Seems like everyone was getting in on the V8 craze in the ’50s. Sure, Ford had been there since ’32, but flathead architecture was old hat by the new decade and they moved on for the ’54 model year. Over at Buick, straight-eights gave way to overhead valve V8s in 1953 with the introduction of the easily identifiable “Nailhead” design. Today’s discovery is a topline Roadmaster four-door sedan. It’s claimed to be a barn find and has been parked for 60 years. Patina or not, this big ’53 sedan shows well, let’s see what it has to offer.
Buick offered three trim levels in ’53 with the Roadmaster on top, Super in the middle and the Special bringing up the markers. There was also a limited production, high-end Skylark convertible. Roadmasters made the scene as four-door sedans, two-door hardtops and convertibles, and an estate wagon. Buick placed well in ’53, with a fourth-place finish in the domestic production race, registering 488K units. The listing text for this Roadmaster is light though it states, “has patina but absolutely no rust other than on the tailpipe.” A good scrubbing would reveal more but what shows, looks pretty sound. In particular, the prominent and unmistakable grille still appears unkissed while wearing a strong chrome finish.
Back to that Nailhead business, the engine in question is a 188-gross HP 322 CI “Fireball” V8, making things happen with the help of a Dynaflow automatic transmission. The seller adds, “Car runs… have not driven yet, need to reinstall fuel tank and bleed brakes.” The seller further proclaims “6,249 miles!” in the listing title – you can consider that statement as you see fit…
The interior is listed as “museum quality” and from what can be seen it does show quite well. Buick referred to it as, “Sumptuous softness of double-depth Foamtex cushioning, the most luxurious softness in the fine-car field.” Yeah, you could probably sink right into it though I imagine all the sumptuous Foamtex is probably petrified fodder by now – and nary a seatbelt in sight to hold you in place. The front seat upholstery pattern does appear to be correct for this vintage Roadmaster so I’ll run with the assumption that it’s all original. “Just needs to be wiped down” opines the seller, and I think he’s referencing the exterior, but the interior could use the same treatment – it’s rather dingy and dusty looking.
There is a 1964 Massachusetts registration sticker on the windshield so that’s pretty good evidence that this top-drawer Buick has been parked for 60 years – and that may explain the disconnected fuel tank, there was probably a lot of varnish to remove. When one comes across a car such as this, one tends to wonder what put it into hibernation so many long years ago – and what occurred to wake it up now. There’s a market for every car (almost every car I guess) but I’m not sure what it might be for this Roadmaster. You can find the listing here on craigslist where this Shirley, Massachusetts’ barn find is available for $15,000, OBO. I’d suggest that this one is begging for a stock restore, how about you?
I can practically smell that old car odor through my screen. Is it missing the cones on those bumper “Dagmars?” I like old cars like this but I’m wondering too what the market is like anymore for these. This car was made the year I was born so yeah, not too many appreciate something like it.
You are right, I’d be concerned. There are people who’ve been predicting a collapse in the collector car market for decades, they are wrong. Desirable cars with a strong following will always hold value, though there are and always have been fluctuations in price. It’s cars like this, that aren’t someone’s “dream car” where the attraction ends at “it’s a cool old car” that will compete on price with every other “cool old car”. If year, make or model isn’t the driver of interest, it’s going to be price, at that point, why pay $15,000 for a non-running car that will need an unknown amount of money and work to make it road worthy when you can find a turn key classic that needs nothing for like the 69 Mercury Marquis also featured today with an asking price of $7,500.
Steve R
Similar to the old couple’s car from Back to the Future.
Grille has a “strong chrome finish”? Yeah, it’s stainless steel caps fastened on a painted steel frame. Why wouldn’t stainless look like new?
What, you think stainless steel doesn’t get dingy looking in almost three-quarters of a century? I’ve reviewed at least 2,500 cars for this site, and stainless, in need of a good buffing/polishing, is a common detraction for anything old, especially cars regularly exposed to the elements.
JO
First car I remember my parents having (must have been around ’59 at age 4) was a black (with white top) 53 Roadmaster. It was in the family for a few years. My mother swore off automatics after having the “slush box” Dynaflow. It was awhile before another automatic came into the family.
Thanks FOX, too bad this isn’t wagon or I would have it in a moment, 6249 miles??? Is that true?? Although he looking at the body it could be, the 364 nail head was the 1st year for it . My 54had a larger one when stock. . I have been looking for a 53 wagon but NONE seem to be available.. DID find a swell 58 Caballero, but the asking price is $115.00 even though highly modified its a bit much BUTTTTTT
The 1953 Roadmasters and Super used the 322 CI V8; the Special used the 263 straight eight. In 1954, the same 322 V8 was in the senior Buicks, while the Special received a 264 V-8.
The 364 V8 was introduced in 1957.
I still recall the sound of those old Buicks with Dynaflow as they shifted–the original slushbox. I sure like this very original, un-messed-with, top of the line Roadmasher. Clean it up, and see what you have. The seller should contact the NB Museum in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Nicola Bulgari is a huge Buick collector, and he’d probably buy this first-year V8 in a flash.
Price here is whatever two guys agree on. As a buyer, I’d take along a big wad of $100 bills and start bargaining from $10,000.
In 63 I bought a crashed 53 super with a 3 on the tree. I put this combination in my 49 Chevy 4 door. I wound up with an open drive shaft version from an Olds and used that with its matched rear end. It was pretty fast for the day. Definitely a sleeper.
Around 1960, I bought one of these in Mobile, Ala. I was 20. It was baby blue w/white top and in perfect condition. Probably paid under $500. These cars are built like a vault. Very heavy and solid. Never had any problem with it, and it was subjected to some abuse by me.
I think I had it no more than 2 yrs. and discovered foreign (smaller) cars. Bought a baby blue ’60 MG Magnette w/wood, and gray leather seats. Which would be very scarce now.
Once this gets running on the road , you will have no fear of other cars. They will just bounce off this heavyweight beast!
It’s a great looking car and see a lot of potential. Problem is that I really don’t see much of a market for this old gal. Sure use some modern detailing and get the car sorted and on a good day not sure it would bring 15K,
please do not restore this.
make it roadworthy and drive it!
A friend in college had one like this, only white over green. The owner needs to clean it up, get it running, join the Buick Club of America and list it there.
Thanks for the write up Jim! The mileage on this car is accurate and condition is as found with some dust removed. It will be detailed and have interior cleaned after I’m done with the brakes and drive it a bit. Pictures do absolutely no justice to the condition, it’ll get a proper photo shoot when it’s done!
Bryan
Centennial Motoring Services