1949 Buick Roadmaster

Sedan

320 straight eight

Automatic

Clear

Gasoline

This is a running, driving, 31,000-mile car that has had long outdoor storage. I rescued it earlier this year, got it running and driving, and fixed or replaced many of the things it needed. It runs and drives just fine, but is not presently registered, so I have only driven it around the block. Therefore, you should plan on trailering it home or having it hauled. On the other hand, you could get it registered and it might just make the drive home, but I recommend short, local trips first. This is a 1949 Buick Roadmaster, Buick's top of the line and largest car that year. It is powered by the 320 cubic inch straight eight, which is one of the finest engines Buick ever made. It is a big, comfortable, long-distance, highway cruiser with a 126-inch wheelbase, weighing 4,205 pounds, and 214 inches long. The car gives an incomparable ride--smooth and solid. This car has never been hit or wrecked to my knowledge, and has its original paint, though it is thin on the hood and flaking off in some places, especially on the driver's door. All panels, doors, hood, and trunk lid fit well and close with a solid click-click. No slamming or lifting or lining up is necessary anywhere when any of these panels are closed. There is are some rust holes on the inner rocker panels, so new inner rocker panels are included with the car, but not installed. There is no outer panel rust-through anywhere. There are two holes, about 1/4 inch wide by two inches long, in the driver's floor, right next to the inner rocker panel. That is it, as far as rust is concerned. The car's history: Bought new by two elderly sisters in a small town in western Pennsylvania, then traded back in to the local Buick dealer by them in 1965 for another new Buick. A local man saw the car at the dealership in 1965--it was immaculate then, I am told--and bought it, but let it sit in his yard for several years. His nephew finally convinced him to sell it to him around 1970. The nephew collected parts to restore the car and did a little bit of engine detailing, then moved with the car to Colorado, and let it sit outside, unused, for many more years. I rescued the car this past spring and reawakened it. Here is what I have done in the past six months: New battery; rebuilt master cylinder, rebuilt all four wheel cylinders, new heater hoses and radiator hoses; replaced the cracked manifolds on the engine with new copper manifold gaskets and restored/replaced manifolds; freed up the butterfly valve; replaced dented stainless moldings with good mouldings; replaced trunk emblem and trunk emblem plastic "Dyna-Flow"; replaced tail light lenses; replaced cracked rt. rear vent window; replaced the window channel in the rear doors; replaced hood emblem with better one; replaced pitted parking light bezels with nice ones; replaced cracked parking light lenses with better ones; replaced a couple of the exterior door handles with better, non-pitted ones; five new wide whitewall tires; replaced all four hub caps with nicer ones; installed new right rear vent window rubber seal (have the left rear one, but not installed yet); replaced the leaky rear seal on transmission; replaced the front torque tube seal; and I think I rebuilt the carburetor and fuel pump, but I have so many cars that I really can't remember! I also removed and disconnected the leaky heater core under neath the front seat, but haven't located a proper replacement yet, so heater hose is just re-routed back to the engine. All in all, this is about $2500 worth of work I have done, and my reserve is not much more than that. I would like to see this car go to someone who will continue the restoration, or just drive it, and not let it sit. It is driveable now, as soon as you get it registered. Work remaining: Driver's windshield half has a bad crack at the lower left corner--not in the line of sight, but needs to be replaced; new carpet is needed for the front floor; the exhaust down pipe, between manifold and muffler, needs to be replaced due to a hole in it. A stainless steel replacement is include with the car, and I might find time to get this done, but if not, the replacement piece is in the trunk. Rest of the exhaust system is fine. Right now, the amps meter is not showing a charge when car runs, so I will either replace the voltage regulator or have the generator rebuilt before the car sells--which ever one is needed. All gauges work. I think the driver's door window has a crack in the glass--I keep it rolled down and in the garage, so I rarely notice it; inner rocker panels could be replaced (new ones are included) but this is not necessary for the car to be driven and enjoyed; the headliner has a couple of small tears, but they are not very noticeable; both front and rear seats have some rips in the upholstery, but car can be driven and enjoyed as is; bumpers are not very shiny and could be replated for show; portholes have some bad pits--if sale price goes over $3000, I will include some rechromed replacement portholes. Now for the terms of the sale. Car is located in my garage in Sherman, Texas. It can stay there for up to 30 days after the auction ends; more than 30 days and you must make arrangements, but I will work with an honest buyer. I expect a $500 down payment within 48 hours of auction's end, and full payment within 7 days of auction's end. If buyer does not comply with either ONE of those payment conditions, sale will be cancelled and offered to the runner-up bidder. I have no patience with those who aren't serious or are very slow payers. My ebay feedback is 100%. I can recommend a Dallas area antique car hauler if needed, but it is up to you to get quotes and costs. The car can certainly be driven onto a trailer. I have sold and exported cars to other countries, and can haul this one to a freight dock in Dallas or Houston at additional cost. I am located 65 miles north of Dallas and 300 miles north of Houston. Thanks for considering my Buick. I am a long-time member of the Buick Club and would like to see this one go to someone who loves old Buicks, as I do.On Oct-02-12 at 15:55:02 PDT, seller added the following information: Correction: There are four new wide whitewall tires, not five. The spare is an older tire. Took generator to rebuild shop today. It will be rebuilt this week--was not putting out any power.On Oct-05-12 at 09:06:14 PDT, seller added the following information: A note to the wise: 144 people are "watching" this auction. If you wait until the last 60 seconds to bid, your bid will probably be blocked or not go through, due to others trying to bid. That has happened to me. Generator is rebuilt and back on the car, but amps gauge is still not showing a charge, so it is probably the voltage regulator now. Bidding is currently at $2450, and if that is all this auction is going to bring, I am not going to spend any more money on it.