Detroit models from 1940 were steel workhorses, but also very elegant. This Buick four-door convertible - opens in new window or tab. provided its passengers all the joys of an open-air ride. The open top and opposing doors offered all six passengers easy ingress and egress.
The top-of-the-line convertible variant is rare—one of about only 200 produced. Humphrey Bogart owned a similar one, which was featured in Casablanca (as revealed in the newspaper clipping provided by the seller).
The original 8-cylinder engine has domed pistons for a higher compression ratio and more power. The Buick straight-eights are known for reliability and smoothness. The dual carburetors under the hood were precursors for the four-barrel carburetors that followed.
Standout design features include the dual spare-tire mounts with attached side mirrors and the brake light spelling out “Stop,” as a reminder that in its day, not all motorists understood the meaning of the tail brake light. The wide whitewalls and red rims make for striking contrast to the body’s deep blue hue—one of three shades of blue offered by Buick.
The seller describes how the vehicle has been in his family for a half-century and was restored in the 1970s. At some point, an electric fuel pump was added. (We speculate that a metal panel attached to the underside of the dash and on the far right side of the panel is a toggle switch for the fuel pump or perhaps another electrical accessory.)
Most car buffs associate the Ford marque for the 1940 model year, but a close look at this classic - opens in new window or tab. suggests that Buick should be brought to greater prominence in the era’s automotive history.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.