The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2024

170 The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2024 Cars The Buick Roadmaster of 1949 was a seminal model, introducing a new design-language to the marque and reinforced an emerging new psychology around buying a car - choosing a Buick had become more of a lifestyle decision and that trend would continue as buyers embraced the new ‘fuselage style’ that was inspired by aircraft design. These numerous new design features included a larger, chrome-laden grille, and a curved windshield - but some other elements to this new model were to become even more significant, influencing not only Buick’s styling theme for years, but creating a whole new style of car for the US-market. The 1949 Roadmaster Riviera, along with other newly launched, glamorous models – the Cadillac Coupe de Ville and the Oldsmobile 98 Deluxe Holiday Coupe – debuted for the first time on a mass production model for the US-market the ‘two-door pillarless hardtop coupe configuration (the design offered a fixed roofline with disappearing side windows and no B-pillar; when the windows were lowered, the car took on the look of a convertible with its top raised - British cars already had the ‘Fixed Head Coupé’; thus, combining the style of a convertible with the security and weather protection of a sedan/saloon). The Riviera offered the best of sporty design and closed practicality, and it would influence two decades of automobile design around the world. Its name would remain a part of Buick’s lineage for 50 years. Next up, and again significantly for the Buick design-language of its cars to come, was that the 1949 Roadmaster first introduced the (now) iconic ‘VentiPorts’ which went on to be a traditional Buick styling cue for many years. These are a series of three or four ‘vents’ on the front wing behind the front wheels. Four vents were displayed on each of the Roadmaster and Century’s front wings, with three on the wings of the Super and Special to denote junior level products. Furthermore, the 1949 Roadmaster Riviera was also notable for first introducing its popular optional ‘Sweepspear’ chrome body side moulding, which would soon become another Buick trademark. On top of all this ‘influence’, the 1949 Roadmaster Riviera specification included a 150bhp ‘Fireball’ 320 CID overhead-valve inline eight-cylinder engine (with dual downdraft carburettor), Dynaflow automatic transmission, independent front coil-spring and semi-elliptic leaf-spring rear suspension, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. With production numbers from that year showing only 4,343 Riviera models were produced and a frequently used Buick resource that was published in 1979 states that at that time, less than ten of these vehicles were accounted for, this is now a rare and very special car. The car presented here is a 1949 Buick Roadmaster Riviera, a truly exceptional example of its type, which was originally restored by the technical advisor to the Buick Club UK. It is believed to be one of only 50 surviving examples worldwide and the only one in the UK and has featured at The Cartier Style et Luxe Lawn, one of the finest Concours d’Elegance events in the world. The car was also a former winner of the NEC Car of the Year award. Always garaged and sparingly used, it has always been maintained to a very high standard, accompanied by extensive records of its servicing and restoration history. Buick’s slogan ‘Looks fine for ‘49!’ wasn’t wrong; a magnificent American classic with serious style and presence, and optioned with the iconic ‘Sweepspear’ chrome design - a real beauty! Registration: YAS 241 Chassis No.: V1N1531452615342105 Estimate: £50,000 - £60,000 Specialist: Joseph Watts Telephone No: 07779 082707 Lot 244 1949 Buick Roadmaster Two-Door Riviera Hardtop More Details Lot 244 Bid On Lot 244