1938 Buick Business Coupe Custom
Business coupes from the late 1930s featured a unique configuration with storage space behind the front seats instead of a rear bench, designed specifically for traveling salespeople who needed room for sample cases.
The 1938 Buick lineup introduced several significant advances, including the brand’s first full coil-spring suspension system, which improved ride quality considerably. These vehicles earned a reputation for both smooth performance and comfort during their era.
The 1938 Buick was powered by a straight-eight engine paired with a three-speed manual transmission that provided reliable power. Buyers could also opt for Buick’s new Self-Shifting Transmission, a semi-automatic system that required the clutch only when starting or stopping.
The distinctive styling of the 1938 models reflected the streamlined aesthetic popular in automotive design during the late 1930s.
The business coupe body style eventually disappeared from manufacturer lineups after World War II as changing work patterns and buyer preferences shifted away from this specialized configuration.
Today, these models represent an interesting chapter in American automotive history, showing how manufacturers once built vehicles for very specific professional purposes rather than the more generalized approach common in modern car design.
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