Perhaps I am in an interesting vantage point being a writer for Barn Finds, but I think we are seeing a surge of low-mileage vintage vehicles hitting the market this year. We have featured many cars since the first of the year that have emerged from hiding in good shape and with a lot of miles left in their futures. This 1948 Buick Super Eight Sedan for sale on eBay in Portland, Oregon is an excellent example of these low-mileage original cars that seem to be falling from the sky. This one has 49,474 miles on it and is in running condition. With bidding currently at $6,600, would you be willing to take a chance on a stately old Buick sedan? Thanks to T.J. for this straight-eight tip!
By now, most of you know that Buicks are one of the hidden gems of the automotive world. While they aren’t as flashy as Cadillacs, Buicks do offer an almost equally luxurious interior and a smooth ride. Buick engines are also known for being utterly reliable, plenty powerful, and utterly unobtrusive. The best part about picking a Buick for your classic car collection is that these solid cars usually sell for reasonable prices.
The car you see is a perfect example of a good Buick at a reasonable price. This 1948 Buick Super Eight sedan has just 49,474 miles. That mileage was racked up by two owners before the seller came along and purchased this unique Buick. The seller tells us that the interior is all original and that the dark green paint is not. That repaint covers a car with no dings or dents visible and still looks good after an undisclosed amount of time has passed since it was applied. Another positive is that the chrome, of which there is a lot, is described as being in good shape as well.
The other important consideration of a car of this vintage is rust. It is reported that the only rust evident is on the passenger side near the windshield. It is said to have never spread, with the assumption that that is dated from when the seller took possession of the vehicle. The seller also reports that there is minor rust in the trunk. The rest of the car is said to be rust-free.
As you can see from the picture above and below, the interior is in excellent shape. It is almost as if this was one of those cars that spent its life with the seats swaddled in unforgiving clear plastic covers. Or the interior was reupholstered in the past and the seller wasn’t made aware when they purchased it. The seller also assures us that the carpet is very nice, and the headliner is perfect. Up front, the dash is free from cracks.
A look in the rear seat area shows that the area is in good condition as well. Unfortunately, the trim on the doors seems to be peeling and is at the point where it needs to be refinished. Most likely this is artificial woodgraining, which could be done at home if you are patient and craft oriented. At any rate, mechanically the car’s various instruments and gadgets are functional from the heater to the headlights.
Under the hood is the 248 cubic inch inline eight-cylinder engine that Buick plucked from the Special and placed into a Roadmaster body to make a Super. Confused yet? What happened is that Buick put the smaller inline-eight from their lowest line into the body of their upper line, which had larger bodies. The idea was you were spending money to get more room inside the car not more displacement under the hood. The formula must have worked, as Buick sold a lot of Super Eights.
As for this Buick’s mechanical abilities, the seller gives the engine and the transmission high marks. It is said to run and drive great, start without issue, shift just fine, and you even get the bonus of the brakes being fully functional.
Whenever I see one of these Buicks, I can hear in my head the unique sound that they made….sort of a humming sound. Don’t know if it was the transmission or the exhaust, or a combination, that made it so distinct in my memory.
Eric, Don’t forget the famous Buick ‘clunk’ whenever it went over a RR track crossing.
If it is an automatic, it doesn’t shift… Dynaflows are one speed.
My 1949 sedanette is quiet and clunk free over bumps holes rr tracks etc and I questioned the dynaflow transmission because you don’t hear or feel it shift. It is 2 speed. The pattern on the column is PNDLR. I cautiously shifted from D to L and it downshifted into low gear so no clunky noise or feel either.
This car IMO was spared from the abuse of immature drivers.
Looks like a nice Buick. I love those straight eights!
My 1951 Buick Super is my second favourite after my 1969 BMW 2002. Both wonderful cars for different applications. Wish I still owned them!
