Buick 81C Limited Phaeton, 1940
Buick Limited
Buick Limited•
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Chassis No.: 13694572
Auction: Indy 2021
Auction date: May 22, 2021
Lot No.: S207
$50,000 | High bid
- Exterior: Black
- Interior: Burgundy
- Body: Phaeton
- Body-of restoration started at Concours Classic Motor Cars New York state and finished at Caledonia Automotive Service, Inc in Caledonia, Wisconsin
- Restoration completed in 2020
- Rebuilt 8-cylinder engine
- 3-speed transmission
- Rebuilt brakes, rebuilt clutch and exhaust
- New wiring harness
- 6 new tires with tubes
- Full leather interior with Wilton wool carpets
- Stayfast top
The 1940 Buicks were among the first GM models to introduce the new advanced Torpedo styling on the Super and Roadmaster, but the 80 and 90 Series Limited kept the earlier design bodies. The only changes were the front end, which now incorporated headlights into the fenders and deeper horizontal chrome grille bars. This 1940 Buick 81C Limited, one of only 230 built, is technically a four-door convertible sedan, but Buick, along with stablemate Oldsmobile, called it a phaeton. This Limited is based on a 133-inch chassis that rides on 16-inch red-painted steel wheels mounted with six correct new 7.50-16 wide whitewall tires and tubes.
The wheels are trimmed with bright trim rings and small wheel covers with Buick logos. This Buick also has 4-wheel hydraulic drum brakes and Semi-floating rear axles. The Limited engine is an impressive rebuilt 320.2 CI OHV straight-8 that produces 141 HP at 3,800 RPM with a single 2-barrel carburetor. A 3-speed column-shifted manual transmission connects power to the rear wheels. The chassis includes a new wiring harness and rebuilt clutch, brakes and exhaust. The Buick Limited body is finished in gloss black and is accentuated with impressive dual steel covered spares with thin bright trim and small Buick logos.
Parking light nacelles are mounted on the top of the front fenders above the integrated headlamps, and chrome-plated front and rear bumpers finish the classic appearance. A tan Stayfast top crowns the long body and protects passengers from the elements. The interior is finished in smooth red leather with red Wilton wool carpeting, with the gloss black instrument panel trimmed in rows of bright horizontal strips and mounting three large, round gauges in front of the driver. A cream-colored steering wheel with a bright horn ring is also featured.
A body-off restoration started at Concours Classic Motorcars in New York state was finished at Caledonia Automotive Service Inc. in Caledonia, Wisconsin, in 2020. This Buick Limited is recognized as a Full Classic by the CCCA and would be a welcome sight at any Buick Club or Classic Car show or event.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/462339/1940-buick-81c-limited-phaeton/
