Same Family For 67 Years: 1948 Buick Roadmaster Convertible
The owner of this 1948 Buick Roadmaster Convertible passed away several years ago, and his children have now made the decision to part with the car. The father purchased the car in 1952, and it remained his pride and joy until he passed away. It is a pretty stunning looking car that seems to need very little to make it really stand out, and owning this would be a great excuse for going out for a bit of weekend cruising this Summer. Located in North Richland Hills, Texas, you will find the Roadmaster listed for sale here on eBay. At the time of writing, bidding is sitting at $11,700 in this No Reserve auction.
The owner says that the Roadmaster is a clean, solid, rust-free vehicle. The external appearance certainly shows a lot of promise. The car underwent a repaint approximately 8-years-ago and saw little use before it was then parked. It has always been garage kept, which has certainly helped to keep the car in good order. It is also said to be completely original and unmodified. The external chrome and trim are all original, and in first-class condition. It appears that the only thing that will need to be attended to is the power soft-top, which is in a pretty sorry state. It does look like a clean and polish, and a new soft-top will have the Buick looking a million dollars.
With the soft-top being so badly torn, there has been nothing stopping the dust from settling on the car’s interior, so it’s pretty dusty in there. However, the interior trim and leather seat upholstery looks like it is also in amazing original condition, and a weekend of hard work and elbow grease should bring it up a treat. Once again, the interior is completely original and unmodified. Being a Roadmaster Convertible, the car did come nicely equipped by the standards of the day. As well as a factory radio and power top, the Roadmaster is also fitted with power windows, a power seat, and power locks.
I love the look of a straight-eight engine, and in the Roadmaster’s case, it is the 320ci Fireball unit. This is hooked to a 3-speed manual transmission. Even after its extended hibernation, the Roadmaster is said to run and drive, although it will need a new radiator. The air cleaner has been removed and is in the trunk. Also in the trunk is a fair collection of parts and pieces, including some luggage items, which I believe were actually available as genuine Buick accessories when the car was new.
Summer is just around the corner, and I can’t think of a nicer way to pass a sunny Sunday than to take in some top-down cruising in this Roadmaster. It really does seem that it isn’t going to take a lot of work before it is once again ready to hit the road. For what this car is, and the condition it’s in, bidding does still seem to be quite low. But with the car being offered in a No Reserve auction, it looks like some lucky person is about to become the proud owner of a very nice car.
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Comments
Up to $12,100 now, probably going higher. Last picture in ebay listing is not the same car but most likely what it will look like when cleaned. This thing is drop-dead gorgeous and once the top is fixed and it’s cleaned and serviced it’s going to make the next owner want to keep it for another 67 years.
Such a shame I was born good-looking and not rich. Nice find.
I drove a 48 grey hardtop a year in high school. There were always an assortment of vintage hats tucked under the back window. Car rule was you had to wear a hat to ride.
An incredible bargain at anything less than $20,000.
This is a Super, not a Roadmaster. The Super emblem is on the fender just behind the front wheel. This model has the 248 cid engine and a shorter wheelbase.
Good catch!
The engine is a 1950 or newer which makes it a 263 cid. I know this because I had a 48 Roadmaster Model 76S Sedanette with a 1950 engine. The water pump bypass is a dead giveaway. That style water pump didn’t show up until 1950.
It is indeed a Super and also a 3-speed standard. I remember well my Dad’s 48 Roadmaster. Dynaflows had he shift position quadrant clearly shown on the steering column.
Awesome car.. I bet it needs some considerable work. Paint has a poor texture to it, top needs replacement-and the “parts in the trunk” belong on the car as the radiator is out of it for who knows what reason..
Super or Roadmaster , it’s a beautiful car . I hope it doesn’t become a customized aberration . A little bit of me would love to see a Stage 1 455 and a Richmond 6 speed in it . I hate when I have these thoughts .
BOOOO ! Bring your Purist Thoughts back ! I”m in Hawaii, so a Cardinal Sin
to even think of bringing a Beauty like this here, Plus no real garage space here
as needed.
Love this one. Someone is going to be very happy.
Having owned a ’53 Super 2-door hardtop, I have a soft spot in my heart for the toothy-grin, post-war Buicks of this era. The 46-48’s are especially cool, from the flow-thru-the-doors front and pontoon-like rear fenders to the bombsight hood ornament, they really do it for me. Sure wish I had some extra cash laying around, I would love to take ownership and cruise in this Super convertible.
Coming from the world of MG Midgets and Spitfires I can’t help but be impressed by the distance between the driver, steering wheel, and column before it enters the dash panel on this Buick. Super!
Wouldn’t you really rather have a Buick!
Yes, I would… because When Better Cars are Built, Buick will Build Them.
Doe any one of you remember the Opera coupes? OMG ! And the Sedannetes ? I
think they were called ?
Roadmaster or Super, still a beautiful car. Did lots on work on a ‘53 RM. They are big, heavy and somewhat complex cars but ride like a dream when running correctly. Think that ‘53 sold for $120k a few years ago. Not bad for an early American post war car.
I still have my 1948 Buick Super convertible that I bought when I was 17. I will be 71 this May so I guess I’ve had mine for a good run. It is one of my favorite cars that I still drive. Good luck to the new owner and I’m sure they will love it.
my dad had one just like it. and they are beautiful cleaned up and restored. definitely a worthwhile purchase.
“The Roadmaster is also fitted with power windows, a power seat, and power locks.”
NO power door locks in 1948, on ANY car. And it says Super on the front bumper badge and on the front fenders.
SOLD..$22,800.00 way out of my ball park for a car of unknown mechanical condition, plus what ever costs involved to get it presentable and reliable again, an sure we will see it again at a Barrett Jackson auction in a year or so, most of these cars are bought by wealthy flippers these days…