The Roadmaster was an on-again off-again name used by Buick for some of their higher-end autos, with the model first appearing just prior to World War II in 1936. When the 1942 run ended, the car took a short break before reappearing in 1946, this time with a considerably longer lifespan, which lasted until 1958. The Roadmaster name wasn’t used again for over 3 decades when it finally reappeared for the final time between 1991 and 1996. An even more luxurious trim level known as the Riviera joined the car’s lineup mid-year for the 1949 model, which included power windows as standard equipment, a feature also found on this 1950 Buick Roadmaster Riviera for sale here on eBay. The opening bid of $24,500 has yet to be placed, an amount still shy of the reserve.
We’d like to wish Barn Finds reader T.J. a Merry Christmas and thank him for this and all the other great tips he’s sent our way during 2022- please keep them coming in 2023! Though the seller doesn’t tell us specifically how long this Buick has been under his ownership, he does mention that it’s been in his hands for several years and is in good shape to be approaching the three-quarter-century mark. The body is said to be solid with no rust, and it sports a respray in the original colors of Niagara and Verde Green. The chrome and trim pieces all look to be in decent condition as well.
Some good news under the hood is that the original Fireball straight 8 motor is still present, but apparently, the car was either not running or not running very well when the current owner acquired it. However, just during this past year many of the things needed to get the Buick back to being road-ready were addressed. Mechanically, perhaps it wasn’t all that bad to start with, as the 41k miles showing on the odometer are believed to be actual. Recently, a new gas tank and sending unit have been installed, along with a carburetor rebuild and a tune-up. There’s a new exhaust system, some new suspension parts, and a new battery, plus those way-cool wide whitewall radial tires are all new as well. The two-speed automatic transmission was also removed and resealed, which seems to have solved any leaking issues.
Prior to the present owner’s acquisition, the interior had already been redone with fabric and leather at some point in the past, which the seller says is still in great shape. The painted metal components inside match the exterior color, and those too appear to be in nice condition, as do the gauges and steering wheel. Overall this seems to be a fine example of a Buick Roadmaster Riviera, which the seller thinks is ready for the next person to enjoy. Is this a car you or someone you know would have any interest in owning?
Nice “Roadmasher”[sic] I always wondered why they had such goofy looking grills,,well, good ol’ Hemmings ran an article on just that subject. Apparently, 1950 was the only year with this design. Later models used thin bars, but still goofy. All the bars were different, GM claimed, could be replaced individually if damaged and went below the bumper to prevent locking bumpers with other cars. I don’t know about you, but not much would make it past that bumper. Olds had the jump with the V8, but this motor was adequate for the time. Straight 8s aren’t the fastest off the line, the automatic will insure that, but get this tank rollin’, beautiful. Our Packard, Buicks nemesis, showed me that. Buick buyers had to wait 3 more years for their V8, and the old “Fireball 8” was put out to pasture. At about $2700 new, it was the 3rd most expensive Buick behind the wagon and convertible at about $2900. GM made the best cars after the war, and this was one step away from a Caddy. If not another Buick, a Caddy was next. Buick owners were very loyal, many buying nothing but. Whatever happened to that? Nice car!
No! Goofy is not the right description…….more like: “No time for BS!” And that’s why I like it so much.
This is nice. The flow of the roof and trim along with the color combo really work for me here. I actually love these grills. They must be intimidating as hell in somebody’s rear view mirror.
I remember reading an article in R&T in which
Peter Egan & his buddy got one,& planned on
taking all the chrome off of the front end.He said
that after they removed it all the the front end sat
way up high.
WOW! I love it. My dad had a 50 Buick, I hated it, it was a 4-door. Howard, I try to agree with you when I can. But are you kidding me? Goofy looking grill?
It is iconic , it says Buick, its classy for this car and the era. I would hate to go to to the MOMA with you. I don’t think you would understand!
dear Joe, dont mind too much differing with H.A., i do for sound reason, most every time;
and this time being no exception.
Other than the assumed accurate snippets of of history, specs, etc. which is all well and good,
‘goofy’ to describe a 50 Buick grill ?!?..
sure, and the way Kia and Toyota stole the tails lights from Ford a couple years ago, now some reviews are saying Ford stole them from Kia !?! ya, ive heard it all, no matter how way of base it is.
The grills on almost any cars from this era are indeed iconic, and some of the most exceptional art and craft ever designed for an automobile; in my opinion.
The time and cost to craft each piece, if im correct by hand in those days, is the epitomy of when American industry and economy was thriving. The grill of this 50 Buick is anything but goofy.
Ahhh, again, H.A. your my inspiration ;)
Probably the best looking Older Buick, I have ever seen. Even nicer than the Caddy of the same year.
Smitten again, BF.
Merry Christmas all.
Bob
This is an awesome car!
The color is fantastic. She’s a beauty.
Nice lines…cool car and color.Gotta love the straight 8. Awesome Buick.
The “quarter-century mark”? The “THREE quarter century mark”, right? It’s a beautiful car.
Quarter century means this century. 2025. I had to think about it for a minute.
The first new car Dad bought for my Mother was a 1950 Buick Super Riv 2dr hrdtp.
My Grandfather ( Mothers Dad) pulled up along side Dad at stop sign and said, “I see you bought your wife a new car.”
Dad replied, “Yes Sir I did.”
“Well I hope it doesn’t break ya!” Grandpa growled and drove off.”
Beautiful,,,,I love it.
Too bad these weren’t available for D-Day. The invasion could have used these as tanks!
Love the 1950 Sedanette… I’d take the front end off and save it…
Goofy grille not found. I love the 1950 Buick grille above all other Buicks of the 50’s! The “teeth” go all the way through the bumper. How awesome is that! Yeah, in some ways ugly, maybe even grotesque but the coolness factor is over the top in my eye. Would love to own this sweet green, 2-door hardtop cruiser.
Having spent lots of time behind the 320-ci version of that engine in a ’36 Century, I have a lot of respect for it. Low-end torque was fantastic, and it was dead smooth. Buick hung onto it so long because it was so good. Too bad this doesn’t have the dual-carb setup.
The dual-carb setup didn’t return after the war.
Or a 52 with the 4 barrel carb.
Gorgeous car well fixed up. Unfortunately the asking price would break My bank account. Some one will have a beauty to park in their garage.
If you were driving this in 1950 you were driving something! I like this grille and all.
Just perfection!
Dynaflows were a single (forward) speed transmission.
You’re right Brankin the Dynaflow transmission was Buicks version of a constant velocity transmission no shift points
Not sure about that, at least regarding the ’56 Buicks.
Our family car for several years was a ’56 Special. I remember being able to start the engine, shift into Low gear, start driving and then shift into Drive. It definitely had two forward ranges.
Maybe some of the earlier Dynaflows had just one forward range.
Dynaflows had a lower gear for steep grades, drag racing, or passing at lower speeds. If you didn’t put it in low then it doesn’t shift at all. It’s interesting that the new technology is going back to idea of infinite ratios. 10 speeds
At the old Lions drag strip in Long Beach, CA, they had an outfit called “Buicks Unlimited”. Raced with a gaggle of straight eights. What fun!