Hidden away in this garage is a pre-war American classic that has occupied the same spot since the 1960s. Family commitments and an interstate relocation saw the owner park the car more than five decades ago. A recent passing means the family has decided the Buick needs a new home and an owner willing to return it to its former glory. Located in Chicago, Illinois, you will find the Buick listed for sale here on Barn Finds Classifieds. You can contact the seller via that link to discuss a sale price.

While its paint looks black from some angles, the Buick wears a shade called Rainier Blue. Determining the paint condition is challenging, although there are enough shiny spots to make the concept of treating the vehicle to a clean and polish pretty tempting. The process may produce surprising results, especially for potential buyers keen to retain the Special as an original survivor. The supplied photos are slightly limited, but they reveal no evidence of significant panel damage or rust. The garage environment looks quite dry, which should have helped in its preservation. The original grille is missing, but the remaining trim pieces appear complete and restorable. I can’t see any issues with the glass, and first impressions are that whipping this Buick’s panels and paint into shape should be relatively straightforward.

As an arachnophobe, the interior shots make me cringe slightly. However, you make a welcome discovery when you look beyond five decades of accumulated cobwebs. This Buick’s interior is complete. For potential buyers, that is welcome news because it means they won’t face a long search for rare pieces like the factory clock and radio. It requires a retrim, but the existing upholstery and headliner could serve effectively as a template for the process. The dash looks excellent and is another aspect of this Special that may respond extremely well to some careful cleaning. The original wheel appears free from cracks, which is good news for any vehicle of this vintage. Returning this Buick’s interior to a factory-fresh state is another task that potential buyers may be able to achieve in a home workshop.

Hiding under the hood of this Special is a 248ci straight-eight engine that would have produced 107hp and 126 ft/lbs of torque in its prime. A three-speed manual transmission fed that power to the rear wheels, making the Buick an effective touring car. The mechanical state of this classic is unknown, although it may not have fired a shot in anger since the 1960s. If the engine turns freely, leaving it to sit for a while with the cylinders brimming with good old Mystery Oil may be the first step in coaxing it back to life. The car will need a thorough mechanical inspection, and there’s little doubt that the brakes and perishable items will require attention. However, a competent new owner could complete many of those tasks to minimize costs. From what we’ve seen of this Touring, it looks like it could be a hot restoration prospect for someone seeking a hands-on project.

As a project build, this 1939 Buick Special shows promise. Returning it to a showroom state is possible, and it would undoubtedly turn heads. It could also serve as a sound basis for a custom build, with something more modern or potent hiding under its hood. Buick produced 166,349 examples of its Series 40 during 1939, but only 27,218 were the 2-Door Touring Sedan. How many survive today is unknown, but it makes it a relatively rare car worthy of preservation in some form. Whatever path the buyer chooses, I hope they see it through to completion. Seeing a classic sitting for decades can be depressing, but knowing that car is about to gain a second lease on life warms my heart. Do you feel the same?