Peter Gariepy Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Can anyone tell me the model of this 1940 buick? Any other info would be great too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1940TORPEDO Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 (edited) 71C? Edited October 1, 2015 by 1940TORPEDO (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 desirable car no matter which series, just depends how desirable lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Gariepy Posted October 1, 2015 Author Share Posted October 1, 2015 here is the owners description: "1940 Buick Super Eight Sport Series 51C Super 8 Phaeton Convertible The passenger flooring is rustyEngine is complete but has not run in who knows how longThe cloth top & leather interior are deterioratedThis Buick has an impressive stainless steel convertible top assemblymodern chrome "streamboards" on the sides." === So fair to say its a 50 Super? NADA values it between $22-60k. Fair? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 (edited) I was just going to say, I blew up the picture and could make out that it was a short name starting with S, but I sure think it says Special. But it does appear to be larger. Edited October 1, 2015 by my3buicks (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1939_Buick Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Best way to indentify is to get a photo of the data plate on the firewall/cowl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1940TORPEDO Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 (edited) My book shows a 51C as a Super 4-door sport phaeton 404529 Edited October 1, 2015 by 1940TORPEDO (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Old Guy Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 It is a 56C !!!!! The Special used the 39 style body . It could possibly be a 76C , but it looks too small to be that. I have a 56C ( it is also Sequoia cream ) I have driven mine all over this country, and it is a great highway car. ( I installed a 3.42 rear axle in it ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBulldogMiller55Buick Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 It is a 56C !!!!! The Special used the 39 style body . It could possibly be a 76C , but it looks too small to be that. I have a 56C ( it is also Sequoia cream ) I have driven mine all over this country, and it is a great highway car. ( I installed a 3.42 rear axle in it )It's four doors. That's a 51C or 71C Two doors would 56C or 76C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Gariepy Posted October 2, 2015 Author Share Posted October 2, 2015 ok... more info: Manufacturer's model # 51C/V.I.N. # 54008039/ serial #13819061 so its a 51C. Whats the #54008039 mean? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 VINs and serial numbers don't mean anything, they're just a sequential number assigned to that car/body/frame. It won't decode into anything. It's a 51C, a Super 4-door convertible sedan, which Buick oddly called a "phaeton" in 1940. A desirable car with a 248 cubic inch straight-8 making 110 horsepower. Restoration will be expensive, but you'll have a car worth about $60K when it's done. The book value is a pretty wide spread, and I'd say a project car like this should cost $10-13,000. Looks like someone's already had a go at the interior, as the dash shouldn't be painted like that. Hard to go wrong with a 1940 Buick of any kind, they are fantastic drivers and I'd argue that the convertible sedans are among the most desirable, regardless of series. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Gariepy Posted October 2, 2015 Author Share Posted October 2, 2015 Matt, Great feedback and advice. I may own this thing tommorrow. Get to see it in person then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1939_Buick Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 (edited) Whats the #54008039 mean?Probably engine serial number5 = 50 series40008039 = number (1940 start at 3786214 and 1941 start at 4074859)http://www.teambuick.com/reference/ident_engine_til_52.php serial #13819061 is the chassis number Sean1997 will decode if he see's the thread Edited October 2, 2015 by 1939_Buick (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean1997 Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 (edited) Not much more for me to add, as the engine number has been decoded and model number given. Frame serial number decodes as: 138190611 = built at Flint, MI3819061 = sequential number, range was 3,596,807 to 3,880,011 for Flint, MI for 1940 The body tag will show the paint and trim codes. Edited October 2, 2015 by sean1997 (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Gariepy Posted October 3, 2015 Author Share Posted October 3, 2015 Saw the car.Sat for at least the last 30 years in a warehouseFront floors are rustyTop and interior toastTerrible repaint, probably not factory color?Basic requires a ground of restorationSits in a warehouse with approximately 20 others AWESOME cars! And no, he is NOT selling anything. You know the story. Oye. Anyone decipher the vehicle plate for me? Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Cole Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 (edited) Looks like1940 Series 51C = Super 4-door Sports PhaetonStyle No. 40-4529 = Fisher style no. for Super 4-door Sports PhaetonBody No. 351 Paint No. 556 = Casino BeigeTrim No. 855 = Red Leather Is the steering wheel really that white or is that just the way the picture turned out? Edited October 3, 2015 by Phillip Cole (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 Casino Beige with red leather is an awesome combination. Add in some red wheels and blackwall tires (pretty much the way it sits) and it's a fantastic-looking car! Don't sweat the rusted front floors. They ALL have rusted front floors and fixing it isn't really that big a deal. The trunk pan at the very rear of the body is probably also shot and the rockers are probably in need of help, but none of that is terrifying work and most of the metal is pretty flat and straight so you don't need an ace fabricator (if I can do it, anyone can do it). Everything else is fairly readily available with nothing on this car that's super unique other than the top mechanism. Trim, mechanical parts, upholstery, gauges, all available and not terribly expensive. A very worthy car that will be fantastic for tours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean1997 Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 7 = top code = Tan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Gariepy Posted October 4, 2015 Author Share Posted October 4, 2015 Yes, the steering wheel is that white. Rockers and trunk floor are surprising solid. $10k seems reasonable? Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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