Here is a project that is an in-betweeny, it has had some nice mechanical improvements deployed but still needs additional refurbishment. And a big Buick convertible like this 1941 Super is always an interesting find, regardless of condition. This Buick is located in Las Vegas, Nevada and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $6,875, reserve not yet met.

The 1941 Buick was little changed from its 1940 predecessor but did enjoy a now powered convertible top and slightly more powerful “Fireball” eight-cylinder engine. Consumers Guide indicates that 374K Buicks were sold in ’41 and the Super convertible, base-priced at $1,267, was a big part of that sales success. In fact, the CG authors claim that Buick was number two behind Ford in convertible sales.

This Buick’s 125 HP, 248 CI in-line, eight-cylinder engine has been rebuilt and it certainly looks like it means business. The seller states, “The carbs have been rebuilt and a complete new exhaust system installed. I have replaced the secondary carb with a primary and direct linkage, as this gives better fuel economy and more power”. He further adds, “I have rewired the car and converted the electrics to 12volts and substituted the old generator with a new alternator. The dash lights and front lights all illuminate, I have to finish wiring in the signals and tail light (if I get time this will be done before the auction ends)”. Finally, the seller claims that he has replaced the clutch, throw-out bearing and brakes as well as replaced the master cylinder. The seller concludes by stating that he drives his cars and likes dependability so he considers this Buick to be mechanically sound.

The body of this Super is basically sound but not without its detractions. The body panels are rust free and fairly straight but the inner rocker panels will need to be replaced as a result of corrosion. There is a small dent in the right rear fender and the original-looking finish (spoiler alert, it’s not original) is pretty worn and not that evenly applied, at least based on how the trunk lid presents itself. While the frame is supposedly solid, the floors are having some trouble and the driver’s side footwell needs to be replaced – a patch panel is included in the sale. The chrome is weak and showing rust-through but the stainless trim presents itself well, and all of it appears to be present, including the missing trunk handle. Finally, the seller mentions, “The convertible top will need replacing if you intend putting the top up (something I never need to do in Vegas)”. My extensive experience with convertibles is that regardless of where one resides, there’s always a reason, at some point, to raise the top.

The seller mentions that the interior is mostly “dried out”, hmmm, may have something to do with that permanently lowered top. Also, the front seat base is missing though the seller is trying to track one down. Corrugated cardboard is the preferred floor mat treatment for the driver’s side floor plan, ostensibly, because there is no floor. While the rear door cards are missing, there is a backseat in place and you can also spy what was this Super’s original color, a burgundy/maroon of sorts. The instrument panel looks to be complete but is in very rough condition. And that Nevada sun has worked its best on the steering wheel, there are at least ten substantial cracks in the rim.

This Buick Super is a neat, collectible car, and as the seller claims, “A lot of work has been done with more to go; however this is a running driving car, so half the battle is won”. While that’s true, there is an extensive amount of metalwork that will be needed, and based on the included images, I’m not that sanguine about the entire understructure. Sometimes, the more you dig, the more you unfortunately find. The auction price is trending, for now, in reasonable territory but there is a whole lot of additional work and investment that this Buick will consume just to get it back to “nice” shape. What do you think, a good basis for a project?