One of the most popular documentaries on Netflix, Rust Valley Restorers is about one of the most unique car communities in the world, nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. It's a fun show where you get to witness a bunch of talented people use their impressive skills to restore, trade, and sell cars. Talk about transforming piles of rust into collectible car treasure - the show is all about that and more.

The show is also well known for its popular cast: Mike Hall, Avery Shoaf, Connor Charman-Hall, Sarah Ward, and Cassidy McKeown. Sarah Ward, who joined the crew in 2018 is among one of the most popular faces on the show. In one of the episodes in season 3 of the Netflix documentary, she took on the task of restoring her very first car - a vintage 1938 Buick Special that she fondly calls 'Medusa'. While the episode on the show focuses on a charity dance when the crew is not busy restoring the 1938 Buick, we will help you take an inside look at this vintage car.

What is the 1938 Buick Special all about and what makes it special? Let's find out.

Production and History

Via The Branson Auction

VINTAGE is the name of the game and it doesn’t get any better than the 1938 Buick Special. The 1938 Buick model has a rich cultural history in the world of heritage automobiles, and many millennia of car lovers have been a part of it. It started off as a full-size car in the year 1936, and then returned as a mid-size car, following a two-year hiatus, in the year 1938. Very few are aware of the fact that this vintage beauty has a predecessor in the Buick Standard Six and also happens to have a successor in the Buick Apollo.

The 1938 model was a special four-door Sedan which was in production between 1936 and 1949. The 1938 Buick Special also marked a revolution of sorts for the Buick brand. The year 1936, in particular, was very successful for Buick and also happened to be the year that marked a new practice of using names, instead of the older practice of addressing Buick cars by their serial numbers. This beauty was assembled at Buick City, Flint, Michigan, South Gate Assembly, South Gate, California.

Related: 10 Coolest Buicks Ever Made

Key Features

Via Monterey Touring Vehicles

The first of the Buick Specials sported a 118-inch wheelbase. The engines which were initially 233 CU (in 3.8L) were consequently upgraded to 248 CU (in 4.1L). The year 1939, saw the Buick Special and all other Buick models undergo a facelift. It was remodeled with a more enclosed nose and the grille was widened. The wheelbase was also reduced by 2 inches.

Being a classic 1938 car, the Special didn’t exactly have a digital speedometer, but the vintage speedometer looked nothing short of perfect. One unmistakable characteristic of this majestic vintage is the partition of the windshield. Unlike the huge single-glass windshield we have in cars today, this vintage model was masterfully designed with two smaller glasses serving as the windshield - ensuring the driver has a clear enough view of the road while driving. The Buick Special is one of the few cars in the world which barely has sharp edges. The entire body of this car is smoothly curved up in all areas, and that adds to the retro-vintage finesse of this beauty.

Related: Here’s What Made The Buick Grand National A Stellar 1980s Muscle Car

Total Transformation in Rust Valley Restorers

Via motorious.com

Like we've stated earlier, 'Rust Valley Restorers' is a treat for automobile lovers. It's all about a bunch of people who are very passionate about cars. They work very hard to restore old classics and forgotten beauties to their very best. So when Sarah Ward decided that she wanted to restore her first car, the 1938 Buick Special that she fondly calls 'Medusa', we knew we were in for something special.

In the episode, Sarah gets her old girl in and reveals that her Buick Special is 40 years old - a glorious car that her father used to enjoy driving back in the day. It was clear that she holds 'Medusa' very close to her heart. Mike Hall, renowned for his expertise in restoring vintage beauties to their former best, was inspired to restore the Buick.

Work began by cleaning the bonnet and then checking the engine starts, which seemed to have failed beyond repair. Mike went in to see a friend in a similar business of motor parts and restorations, and managed to trade in an engine for Sarah’s car - but as it turned out the engine was no good. The funds were tight and the restoration looked doubtful. If that wasn’t enough, the metal on the car had rusted on most parts and required to be scraped off. At the outset, the car seemed beyond restoration but Mike had other plans. The dreadlocked genius surprised Sarah the following day by getting her a beautiful engine for her car, and also takes her in to show her the new paint job on her beautiful car - a magnificent Cherry shade.

Rust Valley Restorers treated us to a complete restore of this vintage model owned by Sarah. From an old and rusted 30s car to a brand new restored beast, the total transformation has been absolutely incredible to watch and we're in complete awe.

Next: Here’s Why The Buick GNX Was The Most Badass American Performance Car Of The ’80s