1941 Buick Super Convertible Coupe

1941 marked Buick's most successful prewar year, with production reaching 374,000 units. Among its top-selling models was the Buick Super convertible coupe.

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This impressive performance allowed Buick to maintain its fourth-place position in the automotive industry, a rank it had held since 1938. Building on its record-breaking year in 1940, Buick introduced updated styling for 1941. The headlights were repositioned to the fender edges, creating a more seamless integration with the hood. A wider grille further emphasized the vehicle's broad stance.

Buick offered a diverse lineup with varying prices and sizes. The Special, available on 118- and 121-inch wheelbases, was the top-selling model. The Limited, featuring a 139-inch wheelbase and luxurious interior, added prestige to the brand and boosted sales of the smaller models. It was powered by the same 320-cid engine as the 128-inch-wheelbase Roadmaster.

Positioned between the Special and Roadmaster was the Series 50 Super. It featured the 121-inch wheelbase and 248-cubic-inch engine of the Special, paired with the body of the larger Roadmaster. Launched in 1940, the Super quickly became a standout success.

Convertibles played a significant role in Buick's 1941 sales achievements, with the brand ranking just behind Ford in convertible production. That year, the Super lineup featured two ragtop models: a four-door convertible sedan and a two-door convertible coupe. The coupe started at $1,267, though optional extras like fog lights, bumper guards, fender skirts, and a radio were not included in the base price.

For the first time, Buick made a power-operated convertible top standard. The interior boasted a full set of gauges housed in a stylish Damascened chrome panel, along with a glovebox-mounted clock.

The car was driven by an overhead-valve straight-eight "Fireball" engine. For 1941, upgrades like high-compression pistons and Compound Carburetion boosted horsepower to 125, a significant jump from the previous year's 107.

Compound Carburetion utilized two dual-barrel carburetors. Typically, only one carburetor was active, but during heavy acceleration or at higher speeds, the second carburetor engaged to deliver additional power.

Since each of the two carburetors was smaller than the previous single unit, Buick claimed improved fuel efficiency during normal driving conditions. (During wartime rationing, many Buick owners disabled the second carburetor in an attempt to conserve fuel.)

Engine access was simplified with the introduction of a new one-piece hood. The hood could be opened from either side using the "Louvre-Lock," a latch that seamlessly integrated with the side trim. By releasing both latches, the entire hood could be removed.

The robust frame introduced in 1940 was retained. Minor adjustments were made to the independent front suspension's geometry to enhance Buick's already smooth all coil-spring ride, a feature the brand pioneered in 1938 by offering coil springs on all four wheels.

This 1941 Super convertible coupe, one of only 12,391 produced, belongs to William Schwanbeck from Orland Park, Illinois. He restored it in 1985 with assistance from friends.

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