'36 Special on BAT

[MrEarl]

While no cream puff, would sure be fun to drive around

lots of detailed pictures

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1936-buick-century/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 15, 2020 by MrEarl (see edit history)

[g-g-g0]

Would look great parked in front of Buick Gardens!

[suchan]

Great cars with a surprising amount of presence when you see them in person.

Thanks for posting, Earl!

[suchan]

Oops, Lamar!

[50jetback]

This car is advertised as a Century with a 320 cubic inch motor.

 

There are a number of subtle indicators ( and some not so subtle ) amongst the photographs that identify it as a Special series 40 with a 233 cubic inch motor.

 

This is confirmed with the 4th last photo of the ID plate which identifies it as a 1936 model 41 Special 4 door Sedan with Built in Trunk Fisher Style 364419.

 

 

[JoelsBuicks]

1 hour ago, 50jetback said:

This car is advertised as a Century with a 320 cubic inch motor.

 

There are a number of subtle indicators ( and some not so subtle ) amongst the photographs that identify it as a Special series 40 with a 233 cubic inch motor.

 

This is confirmed with the 4th last photo of the ID plate which identifies it as a 1936 model 41 Special 4 door Sedan with Built in Trunk Fisher Style 364419.

 

 

I wonder how on earth do they get this wrong and is it purposely done?   Surely these folks know that this isn’t right - maybe they don’t know.  I want to give them the benefit of the doubt. 
 

Some of the subtleties:  16” wheels vs. 15” on Century, upright air cleaner vs. horizontal from EE-22 carb, one piece exhaust manifold is 233 not 320, hood is about 3+inches longer on Century (evidenced in ornate stainless on bonnet), taillight lenses without center button reflector are small series, and last, speedometer goes to 100 vs. 120 on larger series.  I think another is the fan but I’m gonna stop before I step in it.

 

Incorrect Series info aside, this looks to be a nice driver quality car.  Hard to hide things with that many pics.

[Pete Phillips]

Good catch, Stuart!

Also, the data plate clearly shows it to be a model 41, which is a Special 4-dr. sedan.

 

[50jetback]

51 minutes ago, Pete Phillips said:

Good catch, Stuart!

Also, the data plate clearly shows it to be a model 41, which is a Special 4-dr. sedan.

 

 

I see someone on the auction site has realised its a Special and not a Century and pointed it out in the last comment. Will be interesting to see what the seller response is.  

[50jetback]

2 hours ago, JoelsBuicks said:

I wonder how on earth do they get this wrong and is it purposely done?   Surely these folks know that this isn’t right - maybe they don’t know.  I want to give them the benefit of the doubt. 
 

Some of the subtleties:  16” wheels vs. 15” on Century, upright air cleaner vs. horizontal from EE-22 carb, one piece exhaust manifold is 233 not 320, hood is about 3+inches longer on Century (evidenced in ornate stainless on bonnet), taillight lenses without center button reflector are small series, and last, speedometer goes to 100 vs. 120 on larger series.  I think another is the fan but I’m gonna stop before I step in it.

 

Incorrect Series info aside, this looks to be a nice driver quality car.  Hard to hide things with that many pics.

 

It is a well constructed advertisement and very professional in appearance. Although listed as a private seller It really presents as a dealer sale. I see that someone has now realised it is a Special and has pointed that fact out in the last comment on the auction site.

 

Joel you did well on the noticeable differences between Series 40 and 60 and the only extra I could add is the headlights ( 60 Series are longer and have stainless trim on the top ) and the Century gearbox top protrudes further into the cab than the Specials which is almost flush with the floor.

 

 

Edited December 15, 2020 by 50jetback (see edit history)

[JoelsBuicks]

12 hours ago, 50jetback said:

the only extra I could add is the headlights ( 60 Series are longer and have stainless trim on the top )

I’m glad that you brought the headlight s up.  I was going to mention that because I had read the same thing once but my own experience is different. In one picture below is my Century Coupe headlight.  It is about 11” long from the back of the light to the back of the ring.  It also has the stainless trim on top.  Compare that to one of my Roadmasters and that light measures about 13”.  I could be wrong but it just doesn’t look like the Sr. 60 has been changed.  
 

