Buick had advertisements not too long ago where people exclaimed, “that’s not a Buick.” Well, this 1941 Buick Sedanette Fastback is what all modern Buicks wish they were built like. Luxurious and stately. This one is for sale for $9,500 or you can make an offer. The seller has numbers listed for the VIN, a clear title, and the car is located in Burbank, California. It has 95,477 miles on it and you can find it here on eBay.
Mechanically, this straight-eight engine with dual carter carburetors runs well. The seller says it stays cool and has new radiator hoses and a new oil filter. They have also installed a 6-volt battery system, with new spark plugs and wires. The generator has been rebuilt and a new voltage regulator has been equipped. They only thing they say you would have to do is to install a new gas tank float and sensor.
There is not much noted about the interior, but the photos show a luxurious, warm, comfortable brown bench seating and an ornate, yet aging dash. All the trim seems to be there, but it looks like it might be starting to weather, and the floors look a little rough, but nothing about this car on the inside looks alarming. The glass appears to be solid and it has a charming split windshield and multiple crank windows.
Based on what is shown in the pictures, and with the ability to make an offer, it would be hard not to test the seller and see what they would take for it if you are in the market for a car like this. The buy-it-now price is still incredibly reasonable for a running driving Buick of this age and condition. According to the listing, the car was a barn find, then garaged for many years. I’m just glad that it is running and driving and not still tucked away.
I don’t think I have ever seen one of these. I like it neat car. Seems like a decent deal.
Don’t remember ever seeing one either. That’s a nice looking car!
I would really rather have THIS Buick!
You have to drive a Buick straight eight to appreciate it.
I’ve never heard of nor seen one of these. Looks like something I could appreciate. Clean and simple design. It reminds me of my 64 Buick Special in terms of approach and market placement.
Very. Cool. Car.
Someone with amazing taste and money should buy and maintain or restore.
If you have lots of cash go find another and restomod/rat rod/low rider/ that cool looking car.
I know people fawn over the ’49 convertible from the movie, but I would rather have this body style over the drop top.
Unlike modern Buicks, this car is very good-looking. It’s a car I would drive and enjoy as-is!
The carbs aren’t a matching set. I wonder why that is?
I suspect that the carbs are installed 180 degrees from each other and they should reflect the car to be a Century as that’s supposed to be it’s speed!
1 has a choke and the other does not. came from the factory that way.
Because they are compound carburators. Like a 4 barrel, one carb is primary and one is the secondaries
Hemming’s Classic Car had an article on one of these a few issues ago.
What a fantastic looking car. I always find it amazing that the designers and engineers of yesterday were able to get a car like this to market with nothing more than slide rulers and paper. They were true artists. The guys that built the dies to stamp out the panels did it by hand also true artists. If you want to see how it was done google body bountiful on YouTube it’s impressive. As for this car if had a place for it and some money I’d be bidding.
Why are they always so far away in California . Oh yes, if they were any other place they would ha rotted away. Boy this is nice. Gimme, gimme , gimme. Morley
These “Torpedo-Backs”, are the best! Especially, with “ twice-pipes”, and lowered. Siempre adelante!
Wow. I have never seen one either.
Great car. Worth saving
This look is particular to the pre war Buicks, after the war the front fenders extended back into the doors which is the look I prefer. The dual carb set up on these made for a bit of a hot rod compared to the run of the mill. A guy that was daytime bartender across the street from my old job drove one of these to work every day. It was two tone silver and black, pristine and beautiful. I used to shudder practically every day when he came out of work hammered and hopped in her to go home. I think some of you rich guys out there need to buy this one for me. I promise to pay you back, dollar down, dollar when you catch me LOL….. I’d drive her a mile down the road from my house and the old Buick and I could be sad looking at the spot where the factory that built her and thousands of marvelous machine like her used to be. The skilled tradesmen where forced to take up the machinery, load them on rail cars to be shipped to China. Don’t even put one of those on my driveway……
Was this built in Flint, Michigan? Very sad story.
