Beautiful car! I inherited my grandfather’s 1948 Buick Super Sedanette. 53,000 original miles. 3 on the tree and inline 8. I brought it up from Pennsylvania. I live in Chepachet, RI. BEAUTIFUL cars!! Once my son owns it he will be the fourth generation to enjoy my grandfathers car. 👍🏻
That is a beautiful car you're driving! Back in the Spring of 1955 my Dad had a 1942 Buick Roadmaster Sedan, Model 71. My older Brother Johnny would tell me the stories of the 42 Roadmaster (The Green Hornet)! This Buick wore its model name with pride. At the time I was 2 years old, I am the youngest of 6 boys. My oldest Brother Mike gave my Dad the 42 Buick. I grew up in The Bronx, NY we were making a 150 mile trip to upstate NY. My Dad removed the rear seat cushion from the Buick and filled the back of the Buick with 50lb. sacks of potatoes. Two of my older Brothers, our German Shepard and I, were laying down on the potatoes. In the trunk were 5 bags of cement, tools and the spare tire. My oldest Brother and his childhood friend Frankie were following Dad in a 1948 Dodge, we were on Route 9W in NY close to Bear Mountain, NY. There were long steep hills to climb and the Buick was loaded down pretty good. In the front seat behind the wheel was my Dad and two more older Brothers. Well Johnny said Frankie came up behind the Buick while climbing this long steep hill with his Dodge and was tapping the Buick's bumper with his Dodge's front bumper and was yelling get that piece of junk out of the way! Well Dad downshifted to second gear and just leaned on the throttle, and as the Buick picked. Dad leaned on the throttle a little more and shifted into third gear! The Dodge disappeared, Johnny said at first we would start to go around a turn and got a quick peak of the Dodge. Then the Dodge was gone from sight completely. Like the Man said, when you want power! You got power! I had a 1848 Buick Roadmaster 3 Spd,2 Dr Sedanette I bought in 1975 for $75.00 out of a junkyard. Johnny and I worked on that Buick for 2-1/2 years. When we were finished, I showed the Buick to Dad and asked if he wanted to drive it? Dad said no, just take me for a ride. That was in June of 1978, Dad passed away that October. I sold the Buick in 2013. Now I'm 71 years old and still have the memories of my Dad, and the stories of The Green Hornet! THANK YOU FOR SHARING THE 1947 BUICK ROADMASTER
Here in France I have a 1947 Buick Super sedan and a 1948 Buick Roadmaster convertible with Dynaflow box. The Super was sold new in Belgium, I am the third owner. The Roadmaster was imported from the USA quite recently, I have no history. Both are dark blue, the Super has a grey cloth interior and the Roadmaster a red leather interior and a beige top. Both are in very good condition, they are wonderful cars.
1954 my father bought the fleet of 1947 Buicks from a local funeral home. After trading most of the vehicles for a Kaiser and an Ambassador, he was left with two Roadmasters. A black stretched sedan and a GM Aero body (fast back) two door - leaf green. Both straight eights, They became daily drivers for mom and him throughout that Summer, but by Fall he had traded them away - one for a Crosley station wagon the other got him a Hudson Twin Hornet. From 1913 to 1987, when he took his "final drive" he had owned over 200 cars.
Dear sir love your enthusiasm of an era gone by. There is definitely something about the automobiles of the 30s 40s and 50s that are hard to describe, but you do a fantastic job.
In an earlier Audrain video I commented that, while I liked exotic cars, I’d like to see more “common man” cars because that’s what so many of us can afford and have. Well kudos Donald, you can’t get much more common man than a Buick Roadmaster! Gotta love Donald and the Audrain.
Great video from a time when cars were different from one another besides the name plate. A Buick was a Buick. Mechanically different, visually deferential. Glad to have experienced the time period.
