1947 Buick Roadmaster Series 70

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

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