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!
What does fuel mileage matter for a classic car? It’s not like you are going to commute in it for hours everyday.
What a great looking car! Restyled for 1949, Buicks had a real presence. I think it would be hard to find a nicer original Roadmaster of this vintage.
We own a 1996 Roadmaster Estate Wagon had 137k miles less than a year ago when purchased. Rides like a dream. Nephew has a 1993 Roadmaster Sedan and it rides like our ’96. Hard to find parts but on the highway they get about 20 mpg. They are a tank as both weigh over 4k pounds.
This is an excellent turnkey vehicle to enter the hobby or expand your collection of classic cars.. It is on the wrong coast for me, only asking $30k we could dicker..
Will, I personally much prefer the ’46 grille, or the ’42, to the ’48 (same goes from Pontiac, as well): the vestiges of Art Deco, I was sad to see go, when they modernised the ’47s and ’48s. But I certainly find this car beautiful and a trip back to when I was young (which, believe it or not, I was, once upon a day). I would love this car (though I preferred the 1949, actually). These ruled the roads through the 1950s and into the 1960s, before their fender-skirts began to rot out with heavy rust, and fall off. These Buicks had fabulous radios and clocks that actually kept time (back when they still worked, that is).
Harrison- We’ll have to agree to disagree on the grilles. Your other comments are spot on. I used to drive my ol’ man nuts by rearranging the B U I C K push buttons on the radio to C U B I K. And, oh yeah, the “groovy” radio “aerial” which took a couple of shots to get to park in its little groove of the black rest on the windshield’s center post.
As for the radio and clock not working, judicious cleaning up of the points on the clock and in the radio’s vibrator usually got things cookin’ again. Oh, the radio was tube-type and weighed a ton… getting it out and back in was a chore.
Point it towards the open road.
My earliest memory of a family car was of a ’52 Buick sedan and a trip the folks and my little sis and I took (me about 5 years old) from Oregon back to mom’s home in Fortuna,North Dakota. Sis and I stood behind mom & dad looking over the front seat or slept in the huge rear seat all the way. That I remember plus a sense of hours of effortless cruising with that straight 8. Remember, that was before the interstate highway system so a cross country trip was on 2 lane roads over hill and dale. Still have a black & white photo of us tykes and Dad at an old service station with the clam shell hood open checking fluids somewhere along the way. :-) Terry J
Lovely cars, and certainly a very nice example of this model… $30k is a tall order although there remain some buyers which may “step up to the plate”an subscribe to it at this price. This vintage is unfortunately aging out, those who remember their past years in them becoming fewer in the market. Highway speeds in excess of 60 mph can be a struggle given the gear ratios, most problematic in the manual transmission models taking into consideration highway speed limits at its production was 45-55 mph at best. I’m sure it will find a loving home.
Bought a ‘47 Super at Aloha Motors, Honolulu, in 1960, for $100. Ran great for three years, then sold it for $100. Had a moveable sun visor that you could adjust from inside the car. What a beast!
I was but a lad back in the 50’s when my eldest brother Bill (RIP) owned a car like this. The County roads were all gravel back then. What a thrill it was sliding around curves up and down hills as Bill pushed that big black Buick hard throwing rocks and dirt flying on every curve. What a blast when we topped a hill and my stomach flew to the my chest creating a rush that I never forgot. Those days are long gone and so is my brother but the memories live on for the rest of my life.
God Bless America
Nice but 30K for a 4 door is too much!
drtoom
Bought a ’48 Buick roadmaster two years ago in about the same condition with absolutely no rust. It was the two door sedanette with 54000 miles for 14K. Beautiful car , drives like a dream. Agree about the values slipping for these beauties- 30K is way too high for a four door.