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1938 Buick Series 40 Special Navigation
The current owner purchased this 46C Special in late 1997 and gave it a comprehensive and professional restoration in September of 1999. The work took ten months and cost approximately $65,000. After the work, the car was sparingly driven and serviced as needed.
The engine is a 248 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine with dual downdraft carburetors and offering 107 horsepower. There is a three-speed semi-automatic gearbox and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. In the front is an independent suspension with a semi-floating rear axle and coil springs.
In 2010, it was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company Auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was estimated to sell for $60,000 - $80,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the lot was sold for the sum of $66,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.
It returned to auction in 2010, at Gooding & Company's sale held in Amelia Island, Florida. The car was estimated to sell for $60,000 - $80,000 and offered without reserve. The high bid of $54,000 (prior to buyer's premium), was enough to secure new ownership.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2010
The engine is a 248 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine with dual downdraft carburetors and offering 107 horsepower. There is a three-speed semi-automatic gearbox and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. In the front is an independent suspension with a semi-floating rear axle and coil springs.
In 2010, it was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company Auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was estimated to sell for $60,000 - $80,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the lot was sold for the sum of $66,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.
It returned to auction in 2010, at Gooding & Company's sale held in Amelia Island, Florida. The car was estimated to sell for $60,000 - $80,000 and offered without reserve. The high bid of $54,000 (prior to buyer's premium), was enough to secure new ownership.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2010
2012 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $60,000-USD $80,000
Sale Price :
USD $57,750
2010 Gooding and Company : The Amelia Island Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $60,000-USD $80,000
Sale Price :
USD $59,400
2010 Gooding and Company - Scottsdale Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $60,000-USD $80,000
Sale Price :
USD $66,000
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.
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 | |
1914 Chevrolet Series H-2 'Royal Mail' Roadster Sold for $36,960 2025 RM Sothebys : The Arizona Auction | |
1963 Ford Galaxie 500 Hardtop Chassis#:3j66r165233 Sold for $36,850 2025 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1937 Cord Westchester Sedan Chassis#:8121277a Sold for $36,850 2025 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk I Sports Saloon by Mulliners of Birmingham Chassis#:LML/866 Sold for $37,256 2024 RM Sothebys : London | |
1955 Chevrolet 210 Series Two-Door Sedan Chassis#:VB55N063071 Sold for $36,960 2024 Worldwide Auctioneers : Auburn Auction | |
1966 Dodge Power Wagon W300 Flatbed Chassis#:2381626130 Sold for $36,850 2024 Mecum : Harrisburg | |
1969 Chevrolet Camaro Chassis#:123379n695870 Sold for $36,850 2024 Mecum : Harrisburg | |
1988 Lotus Esprit 40th Anniversary Coupe Chassis#:sccfc20a3jhf62209 Sold for $36,850 2024 Mecum : Harrisburg | |
1976 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL Chassis#:107.044.12.031218 Sold for $36,960 2024 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1982 Ford Mustang GT Chassis#:1fabp16f2cf227073 Sold for $36,850 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1948 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet Chassis#:8H182116 Sold for $36,960 2024 Worldwide Auctioneers : Enthusiast Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1965 Pontiac GTO Chassis#:237375P354999 Sold for $36,960 2024 Worldwide Auctioneers : Enthusiast Auction | |
1967 Ford Fairlane Chassis#:az389951 Sold for $36,850 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1959 Pontiac Catalina Convertible Chassis#:159p89989 Sold for $36,850 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1933 Ford Coupe Hot Rod Chassis#:182699094 Sold for $36,850 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1977 Ford F250 Pickup Chassis#:f26sl073687 Sold for $36,850 2023 Mecum : Chattanooga | |
1985 Land Rover Defender One-Ten Chassis#:SALLDHMV7BA244630 Sold for $36,960 2023 Bonhams : Audrain Concours Auction |
1938 Buick Series 40 Special
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