Make An Offer: 1958 Buick Roadmaster
The Roadmaster had a sporadic role in the Buick lineup, appearing from 1936 to 1942 (pre-World War II), 1946 through 1958, and finally from 1991 to 1996. Except for the last generation, all Roadmasters were built on the longest non-limousine wheelbase platform the company utilized. The Roadmaster received a redesign in 1957, looking longer and lower than before, and the ’58 editions would gain quad-headlights and gobs more chrome. This Roadmaster 4-door hardtop (called the Riviera) has emerged from a long slumber and will need a complete restoration. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the seller is accepting offers here on craigslist so there’s no telling how much it will take for the rusty car to change hands. Our thanks to T.J. for yet another vintage find.
Like other auto manufacturers, Buick sales took a downturn in 1958 thanks to an economic recession. As a result, the production output of the Buick Roadmaster 4-door hardtop like this one was about 10,500 units. The cars looked bulkier than before thanks to an even more generous application of chrome on the exterior. There were no distinguishing VentiPorts on the front fenders for the first time in a decade. The cars were powered by a 364 cubic-inch V8 that was rated at a generous 300 hp.
We’re told this Buick has been in dry storage for an extended period. The passage of time has not been kind as there is a substantial amount of surface rust associated with the light blue paint. And where corrosion like this exists, there are likely to be more significant problems where we can’t see. All the glass is original and intact, so no replacements are not likely needed.
The mileage on the old Roadmaster is unknown and the title is listed as “salvage” so you may have to jump through several DMV hoops to get this car back on the road once restored. The interior may be the car’s highlight, with a near-perfect dashboard. But seat covers and some loose junk could be hiding more problems to be dealt with. The seller is willing to bring the car to you for the cost of transportation (can you say, “road trip”?).
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Comments
Hey, hey, the Beer City, my old hometown, and yes, this was typical condition. Quick, how many squares in that grill? Time’s up, it was 160 individual squares that made up the “Fashion Aire Dynastar Grill”. At a 1/4 million Buicks sold that year, that’s a lot of squares. What an obscene era, hey? It’s as if they said, oh yeah, public, you want glitz, let’s just see how far we can go with this, chrome EVERYTHING!!! Sorry to say, this old “Roadmasher” seen better days, they were probably the best car you could get in ’58, I see little hope for this, except the grill, of course.
Howard so negative, not saying it’s ever going to be a trailer queen. Yeah there is a lot of trim to pull but don’t see any holes. Old girl might come back to life and some serious amount of elbow grease might become presentable with some paint. Then someone else will be able to count the squares in the grill. 58 was a year of excess, stainless and chrome and then more of each. Price is what the owner decided already, gone. Sure hope some young ambitious car lover see this as a stepping stone.
Yep, you got my number, and negative for good reason. I see you are 70, I’m almost 68, so we’re from the same era. Say, 25 years ago, this would have been a smokin’ deal, and any number of us old farts left, would have jumped on it, for $200 bucks! If for nothing else, wheels while our “good” car sat inside for the winter. I don’t see that mindset today, my friend. If you are here, like me, you aren’t independently wealthy, and just regular bills alone, have all but squelched the initiative that the very people that would want this, may have had. All is not lost, however, and there are nicer ones someone our age may be restoring. The sad news, this will probably go to that person ,maybe JUST for the grill to complete their restoration. I suppose that’s okay too. I see so many of these types of cars here in Colorado, sitting in a forlorn spot, deteriorating in the sunlight, until that person dies, a developer comes in, and hauls it away. That’s what’s happening here and probably most other areas, just no money for this anymore. It’s okay, pal, we had our time, when these cars WERE $200 bucks, ( and another $100 got it going), and folks today won’t ever get to do that, CHEERS( raising coffee cup in triumph!)
Owww, that hurt, consarnit. GO PACK,,Broncos? Meh,,
Sure a lot of back and forth over one of the ugliest cars ever built….
It’s what we do, apparently. As far as interest goes, a glaring example stands out. Before I moved to Colorado, ( 2017) some may remember, I lived on a farm in N.Wis. It’s the same farm I visited as a young man in the late 70s. “Uncle Bill”, was born on the farm, lived there all his life, never married, never moved out, until his 80s to a nursing home when his knees gave out. He had a 1958 Olds 4 door, equally outlandish styling, he bought new, and never sold it. He replaced it with a 69 Pontiac, but the Olds sat in the weeds all those years. I remember, it was purple, and in decent shape. Fast forward to when I moved there in 2015, I asked the nephew, what happened to Uncle Bills Olds? He said, he had a farm “scrap drive” a few years back, and everything, including the Olds AND a Ford AA dump truck I was REALLY upset about, was hauled away for scrap.
If someone asked all of us to tell stories like the one you just did it probably would take 6 months to read them all. No telling how many cars I let get away but the amount of cars saved, either for parts or restoration, surprises me every time I think about the sheer numbers of them. I too would be be upset about the truck….
Yep, that over-chromed behemoth of a ’58 Olds was indeed “outlandish.” In my parlance, they were both fugly! Of course, by my lights, virtually every American car made that year, regardless of manufacturer, was a squat, gaudy affair. I expect many here will disagree. De gustibus non est disputandum: there’s no arguing taste!
You could go bankrupt rechroming the bumpers alone. Sorry to see in this condition. Hope it either gets restored or provides parts for another project.
Good luck and happy motoring!
Cheers
GPC
The comics here are second to none.
’58 was the year of automotive excess and this car is the posterboy , only to be topped by modern gauche Mercedes’.
160 chrome squares!
If you can afford the chrome and trim polish and replacement, the rest is no problem.
Looks the owner just couldn’t take all the interest, it’s gone.
Kinda strange to use the WWII years as an ‘interruption’ to Roadmaster production. If so- everything bridging the war could be called ‘sporadic’.
Howard A & Bob Hess, I couldn’t have said it better! I’m 70 in Phoenix, Arizona. If I kept all my cars and bought the ones that got away they would be double stacked at the least. God Bless America
Kenny G, I would be in the same situation as you, or worse, since I’m 16 years older than you. Damn, why is it always hindsight that’s 20-20?
Ahh, but the ’58 Buick Roadmaster Limited put this one to shame.
https://www.hometownbuick.com/portfolio/1958-buick-roadmaster-limited-riviera-sedan-model-750/
Chrome can be sandblasted and primed with high build primer before you paint it flat black so you drive a cooler looking hot rod than Gaspump n’ Howard do.
Everything does not have to be rebuilt if you’re making a rat rod. You can sandblast the chrome and paint it or primer it whichever suits your style.
Sandblast, prime, & drive to the beer store.
Bob
Re: “nicer ones” There is great one in Mundelein, Illinois. Check the website for North Shore Classic Cars. They have a ’58 Roadmaster in their showroom just like this except in pristine condition. Same color blue and all that chrome/stainless trim. Check it out if for no other reason than to see what this car, with a whole lot of work and money, could be. (I have no connection to North Shore Classic Cars other being a frequent visitor to their showroom.)
As someone who still occasionally enjoys polishing and waxing, I have to wonder just how long it would take to correctly wax that grill.
Wisconsin rust bucket. Done.
I got very excited when I saw the first picture. I truly love 58 Buicks and this is a Roadmaster. Then I saw the chrome and rust everywhere. So sad, she was magnificent beast in her day. I guess she could be again if you have deep enough pockets.