Buick Century Eight

The Century was Buick's fast flagship in the pre-war years, a big saloon with a 100mph top speed that earned it the "banker's hot rod" nickname. This 1940 car is one of 8,597 built that year, and it has the side-mounted spare wheel that few of them carried. Power comes from the 5.2-litre "Fireball 8" straight-eight.

The car was imported to the UK from the United States in late 2018, shipped from Houston to London Gateway. Before it left, the engine was rebuilt with new pistons, main, big-end and cam bearings and a full gasket set, with the cylinder work done by a Colorado machine shop. The dealer describes the body as structurally excellent and highly original.

Since arriving, it has had one UK owner in Devon, who used it sparingly. Recommissioning during that time included new wheel bearings, brake shoes and kingpins, plus new seals and gaskets for the axle and differential. No mileage is stated.