Donald, in 1954, my Dad purchased a used 1948 Buick Roadmaster Dynaflow. As a 4 year old, I had never been in so big a car. To this day, I can still imitate the sound of the transmission when the car took off. Another memory was when an oil truck backed into the left front fender, while we were parked in front of the local candy store. Dad ran inside to get a pack of Camels and cigars. When he came back out, the truck driver came over to show him the damage ( the world was a more honest place in the 50’s.). There was a slight flat spot which Dad told him he could rub out with compound. You could never tell where the truck hit it. Sadly, he junked the car in June of 1960. It was replaced with a 1950 Chrysler Imperial equipped the “electric” windows that always seemed to stay stuck open whenever we were caught in the rain. I sure do miss that Buick.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Donald! What wonderful memories this video brings back. As children of the South, like so many others, my Brother and I had an Aunt and Uncle who were no relation to us. In our case, they were Aunt Maude and Uncle Marshall Hackler, members of our parents Sunday School Class. Uncle Marshall's 1947 Buick Roadmaster was his pride and joy. He bought it new and it was the only car he ever owned. He proposed to Aunt Maude in it and lovingly kept it in like new condition throughout their courtship and long marriage. What wonderous weekend adventures we had in that elegant and capacious Roadmaster with Aunt Maude and Uncle Marshall. When Uncle Marshall passed away, Aunt Maude (who didn't drive) sold both their home and that beloved Roadmaster to move into Arbor Acres, a local retirement community in our hometown of Winston-Salem, NC. During our first newlywed Christmas with my family, I took my NYC born, Ivy League educated bride, Sandy, to meet my legendary "unrelated" Aunt. During a walk around Arbor Acres that Christmas Eve, Aunt Maude proudly introduced us to a man with a walker who was well into his 90's. After shaking hands with me, he boldly asked Sandy if he could kiss her. "YeYeYeYes!," she stammered, wondering what kind of strange Southern tradition this must be. The Old Gent toddled over, gave her a peck on the left cheek, stood back, grinned ear-to-ear and exclaimed, "Thank you, my Dear! I never kissed a Yankee before. So, that was a lifelong dream come true!" According to Aunt Maude, He never stopped beaming and passed away in his sleep shortly after ringing the New Year of 1988. Being the undisputed Master of the Tenuous Connection, you have surely deduced that the moral of this story is, "Classic cars are inevitably intertwined with the most memorable experiences on everyone's bucket list." Thanks for reminding me how Uncle Marshall's 1947 Roadmaster ranks right up there along side my own first car, a 1950 Plymouth Special Deluxe. It was a family heirloom, brought back into the fold when I bought it from another member of my parents Sunday School Class for $300. He had purchased it for the same $300 price 3 years earlier from my Great Aunt Mary, to whom I actually was related... 👍😄👍
In 1964, my Mother bought an impeccable 1957 Roadmaster. I well remember the French seamed, leather upper dash pad, the lush, cut pile carpet and the leather and brocade upholstery. These were things only seen in Cadillac Eldorado and Sixty Special and Mother's car was not even the top of the line Buick for 57!
Thank you Donald Osborne for your down to earth appraisal of this fine Buick. You and Jay Leno are great curators of these historic gems. I remember waiting for radio tubes warming up. You've got one of the best jobs in the world.
My Dad's first car purchased when my parents first married was a 1946 Buick (long before my time). I have only seen pictures of it but would love to see one in person. Beautiful car for our Greatest Generation.
Sir, that car is ***YOU***! You and it fit perfectly together. My grandfather drove a 47 Roadmaster for a time. When he passed in 1995, he still had a copy of its registration. He probably didn't purchase it new, but he did love Buicks. Later on, he purchased a 1954 Buick Special Riviera 2 door HT. That was in the spring of 1954. My grandmother always felt that Buick had the best ride, better than a Cadillac.
Buick's motto back then" When better cars are built, Buick will build them!" They were not lying! An old Consumer Reports magazine published a survey, wherein, over a 25 year period, Buick was chosen to be the most reliable brand of the General Motors line-up.
I had a 1972 Buick Electra 225 Limited that gave me years of trouble free reliable service. It rode well and had a 455 V8 with plenty of power.. Not horrible on gasoline either.
