Today’s car is a 1949 Buick Roadmaster 2 door Sedanet owned by Ed Gabaldon. I photographed this car at Relay For Life of Torrance Car Show. The 1949 Buick was the first all new design since the end of World War II. The sleeker and more graceful design had quickly increased Buick sales. Introduced in 1949 was Buick’s VentiPorts. Four on the front fenders of the Roadmasters and three ports on the other models. VentiPorts would become a Buick trademark for many years to come. Buick’s focus was on design and the mechanics remained basically the same. With modest horsepower improvements to the engine the introduction the Nailhead V8 in 1953 increase the HP from 150 HP in 1949 to 170 HP in 1953.
The car is finished in Allendale Green with a black and Allendale green interior. It is powered by a 150 hp, 320.2 cu in, straight 8 engine, with a Carter 2-barrel carburetor and mated to a 2-speed Dynaflow automatic transmission with 4.1:1 rear axle. Slowing this beauty down are 12″ drum hydraulic brakes in all 4-corners. It has independent front suspension with coil springs, double action shock absorbers, and a ride stabilizer. The rear suspension is a semi-floating rear axle with torque free coil springs and double acting shock absorbers.
The total 0f 409,138 Buicks were produced with 86,131 of them being, Series 70, Roadmaster of which 18,415 were Sedanets. The MSRP was $2,618.00. It has a published top speed of 84 mph with a 0-60 mph time of 16.6 seconds. This is a beautiful example of an original restored car. What a great car to take to car shows, Cars & Coffee events, or just going to diner in style. Thank you for riding along. Frank
