Vehicle Description
1956 Buick Roadmaster Riviera 4 Door Hardtop
When Harley Earl designed the Y-Job in 1939, he made the first
concept car in the world, but it was more than that. It was a fully
functional vehicle that Earl drove until 1951 when he replaced it.
But unsurprisingly, the Roadmaster carried over many of the
original design ideas and, moreover, it featured a similar engine
under the hood. With its timeless design, the Buick Roadmaster was
not only an imposing presence on the road but also a vehicle that
looked like it owned the road. Its chromed grille and rounded front
fenders were flush with the doors and created a streamlined look.
Moreover, the rear fenders were widened and covered more than half
of the rear wheels to minimize drag. Also, the car sported the
VentiPorts, which were four round vents on each front fender. These
represented the number of cylinders under the car's hood, eight in
Roadmaster's case. The interior was lavish and luxurious, featuring
leather bucket seats at the front and a comfortable bench in the
back. Furthermore, since it was fitted with the standard Dynaflow
automatic gearbox with the shifter mounted on the steering column,
there was no obstacle between the front seats. Also, the
power-operated roof was an exquisite, luxurious addition to the
vehicle, increasing comfort. Under the hood, the Roadmaster
featured the same 5.2-liter inline-eight engine from the Y-Job,
although it was slightly improved to offer 150hp. In addition, the
two-speed Dynaflow automatic transmission provided a smooth gear
change. Moreover, it also improved the car's riding quality and
comfort.
There are restorations and then there are RESTORATIONS, and this
example for consignment falls firmly into the latter category. With
nary a flaw to be found and coming with a encyclopediasets worth of
manuals, receipts, correspondence and notes, you'llbe hard pressed
to find a nicer example,that includesthose of you who have a time
machine and can zip right back to your local Buick dealership in
1956. Speaking of time machines....Sherman, fire up the Wayback
Machine as were going to take a trip back to the 50's and breathe
in this near perfect example of the top of the line 4 door that the
boys at Buick had to offer. We'll explore itspowerful Fireball
V8,smooth shifting Dynaflow transmission, 2 tone exterior and
lushly appointed cloth interior. An AACA National Sr winner and
with one quick glance it's easy to see why....1956 here we
come!
Exterior
The front of the car is worth the price of admission! Big chromed
dagmars frame the edges of what is a two tier bumper, the upper on
either side flows over the horizontally ribbed chrome grille and
wrapping around the front quarters, and the second being the lower
bumper which is nice and wide and very shiny also wrapping aprons
in the front quarter. An upper thick chromed arch frames the top of
the grille and the lower edge of the hood. A single visor bezel
chromed headlight with a smaller signal light outboard and
underneath resides on the edge of each quarter in front. B U I C K
badging for the front of the massive hood and a Jet Age plane hood
ornament dresses things up and we have just visited the front of
this car!! Front quarters with their gunsight toppers, a large
hood, as well as the lowersdown from the passenger compartment
beltline and trunk are bathed in miles deep Spruce Green Metallic.
The roof finishes off with Foam Green paint providing the perfect
contrast. The swoop spear which starts at the headlights and runs
past the front door, where it takes a shape, drops then rises to
match the rear wheel well and heads straight back to the mid rear
quarter, with Spruce Green all around. The iconic 4 portholes in
Buick style are on the mid section of the front quarters and would
be the Buick signature for many years to come. A chrome encircled
wrap-around front window and rear wrap-around glass frame the edges
of the Foam Green roof and more chrome highlights the pillarless
side glass. On the back, large chromed chevrons house the tail
lights and backup lights which melt into the massive rear bumper
and just above are the trunk badges which are not fooling around
with chrome either! Wide whites and some black accented wheels have
polished BUICK badged wheel coverings. Just a gorgeous piece of
Buick Motor Company design.
Interior
The 2-toning stays strong for this interior, and with a swing of
the door where we see medium green and foam green interplaying to
form the door panels. Some chromed power window rocker switches and
cranks are on and the entire design is showing a forward motion
spear. Inside the styling takes those colors and applies them to a
front split bench and a full rear bench. These benches have smooth
light green cordaveen uppers and bolsters and starpattern green
cloth lowers, all delineated by dark green piping. The seats are in
beautiful condition with the front seat being power actuated, and
float on clean dark green carpeted floors. A large 3 spoke steering
wheel fronts a futuristic dash which uses rolls of round steel to
make its statement. A rectangular instrument cluster with square
and rectangular gauges are in front and center for the driver, and
an aluminum bezel with a polished chrome horizontal band lower is
stretching across the dash between the rolled padded dark green
dash top and the rolled Foam Green steel bottom of the dash. Some
temp sliders curve around this lower dash as well as the radio
speakers in big ribbed chromed roll with the lower dash. The
factory Wonderbar AM radio resides tastefully and unobtrusively
within the center of the dash and down below are the factory chrome
trimmed heater slides as well as an add on controller for the
aftermarket AC system. A light green headliner vies for attention
with all this roll and chromed design and has chromed ribbing in
the seams and edges. Classy and very kewl 50's design.
Drivetrain
Under the hood is a fully restored power plant within a fully
restored engine bay. It comes to us as a Fireball 322ci V8 with a
green block and green valve coverings, has massive add-ons all over
in the form of a carburetor which is a 4-barrel version and huge
air intake drum with an air cleaner behind it and on top of the
carb. Nice new wiring and hoses abound and in back is a Dynaflow
2-speed automatic transmission. A 3.36 conventional rear axle is on
the back.
Undercarriage
Underneath is all solid for the X framing as well as the stamped
steel floor pans and inner fenders. There is a lot of black paint
and undercoating on the flooring and frame and has kept this large
skate all structurally sound. Independent coil spring suspension
and leaf spring suspension provide the ride front and rear and
power drum braking is all around. A new dual exhaust is in for the
exhale and we note this car is equipped with power steering.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and after a brief warmup it was off to Morgantown
central where I wanted to strut my stuff in front of the masses.
Lots of lookers and a potential buyer and this was only MY test
drive! It ran fab, and of all the mechanicals were working
swimmingly.
If I were to come back as a different person, it would be a country
Doctor if only to be able to have this car. A Roadmaster with
Riviera styling and plenty of chrome, and a wonderful color combo
right out of the 50's. A fine example waiting for the picking in
this 21st Century.
7C2047532
7-75 Series Roadmaster
C-1956
2-South Gate, CA Assy Plant
047532-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE NO 56 73-1956 Roadmaster Riviera 4 Door Hardtop
BODY ...for more information please contact the seller.
