1941 Buick Limo

Greetings All,

I found another car in a barn and am hoping someone can give me some info on the car. It is a 90L 1941 Buick Limo. I understand there were 605 of these made? How many are left?

Marty, here is a link that says there were 669 of these. Classic Car Specifications, Engine, Wheelbase, production numbers, VIN numbers for Antique Cars, Classic Cars, Vintage Cars and Muscle Cars

Hope that helps,

John V.

Marty,

Model 90, Limited 8-Passenger Sedan, $2360, 906 produced

Model 90L, Limited Limousine, $2465, 669 produced

Model 91, Limited 6-Passenger Sedan, $2155, 1231 produced

Model 91F, Limited 6-Passenger Formal Sedan, $2310, 296 produced

The Model 90L was the most expensive regular production 1941 Buick.

Grandpa

John, I have seen the 669 figure, a 636 figure, and most prominently a 605 figure.

Any idea as to how many are registered still known to exist? I know many pre-war cars found themselves in the "melting pot" of recycled metal for the post-war cars.

I was told these can be valued up to 60K, Is that true?

Marty,

The 2011 BCA Membership Roster lists six 1941 Buick 90L Limiteds.

Grandpa

Grandpa, I'm guessing it would be safe to say this one is worth driving home. Can you give me an idea of value range?

Marty

RM Auctions shows three '41 Limiteds (various models) sold in the last ten or so years:

RM AUCTIONS | Collector Car Auctions Company | Offering the World's Finest Motor Cars

Grandpa

Got the data plate info....

1941 MOD

Stype 41-4933

Body # 10

Trim # 912

Paint # 560

Not sure why it has a zero in the MOD line.

Does body number 10 mean it was the tenth car built?

If you get the chassis number & engine number Dave Corbin will likely give you some interesting information on when made

If you get the chassis number & engine number Dave Corbin will likely give you some interesting information on when made

Agreed. The famous 41 Limiteds. I see you are a BCA member. Grab the Bugle from 1-2 issues back where Pete Phillips covered the 41's.

There are a few more out there then are listed in the BCA roster. Luckily, these survived WW II scrap drives. The numbers produced are not that important if you like the car.

A few of these reside in museums and private collections. About 1 per year shows up at the BCA Nationals. Most are either #5 full on restoration projects or nice originals/older restorations.

Let's see some photos!

I love the car, but want to ensure it is a rare one that will fit in my collection...

Here is a pic....

What do you guys think? is she a keeper?

Without a doubt and it should more than meet your rarity criteria. Your thread should get more interest now with the addition of the photos.

Beautiful car!

Anyone know why the model is listed as "0" on the data plate? Was this some special significance?

Marty,

You must be looking in very nice barns. I have the same car in similar or better condition. In the last couple of years I have seen some for sale in very nice original condition with some work to chrome/paint and mechanical's go for 27k - 35k. This is if every thing is turn key and good working order. A very nice/ or completely restored car could be 50k-65k but it wold take more than that to bring a "barn find" to that condition.

I am amazed how nice the one you found looks. The value does not follow the rarity, as the car is worth about the same as a nice coupe. But they are nice driving cars and run well at freeway speeds. If it has the divider window the front seat is a bit tight to the steering wheel.

If you look back 1-2 months there was one listed on this site, it was sold after 1-2 months. I think the asking price was about 32k.

Hope this helps, they are great cars, Buy it and drive it!

Steve Fisher

Steve,

When I was driving her, yes, it was a bit tight to the steering wheel, but did not look to see if there was any adjustments that could be made. She runs and drives great !! I will need a water pump and one of the carbs is not hooked up, but starts and runs like a champ.

Does yours have the "0" in the model number spot as well?

I have been very lucky over the years in finding way cool and rare cars for crazy prices. I drove my 42 Super Sedanette out of a barn in Ohio for 3K...for example......

great car!

I would have to look at my ID plate and the car is in winter storage. It may take a few weeks to look. A 90l would have jump seats and electric divider window.

The one you found has the hard to find bumper ends, Does it have a 5 band radio?

- Sounds like you going to buy it ?

Definitely a keeper. Style 41-4933 is a Model 90L so it will have a power operated divider window and pull out jumpseats. No adjustment is available on the front seat due to the divider window. That does make seating up front a little tight; so let someone else drive while you stretch out in the back with something cold to drink.