I nominate you as an honorary American
Thank you Uncle Ed, Honorary American status gratefully received.I wish I had the money of yesteryear as well as the health as I would love to visit America, and Hershey Fall Meet again before I croak.The only reason that I went to Hershey was to meet a Mr. Pinky Randall who had owned a 1912 Little, the one shown in the book “Sixty Years of Chevrolet” as I also owned a 1912 Little at the time when I lived in South Africa. That was back in 1989. I was so impressed with Hershey that I always said that one day I will go back, but life moves on and it won’t happen, however nothing, until dementia possibly gets me, will those magic memories ever be forgotten, especially Hershey and the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit..
How many Forties film noirs have a 46-48 Buick skidding around a corner chasing the good guy in a ’40 Ford convertible?
Seats four bad guys easily :) A beautiful car in beautiful condition.
I wonder what the back story is.
I wonder why sellers try to claim such low miles for a car over 70 years old?? Even if the mileage is true, it is not a good thing – so many pieces, parts and seals go bad simply from sitting. I’d rather have one with 149,000 miles than 49,000. The likelihood of this car just sitting for decades isn’t that high – a seller claiming low miles without some substantial proof just destroys his credibility in my eyes and I’m likely not to believe anything he says.
I would keep everything stock looking while upgrading the suspension, brakes, drivetrain to LS and electrical. would make a bad a$$ ride. It ain’t nothing but money.
Sorry…but, a survivor/classic car is only a survivor/classic until someone decides to make it something it was never intended to be, and another piece of automotive history goes down the toilet.
I echo your sentiments, JGD. For example, I restored the radio in my buddy’s ’50 Super rag-top. The mild buzzing emitted by the vibrator is part of its music to my ears. My ’50 Commodore – same pleasant and memorable result.
The sound from the tailpipe should be original too! Just my opinion.
Purists, UNITE!!!
Don’t say sorry for being honest…..
Find a car that’s missing it’s drivetrain and needs a full rotisserie resto for all that blasphemy.
Leave your paws off the survivors, please.
Not sure about the upholstery being original. It has black, gray, and white stripes. The 1948 Buick brochure, however, shows that the “Super” fabric has only two stripe colors – gray and white. See link — https://oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Buick/1948_Buick/1948_Buick_Brochure/1948%20Buick%20%208%20.html
I own a pristine 1949 Buick Sedanette. I believe I am the 3rd owner. The car is 100% original. It was the 1st year with the portholes in the front fenders. This black beauty turns heads everywhere it goes young and old.
All of the guages still work except the clock and radio which were tube then. I did encounter a gentleman who probably has the largest supply and collection of NOS vintage car parts in the country.
The styling of these Buicks the long flowing sweeping lines bespoke a fashion statement I have arrived. People in those days dressed dawning pinchpoint fedoras double breasted pin striped suits pleated cuffed pants and wing tipped shoes. Those were the days.
You, sir, have the car of my dreams. Keep it well.
Thanks Bali it was a dream come true for me I’ve been wanting one for over 30 years but life and its priorities kept happening and now it’s time to live the dream.
I had a 49 Super Sedanette(sp) in high school. My granddad bought new from Cumberland Motors in Nashville. Interior was perfect. The exterior….. Well my grandma was not very good at driving the big car. Sold it in the late 80s to a guy that was going to restore it. Never saw it again. Don’t think he did anything with it.
