1940 Buick Special

Buick had a record year in 1940, building more than 283,000 cars, and the Special was the car that put much of that success on the road. At the top of the Special lineup sat the Model 41-C Sport Phaeton, a four-door convertible with Harley Earl-era styling, a chrome waterfall grille, and long, sweeping front fenders. At $1,355 it was the most expensive Special body style, and approximately 550 were built that year. Under its long hood, Buick's 248ci Dynaflash straight-eight produced 107 horsepower when new, and was paired with a three-speed manual transmission shifted through the column-mounted Handishift lever. With the top folded, it was open-air motoring for five passengers.

This Sport Phaeton is finished in yellow over red leather with a tan canvas top and is equipped with dual side-mounted spare tires, red-painted steel wheels with chrome hubcaps, a Sonomatic radio, a glovebox-mounted clock, and a woodgrain dashboard top. A replacement 248ci straight-eight is said to have been installed.

The seller acquired the car approximately 25 years ago. During their ownership, the speedometer drive gear was replaced, various transmission components replaced, and PerTronix electronic ignition fitted. The car rides on Goodyear whitewall tires installed last year, which have covered approximately 60 miles.