The 1950s was a time of unabashed confidence in the United States. The country was embracing the budding jet age and post-war prosperity.
While that confidence was reflected in the design of domestic cars, few automobiles reflect the attitude of the time like the 1950 Buick Roadmaster that recently sold on eBay.
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The Roadmaster, with its big, bold design and loads of chrome, was not designed for wallflowers. From its prominent toothy grille to its massive straight-eight engine to its sheer size and even its name, the Roadmaster exudes optimism.
The Mighty Buick Eight
This 1950 Buick Roadmaster recently emerged from indoor storage, where it resided since 1971. It’s solid and complete, with only a few scratches and dings. That's to be expected in a car that’s more than 70 years old. Showing fewer than 50,000 miles on the odometer, the big Buick is a time capsule with goodies including the original spare wide whitewall tire - opens in new window or tab. in the trunk. The sale includes the owner’s manual, service manual - opens in new window or tab., and sales paperwork.
The car’s patina - opens in new window or tab. lends a gracefully aged look that customizers only wish they could duplicate. The acres of chrome are in excellent condition. All the critical and hard-to-find badging and trim pieces are in place, from the fender skirts to four OEM wheel covers - opens in new window or tab..
The big grille boldly spells out the words “Buick Eight” in art deco - opens in new window or tab. block letters. Unlike a modern V-8, Buick eight-cylinder engines - opens in new window or tab. of the era used an inline configuration. More commonly known as a straight eight, these monstrous power plants are known for their robust torque, quiet operation, and rugged durability.
The Buick straight eight weighs around 750 pounds and measures nearly three feet long. It’s a force to be reckoned with. While not currently operational, the seller says the big engine turns over freely. Any necessary parts are readily available on eBay.
Famous Porthole Design
An unusual side-opening hood provides easy access and features four trademark portholes on each side. The portholes are officially known as VentiPorts. They were initially added to Buicks to help with cooling. The openings serve no function in 1950 Buick Roadmasters, other than determining where different models landed in the pecking order. Lesser models got three on each side, while upper trims got four to a side.
The 1950 Buick Roadmaster sold on eBay is not a show car, but it needs little to make it roadworthy. It’s a complete example requiring none of the hard-to-find bits. Owners’ clubs and internet support are easy to find. As big as it is, that straight eight is relatively simple to work on.
All that remains is to decide whether to do a complete restoration or drive and enjoy once the mechanical work is done. Either way, this timeless classic deserves to be back on the road.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.