1940 Buick Series 80 Limited Limited Convertible Phaeton

The Buick Motor Division of General Motors was riding high in 1940. That year's Buicks, offered in six series, were among the hottest cars on the road - in terms of both performance and in sales. With General Manager Harlow H. Curtice (a future GM President) at the helm, the Flint-based automaker built a record-setting 283,204 cars for 1940. Buick also placed fourth in US calendar year sales for 1940 - only cars from the 'low-priced three' were more popular.

The Limited Model 81-C 4-door Convertible Phaeton was the largest convertible Buick offered in 1940. Spanning a 133-inch wheelbase, the massive car weighed 4,540 lbs. The original price was $1,952, which included the dual side-mounted spare tires that were standard on this model. Production of the Limited Model 81-C totaled just 250, including 20 that were built for export.

The 141 horsepower, 320 CID Buick 'Dynaflash' inline eight-cylinder engine powering the Limited featured an overhead-valve design, as had every other Buick automobile produced since 1903. The transmission was a three-speed manual.

This example of the prestigious Limited is done in the same colors as the 81-C illustrated in the 1940 catalog. It was originally registered in New York and New Jersey and is said to have been used by the Gambino family when new. The present owner found the car in Arizona many decades later. It was taken to Ohio where it was restored at his shop, which specializes in 1940-1941 Buicks.