Every day, the team at Aircraft For Sale chooses an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, a good deal, or has other qualities we find interesting. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.
Today’s Top Pick is a 1946 Cessna 140.
For many, the postwar golden age of general aviation is best summarized by the Cessna 120/140 series. While the 120 was the bare-bones trainer, the 140 was the deluxe model, featuring wing flaps, additional side windows, and a level of comfort that promised to bring flight to the American masses.
Decades later, the 140 remains a darling of the taildragger community, prized for its harmonious handling and surprisingly modern ramp presence.
This particular 1946 model is a meticulously maintained example that bridges the gap between mid-century nostalgia and modern utility. With 1,433 total hours on the airframe, it is a low-time vintage machine that has been preserved with an eye for both aesthetics and safety.
This 140 is powered by a Continental C85-12F engine, which shows only 278 hours since a major overhaul in 2019. The powerplant has been thoughtfully modernized with a Sky-Tec lightweight starter, a Plane-Power alternator, and a spin-on oil filter to simplify maintenance. The addition of a Cessna 150 exhaust system and current cylinder compressions ranging from 77 to 79 indicate an engine that is ready for many more golden hour flights.
While the airframe is 80 years old, the panel features a uAvonix AV-30c digital display, Icom A-200 radio, and Stratus ESG ADS-B Out transponder. For those longer cross-country trips, the cabin is equipped with four USB-A power ports and a Sigtronics intercom, ensuring you stay connected and comfortable while cruising at 100 mph on less than 5 gph.
The aircraft’s exterior is finished in high-performance Imron paint, and the poly-fiber fabric-covered wings were refreshed in 2011. Practical upgrades abound, including a BAS tail pull handle for easier ground maneuvering, LED position and landing lights for increased visibility, and Hooker harnesses for modern safety.
![1946 Cessna 140 [Credit: Lance Berrier]](https://flyingmag1.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/aircraft-single-engine-piston-ce-19.jpg?width=800&height=600)
The cabin features a refined Airtex interior with Cessna 150 seats, offering a level of comfort and support that exceeds the original 1940s factory benches. With a useful load of 436 pounds, this 140 is the perfect platform for a pilot and a companion to explore regional grass strips or head out for a Saturday morning breakfast run.
Listed at $40,000, this Cessna 140 represents a turnkey entry into the world of classic aviation. It also offers the rare opportunity to own a piece of history that has been upgraded for the demands of the modern national airspace system.
If you’re exploring ownership options, FLYING Finance can help get you airborne. Use our airplane loan calculator to estimate your monthly payments, or connect with an aviation finance expert at flyingfinance.com.
- FLYING Magazine: Approachable Aircraft: The Cessna 120/140
- FLYING Magazine: Man Sells Old Cessna 140 at Garage Sale
- FLYING Magazine: Five Taildraggers That Are Easy To Buy, Fly, and Insure
- Plane + Pilot: This Incredible Plane: Cessna 140
- Plane + Pilot: Cessna 120/140
- The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Cessna 120/140