Not “portholes”; those are Cruiseline Ventaports! The clock can be repaired to run as new — I have repaired many old car-clocks — usually a matter of cleaning and oiling, and perhaps re-bushing or putting jewels into the pivots. But those are electrically-wound mechanical clocks: Buick usually used Borg clocks (as Packard also did — much better and more reliable than the New Haven movements. Besides, you want to hear that genuine original ticking (TRUST me!). And the radio can be restored also, the biggest headaches usually being the electrolytic condensers and the vibrator-tube. Buick radios of this era tended to fail sooner than some others — but you could have it fixed as original. It’s AM, yes, but those B-U-I-C-K push-buttons can be set to talk or sports, or even older music A.M. stations in your area (or distant ones that come in like locals at night). I agree: a car is original only once — if you want a resto-rod, find an old body you can put on whatever frame, suspension, drive train you choose. But leave these originals ORIGINAL! There is so very much MORE to an old car, than its “appearance”! And driving it the way it originally was intended is an experience to love indeed! If you want a modern car with an antique look, then BUILD one out of something that has gone beyond ability to restore, but retains a solid body for a start. I owned and drove a 1946 Ford Super DeLuxe for years and years — equipped exactly as it was in 1946 — and so long as I followed the exacting periodic lubrication instructions carefully delineated in the owner’s manual, I had a reliable vehicle for any usual purpose. And in so many ways, it was a BETTER driving experience than that of a modern car! And, oh!, SO COMFORTABLE!!! I am not a horse-power hound — muscle-cars do not appeal to me — that 239 flathead V-8 was smooth and silent, and its 100 horses were all that I needed. I had to RESPECT its natural tendency to over-heat — but you ADAPT to things such as that. There is something to be said for motoring as was done in a former era, and appreciating just how good [GREAT!] these cars were!
A pint to remember is a lot of cars had a steel dash. My 64 dodge custom 880 has a steel dash. This was before all of the safety changes. That’s why a lot of old cars have perfect dashes. If my dash cracks I’m in real trouble lol
We finally ridded ourselves of a 2001 LeSabre that had an irreplaceable dash that virtually peeled high enough to expose the passenger side airbag. We had the car for nearly ten pleasurable years, except for that Buick mistake they never owned-up-to.
Nice car.I wouldn’t mind having it except I’m not buying anymore cars.Too old.
I’m not looking forward to that day Cambell. And heaven knows how close it is.
Not “portholes”; those are Cruiseline Ventaports! The clock can be repaired to run as new. Those are electrically-wound mechanical clocks: Buick usually used Borg clocks (as Packard also did — much better and more reliable than the New Haven movements. Besides, you want to hear that genuine original ticking (TRUST me!). And the radio can be restored also, the biggest headaches usually being the electrolytic condensers and the vibrator-tube. Buick radios of this era tended to fail sooner than some others — but you could have it fixed as original. It’s AM, yes, but those B-U-I-C-K push-buttons can be set to talk or sports, or even older music A.M. stations in your area (or distant ones that come in like locals at night). I agree: a car is original only once — if you want a resto-rod, find an old body you can put on whatever frame, suspension, drive train you choose. But leave these originals ORIGINAL! There is so very much MORE to an old car, than its “appearance”! And driving it the way it originally was intended is an experience to love indeed! If you want a modern car with an antique look, then BUILD one out of something that has gone beyond ability to restore, but retains a solid body for a start. I owned and drove a 1946 Ford Super DeLuxe for years and years — equipped exactly as it was in 1946 — and so long as I followed the exacting periodic lubrication instructions carefully delineated in the owner’s manual, I had a reliable vehicle for any usual purpose. And in so many ways, it was a BETTER driving experience than that of a modern car! And, oh!, SO COMFORTABLE!!! I am not a horse-power hound — muscle-cars do not appeal to me — that 239 flathead V-8 was smooth and silent, and its 100 horses were all that I needed. I had to RESPECT its natural tendency to over-heat — but you ADAPT to things such as that. There is something to be said for motoring as was done in a former era, and appreciating just how good [GREAT!] these cars were!
“Not “portholes”; those are Cruiseline Ventaports!”
My copy of Seventy Years of Buick by George H Damman refers to them as “venti-ports”. The 1949 versions actually had flex tubing that directed air under the hood. The 1950 versions were also open, but had no function. 1951 and on were just decorations.
