Vehicle Description
Unquestionably the finest of its kind in the world. Frame-off
restoration by noted expert Doug Seybold. Multiple award winner
including AACA Grand National First Prize. Show-quality throughout.
If you insist on the best, this is it.We've learned in this
business that most people shop price and price alone. We get phone
calls and without even asking anything about the car's condition,
people go right to, 'What's the least you'll take?' We've also
learned that buying someone else's finished car is always cheaper
than restoring it yourself, regardless of cost, and that remains
true with this stunning 1940 Buick Super 51C convertible phaeton.
If you're the kind of buyer who understands the relationship
between quality and value rather than just seeking the lowest
possible price, this is the car for you. The restoration cost
nearly twice the asking price, so if you wanted to duplicate it,
plan on five years of payments adding up to the cost of a pretty
decent house-perhaps that puts things in perspective. The finish is
show-quality throughout, with exemplary finish work and Royal
Maroon paint that's a mile deep. The doors close better than many
closed car doors and panel fit is excellent. Unlikely that Buick
was building them this well in 1940. The chrome and stainless trim
sparkles and that detail alone probably cost more than entire cars.
Add in the little details like the delicate arrows on the trunk lid
that say 'BUICK EIGHT,' the crisp hood latches that read 'SUPER'
and the bright lenses that house the turn signals, and you get a
car that gets everything right, as it should at this price.The
interior was likewise restored to show standards using correct
leather that was specially cut and tanned to replicate the original
1940 hides. No modern glove-soft leather here, just the right stuff
that the Seybold team created from scratch to make their cars stand
above the rest. All the plastics were re-cast in the correct
cigarette cream color and the lovely instrument panels were
engine-turned in-house, a Seybold specialty. Everything works
properly: the clock ticks, the gauges spring to attention when you
turn the key, and the little knobs under the left side of the dash
activate the heater, defroster, and instrument lights. The carpets
are beautifully fitted and all the weather seals are new, so this
convertible seals up reasonably well given that there are four
doors to manage. It isn't quite like a closed car, but it's better
than most convertible sedans. You'll note that the odometer reads
just 69 miles, which is since the restoration was completed, so it
remains extremely fresh. No marks on the seats, no stains on the
carpets, and everything has a precise, well-assembled feel. The
only demerit is a missing seat adjustment handle, but we have one
coming from Seybold that will make the car complete. The tan canvas
convertible top is beautifully fitted and while it takes a friend
to lower it, it does indeed fold properly and stows under a
matching tan boot. And with the convertible sedan, you get a
spacious trunk that includes a full-sized spare tire assembly.The
Super was new for 1940 and was based on the Special, offering a lot
of car for the money. The engine is the same reliable and torquey
248 cubic inch straight-8 that had been powering Buicks since 1936,
and by 1940 it had been perfected. It starts quickly and easily,
idles smoothly, and pulls the convertible around with enthusiasm,
not to mention a great 8-cylinder exhaust note. It hums away under
the hood like a sewing machine, and you'll note that it's highly
detailed-that's what it takes to win awards at the highest levels.
Correct factory gray engine enamel, proper hardware, reproduction
decals, and a new wiring harness all make it as exact as possible.
These are reliable engines, so if you do decide to take it on tour,
you will surely enjoy the performance that made Buick famous in the
1930s and early '40s. The 3-speed manual transmission shifts
cleanly and it's happy to cruise at 50-55 MPH all day. The
undercarriage shows off Buick's torque tube rear suspension, which
uses coil springs and a panhard rod for superior ride quality (even
Cadillac was still using leaf springs in 1940) and the factory drum
brakes are powerful enough for the car's performance. There's an
auxiliary electric fuel pump for priming, but that's the lone
modification. Everything else is finished the way the factory
intended. Factory steel wheels are outfitted with trim rings and
hubcaps, along with a set of correct 6.50-16 BFGoodrich Silvertown
wide whitewall tires.Seybold cars win awards at every level and
there's a reason why they've become the standard by which others
are measured. If you're ready to step up to a special car, this is
a fantastic choice. If not, well, I'm reminded of a favorite
saying: 'The bargain hunter usually screws himself.' Buying quality
instead of price typically leads to a better ownership experience
in the long run. Call today!Harwood Motors always recommends and
welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our
inventory prior to purchase.