Cheaper than the 1950 pickup just posted. Go figure.
This is a nice looking car, very impressive. The surface corrosion under the hood raises concern as to the condition of the floors and any previous body work should be inspected to make sure it was done properly. I like this old Buick, it will definitely stand out on the show field. Price seems fair and it’s the perfect candidate for getting into the old car hobby without breaking the bank!
The rear floor mats look good. Not so much with the front ones. Must have a leak somewhere. Top paint is flaking/fading. Two carbs indicate a hot rod. That raises questions from me as the straight eight is not made for quick running. They are beautiful for long rides. I hear mixed messages. Plus, no underside pics. That being said, I would love to have this car, restore/repair as needed and DRIVE it. (Just not in DC area traffic). Mostly to cruise-ins and definitely on date night. I’m sure my sweetie would love it.
The dual carbs, or compound carb, were an option on their pre-war cars and I believe not offered from ’46 on.
Am right with you on the drive it and restore/repair as needed
I own a 49 sedanette. These Buick sedanette are rolling work of art. Truly elegant and sweeping design that are truly underrated. The straight eights are silky smooth and these compound carbs are a fantastic set up. I believe it was a 2 year only option. These cars have excellent suspension, with coils on each corner and very luxurious rides. I e owned over 40 classics in the last decade, but my 49 sedanette super is by far my favorite.
OK guys, how much do think it will cost to get this car into really nice condition inside and out?
(There is a reason I am asking this)
Looked into doing the same with a Hudson of the same vintage. Range was $10-$20k depending on how nice I wanted it. This was to bring it to a nice driver quality.
Biggest expense was paint, second was rebuilding the motor and trans. The car had no rust, a decent interior that had a few thin spots in the fabric, ran and shifted well.
Difference is that when done the value for this will be much higher than for the Hudson. It is also a better looking and driving car.
That’s what I thought.
I can pick one up for 16K USD in excellent shape.
You would be in this 30K to get it into that shape.
It is the first car on this page. The second car is also a 1941 Buick but the sedan model.
http://chub66.com/buick.html
Yes, cars of the ’40’s and older don’t get the high dollars any more. It often costs more to redo them than to buy one already finished. Then again I happen to like working on my cars and bringing them back to their former glory.
Right now refurbishing a ’66 Jaguar with my kids. There is a large payback in the memories of doing the woodwork with them and bringing the luster to the wood and to their eyes when they know they did it.
Back in the 50’s when I was young a high school friend of one of my older brothers drove one of these. His FFA class came to our farm several times and his friend drove that Buick out there. To me it looked a little strange with all the new cars being squarer and lower in design. Now I think it’s beautiful.
God bless America
Jack… Haven’t heard anyone mention dual exhaust on a straight 8 in eons. Had a chance to make a high speed run to the west coast and back from the south east in a ’52 Pontiac convertible straight eight. It had the manifold split to get the dual setup. The sound through a dark night in the desert at 80mph was as close to noise heaven as I’ve ever been.
Great looking car and a very interesting powerplant. The body on this car is so well proportioned. Its amazing this was a 1941. At the current price it seems a bargain.
If I got it though, I’d really want to change/shave the bumpers…maybe have something made even, so that they compliment the body lines more. That front bumper looks like a bar bolted on to the front. All that design work to be finished up by that is a shame really. The body lines on this are world class design.
I have 2 ’41 Buicks,a Super and a Roadmaster.Both have the compound carburation set up,which was only offered ’41/2.The 320 Roadmaster engine puts out 175 BHP.GREAT cars!
Family trip In ’75 I found a 1942 Buick ,sister to this car, in my Grandmothers garage. She bought it new and it had 40,000 miles on it. Not driven in years and covered in Far- Western Kansas dust. About to turn 16, I tried to convince my Parents that they needed to get it for me. Kind of like that kid that wanted the Red Ryder BB Gun. I am sure I drove my parents crazy on the 7 hour drive back home.
My older Brother mentioned it to his friend across the street.
It was in their driveway the next week! They still have it today in excellent condition.