Thanks Harrison for the 411. The gentleman that has the warehouse close to me may have what you’re speaking of. I’m sure the speaker cone is toast. I strongly believe this vehicle was stored indoors its entire life. I just put all new factory material seat covers door panels carpet and headliner in just to freshen things up.
I take offense when others offer opinions on what custom touches I should do. I’m not into graphics decals pinstripes flames lowering side pipes etc. I like to stay with Era period design. Mona Lisa didn’t have a mustache so why paint one on her? And I’m sure the designers appreciate their preservation as well. Viva historians and record keepers.
Hello, Frog! Your speaker can be re-coned. And I have repaired dozens of old car-clocks — including more than one for a 1949 Buick. I am well up in years — I remember visiting the ’49 Buicks when they were new in Buick dealers’ showrooms late in ’48. So, I have to be cautious about referring to these cars as “antique” — since I am considerably older than they are (smile). My record-collection has lots of 1949 78s which I got new and still enjoy playing. So, “historic” is relative. When something was brand-new within your own experience, it never quite seems “old”, somehow. And yet, when I was young in the 1940s, and someone drove in a brass-era 1909 car, I remember thinking how “ancient” it was, how “historic”, and how “long ago” 1909 was (even though I occasionally still got 1909 pennies in brand-new condition in change) — 1909 was prior to my lifetime– so it was “old” — but that would be like someone to-day calling 1991 “old” (smile). And, unaccountably, some young people DO that — think of 1991 as “so very long ago”. “How OLD is your CAR”, one young lady asked me at a filling-station. “1988”, I replied. “Oh, WOW!”, she responded — that IS old! — I was born in 2002.”
That’s impressive Harrison, my joke to the younger generation is when they ask my age is I’m a fossil. My mother turned 95 last year and has good days and bad. But she no longer drives and still lives independently. You’ve done something right when you make it there.
The years have gone by like a flash in the pan. Although I was born in the 50s, I have a strong affinity to cars in the 30s and 40s particularly. Every thing today is made across the pond nowadays. As a child that stuff was 5 and dime in Woolworth Kreskies etc. Now the same junk is in brick and mortar retail stores. We were a nation of producers then now we are a nation of consumers. Just one more thing I am resistant towards. Outsourcing.
I like the old Buick. It looks really nice, although I don’t know much about forties and fifties models of cars.
It’s hard to believe the seller is selling this car with no reserve?
I’m sure they have their reasons?
I’m curious as to what it goes for when the auction ends?
Good luck to the next owner.
Just my oponion!
Hello, Frog! You are about a generation younger than I (how does THAT make you feel?). Of course, I remember shopping at F.W. Woolworth, S.S. Kresge’s, McCrory’s, Neisner’s, and the other five-and-dime stores. A good friend of mine works every day as the secretary/’phone-answerer/ordered of parts, at her son’s auto repair-shop. She is little, but he is tall: both of them are blue-eyed Italians. He is 77, and she turned 100 last year. She is very sweet — but don’t mess/tangle with her! (her son could tell you that!). Ask her about her age, and she doesn’t worry about that. “I sometimes wonder why I’m still here — but, so long as I am, I’m going to enjoy it!” I reminded her that bandleader Ray Anthony (real last name, Antonini, so he’s Italian), the last surviving member of the original Glenn Miller Orchestra, and who still performs, recently turned 102. She quipped, “Then there’s hope for me YET!” Two years ago, she found herself suddenly numb and helpless on her kitchen floor, with no warning. He son found her, and she was rushed to the hospital, where it was determined that she was having a stroke (in her case, a blood-clot in her brain). She said, “Then the strangest thing happened: they gave me a needle of something, the blood-clot cleared, and I bounced right back! It took a few days to FULLY recover, and you know what they found? — I have atrial fibrillation, and I never knew I had it! Now I take medication for THAT.” That’s how she is — she takes everything in stride, rolls with the flow. Her son, after her stroke, told her to consider retiring. “Not on your LIFE!”, she shot back.