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1938 Buick Series 40 Special Navigation
Buick offered two industry 'firsts' for 1938; coil springs at the rear and it's Automatic Safety Transmission, which was a step in the development of the automatic transmission.
Four series were offered by Buick for 1938; the Series 40 (Special), 60 (Century), 80 (Roadmaster) and 90 (Limited). The lower-price series 40 was, by far, the biggest seller and offered eight different body styles.
The 1938 Buick Special was powered by a 248 cubic-inch inline eight-cylinder motor that developed 107 horsepower. The bodies were installed on a 122-inch wheelbase chassis.
Four series were offered by Buick for 1938; the Series 40 (Special), 60 (Century), 80 (Roadmaster) and 90 (Limited). The lower-price series 40 was, by far, the biggest seller and offered eight different body styles.
The 1938 Buick Special was powered by a 248 cubic-inch inline eight-cylinder motor that developed 107 horsepower. The bodies were installed on a 122-inch wheelbase chassis.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
1938 Buick Series 40 Special Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Buick Series 40 Special
(Data based on Model Year 1938 sales)
| 1938 Buick Special Convertible Sedan Chassis#: 13301613 Sold for USD$8,800 2025 Mecum : Houston | |
| 1938 Buick Special Model 46 Coupe Chassis#: 13283713 Sold for USD$11,000 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
| 1938 Buick Series 40 Special Touring Sedan Sold for USD$34,100 2023 Mecum : Glendale | |
| 1938 Buick Special Sedan Sold for USD$9,900 2022 Mecum : Houston | |
| 1938 Buick Special Sport Coupe Sold for USD$79,200 2021 Mecum : Glendale | |
| 1938 Buick Model 41 Sold for USD$15,950 2021 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
| 1938 Buick Special Sold for USD$17,500 2020 GAA : July 2020 | |
| 1938 Buick Series 40 Phaeton Convertible Sold for USD$46,200 2020 Mecum Auctions : Kissimmee | |
| 1938 BUICK SPECIAL SERIES 40 ALBEMARLE DROPHEAD COUPÉ BY CARLTON CARRIAGE COMPANY LTD. Chassis#: 844160001 Sold for USD$24,659 2019 Coy's - London Classic | |
| 1938 Buick Business Coupe Custom Chassis#: 13282604 Sold for USD$24,640 2019 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale Arizona | |
| 1938 BUICK SPECIAL SERIES 40 ALBEMARLE DROPHEAD COUPÉ BY CARLTON CARRIAGE COMPANY LTD. Chassis#: 844160001 Sold for USD$24,112 2018 Coys - True Greats 2018 | |
| 1938 Buick Special Sold for USD$39,000 2018 Carlisle Auction : Fall Carlisle | |
| 1938 BUICK SPECIAL CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#: 23370153 Sold for USD$33,000 2018 Barrett-Jackson : Las Vegas | |
| 1938 Buick Special Sold for USD$19,000 2017 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
| 1938 Buick Special Sold for USD$8,500 2016 Mecum : Harrisburg | |
| 1938 Buick Special Phaeton Chassis#: 13290457 Sold for USD$60,500 2014 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona |   |
| 1938 Buick Business Coupe 248/107 HP, 3-Speed Sold for USD$36,000 2013 Mecum - Houston, Tx | |
| 1938 Buick 46S Sport Coupe AACA National 1st Prize, Frame-off Restored Sold for USD$39,000 2012 Mecum - Dallas, TX | |
| 1938 Buick Series 40 Special Coupe Chassis#: 23241401 Sold for USD$26,304 2012 H & H Donnington Priory | |
| 1938 Buick Special Series 46C Convertible Coupe Chassis#: 13272028 Sold for USD$57,750 2012 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction |   |
Buick Series 40 Specials That Failed To Sell At Auction
1938 Buick Series 40 Special's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
| Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 Buick Special Coupe | 13283713 | 2024 Mecum : Harrisburg | $13,500 | ||
| 1938 BUICK SPECIAL | 2021 Carlisle Auctions : Spring | ||||
| 1938 Buick Business Coupe | 2020 Mecum : Indy | $31,000 | |||
| 1938 Buick 8 Special trunk-back Coupe | 13377204 | 2020 Bonhams MPH March Auction | |||
| 1938 Buick Coupe | 2019 Collector Car Productions The Manitoba No Reserve Collection | $45,000 | |||
| 1938 BUICK SPECIAL COUPE | 23245638 | 2018 Premier Auction Group | $31,000 | ||
| 1938 Buick Special Sport Coupe | 23326199 | 2015 Mecum : Monterey | $55,000 | ||
| 1938 Buick Coupe | 23306533 | 2013 Mecum Auctions Monterey | $32,500 | ||
| 1938 Buick Special | 2012 Branson Auction Spring 2012 | $50,000 | |||
| 1938 Buick Business Coupe | 8626693003 | 2011 Silver Portland | $12,000 | ||
| 1938 BUICK 38 SPECIAL | AZ298214 | 2011 Russo & Steele Scottsdale, Arizona | |||
| 1938 Buick Special Convertible | 13352342 | 2009 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia | $55,000 | $65,000 | |
| 1938 Buick Series 40 Business Coupe | 13282604 | 2008 MidAmerica Auctions National Sports Center | $12,500 | ||
| 1938 BUICK 48 TWO DOOR SEDAN | 2003 Kruse Auctions Las Vegas, NV | ||||
| 1938 BUICK SPECIAL CONVERTIBLE | 2003 Kruse Auction Auburn, IN | $39,000 | |||
| 1938 BUICK SERIES 40 SPORT COUPE | 2001 Kruse Auction Auburn, IN | $25,000 | |||
| 1938 BUICK SPECIAL CONVERTIBLE | 2001 Kruse Auction Flint, MI | $22,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $36,945 range.
| 2012 Fisker Karma Chassis#:YH4K14AA2CA002597 Sold for $36,960 2026 Bonhams : The Scottsdale Auction | |
| 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible Chassis#:5F08A753582 Sold for $36,960 2026 Bonhams : The Scottsdale Auction | |
| 1963 Cadillac Eldorado Chassis#:63E089548 Sold for $36,850 2026 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale Az | |
| 2006 Bentley Arnage T Sedan Chassis#:scblf34fx6cx11341 Sold for $36,850 2026 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
| 1994 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 Pickup Chassis#:1gcek14k5re127456 Sold for $36,850 2026 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
| 1975 Toyota Land Cruiser Fj-40 Chassis#:FJ40204685 Sold for $36,850 2025 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale Fall | |
| 1971 Pontiac Gto Chassis#:237371Z134486 Sold for $36,850 2025 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale Fall | |
| 2018 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS 50th Anniversary Hot Wheels Edition Chassis#:1G1FH1R77J0183724 Sold for $36,960 2025 Bonhams : The Audrain Auction | |
| 1973 International-Harvester 1210 Eight Crew Cab Truck Chassis#:3H2H0CHB67227 Sold for $36,960 2025 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
| 1956 Buick Special Hardtop Chassis#:4C1192024 Sold for $36,960 2025 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
| 1932 Ford 'Hi-Boy' Roadster Chassis#:1823011732 Sold for $36,960 2025 Bonhams : Quail | |
| 2012 Jaguar XKR-S Convertible Chassis#:SAJAC48S9CMB47895 Sold for $37,261 2025 Bonhams : Goodwood Festival of Speed | |
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| 1966 Chevrolet Malibu Convertible Chassis#:136676b173190 Sold for $36,850 2025 Mecum : Houston | |
| 1971 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Chassis#:124871n550180 Sold for $36,850 2025 Mecum : Houston | |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG Convertible Chassis#:wddjk7ea8df003939 Sold for $36,850 2025 Mecum : Glendale |
1938 Buick Series 40 Special
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