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This car was acquired for the collection in 2005. The car has never been restored, it is
an exceptional example of an original survivor car with just 4,655 miles covered from new. The outstanding preservation of this car is attributed to it spending most of its life in Arizona and being pampered by its original owner. That original owner selected two-tone paint, an electric clock, and radio with the antenna mounted to the windshield center post as options for his new car.
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Company
General Motors
Make
Buick
Model
Special, 46S
Body Style
Sedanette, 2 - door, 6-pass.
Body Manufacture
Fisher Body
Model year
1941
Wheelbase
121 inches
Length
208.75 inches
Engine
inline-eight, OHV, 248 cid
Horsepower
115 @ 3500 rpm
Transmission
3-speed manual on the column
Original Base Price
$1,006
Brand Production
377,428 model year
This Car Production
87,687 -
In 1941, Harlow Curtice was in his eighth year as President of Buick Corporation. During his tenure, he managed to save Buick from certain death, with production jumping from 40,000 cars in 1933 to well over 300,000 in 1940. 1941 would be the pinnacle of his years of hard work.
All of the 1941 cars got revised front ends but the bodies remained largely carry-overs from 1940 with the exception of one brand new body style. The fastback, 2-door sedan designated by Buick as the Sedanette. This body had the streamlined styling that was just coming into vogue. It was sporty while being practical with 6-passenger seating and a useful truck. Every division of GM offered a variation of this body but it would be Buick that it was most closely associated with. The Special Sedanette was an instant hit with buyers. 87,687 of this new style were sold, the second best selling body style in the Special series behind the sedan.
In fact, the Special series had become the volume leader for Buick. 238,618 Specials were manufactured in the 1941 model year, accounting for 63% of all Buicks made and sold. This volume helped to keep Buick in 4th place in the industry manufacturing rankings behind Chevrolet, Ford and Plymouth.