One of the horrors of this job is seeing how poor storage choices can accelerate the erosion of an otherwise restorable automobile. A perfect example would be this 1940 Buick Special Sport Phaeton for sale on eBay out of Lebanon, Pennsylvania (mislabeled as a Century in the ad). If this forlorn phaeton were nestled soundly in a completely enclosed and dry garage during its claimed 52 years of storage, it would be a cinch to restore. The unfortunate fact is that Mother Nature has viciously attacked this fine automobile, reducing both the market appeal and potential sale price. As of this writing, this drop-top has not hit reserve at $5,655.00.
In 1940, Buick offered a dizzying six models: the Special, Super, Century, Roadmaster, Limited 80 and Limited 90. The Special was the lower priced model, with the Limited 90 being the top of the line for the marque. Given that Buick was positioned near the top of the General Motors lineup of divisions, a prospective luxury car buyer who didn’t want the glamour of a Cadillac had a lot of cars to choose from at their local Buick dealer. Known for their ultra-smooth inline eight-cylinder engines and smooth rides, Buicks were the car of choice for 310,995 customers that year.
597 of those customers drove away in a Special Sport Phaeton like this one. These lower price four-door convertibles had a base price of $1355.00 back then. While not giveaway prices, this was a bargain for what you got. The cars rode on a 121-inch wheelbase and even boasted a primitive form of child safety locks for the rear doors. Paired with the 107 horsepower Buick straight eight was a three-speed column shifted manual transmission. It must have been something to pull off the dealer’s lot in one of these gorgeous automobiles.
Sadly, this one is far from showroom condition. If it was stored in a barn, then that barn has needed some work for a while. Poor storage choices have made a complete restoration mandatory. Either a re-paint that didn’t react well to the paint or primer underneath or the destructive effects of continuous exposure has resulted in the paint coming off in large chips. The leather upholstery is nearly nonexistent, and every part will likely require full restoration. Extensive rust damage under the trunk lid has only added to this poor car’s misery.
Fortunately, nearly every part is still repairable. Buicks were well-built cars made of quality components, and the thickness of the materials used to make them ensures that there is enough to work with. It will just be a lot of slow and tedious work. Parts are available from multiple suppliers and restoration information is a click away. Whoever buys this car will have perhaps the perfect touring car when they finish restoring it. I doubt that they will be able to profit from the sale of the car, but the real joy of a car like this is using it. Buicks of this era are worth the effort.
How very sad. Very, very sad.
I hope there is someone out there with $105,655.00, because that’s what it’s going to take to even garner a few B.C.of A. awards. Such a travesty. I was involved in both a ’39 as well as a ’40 resto of this same model….huge money, and a lot of time.
Couldn’t agree more with Steve, such a shame to let something this beautiful go to heck like this one did.
Dude this was car murder!
So sad on this negligence…
Que lastima!
Fully restored these are so beautiful. I hope someone has the nerve, energy and enthusiasm to take on this major project. Oh yes, and very deep pockets!
If I was 10 years younger and had the room I’d take this on, but after being in chronic pain for many years, I find that my get up and go has got up and left. I keep plugging way on the project car I have which is Getting closer and is almost ready for paint. Yes paint the thin covering designed to protect metal available in many colours. I will be using single stage gloss paint which is what was used when the car was built. As for this Buick I’m not a big fan of Convertables but this have a lot of cool factor.
Poor storage? Well, yes and no. The fact that someone saved this car at all, is remarkable enough. And it, at least, was inside. If they ever were to include newer cars as “full classics”, this would be one of them. Better have deep pockets for this one, for sure, and when done, would the younger generations even appreciate it? I like it, but still, a Buick, especially an older one, never shook that image as an “old mans car”.
If I was ten minutes younger
I would do this project! 😬
At least that’s my story I am sticking with today!
Darn timing.
Flood victim?? Shame seeing in this condition. not for the faint of heart..
Good luck to the new owner!!!
Where’d they store it? Bottom of a river?
Pennsylvania, where it’s dripping wet all the time due to the high humidity. Had it been in a similar barn in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, then a remarkable difference. The only way to preserve in the high humid East, is a heated and dehumidified building, lots of money to pay these expenses.
I hope this finds a good home, where it’ll be properly stored and restored like it should.
I’m so freakin lazy that I have a housekeeper that cleans my house so there’s no way in hell that I would ever have the motivation to take on a project of such epic proportions.
what a shame I don’t think they made it in that red looks like org was black iam a buick nut but ror the money to bring that one back is almost what it would cast to buy one running
Reserve hasn’t been met means they still believe it is still worth more which which they may not receive. A quick Internet search produced a previously restored (and running) example for $20,000. http://topclassiccarsforsale.com/buick/108963-1940-buick-sport-special-phaeton.html
Reserve hasn’t been met means they still believe it is still worth more; which may not receive. A quick Internet search produced a previously restored (and running) example for $20,000. http://topclassiccarsforsale.com/buick/108963-1940-buick-sport-special-phaeton.html
I found two 1941 Buicks here in Mexico. Here is the 2 door. How do you guys like the colors. The seller wants around $16,000 USD for it.
Here is the 4 door. It is also very nice inside and out. The seller wants around $9100.00 USD for this one.