This is a 1941 Buick Roadmaster Model 71C Phaeton a four-door convertible riding on Buick's 126-inch Roadmaster wheelbase, and the last year this body style would appear on a production Buick chassis. Depending on the source, somewhere between 312 and 327 of these were built for 1941, making the 71C one of the lowest-production models in Buick's entire lineup that year. This particular car carries Body No. 255 on its Fisher Body cowl tag, placing it near the end of that short production run. It is an unrestored survivor, said to have been repainted once prior to 1970 and otherwise left largely as delivered from the factory in Flint, Michigan.
Under the hood is Buick's 320-cubic-inch Fireball inline eight, fed by the twin-carburetor Compound Carburetion system that was unique to the 1941 model year and rated at 165 horsepower more than any other American production engine at the time. The engine is paired with a column-shifted three-speed manual transmission. The combination was regarded as one of the smoothest and most capable drivetrains available in a pre-war American car, and it is reported that this example required only an oil change, general tune-up, new brakes, and replacement tires to return to running condition after decades in storage.
The chassis uses independent front coil-spring suspension and a semi-floating rear axle with coil springs, with four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes at all corners. Inside, the car retains what is described as its original leather seats, matching door panels, and carpets, along with the rest of its interior appointments. The cowl tag confirms Trim No. 918 and Paint No. 570, though the car was reportedly repainted once during its life prior to 1970. According to the car's history, a previous owner applied a full Cosmoline protective coating and placed it in long-term barn storage in Ohio around 197071, where it remained undisturbed for approximately 45 years before being pulled from the barn in 2015. An expired registration card and period Ohio plates were still with the car at that time.
The 1941 Roadmaster 71C Phaeton holds a particular place among pre-war Buick collectors. It was the flagship open body style in the Roadmaster line, priced well above the standard sedan, and built in quantities small enough that survival rates are very low. Current estimates among Buick enthusiasts suggest that fewer than 20 of these cars may be in running condition today. As a largely original, running survivor rather than a concours restoration, this 71C represents something increasingly difficult to find a car that still carries its factory character after more than eight decades.
NFI Empire specializes in classic, exotic, modified, and luxury vehicles. We offer retail sales, consignment, financing, and full custom and body work through our on-site shop. Please call ahead to confirm the vehicle's current availability and viewing location. See the "videos" tab above this description box for a cold start and walk around.
