Roadmaster

1949 Buick Roadmaster Convertible

Yes, it's the “Rain Man” car. Award-winning restoration by Buick expert Doug Seybold. Beautiful color combination, power windows, seat, and top all functional. Powerful 320 cubic inch straight-8 with Dynaflow. One of Buick's very best designs!

Although it's not the exact car used in the movie, this is the exact same make, model, and year Buick convertible used in “Rain Man,” the 1949 Buick Roadmaster model 76C convertible. Even the colors are the same, with lovely Sequoia Cream bodywork over a red leather interior. It features a spectacular frame-off restoration by noted Buick expert Doug Seybold and has won just about every major award such a car can win, including an AACA Grand National First Prize in 2019. It's just gorgeous in person! The '49 Buicks were one-year-only machines, with unique parts throughout, so buying one finished is definitely worth your while. And to make things a bit more complicated, this is a late production car, meaning that it has the larger trunk and “sweep-spear” trim along the sides, both of which are preferred by serious collectors (the earlier cars have a flatter trunk lid and simple straight trim on the sides). Ultimately, this is one of the most desirable Buicks of the 1940s, offering wonderful styling that neatly bridges the pre-war look with the sleek full-envelope cars to come in the 1950s. Finish quality is obviously excellent, with great panel gaps, a deep gloss to the finish, and show-quality chrome and stainless trim. The car has been driven a bit since its show days and there are a few minor chips along the hood opening (which is all but inevitable given the design), but overall this is a car that stops people in their tracks.

The red leather interior is finished to factory specs using special hides that Seybold has custom made just for his restorations. Patterns and trim are just the way the factory intended, from the squares on the door panels to the pleats on the seats themselves. Again, there are a few very minor signs of use like some wrinkling on the driver's side seat back, but it is not very far from being ready for the show field once again. All the instruments were restored and are fully operational, including the clock which ticks away reliably (although the hour hand seems to be stuck behind the minute hand). And as Buicks' top-of-the-line model, everything was standard, including power windows, a power front seat, and a power convertible top, all controlled by a massive hydraulic pump under the hood. With the Dynaflow transmission, it's incredibly easy to drive, just like any other automatic transmission, and offers the impeccable smoothness for which Buicks were rightfully famous. You'll note there's an accessory compass mounted on the center windshield bar and the fog light switch has been commandeered to act as the power switch for the electric fuel pump—clever! There's also an accessory tissue dispenser under the passenger's side of the dashboard. The back seat is big enough for full-sized adults and the enlarged trunk is correctly finished, including a matching spare tire and factory jack assembly.

Buicks big 320 cubic inch straight-8 engine needs no introduction, offering 150 horsepower and a massive wave of torque at just about any speed. It was one of the most powerful engines on the market in 1949, even with the introduction of Cadillac OHV V8 that year. Fully rebuilt and highly detailed for show, it remains a fantastic driver and starts easily by depressing the accelerator pedal to trigger the starter. Finishes and hardware are correct throughout and with the Dynaflow transmission, it cruises easily at 60-65 MPH without much work. If you're unaccustomed to it, the Dynaflow might feel strange at first, but you'll suddenly find yourself wafting along at speed with the engine barely a whisper and you know it's working properly. There's correct new wiring throughout, the radiator keeps things nice and cool, and it includes an accessory oil filter bolted to the side of the block. You'll also find a nicely finished undercarriage which wears basic black—that's how Buick built them in 1949. Again, there are a few minor signs of use and maintenance, but nothing that will stop you from enjoying this awesome '40s cruiser. The exhaust is hushed, the under-seat heater is effective, and thanks to Buick's front A-arms and torque tube suspension, ride quality is impressive. Massive drum brakes at all four corners are effective for the car's performance and it sits on 15-inch wheels with 8.20-15 BFGoodrich Silvertown wide whitewall tires, as original.