Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
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.
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.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
1940 Buick Series 80 Limited Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Buick Series 80 Limited
(Data based on Model Year 1940 sales)
1940 Buick Model 81-C Limited Convertible Phaeton Sold for USD$64,900 2020 Mecum : Indy Fall Special | |
1940 Buick Limited Touring Sedan Sold for USD$40,150 2019 Mecum : Indianpolis | |
1940 Buick Limited Trunkback Convertible Phaeton Sold for USD$29,700 2015 Auctions America - Auburn Fall | |
1940 Buick Ltd Series 80 Sold for USD$14,000 2014 Fall Carlisle Auction | |
1940 Buick Limited Series 81C Convertible Phaeton Sold for USD$70,400 2013 Auctions America - Auburn Fall | |
1940 Buick Limited Phaeton Chassis#: 13597850 Sold for USD$55,000 2011 RM Auctions - Hershey | |
1940 Buick Series 80 Sold for USD$77,000 2008 Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey by RM Auctions | |
1940 Buick Series 80 Sold for USD$187,000 2007 Vintage Motor Car Auction at Meadow Brook Hall | |
1940 BUICK SERIES 80 SEDAN Sold for USD$8,800 2001 Barrett-Jackson - Scottsdale 2001 |
Buick Series 80 Limiteds That Failed To Sell At Auction
1940 Buick Series 80 Limited's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1940 Buick 81C Limited Phaeton | 2021 Mecum : Indy 2021 | $50,000 | $80,000 | $100,000 | |
1940 Buick Limited Sport Phaeton | 83929610 | 2019 Mecum : Monterey | $115,000 | $140,000 | $180,000 |
1940 Buick Limited Convertible | CA741363 | 2018 Mecum : Monterey | $55,000 | ||
1940 Buick Century Convertible | 2003 The Florida Collector Car Auction | $33,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $60,772 range.
1994 Ferrari 348 Spider Chassis#:zffra43a8r0098113 Sold for $60,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1932 Ford Station Wagon Chassis#:18139143 Sold for $60,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1960 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Chassis#:00867s103526 Sold for $60,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Chassis#:2c3cdzc94fh865224 Sold for $60,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1971 Chevrolet Chevelle Chassis#:136371r118606 Sold for $60,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1967 Pontiac Firebird Chassis#:223377u148733 Sold for $60,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1968 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Chassis#:123678n413633 Sold for $60,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1994 Ferrari 348 Spider Chassis#:zffra43a3r0097418 Sold for $60,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Chassis#:136370k107852 Sold for $60,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Chassis#:1zvbp8jz6d5231944 Sold for $60,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1958 GMC 100 NAPCO Pickup Chassis#:1018ps3303a Sold for $60,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1959 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible Chassis#:859p29202 Sold for $60,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL Convertible Chassis#:wdbba48dxja075965 Sold for $60,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Chassis#:1g1yz23j7l5802425 Sold for $60,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1932 Ford Cabriolet Chassis#:18179063 Sold for $60,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
2011 Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake Chassis#:1zvbp8jsxb5145780 Sold for $60,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1994 Dodge Viper RT/10 Roadster Chassis#:1b3br65e8rv100709 Sold for $60,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1953 Chevrolet 3100 5-Window Pickup Chassis#:h53b022804 Sold for $60,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Sold for $60,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1970 AMC Rebel Machine Chassis#:a0m190y162898 Sold for $60,500 2024 Mecum : Indy |
1940 Buick Series 80 Limited
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery