1950 Buick Series 70 Roadmaster LWB Riviera Sedan

Harlow Curtice came to General Motors from Champion Spark Plugs in 1933. He eventually would become GM Executive Vice-President in 1948 and President and C.E.O. in 1953. In 1950, he was offered a new Cadillac limousine for his personal use; instead, he requested a similarly modified Buick Roadmaster built by the shops where Harley Earl's GM Motorama 'dream cars' were built. The car they produced was a one-off example - this vehicle. Using a stock sedan on the 130.25-inch wheelbase, GM technicians installed a custom roofline with a sloping rear profile, with rear-door windows and their frames custom-modified to fit. The car was given many luxuries including power-operated exterior windows, hydraulic vent windows (a GM first), and a custom division window.

The chauffeur's compartment is upholstered in dark blue leather while the rear seats are upholstered in light blue broadcloth, surrounded by woodgrain trim with a green tint. Floor-ducted heating was provided to warm the passengers' feet.

It is believed that Mr. Curtice used the car for at least two years, during which time it is believed to have been updated in both 1951 and 1952 with that year's styling cues. Thus, it currently has the appearance of a 1952 model. The updates extended under the hood, where the engine has been fitted with the four-barrel carburetion standard on 1952 Roadmasters, as well as an 8:1 compression ratio and a special camshaft.

It is believed that after Mr. Curtice's use, it was then sold by General Motors to Lynch Buick, of Chicago, where it was displayed in the showroom until 1988. Mr. Joe Bortz then acquired the car and retained it until 2005. It made its way into the collection of Nicola Bulgari before being acquired by the Kughn collection.

Several years ago, the car was stripped to bare metal and refinished in its present shade of dark cobalt blue. It has a padded top and new period-correct wide whitewall tires.