suchan

Don't know if this is sold, but worth a look: http://smclassiccars.com/buick/278132-1938-buick-special-series-40-coupe-rare-semi-automatic-trans-side-mounted-spare.html

I recently saw my first Packard truck at America's Car Museum in Tacoma WA. Huge and beautiful! Here's to seeing this one put in running order!

"Great" condition? Compared to what?

A nice and desirable car that was the victim of some shoddy restoration work by a previous owner. It'd be a pity to see it rodded.

How about this? http://findclassicars.com/buick/149196-1938-buick-century-coupe-body-off-frame-build-full-race-straight-8-fun.html

Very cool, but the photos look 20 years old, and calling it a museum piece doesn't help. I'm guessing one of the "things it needs" is to be put in running condition.

There's an ad for a '38 Special on this forum, which you've likely found? Owner seems to think he'she knows to the dollar what the car's worth, which precludes the fun of negotiating, though.

Congratulations on your new Buick! 50-55 seems reasonable. I drove 270 miles including a 8700 foot mountain pass with my '38 from the California coast to Nevada averaging about 50 mph. If your temp starts going up at that speed, you may have some cooling system issues. Take a break, reduce your speed to 45 mph and see how it goes. No particular advice on tire pressure, depends on the tire. Safe travels.

Just for the exercise, I tried finding all the cars you listed, on Google. I found some, but not others. How about sharing your search strategy with us?

The Century Slantback is a rare and desirable car. Chevron dash pattern is cool, too. Too bad it needs so much.. Limited looks sharp. They're just so dang BIG!

How about a vinyl car wrap? The possibilities are endless.

One of the cleanest and most attractive mid-90's RM's I've seen.

Nice! Price? Location?

Someone needs to save it from the BAT buzzards: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1939-packard-packard-eight-series-120/ Looks like a nice, clean car.

BTT.

Great look! If I ever get a black car again....

If you're OK with blackwalls, and I think it can be a great look, how about: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=RY215&partnum=700R5215 You can't beat the price, and they have the narrow bias-ply profile. Otherwise, Diamondback. Get in and drive it! Don't get bogged down with little chores. If (more like, when) some of those little chores turn into big ones, the memory of the good times you've already had in the car will lighten your load.

I don't know that the accelerator start was such a bad idea. Buick used it for another 20 years or so after 1938. One of my 38's had it, the other didn't. Never had a problem one way or the other. I liked the coolness factor, and that it might deter a thief who couldn't figure out how to start it. I had to school a couple of mechanics in that respect.

A great buy at the price. Get the drivability fixed, then decide what else you want to do later. Good advice about the tires. They may look OK, but it's time to put on a new set of RADIALS. Not sure about Centurys, but Specials came with a rubber floormat in front, not carpet. Mats are available through Bobs and others. Takes some time to re-connect the accelerator pedal, but otherwise a relatively cheap bit of restoration.

Cosmetics are rough, but a good price!

Buick managed to give the fenders just enough of a shape so the vertical surfaces don't look flat while keeping them from looking bulbous, as I think the Caddy/Lasalle fenders do. I think the 38-40 Caddys have a nice look; the 41, which is wildly popular with Caddy folks, just looks squat to me. Like you say Philip, balance is the thing.

Incredible design. Hard to believe it isn't a custom or something French. I think the style is actually Streamline Moderne, rather than art deco. If the mechanicals were as advanced as the cosmetics, I bet it'd be a half-million dollar car. Major bargain at the asking price!

Regarding the cost of a Special with OD as opposed to a Century, it depends on the sales price of each, but based on the price guides I have, the Special with OD would likely be more expensive. As has been mentioned, buy what you want, don't lower your sights with plans to upgrade later; it always costs more. '38's didn't have any sound insulation to speak of. You hear every sound the engine makes, and at striking volume compared to more modern cars. It sounds busy at 40 mph, 45, 50, 60, etc. I had a 38-41 that the previous owner drove long distance (e.g., trips of thousands of miles), at 60-65 mph, without issue. If the engine noise is a distraction, try doing some insulating and get an overdrive if you want to carefully drive at 65-70.

John Young is a fine gentleman, and he'll sell you an accurately described and reasonably priced car. Since you're in the same quadrant of the country, why not fly over, meet Mr. Young and his staff, and drive the car?