1940 Buick Series 90 Limited Limousine: Industrial-Grade Luxury

There are cars that have been produced over the course of the last century that are absolutely stunning to behold in person. The Buick Series 90 Limited is one such car.  Buick's line of the Special covered all the bases in regards to the customers they cater to. The "Limited" version of their vehicles featured the top-of-the-line products that no one had seen before. Groundbreaking advancements in technology led to more horsepower, less weight, and higher dependability. (Although there were most certainly innovations from this era that were total flops.) Some of the more interesting features in this legendary limo include suicide doors, an awesome folding middle row of seats, and fully enclosed dual spares. While these features don't seem like anything special in today's terms, they were not only exciting and new, but they were also astounding achievements in automotive engineering and design.

The steering wheel is about as big as Saturn's rings, and for good reason. These cars did not have power steering back in the day, so the driver needed all the assistance he (or she) could get. Buick and other manufactures obliged by including the biggest damned disc they could possibly fit inside the cabin for ease of steering. As there were no seat belt laws in the age of the industrial revolution, you won't find any inside this beast. In fact, the closest thing to a seat belt in the car would be a couple of cloth handles that hang down from the passenger window compartment in the rear. The condition of the interior is what really astounds me; everything looks as it did over 70 years ago! With the exception of a few little ivory (yes, THAT ivory) pieces, everything is still put together well and nothing is rotting or falling apart. It runs and drives with a little bit of a learning curve, as there are a few steps that need to be taken in order to get it started. This is not an issue of whether or not the engine works, but more an issue of learning HOW they work. Not to mention the 3-speed manual transmission with the shifter on the steering column.

Today, we hop inside our cars, turn the key, and go. In 1940, there was a fuel system you had to worry about, and you actually had to warm it up before daring the (oftentimes) dirt and gravel roads of the era. In the end, this is a time capsule worth checking out. It certainly isn't perfect, but it is ready to be included in someones collection or even be used as a Sunday driver. Come down to check it out or call with any questions. Have a Happy Holiday season and a Merry Christmas!