1949 Buick Roadmaster Sedan - 5.2l 'Fireball'

Highlights

• Imported from California in 2017
• In current ownership for approximately nine years
• Full bodywork and respray carried out in 2024
• Featured as a main article in Classic American Magazine, September 2023
• Serviced annually and kept in dry storage throughout current ownership
• The car has undergone extensive rewiring and some spare wiring

The Appeal

The late 1940s brought a swathe of optimism across the world of motoring, and Detroit hit a new golden age. Buick soon produced this handsome, dramatic car. Powered by a whopping great 'Fireball' straight-eight married to the much-prized Dynaflow automatic transmission, it was the luxuriant flagship of Buick's brave new product range, and has become a highly prized mid-century classic in the USA - but here across the pond, it's as rare as hen's teeth!

This black example was imported from California to the UK in 2017 and has been in the current owner's care ever since. It has been serviced annually and kept in dry storage, receiving a full bodywork restoration and respray in 2024. Recognised with a main feature in Classic American Magazine in September 2023, it's the sort of car that will get any Americana enthusiast's attention.

Key Information

• Mileage: 57,928 miles (indicated)
• Country of registration: UK (imported from California, USA in 2017)
• Technical inspection status: MOT exempt
• Technical specs: 5240cc 320ci 'Fireball' straight-eight engine, 2-speed 'Dynaflow' automatic transmission
• Paperwork: Annual service records from Paul Harris Motor Engineer and Temple Cloud Garage

The Detail

• Full bodywork and respray carried out in 2024 by South West Kustom and Restoration
• The vendor notes an odd minor nick in the paintwork
• Retains original Bombsight badge and AAA badge on the bonnet
• Four new radial tyres supplied by North Hants Tyres (Not fitted)
• Underbody treated and waxoiled by Hellbent Classic and Custom
• New alternator, voltage regulator, plugs, points and dynamo fitted
• Aftermarket engine cooling fan fitted
• Battery isolator switch fitted
• 2 x 6-volt batteries wired in relay; requires a float charge to maintain
• Accelerator needs to be pumped approximately six times to prime fuel before starting
• Windscreen washer bottle added, as one was not originally present on the vehicle
• Bluetooth connectivity added; new radio fitted behind the original radio fascia
• New interior cording fitted by Wollys
• Some wear to the door cards, carpets and headlining, commensurate with the car's age
• Instruments work except for the clock
• Interior lights can be intermittent
• The vendor states the car steers and brakes well despite having no servo assistance
• Kept in dry storage since arriving in the UK, mostly at Premier Vehicle Storage near Clevedon
• The vendor notes that parts are still easily available and inexpensive

BEFORE YOU BUY

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