1956 Buick Roadmaster

Riviera Sedan

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

7C5049761

Clear

Gasoline

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Assessment 1956 Buick Roadmaster Riviera Sedan Model 73 Overview: Two-owner car is 54 years old, but still an excellent example of a 1956 Roadmaster. (Solid #2 Driver.) Rare all-black exterior, red (Coral) interior. Riviera model 73, a four-door sedan without center window post, is 99% original with 68,000 miles. Engine, transmission, drive train, body, paint, chrome, dashboard, headliner all ORIGINAL; paint looks remarkable for its age. Never in an accident; never driven in snow, heavy rain, or other adverse conditions; garage-kept for entire life span. Weight: 4355 lbs; wheelbase: 127 inches; length: 213.5 inches; VIN: 7C5049761 (“7”=series 70; “C”=1956; “5”=built in Wilmington; number “49,761” built in ’56 model year) I. Chassis A. Frame – straight with minor surface rust, some grease and dirt on undercarriage. B. Engine – original stock 322 c.i.d. Fireball V-8, 4-bbl carburetor, developing 255 HP at 4200 RPM, with under 67,000 miles; hydraulic lifters; runs very well; never overhauled; runs cool (below N on temperature gauge) even on hot days, but tends to approach H after prolonged idling; oil remains clean and does not burn or leak; spark plugs changed within 5000 miles; spark plug covers painted correct color and in good shape. C. Carburetor – original 4-bbl Rochester 4GC—rebuilt and recalibrated. D. Oil-based Air Cleaner – cleaned and refilled. E. Transmission – original stock variable pitch Dynaflow transmission operates smoothly from 0 mph to 75+ without shifting gears; slight fluid leak at idle. F. Fuel/Vacuum Pump – rebuilt, provides good fuel flow -- provides vacuum for wipers. G. Water pump – original, operates as designed. H. Radiator –cleaned and re-cored, works as new. I. Windshield Wipers – vacuum operated, motor rebuilt, operate as well as vacuum wipers of the era; dash switch not correctly indexed. J. Windshield Washer – operates well, but PS stream not fully effective; glass reservoir intact; hoses recently replaced, routed neatly and correctly. K. Exhaust system – dual stainless steel; touches underbody at one point, resonates, needs to be moved away from underbody slightly to prevent resonance; exhausts through left/right rear bumper; need to watch for rust on bumper caused by exhaust condensation. L. Wheels – original 15” wheels painted red – some wear marks. M. Tires – 15” Diamond Back radials with 3¾” wide white walls; two tires have slight tear in whitewall; whitewalls are bright and clean looking. N. Hubcaps – Chrome with red center “Buick” – all four in excellent condition. O. Brakes – power-assisted hydraulic 4-wheel drum/shoe type, less than 10% wear, work well. P. Suspension – spring type – good condition. Q. Shock Absorbers – double-direct acting – replaced. R. Power Steering – Saginaw – excellent condition. S. Fuel Tank – 22 gal, inside cleaned, epoxied; outside undercoated. II. Body A. Paint – factory original high-gloss Carlsbad Black enamel paint, still looks shiny and excellent overall; few very noticeable worn spots, one on each front fender top and one on edge of trunk lid; dings from rocks on all four doors; some minor scratches. Paint is too good to redo, except if a show-car finish is desired. B. Chrome – overall excellent – bumpers front and rear in superior condition (watch for rust on rear bumper caused by exhaust condensation); hood ornament (plane) – very good condition; fender ornaments (gun sights) – excellent; grille – like-new condition; “1956 Roadmaster” circle with wings on front of grille – perfect; window moldings – very good condition with some slightly worn areas; Portholes – very good with some slight wear; side moldings – very good but with small dents from other car doors; headlight/taillight assemblies – excellent. C. Windows – excellent – good glass all around; windshield – overall good, with minor ding from rock; rear window – excellent; side windows – power electric, operate as designed; PS front window sluggish, chrome molding catches on lower door when opening; front vent “wing” windows – hand crank, operate as designed. D. Hood – fits well; operates well; underside insulation replaced. E. Doors – all 4 properly aligned – close correctly; button locks all work properly; front-door key entry works well. F. Roof Rail Weatherstrip – worn and cracked, needs to be replaced; may cause leak G. Side-View Mirror – chrome back, excellent original. III. Interior