Vehicle Description
Yes, it's the 'Rain Man' car. Award-winning restoration by Buick
expert Doug Seybold. Beautiful color combination, power windows,
seat, and top all functional. Powerful 320 cubic inch straight-8
with Dynaflow. One of Buick's very best designs!Although it's not
the exact car used in the movie, this is the exact same make,
model, and year Buick convertible used in 'Rain Man,' the 1949
Buick Roadmaster model 76C convertible. Even the colors are the
same, with lovely Sequoia Cream bodywork over a red leather
interior. It features a spectacular frame-off restoration by noted
Buick expert Doug Seybold and has won just about every major award
such a car can win, including an AACA Grand National First Prize in
2019. It's just gorgeous in person! The '49 Buicks were
one-year-only machines, with unique parts throughout, so buying one
finished is definitely worth your while. And to make things a bit
more complicated, this is a late production car, meaning that it
has the larger trunk and 'sweep-spear' trim along the sides, both
of which are preferred by serious collectors (the earlier cars have
a flatter trunk lid and simple straight trim on the sides).
Ultimately, this is one of the most desirable Buicks of the 1940s,
offering wonderful styling that neatly bridges the pre-war look
with the sleek full-envelope cars to come in the 1950s. Finish
quality is obviously excellent, with great panel gaps, a deep gloss
to the finish, and show-quality chrome and stainless trim. The car
has been driven a bit since its show days and there are a few minor
chips along the hood opening (which is all but inevitable given the
design), but overall this is a car that stops people in their
tracks.The red leather interior is finished to factory specs using
special hides that Seybold has custom made just for his
restorations. Patterns and trim are just the way the factory
intended, from the squares on the door panels to the pleats on the
seats themselves. Again, there are a few very minor signs of use
like some wrinkling on the driver's side seat back, but it is not
very far from being ready for the show field once again. All the
instruments were restored and are fully operational, including the
clock which ticks away reliably (although the hour hand seems to be
stuck behind the minute hand). And as Buicks' top-of-the-line
model, everything was standard, including power windows, a power
front seat, and a power convertible top, all controlled by a
massive hydraulic pump under the hood. With the Dynaflow
transmission, it's incredibly easy to drive, just like any other
automatic transmission, and offers the impeccable smoothness for
which Buicks were rightfully famous. You'll note there's an
accessory compass mounted on the center windshield bar and the fog
light switch has been commandeered to act as the power switch for
the electric fuel pump-clever! There's also an accessory tissue
dispenser under the passenger's side of the dashboard. The back
seat is big enough for full-sized adults and the enlarged trunk is
correctly finished, including a matching spare tire and factory
jack assembly.Buicks big 320 cubic inch straight-8 engine needs no
introduction, offering 150 horsepower and a massive wave of torque
at just about any speed. It was one of the most powerful engines on
the market in 1949, even with the introduction of Cadillac OHV V8
that year. Fully rebuilt and highly detailed for show, it remains a
fantastic driver and starts easily by depressing the accelerator
pedal to trigger the starter. Finishes and hardware are correct
throughout and with the Dynaflow transmission, it cruises easily at
60-65 MPH without much work. If you're unaccustomed to it, the
Dynaflow might feel strange at first, but you'll suddenly find
yourself wafting along at speed with the engine barely a whisper
and you know it's working properly. There's correct new wiring
throughout, the radiator keeps things nice and cool, and it
includes an accessory oil filter bolted to the side of the block.
You'll also find a nicely finished undercarriage which wears basic
black-that's how Buick built them in 1949. Again, there are a few
minor signs of use and maintenance, but nothing that will stop you
from enjoying this awesome '40s cruiser. The exhaust is hushed, the
under-seat heater is effective, and thanks to Buick's front A-arms
and torque tube suspension, ride quality is impressive. Massive
drum brakes at all four corners are effective for the car's
performance and it sits on 15-inch wheels with 8.20-15 BFGoodrich
Silvertown wide whitewall tires, as original. Documentation
includes an owner's manual.This is an iconic car, and not just
because of the movie. It represented a transition between yesterday
and tomorrow, and the clean design is one of Buick's best. The
hardware is proven reliable and these are very roadworthy cars even
in today's world. Add in the award-winning restoration by the best
in the business, and you get a car that is surely one of the very
finest of its kind available anywhere. Call today!Harwood Motors
always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections
of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.