BARN FIND! What is this Buick worth?

I found a 1940 Buick 4-door buried in a barn for 30 years. It was totally covered under junk. I pulled enough away to take these photos. Here is what I see:

Good:
Body is sound and looks to be completely untouched
All stock
Has overhead valve straight 8
Rechromed bumpers
Pair of spotlights on the front seat never installed
Brakes "redone" before storage
Tires still held air
Dual side mount spare tires

Bad:
Interior is infested with mice and will need total do-over
Exhaust manifold is cracked - possibly could be welded
Cloth wiring is rotted
Running board is separated from right fender - possible rot
I couldn't move enough junk to look at the passenger side, the rear, or underneath
Glass is cloudy and needs replacing
Rubber is cracked
I can't even tell if it is stick or auto.

I have 24 hours to make an offer
WHAT SHOULD I GIVE FOR THIS CAR?






Thank you.

 

$2k or so.

 

If they dont want to give you a price of what they want for it, then low ball the shit out of it, and when ( if ) they say no, then you say something along the lines of;

"Well thats what I was thinking, how far off are we?"

Works everytime with someone that wont give you a price.
As for what its worth that depends on how bad you want it, and what are you going to do w/it.

 

They only had 3-speed column shift that year. Value depends on the series, for a #5 car (restorable) from the Standard Catalog of Buick, published 2004:

Four door sedan:

Special (series 40) $2640, 121 inch wheel base
Super (series 50) $2760, 121 inch wheel base
Century (series 60) $3000, 126 inch wheel base
Roadmaster (series 70) $3240, 126 inch wheel base
Limited (series 80 and 90) $3720-$4080, 133 and 140 inch wheel base

I can't read what it says on the side, do you know what series it is? Dual side mounts might increase the value some.

 

I would offer a Grand . ya got to start some place!

 

It says "Limited" on the hood latch.

No way can I get a tape measure in there to check w.b. But I've seen a '40 Buick "Limo" with flip-up third seats and it isn't that. I'm guessing its the 133 incher.
Thanks.

 

1500-2500 is ballpark

 

Limiteds are rare cars, total production for series 80 and 90 was 6055 in 1940. The most popular Limited was the series 80, model 40-81 four door touring sedan with a production of 3810. There should be a tag on the cowl with the numbers on it.

 

I could have picked up a '40 Super sedan that was close to being a runner last year for .. I think he wanted $4000 for it. A Limited is probably worth that, but I've also seen a really nice '40 coupe (another Super in this case) that they only wanted $7000 for - you could drive it, but you could also see a LOT of window screen mesh peeking through the paint in the rockers and ends of the fenders.

The way the market is now it won't be an easy car to flip, if you can't get a number out of them lowball and act like thats what you can afford.

 

5 gillion dollars

 

looks cool. ask 1500, see what happens

 

To the right restorer, just those side mount fenders would be worth 2K.

 

The car's only worth book value if the seller is presenting it in a manner that allows you to determine the car's condition. Right now you don't know if the frame is rotted out or the engine is stuck or if the right rear corner is full of poorly done 1959 crash repair.

Presented as it is, I'm personally gonna start at $400 and go from there.

good luck

 

We could play gangster in that ride! Does it run?

 

I'd see if you can get it out of there to take a closer look before offering anything....

That said, I'd a totally sweet piece of metal.

 

ive seen two specials around here 3800 to 4300 dollars, the strait 8 cars seem to be worth more around here.I would start by offering 1500 and go from there. i would also pull it out befor you close the deal.

 

Don't know that much about that era Buick, should have twin carbs I think, and they were trouble on one a friend had years ago. That looks like a money pit IMO, offer $1,500 and hope to flip it for $2,500+, that is a lot of automoble to look at if it takes a while to sell.

 

Thanks for all your comments and knowledge. I think I will offer them $1500 and offer to clean out the garage personally to get to it. I like the idea of making the sale conditional until I get it out though. Thanks.

I'll keep you posted if I get it. If I do I will probably have to shop for a fedora and a pinstripe suit too. I already have half a Tommy gun - need to get the other half.

 

That car should be kept intact if possible. It would make a great road car.
Just my opinion.

 

Flyer, Sounds like a good way to get it, offer to take all the "Junk" away, and eBay it. I have and it works real well. I see a collector chainsaw in one photo.

 

I always say... "Jeez, I cant be both the BUYER and the SELLER... You're gonna have to name a price." This usually makes them snap to attention and blurt out SOMETHING...
It shows what they're thinking and gives an idea if they have a realistic number in mind.

 

I think that's a cool car and so do a lot of more door fans. Has that limo look. I'd say it's REAL value after being pulled out and rinsed off is about $3,500. But I would not pay that for it.

 

Damn good idea right there. That way you don't piss him off with a low ball offer. The guy knows what he wants, and he is just fishing.

 

Chop it and slam it.

Life will be good.

 

I agree with Roothawg, it's more of a restorer's parade car than a hot rod. Looks to me like it was being used that way until something broke years ago and got rolled into the garage and forgotten.

I'd pass on it and look for something else. Your $1500 is not a bad idea but I hope you like it because it could be yours for a long while.

 

hmmm....I'd better go check it out for you...where's it at..

 

I'd be giggling with glee if I could score that for 2 grand. I love bomb style lowriders and this car only needs a visor, some teardrop skirts and the right stance to make it happen. Even 3 would be a good deal, from what I can see.

It would be a crime against humanity to part it out, but there's an easy 5K worth of parts on that car, being it's so complete and with rare options and good chrome. If you absolutely had to sell it you could double your money that way.

 

Well the lady that owned said her son did an internet search and found out it was a rare car and they decided not to sell it.

Buggy whips are rare too, but if no one is searching for one that doesn't mean they are extermely valuable either. I'll keep an eye on it.

Thanks for all your insight.

 

We had a similar 40 series limo at our shop for quite a while. It belonged to a local mortician and had been involved in a head on collision with a late model Cadillac. (It totaled the Cadillac, did some minor damage to the Buick). These cars are both massive and enormous. They will completely occupy a 4-post lift. Replacement parts are apparently made from 24K gold. The retail value of a good running, nice looking, well maintained stocker is a pittance compared to the amount of time, money and labor it would take to get one back on the road. They are an elegant looking car though and would be worth the effort if you planned on keeping it.

 

The Buick, Olds, Pontiac 4-doors just don't look good hot rodded IMHO.... I had one and sold it.