Although not much had changed with the Buick Special from the previous year, whatever changes were made must have been successful because it was named Motor Trend Magazine's Car of the Year for 1962. Perhaps because it was one of the first automobiles to use a V6 engine in volume production. "To the 1962 Buick...and the power concept for the future expressed in America's only V-6 automobile engine." The Special's standard engine, the Fireball V6, was equipped on all 3 models - sedan, coupe and convertible - along with a 3-speed Synchromesh transmission, heater-defroster, dual arm rests, sun visors, cigar lighter and electric windshield wipers.
The Buick Special Deluxe was a slightly plushier model with much of the same options plus a few extras and could be purchased for an additional $200-$300.
1962 Buick Special Production Numbers
Model Number
Body/Style Number
Body Type & Seating
Factory Price
Shipping Weight
Total Production
Special Series
4000
4019
4-dr Sedan - 6P
$2,358
2,666 lbs
23,249
4000
4027
2-dr Sedan - 6P
$2,304
2,638 lbs
19,135
4000
4067
2-dr Convertible - 6P
$2,587
2,858 lbs
7,918
4000
4045
4-dr Station Wagon - 8P
$2,736
2,896 lbs
2,814
4000
4035
4-dr Station Wagon - 6P
$2,655
2,876 lbs
7,382
Special Deluxe Series
4100
4119
4-dr Sedan - 6P
$2,593
2,648 lbs
31,660
4100
4167
2-dr Convertible - 6P
$2,879
2,820 lbs
8,332
4100
4135
4-dr Station Wagon - 6P
$2,890
2,845 lbs
10,300
Chassis Data
Model
Wheelbase
Overall Length
Front Tread
Rear Tread
Tires
Special
112.1 in.
188.4 in.
56 in.
56 in.
6.50 x 13
1962 Buick VIN Numbers
Serial numbers are located on the drivers side hinge pillar post, above the instrument panel and stamped on top left side of the engine block.
First Symbol - Series
A - 4000 - Special 6 cylinder
0 - 4000 - Special V8
B - 4100 - Special Deluxe 6 cylinder
1 - 4100 - Special Deluxe V8
C - 4300 - Skylark 6 cylinder
3 - 4300 - Skylark V8
4 - 4400 - LeSabre
7 - 4700 - Electra
6 - 4600 - Invicta
8 - 4800 - Electra 225
Second Symbol - Model Year
2 - 1962
Third Symbol - Assembly Plant
1 - Flint, MI.
6 - Atlanta, GA.
2 - Southgate, CA.
8 - Arlington, TX.
3 - Linden, NJ.
4 - Kansas City, KS.
5 - Wilmington, DE.
Last Six Digits - Production Number
Sequential assembly number at that plant with series mixed in production.