For Sale: 1949 Buick Roadmaster in Saint Louis, Missouri

Before the Roadmaster, Buick's flagship model was known as the Series 80. In 1931, Buick aimed to market a luxury sedan equipped with their newly developed straight-eight engine, a popular strategy among luxury car brands at that time. These straight-eight engines were among the largest and most powerful available. It wasn't until 1936 that Buick introduced the iconic Roadmaster name, marking their engineering and design advancements by renaming all their series: the Series 50 became the Super, the Series 60 became the Century, and the Series 80 became the Roadmaster.
The origins of the Estate Wagon trace back to a party hosted by a Hollywood director in Beverly Hills, attended by GM's Harley Earl and Buick president Harlowe Curtice. The director's wife mentioned that she didn't own a Buick because the brand didn't offer a station wagon. Earl found this observation intriguing and saw its potential. Upon returning to Detroit, he began designing one, and Curtice ordered over 500 bodies. As a result, the Buick Estate Wagon was introduced mid-year in 1940 as part of the Super Series. While it remained a staple in lower Buick lines for the next seven years, a "woodie" wagon was not offered in the more prestigious Roadmaster series until 1947.
When Buick finally introduced the Roadmaster Woodie Estate Wagon, they described it as "perfectly at ease with casual clothes...equally so at white-tie-and-tails affairs." When production ended in 1953, the Roadmaster Estate Wagon was the last true "woodie" station wagon made by an American manufacturer, utilizing wooden construction for key structural components, including the entire rear deck and exterior window frames. At the time Buick was contracting their station wagon's bodies to a company known as Ionia Body Co., a highly respected coachbuilder known for their exceptional craftsmanship. So, when it came time to decide who would manufacture their top-of-the-line model's body it was a no brainer. As one of Buick's more expensive models in 1949, only 632 of these exclusive Roadmaster Estate Wagons were produced. While other Buick models offered woodie options, all Roadmasters came equipped with Buick's overhead valve 322-cubic-inch "Fireball" Straight-8 engine, paired with a Dynaflow automatic transmission, and enhanced with power steering and power brakes.
The 1949 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon presented here has benefited from a high-quality older restoration and has been maintained exceptionally well over the years. It has been refinished in a lovely Dark Forest Green that complements the exterior wood framing and paneling very well. The woodwork, which is crucial to the character of these station wagons, is superb inside and out. Even the load area floor is spectacularly finished, as are the wood battens supporting the immaculate cloth headliner. The brightwork throughout matches the quality of the rest of the car, being in superb condition.
The interior of this Roadmaster Estate Wagon has been meticulously restored with exceptional attention to detail. The warm, saddle-colored leather upholstery complements the rich wood grain throughout the cabin. A subtle nod to the original coachbuilder is noted by an Ionia Body Co. plaque on the passenger seat. The instruments are sharp and crisp, set against a dash painted in the same striking shade of green as the exterior. The engine compartment is extraordinarily clean and well-labeled, showcasing the high level of craftsmanship in the restoration process. Additional features include a Selectronic radio, electric clock, spotlight, heater, and wide whitewall radial tires, enhancing both comfort and safety.
Buick described the Roadmaster as the "Master of the Road...in Performance, Style, and Beauty," and this exceptional Estate Wagon is no exception. Meticulously restored and passionately preserved, it is ready for its next family road trip to a summer house, yet equally suitable for an elegant white-tie event.

Offers welcome and trades considered