Great review of not just a lovely car, but of the feeling driving it. This was back in a day when there were far less complications in life. I can't imagine someone under 40 driving this car without computers, cameras, wi-fi, Bluetooth and displays the size of television screens and not going apoplectic. Keep up the good work!
My first car was a 1949 Buick Roadmaster with Dynaflow. It looked great, but it needed a lot of work. I couldn't drive on the expressway, but it was great for around the 'hood, dates, and beach trups. I felt like a king driving that old Buick!
I learned how to drive in my dads 51 Buick. In the early 60s when I was 11 or 12 my little brother and I used to shine shoes downtown. At closing time we would go behind one of our Dads favorite saloons and he would be sleeping in the Buick and we would drive him home. I don't know if he ever knew the truth. He owned it for a long time. Thanks for this great video. New sub.
You have to love the warm glow of an old fashioned tube radio.. It was truly a different era. Not hard to imagine you traveling when the car was new, listening to Billie Holiday on that radio.
My grandfather had a Roadmaster almost exactly like that one. I do not know for sure that it was that particular year but his position as a professor at a New England college demanded that less ostentatious style of car. I do have to comment upon your admiration of the radio though. I am old enough to have been trained by the U.S. Navy on electron tube radios during the transition to the use of transistors. I am also an early adherent to the High Fidelity movement before Stereophonic sound became the rage. That radio's "warm sound" probably owes much more to the trend in the nineteen thirties and forties to deliberately limit the frequency spectrum of tube radios of all sorts, especially in automobiles to roll off around 2500 hz. This made AM radio sound more tolerant to one,'s ears of the many sources of static, especially from other car's ignition systems. High Fidelity tube amplifiers are very capable of accurate and very smooth rendition of the full spectrum of our ears. They are equally capable of being bent to the tastes for Rock and Roll and its sometimes deliberately distorted sounds.
Great narration and enjoyable video. Cool old car and I remember when these were on the road. I had a paper route and motorcycle in 1968 and on my route was an old house with one of this style Buick in black. I had noticed it several times parked, but one day it went by me in the opposite direction. I swear it was driven by the oldest man with his equally old wife as a passenger. However, in the back seat was a kid, probably 5 years old and he had the window down with one of those pin-wheel things on a stick toy. He was holding it out the window and it was turning as they drove. I can still see that image fifty plus years later.
My grandfather had a 1949 when I was young. Many fond memories of long trips and sleeping in that huge back seat. I'm currently on the lookout for a "49" so I can relive those days. The "47" was beautiful, thanks for showing it. Cheers
I couldn't agree with you more that driving a car of this era is so relaxing and you don't worry about rushing to where you're going. I enjoy my leisurely rides in my 48 DeSoto club coupe quite often
He has written a beautiful essay about an era, an iconic automobile, and a feeling about driving. I really like the "piloting" image of consciousness and planning one's actions behind the wheel. He's showing off an automobile in a way that makes driving feel like yachting.
Medium blue enamel paint job, hood ornament, front teeth grillwork crowned with flying Buick badge, colorful three dimensional Buick badge on trunk lid above streamlined rear lights and recessed reflectors, soft gray interior, triangular positioning of gages integrated with deco dash, large ivory steering wheel and shifter knob to match, driver dressed in coat and bow tie, topped with a fedora; what a deal! There were lots of these "old" Buicks still around in my 55s-60s teen years but no appreciation for the magnificent beauty of the '47. (Wish I'd have saved my dad's fedoras.) Thanks, A.M., for the ride and show.
Gorgeous car! It's amazing how quiet and smooth that straight-eight is, and those gears seemed to snick into place so nicely with each shift. It looks and, drives like the calendar was still in the 1940's, amazing.
Very cool. We have a 92 Roadmaster which we use as a family “loaner “when another car is in for repair. The front grill is taken directly from your example, and the interior is grey leather (in excellent condition). The big V8 provides adequate power and the road holding and steering are perfect. Everything you described about the older car is applicable to ours. It’s not the best looking car in the world, but it gives a great sense of safety and capability on the road. We’ll probably keep her forever! Thanks, Donald.
