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 Dan Vaughan

Estate Wagon by Ionia

1947 was the first year for the Roadmaster Model 79 Estate Wagon and only 300 were produced. The current owner's 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 powered by a 320.2 cubic-inch, in-line, 8-cylinder engine developing 144 horsepower. It was the most expensive Buick model for that year, selling new for $3,249.

This restored model has a completely new wood body and took about three years to restore.

Estate Wagon by Ionia
Chassis number: 14794589

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 prestigious cars that Buick had to offer to the general public.

From 1936 to 1948 the Roadmaster appeared in coupe, sedan, convertible, and station wagon body styles. A hardtop coupe was added in 1949 and dubbed the Riviera.

There were 46,432 4-door Roadmasters built in 1947. This model cost $2,232 fresh from the showroom floor. Calculated from the official inflation factor tables, that would be $22,271 in today's dollars. One can't buy for that price today a luxury car that is equivalent to the status of the Roadmaster in the forties. The big car weighed in around 4,500 lbs.

In 1947, Buick sold 272,827 cars and was in fourth place after Ford, Chevrolet and Plymouth. Buick's high water mark for sales was 1985, when Buick sold 1,002,906 cars.

Sedanette
Chassis number: 48066417
Engine number: 24651480

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.

The 1947 Roadmaster was based on the pre-War design and powered by the proven 'Fireball Dynaflash' inline eight-cylinder engine, mated to a three-speed manual gearbox. The Roadmaster was available in coupe, sedan, convertible and station wagon models.

This Roadmaster Sedanette is painted in two-tone grey with only minor imperfections visible upon close examination. Exterior features include a spotlight, a driver's side mirror, bumper guards, chrome stone guards, wide whitewall tires and painted steel wheels with chrome wheel covers and trim rings. Passenger amenities include a clock, heater, defroster and a Sonomatic radio.

In 2009, it was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $50,000-$70,000 and offered without reserve. The lot was sold for the sum of $44,000 including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Coupe
Chassis number: 14787169

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 job creation arena and brought about newfound successes. For 1947, Buick found nearly 79,000 buyers for their Roadmaster vehicle.

This Convertible Coupe was seldom driven by its original lady owner, who, after many years, sold it to an Ohio collector named Len Immke. Years later, it was sold to his friend, Jim Miller. Mr. Miller kept the car original and occasionally drove it. After years of enjoying the car, it was sold to Charles Cawley, who had the Buick cosmetically restored to very high standards. Mr. Miller missed the car and was able to persuade Mr. Cawley to sell it back to him.

The car is finished in Sequoia Cream, with maroon leather and tan cloth upholstery with a black cloth top. It is equipped with a power front bench seat, power windows, an AM radio, a heater, a power top, and carpeted floor mats.

Power is from a 320.2 cubic-inch 'Fireball' valve-in-head inline eight-cylinder engine mated to a three-speed manual transmission.

by Dan Vaughan

Estate Wagon by Ionia
Chassis number: 14794589

In 1949, Cadillac introduced its first two-door hardtop and named it the Coupe de Ville, a term which meant 'an enclosed four-wheel vehicle for two passengers.' For Cadillac, however, it unambiguously meant 'two-door hardtop coupe' for a decade.

The 1955 Cadillac Coupe de Ville proved to be very popular, with nearly 33,300 units sold, making it second only to the four-door sedan, narrowly outselling a less expensive and more basic hardtop coupe.

This particular example has had just two owners from new. Delivered to Lawrence Harris in Phoenix, Arizona, it remained in his ownership for 15 years. The second owner, initially in Arizona then latterly in Michigan, purchased the car in 1971. The car was later purchased by the daughter and son-in-law from the family estate. While in their care, the engine and transmission were completely rebuilt. In 1989, the exhaust, electrical, and braking systems were thoroughly overhauled. The original Alpine White over Pecos Beige finish was renewed in 1991, along with re-chromed bumpers and complete detailing.

This Coupe de Ville is equipped with power steering, power brakes, power seat and windows, and factory air conditioning. It has been driven in excess of 100,000 miles.

by Dan Vaughan

Estate Wagon by Ionia

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 carburetor. The car had 57,000 miles on it in 2016 when it was restored to its original condition by Bernie Fritshaw of Jordan Station, Ontario.

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