Patina Project: 1948 Buick Roadmaster Fastback
The eBay listing for this 1948 Buick Roadmaster fastback in Farmingdale, New York, is an honest assessment. The car is on Long Island now, but it is a “clean, dry Texas car” that is “99.9 percent rot/rust-free” (though hardly free of surface rust). Alas, there is no row of four portholes on the ’48.
The car has been off the road for many years and isn’t drivable. The motor runs, but barely, and “has damaged valve train.” It has a “nice patina,” but that’s your call. It was blue once; now, it’s two-tone blue with surface rust. It looks like there’s some damage on the left rear fender, but it’s probably fixable. The chrome isn’t bad. Bidding is up to $5,000, with the reserve not met.
The owner says the original interior is usable, but the front seats look worn, and a blanket is covering something. The original fender skirts come with it! The look with that sun visor, straight out of early Superman comics, is just right.
The Buick Roadmaster is iconic, and the fastback style (shared with Cadillac and Chevrolet) is just ultra-cool. This car could keep its patina and get an engine rebuild or a modern drivetrain transplant. But since it’s been sitting for a long time, it will need a lot more—brakes, transmission, suspension update, tires, new fuel lines and cooling hoses, gas tank flush, and so on. If the owner has unreal expectations for the sale, it won’t pencil out.
The fourth generation Roadmaster was introduced in 1942, though that’s not much of a model year—auto production was diverted into the war effort. Styling was influenced (uncannily so) by the famous Y Job of 1938. The Sedanet fastback had first appeared on the Century and Special the previous year, 1941.
Under the hood was the famous 320-cubic-inch inline Fireball 8, with 144 horsepower and 276 pound-feet of torque. They were heavy cars, 4,200 to 4,700 pounds, so acceleration was leisurely via the first-year-available Dynaflow automatic. For 1948, Roadmasters so-equipped got a Dynaflow script on the front fender (still there on the car here).
Buick sold approximately 80,000 Roadmasters in 1948, with consumers buying up every car available after the war. Classic.com says $36,330 is the average price for a 1948 Roadmaster. The car does look like it escaped severe rot, and that makes it tempting.
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Comments
Okay I’ll start. Who’s gonna buy this and put a Ford engine in it LOL.
Helicopter engine. In the trunk.
Imitation Tucker, maybe!
I’m a fan of straight 8’s, but you got me thinking, a Ford Barra Turbo? Hell yeah.
I sure do like this without the loathed fender skirts, I would have to have some sheet metal work done back there. I agree with Jim, this fastback style is very cool.
The skirts are integral with the rear fenders, they’re actually the rear quarter panel. Taking them away would be like chopping 12″ off of the quarter panel of the car, or any car for that matter.
Love the appearance being a 2 door car. Seems to be a solid body,being from Texas
Great looking car, a nice canvas to start a project with. Hard to guess what the reserve looks like, but it will be somebody’s baby..
I had 7 toy cars in 1949 and this was one, an iridescent dark blue, that smelled like “plastic ” probably a carcinogen, but i loved the design.
You know, I would get it running well, then safely putting miles back under those tires. I think this level of patina puts it in a category of not shameful, but acceptable. Body work and paint could always come later. There is something about a nicely done mechanical rehab in a ‘driver’ showing wear and tear that just divides the admiring circle of enthusiasts this old torpedo will impress. I like this rare bird warts and all and would welcome it right into the garage with my freshly painted and/or preserved jennies. It has a story to tell to any who would listen
The styling may have been shared by Chevrolet and Cadillac (along with Pontiac and Oldsmobile as well..) being that this is a Roadmaster, it would share no body parts with the Chevrolet, But more Cadillac and Oldsmobile. As to “patina”, Oh my,do I hate this as a positive “thing”
A very nice start to a restoration. I know someone in CT with a whole bunch of straight 8 Buick engines and , I believe, some aftermarket goodies for them so I wouldn’t bother with this one. I’d do what little body work it needs , paint it a period correct color and drive it lots.
A very nice start to a restoration. I know someone in CT with a whole bunch of straight 8 Buick engines and , I believe, some aftermarket goodies for them so I wouldn’t bother with this one. I’d do what little body work it needs , paint it a period correct color and drive it lots.
2 doors=pass. Sharp car though.
Had a 1947 Super, 4 door. Bought many years ago, for $100 at Aloha Motors in Oahu. Had that visor , moved by a lever inside the car. Heavy beast ate re-grooved , bald tires.
Built when the name Buick meant something. This needs to be put back on the road in fine shape.
This deserves to be dropped on a 4X4 chassis
Love the appearance being a 2 door car. Seems to be a solid body,being from Texas