A. Dashboard – beautiful – as new, lower coral-red trim perfect, damascene finish like factory new, black padded vinyl outstanding. B. Radio – Selectronic with Wonderbar – AM only—excellent condition – change stations by using tuning knob, push-buttons on radio, or by foot-control floor switch; sound is very good, even for distant stations. C. Gauges – look excellent; function well; temperature – operates perfectly, uniquely twists from green to red as high temperature is indicated; oil pressure – operates perfectly, uniquely twists from green to red as low oil pressure is indicated, ammeter – works as designed, sensitive to voltage changes; fuel – works as designed. D. Seats – futuristic black/silver pattern fabric with coral accent color vinyl; one of few parts on car to be restored, vinyl and fabric materials are remakes of original, stitching is replicated as original; look factory new; 6-way electric power front bench seat – tilt, front/back, up/down; black GM seat belts added for safety – not part of original package. E. Headliner -- material and chrome bows like new. F. Carpeting – new but not properly fitted – should be replaced if show-car interior is desired. G. Trunk Interior – original side panels, original carpeting, original spare tire, and original jack and instruction placard – all in very good condition. H. Glove Box – excellent condition. I. Ash Trays – two in front with vertically swiveling doors, blend into dash when closed; one in rear behind front seat, vertically swiveling door encasing ash tray and cigar lighter; all three excellent. J. Rear-View Mirror – chrome plated back, day/night mirror excellent condition, not original. IV. Electric A. Battery – 12-volt Interstate; very strong; 2-years old. B. Ignition – Ignitor electronic ignition, hi-voltage coil. C. Distributor – Delco Remy; no points – Ignitor electronic ignition. D. Starter – rebuilt, works very well. E. Generator – rebuilt, operates all equipment as designed in conjunction with voltage regulator. F. Voltage Regulator – works as designed. G. Exterior Lighting – headlights/brights work perfectly – operated by dash pull switch (off/parking lights/low-beam headlights (Brights/Low Beam operated by foot switch), taillights, front and rear turn signals, brake lights, back-up lights, license plate light all work as designed. H. Interior Lighting -- courtesy lamps – operate when any door is open or when switch is manually moved to “on” position; emergency brake light – glows red when parking brake is applied; glove box light – operates when compartment door is open; radio light—operates when radio is “on;” trunk light – operates when trunk lid is fully open; map light – operates with button or with other interior lights; instrument panel lights – all work, brightness adjusted with headlight rotor switch. I. Radio Antenna – electric – operates as designed. J. Clock – looks like new – does not operate. K. Cigar Lighters – front and rear – both function correctly. V. Additional Info A. Parts of car not as delivered from factory or rebuilt: · Ignitor distributor/coil – no points. · Stainless steel exhaust system. · Seat upholstery. · Seat belts. · Carpet · Rear-view mirror · Radial tires B. Fun Facts: · Featured in full-length indie movie. · Featured as only example of 1956 auto in celebration of Interstate Highway System’s 50th anniversary in Washington, DC. · Article written by Vern Parker appeared in September 17, 2004 AutoWeekend section of The Washington Times. · Article about how the car has opened some doors for me appeared in July, 2006 Buick Bugle. · Selected by Danbury Mint as prototype for model of 1956 Buick Roadmaster. C. Cowl Plate: BUICK MOTOR DIVISION GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION FLINT MICH. 1956 Model 56-73 Style No 56 4739x (4-Door, 6 Passenger Riviera Sedan; x= electric power assists) Body No BW2248 Trim No 733 (Instrument Panel: Upper: Black; Center: Pattern Aluminum; Lower: Red) Paint No AAA1 (Carlsbad Black) TOP: ACC: 5 BODY BY FISHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE: You must be at least 18 to bid. $500 non-refundable deposit required within 48 hours of close of auction. Balance due within 7 days. This vehicle may be inspected prior to sale. Shipping to be arranged and paid for by the buyer. This vehicle is being sold AS IS, NO warranties. Seller reserves the right to cancel auction at any time and cancel bids from bidders with questionable feedback. Please feel free to email me and I will supply my phone number upon request.