Vehicle Description
One of only 194 built in 1940, the final year for the Century
phaeton. Attractive older restoration in original colors. Powerful,
smooth, fast 320 cubic inch straight-8. A great tour car that will
always run at the head of the pack.Bandalier Blue is this car's
original color, and when it was restored back in the 1990s, they
used a finish that was a close to the original as they could get
it. That means the smallest hint of metallic in the finish to make
it shine but not enough to make it look modern. 'Phaeton' is what
Buick called their convertible sedans and the 4-door convertible
looks sporting from any angle thanks to great proportions. The
Century is widely regarded as the fastest pre-war car you could
buy, combining the 141-horsepower straight-8 with a mid-sized body
and the combination really works here. Proportions are just right,
and it's spacious without being big and bulky. Dual sidemounts add
to the car's exclusivity, as only a small number of Centurys were
built with sidemounts, and it makes this look like a much more
imposing, expensive car. The paint is in good condition, showing a
few minor signs of use and age and with some touch-ups here and
there, but nothing that requires attention. It is not a show car by
any means, but for tours and casual shows it is ideal and will
always attract more than its fair share of attention. Most of the
chrome is nicely done, with only some minor pitting in the pot
metal grille, a situation that's all but unavoidable with cars of
this era. Fog lights, sidemount mirrors, and turn signals built
into the trunk emblem are all nice details that make the Buicks of
this era really stand out.The blue leather interior was nicely
restored at the same time, following the original patterns. It's
spacious for four and comfortable for five, and anyone other than a
starting forward in the NBA will find there's plenty of room. The
plastic steering wheel and various knobs have been recently
restored and the engine-turned dash panels are in great shape,
showing a correct pattern that's hard to replicate. All the factory
gauges are operational, although some of their faces are a little
tired (reproductions are readily available). The radio and clock
are not working due to the 12-volt electrical system, but things
like the wipers, heaters, and other items are working like they
should. Correct short-nap carpets feel durable and look great with
contrasting tan bindings and even the rear seat courtesy lights
work properly. The top is pretty old, and while it will fold, it
feels fragile. However, it shows no rips or tears and the bows are
in excellent condition and move without much effort. There's also a
spacious trunk that makes this a fantastic tour car that can handle
the entire family.But the real reason you want a Century is under
that long, pointed hood: Buick's famous 320 cubic inch 'Dynaflash'
straight-8. With 141 horsepower, it was one of the most powerful
engines in America in 1940 and it offers the kind of effortless
torque that makes these cars perennial favorites. This one has been
recently detailed and serviced, including a rebuilt carburetor and
fresh fluids, so it's ready to go. And go it does! The combination
of the mediumweight bodywork and heavyweight engine means that the
Century can keep up with modern traffic easily and cruises on the
highway at 65 MPH without breaking a sweat. With the aforementioned
12-volt electrical system, it spins to life quickly and easily and
idles nicely with a muscular hum. You'll note they used a 12-volt
generator, so it looks completely stock under the hood and a recent
detailing with correct finishes and decals makes it look great. Oh,
and the manifolds have been freshly sealed and are not cracked, so
no annoying exhaust leaks!A 3-speed manual transmission with the
shifter on the column was your only choice, but with all that
torque on tap, shifting is optional for anything but a dead stop.
Thanks to 3.90 gears in the rear end, high gear will pull you from
about 10 MPH to more than 100 if you're brave enough to keep your
foot on the floor. Used more reasonably, you'll find that there's
fantastic flexibility from the engine, a capable suspension (tuned
a little soft but with great ride quality), and powerful brakes.
This has never been a rusty car and all the floor reinforcements
and welds are clearly visible underneath. The brakes have been
recently rebuilt and there's a mellow-sounding exhaust system
that's quite appropriate for a big Buick. 15-inch whitewall radials
are a great addition to a car built to drive, and the bright red
wheels are correctly striped for the perfect finishing touch.This
is not a perfect car, but if you're the sort of person who judges a
car by how it works as a car, you'll never think twice about
jumping in and hitting the road. It's also quite attractive, rare,
and perfect for the enthusiast with a family. If that sounds like
your kind of fun, this is a great car to enjoy without any worries.
Call today!Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal
or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior
to purchase.