1951 Buick Roadmaster Series 70

Buicks received all-new postwar styling in late-1949 for the 1950 model year, complete with a commanding presence, stunning design cues, a prominent 'bucktooth' grille, opulent interiors, and undeniable comfort. Buick distinguished its upper trim levels from its lower trim levels by the portholes on the side - the upper trim had four while the lower trims had three portholes. The late-1949 cars had a ventiport key and slot system to open the hood, while 1950 production cars had an inside hood release. Buick's top-level car, the Roadmaster, further distinguished itself from its siblings with larger engines, plusher interior trims, Roadmaster script located above the full-length bodyside molding, and extra chrome trim and brightwork.

Following the complete redesign a year earlier, the 1951 models were given only minor updates, mostly focusing on the front end with a more conventional bumper and grille assembly. Models included the entry-level Series 40 Special, the intermediate Super Series 50, and the top-of-the-line Roadmaster Series 70. Both the Special and the Super rested on a 121.5-inch platform, except the Super Sedan which was slightly larger at 125.5-inches. The Roadmaster was the longest and best equipped in the lineup, resting on a 126.25-inch wheelbase. The Sedan was even longer, at 130.25-inches. Full wheel covers were standard.

The Special and Super were powered by a 263.3 CID inline-8 with 120 horsepower, while the Roadmaster was endowed with a Fireball inline-8 with overhead valves, a 320.2 cubic-inch displacement, 7.2:1 compression, hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, a Stromberg or Carter two-barrel carburetor, and produced 152 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. The Special and Super came standard with a three-speed manual transmission while the Roadmaster had a Dynaflow drive automatic, option on the other models.

The interiors were cloth on closed body styles with carpeting on the floors. The convertible coupe and station wagons had a leather interior. The convertible had a power top, window, and seats. When the Custom interior option was ordered, it added leatherette door panel trim.

Body styles included a hardtop coupe, Deluxe hardtop coupe, sedan, convertible coupe, and station wagon. The Coupe had a base price of $3,140, the sedan listed for $3,200, and the convertible coupe sold for $3,450. The station wagon was the most expensive in the lineup, priced at $3,970. The sedan was the most popular, with 48,758 examples built, followed by the coupe with 12,901 examples, and the convertible coupe at 2,911. 679 examples were station wagons.

Within Alfred P. Sloan's G.M. hierarchy, Buick was just below Cadillac, and above Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile. This gave buyers a vast array of price points, and General Motors was able to cater to a plethora of needs and desires. The Cadillac was the most expensive, most powerful, most well-appointed vehicle within the lineup, but they were also the most expensive. The Buick's were big, comfortable, stylish, and offered many of the standard features found on the Cadillac at a more reasonable and affordable price. Chevrolet was the most utilitarian, basic, and affordable within the hierarchy.

Buick produced 404,695 vehicles during the 1951 calendar year, the company's second-highest number up to this point in history, allowing them to place fourth in America's automaker model-year output. The Roadmaster accounted for approximately 16-percent of Buick's total 1951 output.

by Dan Vaughan

Estate Wagon
Chassis number: 162055245

There were around 679 examples of the Roadmaster Estate Wagon constructed in 1961. Only twelve are known to exist in modern times. This example shown, finished in light blue with wood door panels was owned by a single family from new until 2006. It is powered by a 320 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine capable of producing around 150 horsepower. There is a Dynaflow automatic transmission and four-wheel drum brakes.

The Dynaflow transmission was offered by Buick in 1948, which was a fully automatic gearbox. It was instantly popular and doubled Buicks estimated production for that year. For the following year, Buick freshened up its line with an updated look. More visual improvements followed in 1950. The Buick cars introduced some signature design features such as the portholes in the fenders, known as VentiPorts.

This 1951 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon was offered for sale at the 2007 RM Auctions held in Amelia Island, Florida. The car was estimated to sell between $80,000 - $100,000. It is in very original condition with the exception of a repaint, thou to its original color. The wood is all original, as are the seats and door panels. It has spent most of its life in Dallas, Texas where it was in single ownership until 2006.

At auction, the car failed to find a buyer. An opportunity was lost, as it is hard to find an Estate Wagon that is in original condition and has been this well treated. With only a few still existing, the opportunity to own one comes only so often.

by Dan Vaughan

Riviera Hardtop

The 1951 Buick Roadmaster Series 70 Riviera hardtop was the top of the line closed automobile offered by Buick. The Roadmasters exclusively were fit with the large, straight 8,320 cu.in. 'Fireball' engine. The Buick automatic transmission was shift-less and called the DynaFlow, and was known for its smoothness in operation.

This car was displayed at the 100th year anniversary celebration in 2003 in Flint, Michigan - the birthplace of Buick. The hardtop design gave the sportiness of a convertible but with the comfort of a closed car. The original price for the Riviera Hardtop was $4,145 with around 12,901 examples being produced. The Riviera Hardtop rested on a 126.25 inch wheelbase while the Riviera Sedan was given a 130.25-inch wheelbase. The Sedan version cost $3,200 with a total of 48,758 examples being produced. The Other two Series 70 bodystyles available were the two-door Convertible and four-door Estate Wagon. The Wagon cost nearly $4,000 while the convertible fetched $3,450. The estate wagon was the most exclusive with only 679 examples produced. A total of 2911 Convertible Roadmasters were sold.

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