Donald, you did a "masterful" job creating the ambiance of the 40s and presenting the feel of this '47 Buick. The only thing that would've improved this would be turning on the radio and hearing Lionel Hampton, Billie Holiday, or Peggy Lee!
Fabulous presentation! I greatly enjoy your careful use of words when you speak of the cars you present. Also your impeccable attire! I particularly enjoyed the way you describe the Buick Roadmaster as as an exceptionally well-built vehicle. This is of particular interest to me as I’m currently carrying out a full restoration on my 1941 Roadmaster Convertible Coupe here in Australia. Keep up the great work Donald!
I LIKE to listen to you discuss automobiles and their history. 🤔This Buick Roadmaster has styling I like better than the same year's Cadillac, partly because of the different approach to the grill area and the fluid lines down the side of the Roadmaster.
When we were growing up we called these Buicks Road Monsters. Land Cruisers were Land Crushers. And the propane grill was the profane grill. When we went off to college and droped these terms, they caught on quickly and it turned into a contest to see how many ways we could distort the names without being offensive. Now the marketing departments at most big company's have perfected this game.
A properly designed and executed automobile is a mechanical symphony, which is what differentiates it from being just a car. The Buicks of that era were pure automobile, not some cross badge clone from another GM division. And like the gentleman who so expertly narrated this video, I would never drive that car without a proper hat.👒
There are cars in which men wear baseball caps backwards, there are cars in which men wear silly wool hats, then there are cars in which men wear a Hat.
That enormous steering wheel makes you look almost like a kid behind the wheel but I bet you feel like a kid in a candy store, Donald! Another really great video.
Thank you, Donald, for another very captivating narration of this great car. I’m old enough(72) to remember when these cars were on the road in the late 50’s and 1960’s. Later years became very large cars, due to the Harley Earl influence. It’s sad to see cars being phased out with SUV, and CUV’s and pickups.
Excellent commentary on the heavy shadow cast by World War II on that era. The unique feature of the Roadmasters 1942 - 1948 is the way that the front fenders extend past the front and back doors, and merge with the rear fenders.
What an art deco masterpiece inside. I remember a trip to the Pontiac dealer in the 80s with my mom. They had an old chief flat 8 sitting in the showroom. That was the same feel it gave me. Chrome, white and copper accents, metal dash so much good.
My father had a Green 1947 Roadmaster 2 Door. On a family vacation we drove from Seattle to Cresent City, California several times. Big straight 8 with a Dynaflow auto trans.. I was surprised to see your car has a manual trans. The car was huge. You could easily fit 6 passengers and often time we had 7. 3 in the front, 4 in the back. You could rent the trunk out to a small family, BIG. The Buick was not a hot rod, but it had plenty of power, and the ride was smooth and comfortable.
Donald you are perfet for that automobile! The tweed jaket, the bow tie, the fedora hat; you look like you just popped out of a Buick ad from the post War "40s. I love your insight on the Roadmaster and your desription of the driving experiene. I feel like I'm driving down the road with you. "Good evening Mr. and Mrs. Osborne. Your theater tickets are at the box office. Shall the valet park your car?"
My Grandfather had one when I was very little. I can just barely remember playing in it. The knob that moved the antenna fascinated me. The truly sad thing is that the car replaced a senior Packard.
We have that same leather key case for our 1957 Cameo. My wife's grandfather was a mechanic, and he gave those with his shop information. To his "Special Customers". It's a simple and elegant solution- Won't scratch the dash, and the key folds into it and snaps closed so it won't poke your leg when in your pocket.
The 1950's auto industry is about America being great - driving on gasolene from OUR own wells, cars made with American steel and labor, American styling (sought after world wide)
My dad had his 1950 in Germany while stationed there. That 8 cylinder motor blew the doors off any European car he came across. The big American car ruled the roost. LOL
Great narrative! Your clothing style fits exactly to 1949! My mother';s aunt had one-I recalled the radio antenna on the roof (you could turn it to get a better sigal. Thanks again
So elegant… I saw one of these in a parking lot here in South Orange County, CA just a couple of weeks ago. Same color, but I think a 1949 with those wonderful hood “portholes”.
