The Roadmaster was a Buick nameplate used on-again, off-again, dating back to the mid-thirties. The car took a short break after 1942 before reappearing in ’46 for a run that lasted just over a dozen years, then went on a much longer hiatus at the end of 1958 until it finally returned for one final and memorable run between 1990 and 1996. This 1948 Buick Roadmaster here on Facebook Marketplace dates to the second period in the car’s history, and the seller reports it remains an all-original example, even all these decades later. Available at an asking price of $30,000, this sedan is located in Richmond, California, and we’d like to thank reader T.J. for finding it and sending in the tip!
Though we don’t get a thorough report on this car’s entire past, the seller notes that it spent some 30 years inside a museum in Las Vegas, where it received regular oil changes. In 1948, power was provided exclusively by Buick’s Fireball Dynaflash straight-8 engine, which measured in at 320.2 CI. Equipping a Roadmaster with the optional Dynaflow automatic transmission also upped the compression and horsepower ever so slightly, with this one achieving a factory HP rating of 150, a number half a dozen higher than those with a manual. The seller says this Buick runs like a sewing machine, with the water pump being the only component mentioned that’s been recently replaced.
1948 was a long time ago, but the owner says the black paint we’re seeing here is still the original factory coating, and it still presents very nicely overall, even after all this time. The finish shows a bit of wear near the fuel door, but I’m feeling preservation is the key here, as this one looks good enough that I’d hate to see it lose the still-original status outside. The chrome and trim also appear to have survived well, and those extra-wide whitewall tires round out the exterior’s presentation beautifully.
With the fine condition outside, I’d expect nothing but the best from the interior, and thankfully, it disappoints in no way. Both seats are in excellent shape, and the dash and instruments also appear well-preserved. The odometer reads 69,355 miles, and given the car’s condition plus three decades spent in a museum, I wouldn’t be surprised if this number is accurate. Thirty grand isn’t cheap, but this seems to be a top-tier example with plenty of positives for the right buyer. Any thoughts to share on this 1948 Buick Roadmaster?
Nice car! I sold one out of my father’s collection last year that was featured here on BF’s – a 53 Convertible – it was a nice car as far as Roadmasters go.
This featured sedan is in far better shape than my old mans was given it’s a museum piece but the market is shifting away from these cars and prices are rapidly falling.
The “ask” for this seems very high but you never know what someone is willing to pay.
Gorgeous! If I weren’t so old, I snatch this up even at the ask. I could relive my early days with my folks’ ’46 Super albeit with this one’s added benefits of the much nicer ’47-8 grille and the Dynaflow.
Probably eek out 20 MPG on the road but do absolutely abysmally in start/go, ‘specially with the “big” engine trying to move that two ton puppy.
Ah, to be young again with 25 cents a gallon motion lotion!