1936 Buick Series 80 Roadmaster

1936 was the first year for the Roadmaster, a new model slotted between the top-of-the-line Limited limousines and lower-level Buick models. The Special (Series 40) was the entry-level model powered by an overhead-valve inline eight-cylinder engine with a 233 cubic-inch displacement, Anolite aluminum pistons, and offering 93 horsepower at 3,200 RPM. Prices ranged from $765 to $835.

Above the Special was the Century (Series 60) priced from $1030 to $1,135. The engine was the same used in the Century, Roadmaster, and Limited - an overhead-valve inline-8 with 320.2 cubic-inch displacement, mechanical valve lifters, five main bearings, two-barrel Stromberg carburetor, and delivering 120 horsepower at 3,200 RPM and 238 lb-ft of torque. All models used a three-speed sliding gear transmission with a single dry plate clutch and floor shift controls. Braking was handled by hydraulic drums on all four wheels (a new feature for 1936).

The Roadmaster (Series 80) convertible phaeton listed at $1,565 and the sedan at $1,260. The four-door trunk sedan was more popular with 14,985 examples sold, and 1,064 were the convertible phaetons. At least one example wore custom coachwork, including the Brewster-bodied Town Car. The convertible phaeton came standard with a single side-mount.

Prices on the top-of-the-line Limited (Series 90) ranged from $1,700 to $1,950.

The name 'Roadmaster' would remain part of the Buick line for six decades, and like all 1936 Buick models, it had turret top bodies, wedge-shaped radiators, bullet-shaped headlights, and twin taillamps.

New mechanical updates for 1936 include the afore-mentioned Hydraulic brakes, new alloy pistons, an improved independent front suspension, and an improved water temperature control.

Of the 168,596 vehicles produced by Buick during the model year, including 10,973 bare chassis for export, the Roadmaster accounted for approximately 9.5-percent of overall production with 16,049 examples built.

Prior to World War II, the ladder built by General Motors boss Alfred P. Sloan began with Chevrolet, then Pontiac, followed by Oldsmobile, Buick, LaSalle, and Cadillac. Within the Buick hierarchy, the models included the Special, Century, Roadmaster, and Limited with prices that ranged from $820 to as much as $2,000, which helped considerably to broaden the company's appeal.

Pre-1936

Prior to 1936, Buick had used the 'Series 80' designation on its 1931 through 1933 models, representing a higher-level trim package within the Buick line. It was the first Buick to be equipped with the 344.8 cubic-inch Buick Straight-8 engine offering 104 horsepower. Buick was experimenting with a new formula of offering an eight-cylinder engine with the top-level luxury sedan. A new high-performance version of the engine was introduced a year later, offering 113 horsepower. The model was completely revised in 1933 but discontinued at the end of the year. When it re-appeared in 1936, its name had been changed to the 'Series 80 Roadmaster.' The Series 80 and Roadmaster designation would be intertwined until 1941, when the Roadmaster became knwon as the 'Series 70 Roadmaster.'

by Dan Vaughan

Town Car by Brewster
Chassis number: 2895992
Engine number: 3052219

1936 was the first year that Buick automobiles were identified by model name as well as number with the advent of Special, Century, Roadmaster and Limited. Hydraulic brakes also became standard equipment on the Buicks. America responded well with the new styling and sales began to escalate, tripling the prior year's total.

This 1936 Buick Series 80 Town Car wears coachwork by Brewster and Company. It rides on the chassis of the top-of-the-line Buick Roadmaster platform and fitted with an eight-cylinder OHV engine that produces 120 BHP. It is a one-off design and has been accepted as a Full Classic by the Classic Car Club of America. It won an award at the 2006 Newport Beach Concours d'Elegance and won a preservation class award at the Meadow Brook Concours.

In 2009, this Brewster Town Car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. The car was estimated to sell for $75,000 - $100,000 and was offered without reserve. The lot was sold for a high bid of $57,200, including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Phaeton
Chassis number: 83281466

From very early on, General Motors, as well as many other marques, have been trying to keep automobile buyers buying from the same family of vehicles. In the post World War II era, GM's family of vehicles began with the low-cost Chevrolet vehicles. Next on the budget rung was the Pontiac, followed by Oldsmobile, Buick, LaSalle, and Cadillac. Cadillac vehicles were the most expensive and prestigious vehicles produced by GM at this time, though some of the other GM companies provided some stiff competition in terms of style, prestige, cost, performance, and allure. Buick's lineup began at $900 and went all the way up to $2300. There were four series available, the Special, Century, Roadmaster, and Limited. Within each of these Series, there were additional body styles and options to select from. Within the Roadmaster Series, the car could be purchased as a phaeton, formal sedan, and trunk back sedan. Prices ranged from $1500 to $1850. The most expensive Roadmaster body style was the six-passenger phaeton.

