My classic car pick this week is the 1949 Buick Roadmaster.
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| Image from 1949 advert for Buick Roadmaster src: pinterest.com |
Initially the Roadmaster name was applied to all Buick vehicles in 1936 to highlight significant advances in engine and design. The 1949 edition saw the bodies get leaner and the length of the vehicle shorten with the iconic grille styling and bonnet shape taking on a more sleek appearance, but the most significant change the the 1949 model was the introduction of the porthole styling on the side of the front fenders. The Roadmaster shared this feature with the Super, both styled in chrome but the Roadmaster featured four of these portholes on both sides vs the Super's three.
More after the jump...
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| The 'Ventiports' on a 1949 Roadmaster src: Pinterest.com |
This style feature originally came from a custom job on a Buick which also featured flashing lights within the portholes which synchronised with the spark plugs to simulate a fighter plane exhaust. It was adapted as a design feature sans the lights on the Roadmaster and Buick and dubbed 'Ventiports' because apparently the idea of them was to ventilate the engine to prevent overheating, though it wasn't long before models coming off the lines at GM featured Ventiports which were filled in.
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| Advert for the Buick Roadmaster 1949 src: oldcaradvertising.com |
The 1949 Roadmaster was available in 15 colours and with the option of an onboard heater, an AM radio, a non-glare rear view mirror and auxiliary driving lights. Five models were available including one of GM's first 2-door hardtop models, the 'Riviera' and retailed at an average price of $3,088.
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| Advert for the 'Riviera' body type src: oldcaradvertising.com |
Vital Statistics (Average)
| Wheelbase |
3.2m |
| Length |
5.4m |
| Width |
1.9m |
| Height |
1.6m |
| Weight |
1900-2100kg |
| Engine |
320.2 CID Fireball I8 |
| Gross HP |
150HP |
| Transmission |
2-speed Dynaflow automatic |
| Designer |
Harley Earl |
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