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1938 Buick Series 40 Special Drop Head Sport Sedan

Buicks were available in four distinct model lines for 1938: the Series 40 Special, the Series 60 Century, the Series 80 Roadmaster, and the Series 90 Limited. Some Buick collectors and aficionados consider them to be among the most handsome Buicks of all-time.

This 1938 Buick 44 Special Drop-Head right-hand-drive was delivered to the Singer sewing machine company in London. There it was re-bodied by the Lancefield Company in London. It was used in England for many years and was later retired (in 1939) to their Texas ranch and eventually put in storage for 25 years. Subsequently, it went to the Milhous Collection in 1980. At the time, the car was in good original condition, having covered only 22,000 miles. In 2003, it was sold at auction to its current owners.

The car is all original, with only 24,000 miles. It has a three-position disappearing top, picnic tables, and Art Deco coachwork. It has an all-aluminum body with a straight eight 248 cubic-inch engine.

The aluminum body can be fully open, fully closed, or open just over the front seat. British craftsmanship can be seen in the beautiful woodwork and rear writing trays. The body features extensive pin-striped fluting on the fenders and body along with a canvas top that collapses into a well under a self-concealing tonneau cover, much like that of a modern convertible. The three-position convertible top can be used fully-opened or closed as well as in the de ville position. The interior features woodwork and rear writing trays.

The owner has successfully driven the car in many tours. In 2003, it was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in the preservation class. where it was awarded Best in Class It is currently in fully restored condition.

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 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 Series 40 Special image  1938 Buick Series 40 Special image  
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
1938 Buick Series 40 Special image  1938 Buick Series 40 Special image  
1938 Buick Special Series 46C Convertible Coupe
Sold for USD$59,400
  2010 Gooding and Company : The Amelia Island Auction
1938 Buick Series 40 Special image  1938 Buick Series 40 Special image  
1938 BUICK SPECIAL
Sold for USD$29,000
  2010 Silver Auction - Arizona in January
 

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.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1938 BUICK SPECIAL 2021 Carlisle Auctions : Spring   
1938 Buick Business Coupe 2020 Mecum : Indy$31,000  
1938 Buick 8 Special trunk-back Coupe133772042020 Bonhams MPH March Auction   
1938 Buick Coupe 2019 Collector Car Productions The Manitoba No Reserve Collection$45,000  
1938 BUICK SPECIAL COUPE232456382018 Premier Auction Group$31,000  
1938 Buick Special Sport Coupe233261992015 Mecum : Monterey$55,000  
1938 Buick Coupe233065332013 Mecum Auctions Monterey$32,500  
1938 Buick Special 2012 Branson Auction Spring 2012$50,000  
1938 Buick Business Coupe86266930032011 Silver Portland$12,000  
1938 BUICK 38 SPECIALAZ2982142011 Russo & Steele Scottsdale, Arizona   
1938 Buick Special Convertible133523422009 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia $55,000$65,000
1938 Buick Series 40 Business Coupe132826042008 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  

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1938 Buick Series 40 Special

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