Yes, it has the divider window and the fold-a-way jump seats. I'm not sure about a 5 band radio? it does have a push button radio.

Oshawa did not build any ;41 Limited's but imported them from Flint 'green' and then had them trimmed. These were issued to Generals and the like.

MODEL 37.81 H.P. 90 LIMITED 139” W.B. 4-DOOR 6-SEAT TOURING SEDAN [MODEL 41-91/4919]

MODEL 37.81 H.P. 90 LIMITED 139” W.B. 4-DOOR 6-SEAT TOURING LIMOUSINE [MODEL 41-90/4923]

MODEL 37.81 H.P. 90 LIMITED 139” W.B. 4-DOOR 8-SEAT LIMOUSINE WITH AUXILIARY SEATS [MODEL 41-90L/4933]

SERIALS RAN: # 1-3880012 TO 1-4257441

ENGINE SERIALS: #9-4085000 TO # 9-4453893

FLINT PRODUCTION STARTED 23 AUGUST 1941

Oracle,

So are you saying the "0" in the model line means the car went to the military?

I would not have thought that the digit meant that. I would have thought that military cars would have had special overall olive drab, but we know that Canadian governmental cars seem to have standard paint jobs. That body # 10 suggests that it is a very early car. I did wonder whether '0' meant that it was a 1940 delivery. Or is it a mis-stamp?

David

I will try to put up the picture of the data plate.

Here is a picture of the dash.

Here is a picture of the divider/back seat.

Here is the data plate.

I found the car in Pennsylvania.

This is NOT a smart a_ _ comment. You stated it was a barn find, the condition of the car to me looks like it was PARKED in a barn, NOT stored there for years and years, like most barn finds. Almost all barn finds I have come in contact with had lots of bird droppings, mice problems, very dirty, and hadn't been driven in years.

Would that be a reasonable assumption?

I happy for you, and the Buick,

Dale in Indy

It has sat for a bunch of years due to the owner's passing. I got it from his sibling. I see your point, however, as yes many barn finds do not clean up as well as this one did.

I am stationed in Indy !!! Camp Atterbury !!

wildcat70, I live across the road from Geist Lake, just a couple miles from I-69 - I-465 exchange.

Thank You for your service to our GREAT COUNTRY, for sure!

Dale in Indy

That '0' looks as though it is a seperate stamp from the chassis-line data. I wonder if it is anything to do with the end-user? Being supposedly an early car I discounted it being a frozen stock car that was then released later for official allocation. I shall to have to ask around my military vehicle expert colleagues.

Oracle,

Were you able to find any additional data on the "0" in the model line of my data plate? I am at a bit of a loss when it comes to the history of the car, as the owner passed and not much information was shared with the family.

More info, The body number is 13964626.

She also has a leather front seat, but cannot seem to find that in any reference guide. What that a limo trait?

I believe DIVIDER WINDOW cars did have LEATHER TYPE material in front. IMO

Dale in Indy

All Model 90L cars used a leather front seat. Obviously for the chauffer whose work clothes might soil a broadcloth material

All Model 90L cars used a leather front seat. Obviously for the chauffer whose work clothes might soil a broadcloth material

Generally true, but there are often exceptions to the rule. The 90L my father owned was outfitted from the factory with bedford cord on the front seats and broadcloth on the doors (and had a SO# on the body tag).

The car was originally ordered by a funeral home here in California, and bedford cord was apparently an attempt to keep the driver cooler in the summer months.

Years back the factory OFTEN made EXCEPTIONS.

In 1954 a fellow came in to Dad's dealership, ordered a Roadmaster 4-door. He requested, Green body, Bright Red top, and Blue interior. Orders were sent via mail then, soon the factory called and said they wanted to confirm the colors. Dad said YES, you see the owner ownes a Carnival and this would be a Parade car.

When it arrived, and the customer came to pick it up he said, SMITTY, ISN'T IT BEAUTIFUL.. So I wouldn't be surprised if in 41 customers couldn't special order.

Dale in Indy

It's the exceptions that really make things interesting for all us old car guys!! On shorttimer's 41, what better documentation could there be than to have the SO# right on the tag!