The images below are of a 1936 Buick Special model 41 four-door sedan listed for sale on the Internet.

Gallery

"Fencer's mask" (strongly convex) grilles were all the rage in America in 1936, so Buick got one.

Bodies were "all-steel" including roofs: GM's Fisher Body division called them "Turret Tops."

Curves and roundness were everywhere, contrasting 1920's boxiness.

Bulged trunks were virtually common by '36, though they were small by later standards.

Plain rear end designs were the norm for 1936.   I wrote about that here.

This Buick had "suicide" rear doors, their hinges high on the exterior of the C-pillar.

The rounding theme was carried as far as window outlines.  This was a sign of thematic consistency.  But its defect was that it made the overall design seem soft -- too soft, in my opinion.

In the 1920s and early 30s radiators and grilles were close to the front axle line.  But the Chrysler Airflow's configuration placed the motor farther forward.  Other brands followed to one degree or another. This Buick's back seats remain over the rear axle, but the engine and radiator are farther towards the front, the grille nearly touching the bumper.  On the other hand, the position of the headlights did not change much.  Around 1930 they were usually in front of the radiator/grille, but on this Buick they are mounted on the grille assembly.