A Time Capsule on Wheels: The Story of the 1940 Buick 56 S Mule Heading Towards Auction Moment
Written by Nia Bowers
Every once in a while, a story emerges that captures the imagination of both seasoned collectors and casual enthusiasts. The rediscovery of the 1940 Buick 56 S Hardtop Coupé, better known among insiders as the “56 S Mule,” is one such story. Buried under decades of dust in a Texas garage and presumed lost to history, this Buick is now poised to command between $3 million and $5 million, with no buyer’s fee, when it crosses the block at the Anstine Auction on September 12, 2025, in Olathe, Kansas.
After all, in an age where collectible automobiles increasingly double as financial instruments, the estimate attached to this Buick places it among elite companies. But the real significance lies in what the car represents: originality, rarity, and an engineering pedigree that ties it back to the legendary production line.
What makes the 56 S Mule so remarkable is its uniqueness. Its reappearance in 2022, confirmed by documentation and inspection, has restored a missing link in Buick history. “It’s in one of the best conditions,” as Steve Flick, the man responsible for its preservation, described. That singularity means the car is not merely another piece of Detroit iron; it is a reference point for collectors, historians, and investors alike.
Authenticity is everything in this market, and here the Buick excels. Beneath its sleek hardtop design lies the original 125-horsepower, 248 cubic-inch straight-eight engine with dual carburetors. Even more remarkably, all 41 OEM-upgraded parts remain intact, lending the car an air of unbroken lineage that collectors covet. It’s not just restored, it’s preserved, carrying forward the ingenuity of its era in almost untouched form.
In many ways, the Buick is more than an automobile. It is a cultural time capsule, a reminder of what human engineering could achieve in the years before CAD software and computer-aided manufacturing. As Flick noted, cars of this era were built with “a compass and a protractor,” drafted on paper, and brought to life by hand. To stand before this vehicle is to be transported to 1940, when ambition and craftsmanship combined to produce not only machines but enduring works of industrial art.
For enthusiasts, the sale offers something almost mythical: the chance to acquire this piece of living history. For investors, it highlights the growing demand for American full classics, which are increasingly appearing in seven-figure territory at auctions long dominated by European marques. This shift reflects both scarcity, there are simply fewer examples of such cars in comparable condition, and a broader recognition of their importance in shaping automotive heritage.
Yet beyond the glare of auction spotlights, this Buick’s story carries a quieter resonance. It’s about the rediscovery of something once thought lost, the preservation of authenticity, and the idea that engineering legacies can outlast generations. In Flick’s words, the car is both a “living time capsule” and a “legacy to pass on,” not unlike a piece of land, a work of art, or a family heirloom.
In today’s culture of disposability, the survival and celebration of something built 85 years ago reminds us of the value of continuity. The Buick 56 S Mule is valuable because it reminds people that human craftsmanship, when respected and preserved, can bridge time itself.
As the Anstine Auction approaches, the outcome will no doubt be closely watched. Will it hit the $5 million mark? Perhaps. But regardless of the final hammer price, the reemergence of the 1940 Buick 56 S Mule has already succeeded in sparking conversation about legacy, authenticity, and the enduring beauty of engineering done by hand.
And for one lucky bidder, this September will mark not just the purchase of a car, but the stewardship of history on wheels.
