1941 Buick Series 90 Limited

The 1940 Buick Limited was built on two different wheelbases, but the 1941 Limited rested solely on the longer 139-inch platform. The 1941 Buick Limited wore all-new styling that replaced the vertical, upright appearance and stance of the previous design with a lower, aerodynamic appearance. Buick embraced modern designs and styling techniques, no longer offering running boards and the headlamps were no longer perched on the front fenders. There were now concealed running boards complemented by sweeping rocker covers, and the front and rear fenders melded elegantly into the bodywork.

1941 was the last full year of production prior to the United States' involvement in World War II.

The Limited Series 90 was the company's most exclusive and top-of-the-line model, with its long wheelbase carrying 6- and 8-passenger coachwork that included a 6- and 8-passenger touring sedan, limousine, and formal sedan. The limousine was the most expensive with a base price of $2,465, followed by $2,360 for the 8-passenger touring sedan, $2,310 for the formal sedan, and $2,150 for the touring sedan with six-passenger seating. The 6-passenger touring sedan was the most popular with 1,223 examples built, followed by 885 of the 8-passenger version, 605 of the limousine, and 293 of the formal sedan.

The Series 60 Century, Series 70 Roadmaster, and Series 90 Limited employed the same inline eight-cylinder engine with overhead valves, a cast-iron block, mechanical valve lifters, a Carter or Stromberg carburetor, five main bearings, a 7.0:1 compression ratio, 320.2 cubic-inch displacement, and developing 165 horsepower at 3,800 RPM and 278 lb-ft of torque.

The Limited was the largest, most exclusive, and expensive vehicle in the lineup. It was followed by the Series 70 Roadmaster which had a 126-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 215 inches, which meant its wheelbase and length were 13-inches shorter than the Limited. The Roadmaster was priced much less than the Limited, with ranges of $1,280 to $1,775. Buick's most popular model was the Series 40 (40A and 40B) Special priced in the high-$900s to low-$1,000s, with total production accounting for approximately 85-percent of Buick's 1941 production. The Special rested on a 118-inch wheelbase (121-inches for the Series 40B) and was equipped with a 248 CID inline-8 with 115 horsepower. The Buick Series 50 Super, and all other 1941 Buicks sans the Special, used compound carburetor. Its 248 CID engine delivered 125 horsepower and its wheelbase measured 121-inches. The Century had a 126-inch wheelbase and with its 165 hp engine, it was America's fastest production vehicle.

All 1941 Buick models received a three-speed sliding gear transmission with a single dry plate clutch and column controls. Hydraulic brakes provided the stopping power. The Limited came standard with rear fender skirts and a vacuum pump windshield washer. The list of optional equipment included fog lights, a Deluxe dash heater, dual defroster, and no glare mirrors.

The 3,006 examples of the 1941 Buick Limited accounted for just over one percent of the company's total production.

Buick had used the name 'Limited' since 1936 when the company switched from numbers to dynamic-sounding names for its model. Prior to this, the 'Limited' was known as the Series 90, produced from 1931 through 1935. The 'Limited' of 1936 remained in production through 1942. When the name returned in the post-War era, it represented the ultimate Buick for the 1958 model year. This one-year-only model was offered only as a four-door hardtop, convertible, or two-door hardtop coupe on a long 127.5-inch wheelbase. It had the highest quality fabrics, full leather interiors for the convertibles, and unique styling. Prices were once again high and production was exclusive with just 7,438 examples built. Buick later used the 'Limited' name as a trim package on various models.

by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2021