Stored for 44 Years: 1940 Buick Roadmaster
After spending the last 44-years in climate controlled storage, this 1940 Buick Roadmaster is one vehicle in a 300 car collection that is being sold. This old classic is a beautiful car, and given the fact that it is being sold in a No Reserve auction, it will soon be on its way to a new home. Located in Oakland, California, the Buick is listed for sale here on eBay, where bidding is currently sitting at $6,100.
The owner claims that the vast majority of the paint is original. Apparently, the car was placed into climate controlled storage in 1974, and that’s where it has remained until now. This long-term storage certainly hasn’t done the panels and paint any harm, as not only is the car rust-free, but the paint, trim, and chrome all have a nice shine to them. There is no doubt that this is a car that has plenty of style and presence about it.
The owner refers to the dash as a work of art, and I really can’t argue with that. Sitting behind the wheel and gazing at the dash must be a pretty special experience. It beautifully combines timber and metal, and even the wheel is something special. Even better is the fact that everything inside the car works as it should, right down to the radio. There are a few things that will need to be attended to, such as the door trims that have begun to deteriorate along the bottom, but it could certainly be used as it is. The seats have received new covers in the past, but these aren’t the same as the originals. With a car of this vintage that is in this condition, I would probably be inclined to see if I could source the correct material, and then have the seats and door trims reupholstered at the same time.
You would think that after sitting for 44-years, that there would be a long list of tasks to complete before the Buick hit the road again. That 320ci straight-eight engine fires up perfectly, the 3-speed manual transmission shifts smoothly, and the brakes work as they should. The owner says that the Buick drives really well, and this old classic looks about ready for the new owner to drive and enjoy.
This Buick Roadmaster is one attractive car, and the new owner is going to be one lucky person, because there really appears to be little to do but to hit the road and enjoy the experience of owning a classic car. The few interior trim issues could be fixed at the new owner’s leisure and convenience. With the car being sold in a No Reserve auction, this could be a golden opportunity for someone to own a beautiful classic. If I were in the market for a car at present, this is one that I would be looking at long and hard.
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Comments
As Sam and Dave would say: Wrap it up, I’ll take it.
What a gorgeous car. I love old Buicks. Pre-war, post-war, makes no difference to me.
Obviously climate controlled storage does a great job of preserving, but I would be concerned about every rubber item in the car- tires,seals,belts, hoses before I would drive it any further than around the block. That being said- it’s real beauty!
Having owned a ’40 Super coupe in the early 1970s, these are lovely cars to drive.
Hope this one finds a loving home…
Yum.
Oh yes.
Looks exceptional, super smooth straight 8, my only upgrade would be a compound carburation kit with 2 2bbls.
When better cars are built “Buick” will build them. This is one fine example and one I would be happy to call mine. I have 4 Buicks now and unfortunately do not have room for another. My first car back in the early 60’s and the one I learned to drive a manual shift was a ’40 Chevy business coupe, boy those were the days! This beautiful Buick is going to make a new owner very happy!
I drove a 1940 coupe for several months in 1967. It was found under a pile of lumber. I was elected to climb in through the window and back it out of the building. Of all the cars i have owned/driven, this dash is one of my favorites.
I have a ’41 Roadmaster with compound carburation,which I bought 12 years ago in Sacramento.Runs like a top.175 BHP.Great car!
Since it is a Roadmaster, I wonder why it doesn’t have two carbs?
An ideal car – not so pristine that you would worry about it losing value if you drove it, and, you could drive it at 75 mph all day if you wanted to, I would install a dual master cylinder, and, if going to drive at night some aftermarket driving lights, and new radial (bias ply look alike) tires, and go to every meet in southern California with it, not expecting to win any prizes, but not being embarrassed about it either. Now, the drawback is if you stop on a hot day, with a hot engine, the starter motor will be reluctant to turn since the parts expand, and you have to put the hood up and wait or, absent some insulating with aluminum foil you will have vapor lock, and it will turn over, but not start. My uncle had a ’48 and put up with this, since it was such a great car otherwise. We would stop, he would say, “put the hood up, Charlie”, and we would do whatever we had stopped for, and maybe wait, and maybe it would fire up right away, he would say “put the hood down Charlie, but be careful”, and I would and off we would go. I was 12 and big so could do this with ease.
Compound Carburation only offered 1941/2.
When I was 16, the uncle of a friend left one of these with me while he traveled out of the country. A ’41 convert with 2 carbs, it was smooth & fun to drive. I could have bought it for $400 but I didn’t have it. I did beat it up but it never complained.
Here’s my new Buick….
My first car was a 20,000 mile 1940 Buick, Sports Coupe that my Great Aunt gave me. Obviously, I wish I still had it.