Vehicle Description
1949 Buick Roadmaster Convertible
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.