The story of my 1941 Buick Special model 41SE starts in late 1998. I wanted to find
an old car of my liking again, as I'd had old cars most of my adult life. I thought I'd like a Lincoln
Zephyr, they had such beautiful body styles. I answered several ads on the Zephyrs, got pictures
of them and went to see one. I also inquired about several 1939 Buicks, I thought that year Buick
was a pretty car; mostly because my dad had one in the early 1950's. I made more trips to see
some of the 1939's. I also inquired about several other cars and went to see a 1948 Packard, 1948
Plymouth, two 1940 Buicks ( one a Super coupe, the other a Special 4-dr with dual sidemounts),
a 1948 Dodge 4-dr sedan, 1947 Ford club coupe, and a 1946 Mercury 2-dr sedan. None of these
cars suited me because of condition or price. I finally saw a 1941 Buick advertised in Round Up
car magazine. I talked to the owner, got more pictures, and finally went to Ohio to see it in April of
2001. I thought it was a beautiful car, and driving it made me want it even more. I made an offer
which was turned down.
This was Thursday and another interested person was coming to see the
Buick on Saturday. I decided to pay the asking price, completing the transaction on Friday. I came
back home and started thinking about how to get the Buick from near Columbus, Ohio to West
Plains, MO; a distance of over 600 miles. After estimating my expenses with a truck and trailer
with at least one night in motel and more than likely two, I decided to use a trucking company that
hauls cars in an enclosed semi. I chose to use Waggoners Trucking and was very satisfied with
them and driver Alvin Bonds. My Buick arrived in West Plains on May 6, a rainy Sunday morning
a day before my birthday. I got the state inspection, insurance, and license plates all taken care of
Monday morning. I drove the Buick to pick up my twin brother to go to supper on our birthday. He
knew I bought the Buick but didn't know that I had it delivered to me. What a surprise it was when he
walked out of his house to see that big shiny car with all the chrome on the grille. The original bill
of sale came with my Buick, having been passed from one owner to the next. Reginal H. Colley of
Rockville Centre, N.Y. bought the car new on Sept. 23, 1940 from W. Harry Lister-Automobiles, Inc.,
also in Rockville Centre for a total price of $1286.28. In september of 1942, Mr. Colley moved to
Maplewood, N.J. On Sept 29, 1975 Mr Colley sold the car to Joseph Sinisi (spelling of last name is
the best I can make it out from hand written bill of sale-maybe Scirisi?) of N.J. Frank Laprano of N.J.
bought it and restored it in 1980, painting it blue instead of the original dark green. After one
more N.J. owner the car was sold to an Ohio man. It had two more Ohio owners, the last one being
Ted Davis of Amanda, the man I bought it from. The list of these owners also came with the Buick
and I have talked to each of them I could find. Frank Laprano sent me several pictures of Buick he
had taken while it was being restored. Robert Howe, one of the Ohio owners sent me pictures he made
of the Buick he while the car belonged to him. He also sent me pictures of a 1976 Cadillac Coupe
Deville he traded for the Buick, then later on he bought the Cadillac back. I've taken the Buick to
most of the local car shows and have won first, second, and third place trophies; and sometimes no
trophy, so I think the trophy I win shows how much competion was there, the Buick judges about
the same at all the shows. The trophy which means the most to me is the Judges Choice trophy
that I have won at two different shows. This trophy doesn't mean the best car, just a car the judges
like. I feel very fortunate to have this Buick and I drive it quite a bit in good weather. I nicknamed it
Bluick, from being a blue Buick. I have BUIK 41 license plate on it now, but have a pair of 1941
Missouri plates that I think I'll register to it if the number is not out. I really enjoy this Buick and plan on having it for quite a while yet, I never get tired of it.
--- The Story of Jerry Earls 1941 Buick Special 41SE ----
CAR STORIES