Of course my Sr. 40 is short with no trim but I also own a spare set of long headlights that look original but have no evidence of the trim. 
 

Another interesting side note, One of my 80’s has chrome plated interior window garnish on the windshield and the front side windows.  If that had been done post delivery it was before 1947 which seems unlikely. 
 

Thanks again for the comment, I’ve been wanting to share this for a while.

 

Joel

[MrEarl]

Added pictures of a few of my favorite features of this '36.

[50jetback]

17 hours ago, JoelsBuicks said:

I’m glad that you brought the headlight s up.  I was going to mention that because I had read the same thing once but my own experience is different. In one picture below is my Century Coupe headlight.  It is about 11” long from the back of the light to the back of the ring.  It also has the stainless trim on top.  Compare that to one of my Roadmasters and that light measures about 13”.  I could be wrong but it just doesn’t look like the Sr. 60 has been changed.  
 

Of course my Sr. 40 is short with no trim but I also own a spare set of long headlights that look original but have no evidence of the trim. 
 

Another interesting side note, One of my 80’s has chrome plated interior window garnish on the windshield and the front side windows.  If that had been done post delivery it was before 1947 which seems unlikely. 
 

Thanks again for the comment, I’ve been wanting to share this for a while.

 

Joel

 

 

Joel - this doesn't help a lot but does list different moulding ( presumably different length ) for the 60 Series compared to the 80 and 90 Series.  

 

 

 

I don't recall seeing a 1936 Century headlight without the stainless moulding.

 

My 1936 Century Convertible Coupe has chrome interior moulding around the windscreen but like yours I can't guarantee this was factory. I have also noticed some 1936 Century CC have a stainless trim along the body line - mine hasn't and I see no evidence that it ever has.

 

I see the subject of this thread has now been corrected is advertised as a Special.

 

 

 

Edited December 16, 2020 by 50jetback
Add photo (see edit history)

[MrEarl]

10 hours ago, 50jetback said:

I see the subject of this thread has now been corrected is advertised as a Special.

The thread title wasn’t changed, I called it a Special from the git go. 

[50jetback]

4 hours ago, MrEarl said:

The thread title wasn’t changed, I called it a Special from the git go. 

 

We know you weren't fooled Lamar, I was referring to the BAT advertisement 

 

Dec 16 at 2:26 AM

bringatrailer

The seller has confirmed that the car is a Special, and the description has been updated accordingly. Thanks for your input @Grimsby!

 

 

Your not moonlighting as @Grimsby are you?

[MrEarl]

Sold for $16,000. Any thoughts on that?

[suchan]

13 minutes ago, MrEarl said:

Sold for $16,000. Any thoughts on that?

That's about $5K more than I thought it was worth. Congrats to the seller!

[39BuickEight]

Strong money for sure.

[50jetback]

1 hour ago, MrEarl said:

Sold for $16,000. Any thoughts on that?

 

It seems some bidders were still of the belief this was a Century.

 

 

I find the comments on the bid site interesting but hope the bidders didn't necessarily believe what was being said, for instance this comment from fringecarcollector.  

 

fringecarcollector  3,666

@7819, there is no wood in this body. Except the floor board where the battery is.

 

 0 Flag as not constructive

 

 

[Paul White]

The seller clearly never removed the carpet or looked inside the doors

Edited December 22, 2020 by Paul White (see edit history)

[MrEarl]

14 hours ago, suchan said:

That's about $5K more than I thought it was worth. Congrats to the seller!

me too. I was seriously considering jumping in til it went over 10

[50jetback]

So how does this compere?

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1936-Other-Makes/303844826746?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

[suchan]

10 hours ago, 50jetback said:

So how does this compere?

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1936-Other-Makes/303844826746?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

I think the sedan is nicer, despite the coupe's new upholstery and the rattle can job on the motor. The coupe's upholstery just makes the worn dash and window garnishes look that much worse. The coupes are sharp cars, but I'm not sure if the desirability, minus the condition, adds up to the asking price.