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Buick SPECIAL

114 registered in New Zealand · 1937–1969 · 80% from United States

The Buick SPECIAL is a recognisable name on New Zealand roads, with 114 registered across model years 1937 to 1969. Most are petrol-powered saloons with a 5.3L engine.

Below you'll find a complete breakdown of fuel types, body styles, drivetrain options, regional distribution, and estimated running costs. Select a specific model year to see detailed specs, buyer insights, and variant-level data for that generation of the SPECIAL.

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114 On NZ Roads
5.3L Engine

Fuel Types

Buick SPECIAL fuel type breakdown: PETROL 100%.

PETROL 100%

Fleet Age Profile

How many Buick SPECIAL vehicles from each manufacture year are still registered in NZ. Taller bars mean more of that year on the road — better parts availability and more mechanics who know it.

Buick SPECIAL fleet age profile: 1937: 14, 1938: 16, 1939: 11, 1956: 23, 1957: 14.

Drivetrain

Engine Size

Buick SPECIAL engine sizes: 5.3L 7%, 3.0L 4%, 4.1L 4%, 5.3L 4%, 5.3L 4%.

Imported From

Buick SPECIAL imported from: United States 80%, Not Known 13%, New Zealand 4%, Canada 3%, Australia 1%.

When They Arrived in NZ

When Buick SPECIAL vehicles were first registered in New Zealand — showing import waves and buying trends.

Buick SPECIAL NZ arrival timeline: 2020: 3, 2021: 2, 2022: 1, 2024: 3, 2025: 1.

Colours

RED 31 (27%)
GREEN 20 (18%)
BLUE 20 (18%)
BLACK 19 (17%)
WHITE 10 (9%)
GREY 5 (4%)
BROWN 3 (3%)
CREAM 2 (2%)

Colours shown are approximate representations of NZTA basic colour categories, not exact manufacturer paint codes.

Where They Are in NZ

Buick SPECIAL regional distribution: AUCKLAND: 21, CHRISTCHURCH: 9, HASTINGS: 6, INVERCARGILL: 5, HAMILTON: 4.

Body Types

SALOON 89%
SPORTS CAR 5%
CONVERTIBLE 4%
STATION WAGON 2%

Similar Cars

1 Holden logo
Holden Commodore 49,259
1978–2022 11.1 L/100km
2 Ford logo
Ford Falcon 33,206
1960–2020 11.5 L/100km
3 Toyota logo
Toyota Camry 30,957
1980–2026 7.3 L/100km
4 Toyota logo
Toyota Corolla 24,532
1956–2023 5.8 L/100km
5 Honda logo
Honda Accord 20,130
1978–2020 7.9 L/100km

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Buick SPECIAL are there in New Zealand?

There are 114 Buick SPECIAL vehicles registered in New Zealand as of March 2026, making up 0% of the total passenger fleet. Model years range from 1937 to 1969.

What body type is the Buick SPECIAL?

The Buick SPECIAL is primarily classified as a saloon in the NZTA fleet register. It is also available in other body configurations: sports car, convertible, station wagon. The most common fuel type is petrol.

Are Buick SPECIAL cars imported or NZ-new?

80% of Buick SPECIAL vehicles in New Zealand originated from United States. The majority arrived as used imports, which is typical for this model. Check the import status and origin country for the specific year you're considering on the individual year pages.

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