1956 Buick Series 40 4-Door Sedan

1956 Buick Series 40 40 Series Description

I have been tasked with liquidating the estate of a friend. This car will be sold with a Bill of Sale from the attorney acting as Power of Attorney for the estate. Note: Since this car was registered in NY there is no title (NY does not require titles for cars older than 1973).

You are bidding on a 1956 Buick Special 4-dr. sedan. This car has manual steering and brakes and is a 3-on-the-tree (manual transmission). It has the 322 V8 with a 2-barrel carburetor. The paint is original.The VIN # is 4 C5040890.

I have first-hand knowledge of this car as I was the second and previous owner of this car. This car was an eBay purchase of mine in 2009. The prior owner claimed to be the first owner. He used it up until 1980 and then stored it under a lean-to in New Jersey (the last registration was 1980 and the sticker is still on the windshield). At that time this car showed just over 26,000 miles on it. There are oil change stickers that support this. A 1975 sticker shows the mileage to be 19,751 so apparently the car was being used about 1000 miles per year. Yes, it is conceivable that this was 119,000 miles but the mechanical parts were just too good for that many miles. For example, the shifter is very tight, something that wore out quickly in these cars. In addition, the front suspension is similarly in very good condition. The doors hang straight and open and close like a low mileage car. The window mechanisms work great. In any event, when it was parked in 1980 it was not totally protected so the paint is poor and there are a few rust holes. On the positive side the body is very straight and the interior is okay (but far from perfect).

In 2009 I installed the following new: gas tank and gas lines, shock absorbers, brake wheel cylinders, hydraulic lines, shoes, and hardware. The following were rebuilt: fuel pump, carburetor, and generator. In addition, there was a fresh tune-up (plugs, cap, rotor, wires, coil) and the addition of a Pertronix electronic ignition.

I used this as a weekend driver for a summer and then sold it to the current owner in 2011. They also used it occasionally until 2014 and then parked it outside with a cover on it. It was not started until this past winter when it was driven from the owner’s house to my barn for storage and sale. The car now shows 26,700 miles. Unfortunately, the time spent outside didn’t help things and now there are a few more holes, the paint and body has degraded more, the exhaust system has deteriorated, and the brakes stick a little.

In the 5-mile drive to my barn I was reminded how well this car runs, rides, and shifts. It would not take too much to make this a decent daily driver if you like the patina look. Besides the exhaust and brakes needing attention, it will need new tires. Other than that, I think it will make a neat driver. In my personal opinion, I'm not sure if this is worth restoring but it's certainly worth using.

There is a reserve price on this car. The car is for sale locally and I reserve the right to end the auction if a local buyer is found. There is currently a local offer of $3500 on it.

If you have any questions I will answer them the best that I can.

You are welcome to inspect and test drive the car. It is in Queensbury, NY, about 50 miles north of Albany, NY.

DO NOT email me trying to deal before the auction ends.

Thank you for bidding.