The Roadmaster was powered by an eight-cylinder overhead valve engine that displaced 320 cubic-inches and produced an impressive 130 horsepower. There was a three-speed manual gearbox with a floor-mounted gearshift. Hydraulic drum brakes could be found on all four corners of the vehicle.

This example has traveled nearly 79,000 miles since new. It has been treated to an engine rebuild with the rest of the vehicle is mostly unrestored and in original condition. It was given a repaint in navy blue with the interior being of gray wool. This car was offered for sale at the 2006 Bonhams & Butterfields auction held at the Quail Lodge in Carmel, California where it was estimated to sell between $18,000 - $22,000. That estimate proved to be nearly accurate, as the car was sold for $17,550.

by Dan Vaughan

Town Car by Brewster
Chassis number: 3052219

This Buick Series 80 is believed to wear a Brewster body and is highly original, including most of its exterior paint and the rear compartment and trim. The front compartment has been reupholstered. The vehicle is outfitted with vanities, including assist straps and radio controls in the rear compartment, jump seats, a sliding glass division window and a buzzer to alert the chauffeur. The car rides on wide whitewall tires, wheel trim rings, a trunk rack and dual covered side-mounts with mirrors.

The car has been shown at the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance and is a Preservation Class winner at the Classic Car Club of America.

In 2010, this Roadmaster Town Car was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook event presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $65,000 - $85,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $50,000, including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Phaeton
Chassis number: 2948988

1936 was the first year for the exclusive Roadmaster. It was designed to fill the spot between the top-of-the-line Limited limousine and the lower-level Buicks. The Convertible Phaeton body style was the most expensive and limited-production Buick convertible available in 1936, with just 1,064 examples built.

This particular example was completely disassembled and restored. It was finished in Touraine Green with Oriental Green trim. Options and accessories include a proper AM radio, a dashboard clock, and dual Trippe driving lights. The single side-mounted spare, with a full metal cover, was a standard feature on this body style. The 320.2 cubic-inch overhead valve eight-cylinder engine delivers 120 horsepower and is mated to a three-speed manual transmission. At all four corners are hydraulic drum brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Phaeton

This motor car with coachwork by Fisher was the result of a decision made by Buick President Harold Curtis. He realized that Buick needed a luxury car to compete with the best from Cadillac, Packard, and Lincoln. The Model 80C Roadster was introduced in 1936 with such classic touches as hydraulic brakes, independent front suspension, a rakish V-windscreen and bullet headlights. Only 1,064 of these convertible phaetons were produced in 1936.

The long hood of the Roadmaster made it clear that power came from straight-eight engine. In the case of the Model 80, it was a 320 cubic inch overhead-valve unit producing 130 horsepower with loads of torque. It was mated to a three-speed manual transmission with a floor-mounted gearshift lever. The chassis was fitted with General Motor's 'Knee-Action' intendent front suspension and solid rear axle. Hydraulic drum brakes were fitted at all corners.

In 1936, the Roadmaster offered a lot of car for the money. Available in two body styles, a 6-passenger Sedan and Convertible Phaeton, the price range began at $1,255 for the former and climbed to $1,565 for the latter.

This example was donated to the Classic Car Club of America Museum by John and Christiane Beebe.

The Roadmaster's 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 in coupe, sedan, convertible, and station wagon body styles. A hardtop coupe was added in 1949 and dubbed the Riviera.

The Roadmaster's named reappeared in 1991 and continued in production until 1996. It served as a replacement for the Electra model line and offered as an Estate Wagon. A sedan was introduced in 1992.

The end of the 1953 Buick Roadmaster station wagon meant the end of the last wood-bodied station wagon to be mass-produced in the United States. In 1996, the end of the Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon meant the end of the full-size family station wagons.

by Dan Vaughan