1941 Buick Roadmaster Convertible Phaeton - Model 71C 🇺🇸

Buick was on a roll!  1940 was the most successful year in the company's history and they were banking on 1941 being better yet.

The 1941 model cars debuted on October 13, 1940 and they were a more cohesive and modern design than anything before.  A new single piece hood with novel latch that allowed it to be opened from either side of the car makes its first appearance and would become a Buick feature for years to come. The front bumper license plate bracket was gone in favor of a new bumper with mounting location stamped into the shape. The headlights were more fully integrated into the fenders and pushed further out to make space for the wider grille. The front fenders extended back to the front doors and down to the rocker panels. Running boards disappeared from all but the 90 series cars.  The rear directional signal indicators were now placed in a horizontal position just below the tail lamps with an arrow indicating turn directions.

Inside, the car featured an all new damascene finished dash panel and glove compartment door.  All of the switches, ashtray, air control knobs for the defroster, and radio were now in the center of the dashboard for easy access.

Buick offered five different models for the 1941 model year. The Limited with its formal large sedan and limousine body styles remained the top of the line offering. But, the Roadmaster was the  prestige model for those who wanted body style options.  The mighty Roadmaster with its 320 cubic inch inline eight-cylinder engine rode on a 126-inch-wheelbase chassis. Among the most elegant body styles offered, the four-door convertible phaeton, would be the last convertible sedan offered by  Buick.

Out of the total 1941 model year production of 377,428 units, only 15,372 were Roadmasters and just 312 specimens of the Convertible Phaeton were produced. It is estimated that there are about 17 survivors today.