The Buick Roadmaster was introduced in 1936 and would continue until 1958. It used the longest wheelbase available to Buick throughout its history, and the post-war models were based on the pre-War design and powered by the proven 'Fireball Dynaflash' inline eight-cylinder engine, backed by a three-speed manual gearbox. Body styles included a sedan, coupe, convertible, and station wagon.
When civilian automobile production resumed following World War II, Buick's model lineup included the entry-level Special Series 40, the mid-level Super Series 50, and the top-of-the-line Roadmaster. The Super combined the larger Roadmaster body with the engine powering the Special. The Roadmaster was the biggest, most powerful, and exclusive automobile within the Buick lineup.
Changes were minimal for 1947, as Buick and the rest of the automotive sector struggled to meet the pent-up demand for automobiles. Distinguishable features for the 1947 models were mostly the frontal area, with a new stamped grille with a separate upper bar and a novel bombsight hood ornament. The 1947 Buick Roadmaster continued to rest on a 129-inch wheelbase and had an overall length of 217.13-inches. The overhead-valve, inline eight-cylinder engine had 6.6:1 compression, mechanical valve lifters, a two-barrel carburetor, five main bearings, and delivered 144 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. All models used the only transmission offered by Buick in 1947, a three-speed manual unit with a steering column-mounted shift lever. Standard equipment on the Roadmaster included a white Tenite steering wheel, a two-toned dash panel, stainless lower body moldings, and nicer interior fabrics than lower Buick models. The interior panels were two-tone neutral colored, except on convertibles, which had body-colored panels. The front grille was shared with other series, and exterior trim was the same used on the Super, with the exception being the front dog house using longer moldings on the doors. The Roadmaster name was located on a chrome button within the bumper guard crossbars, in both the front and rear.
The Roadmaster Sedan had a factory base price of $2,230 and 46,531 examples were built. The Sedanette (a two-door sedan that has a slanted back with the rear window and trunk line forming one unbroken curve) was priced at $2,130 and 18,983 examples were constructed. The station wagon, built by Ionia, listed for $3,250, and a mere 300 examples were sold. The convertible coupe sold for $2,650 and 11,947 were built.
During the Roadmaster's twenty-two year career, it represented the pinnacle of fine Buick engineering and design. They were always the most elegant and prestigious automobiles that Buick sold. The Roadmaster was recognized as a clear expression of its owner's upward mobility and desire for quality. The Roadmaster name even made a brief appearance in the Buick lineup in the 1990s, offered as an Estate Wagon.
The robust 'Fireball Dynaflash' inline eight-cylinder engine, mated to a three-speed manual transmission, powered the Roadmaster to reliable highway performance. by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2021
Related Reading : Buick Roadmaster History
The Roadmasters name first appeared on Buick automobiles in 1936, known as the Series 80 Roadmaster and as a celebration of the engineering improvements and advancements in design. The Roadmasters were built on the longest wheelbase Buick had to offer, and from 1946 through 1957 they were the most elegant and prestigious automobiles that Buick sold. From 1936 through 1948 the Roadmaster appeared.... Continue Reading >>
1947 was the first year for the Roadmaster Model 79 Estate Wagon and only 300 were produced. The current owners search has located less than 12 units that exist today. The Estate Wagon rides on a 129-inch wheelbase and weighs 4,445 pounds. It is p....[continue reading]
The Roadmaster name first appeared on Buick automobiles in 1936 as a celebration of their engineering and advancements in design. The Roadmasters were built on Buick's longest wheelbase, and from 1946 to 1957 they were the most elegant and prestigio....[continue reading]
Buick introduced their Roadmaster in 1936 and it would continue until 1958. The Roadmaster rested on the longest wheelbase available to Buick throughout its history. ....[continue reading]
With World War II over, automobile production resumed and struggled to keep up with the demand. Buick chose to keep their 1947 models largely the same as the original post-war cars of 1946. It was certainly a sellers' market that fostered a booming j....[continue reading]
This 1947 Buick Roadmaster Model 79 is a four-door estate wagon measuring 217.2 inches in length, with 129 of those inches between the wheel centers. Its 4,445 pounds are driven by a 144 horsepower 320 cubic-inch eight-cylinder with a two-barrel carb....[continue reading]
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1947 Buick Roadmaster Series 70 Production Figures
Estate Wagon 300
Sedan 46,531
Sedanette 18,983
Convertible Coupe 11,947
272,827 total vehicles produced by Buick in 1947 The 1947 Buick Roadmaster Series 70 accounted for 28.5% of Buick's 272,827 production.