Great video! I thoroughly enjoyed this. Well done describing the brilliance of the Roadmaster. My grandfather worked for a Buick dealership in California and I have a great picture of his then-new 1955 Roadmaster. This car looks even better. I have actually driven a few cars with a three on the tree. It is pretty awesome.
I definitely would rather have that beauty 🌝 Excellent suggestion to donate your vehicle to your institution. This way you can rest assured it's going to stay in pristine condition and not have to fear the claws of a sheet metal knife attacking it 👍
A great car and a comment well done! Useful information and a good description about how it handles.... Does make me think of the movie "Driving miss Daisy" With Morgan Freeman driving as a chauffeur, saying: " mmm... mmm, yes Ma'm...." Those were the days!
Just by seeing how you and many others at the museum take car of these pieces of history I know I can sleep at nighta nd very nice post war car and I loved the video.
Outstanding video on an amazing preserved classic. The exposition/story telling is absolutely engaging and something to behold! This was magic. Go Donald and the Audrain, keep moving forward!
The post war years in America were so wonderful.
Beautiful car! I inherited my grandfather’s 1948 Buick Super Sedanette. 53,000 original miles. 3 on the tree and inline 8. I brought it up from Pennsylvania. I live in Chepachet, RI. BEAUTIFUL cars!! Once my son owns it he will be the fourth generation to enjoy my grandfathers car. 👍🏻
We love cars with a story!
Straight Eight - Overhead Valve. Flat head is a different design. The Sedanette was a beautiful car!
@@davidphillips5395 , yes is a straight eight. Smooth as silk!
OUTSTANDING ABOUT GRANDFATHERS BUICK.
@@ajcaiati Thank you 👍🏻
The oral description of this vehicle was delivered with the same grace as what the car itself conveys. A wonderful presentation of mid century class.
That is a beautiful car you're driving! Back in the Spring of 1955 my Dad had a 1942 Buick Roadmaster Sedan, Model 71. My older Brother Johnny would tell me the stories of the 42 Roadmaster (The Green Hornet)! This Buick wore its model name with pride. At the time I was 2 years old, I am the youngest of 6 boys. My oldest Brother Mike gave my Dad the 42 Buick. I grew up in The Bronx, NY we were making a 150 mile trip to upstate NY. My Dad removed the rear seat cushion from the Buick and filled the back of the Buick with 50lb. sacks of potatoes. Two of my older Brothers, our German Shepard and I, were laying down on the potatoes. In the trunk were 5 bags of cement, tools and the spare tire. My oldest Brother and his childhood friend Frankie were following Dad in a 1948 Dodge, we were on Route 9W in NY close to Bear Mountain, NY. There were long steep hills to climb and the Buick was loaded down pretty good. In the front seat behind the wheel was my Dad and two more older Brothers. Well Johnny said Frankie came up behind the Buick while climbing this long steep hill with his Dodge and was tapping the Buick's bumper with his Dodge's front bumper and was yelling get that piece of junk out of the way! Well Dad downshifted to second gear and just leaned on the throttle, and as the Buick picked. Dad leaned on the throttle a little more and shifted into third gear! The Dodge disappeared, Johnny said at first we would start to go around a turn and got a quick peak of the Dodge. Then the Dodge was gone from sight completely. Like the Man said, when you want power! You got power! I had a 1848 Buick Roadmaster 3 Spd,2 Dr Sedanette I bought in 1975 for $75.00 out of a junkyard. Johnny and I worked on that Buick for 2-1/2 years. When we were finished, I showed the Buick to Dad and asked if he wanted to drive it? Dad said no, just take me for a ride. That was in June of 1978, Dad passed away that October. I sold the Buick in 2013. Now I'm 71 years old and still have the memories of my Dad, and the stories of The Green Hornet! THANK YOU FOR SHARING THE 1947 BUICK ROADMASTER
Great outfit, Donald!
Here in France I have a 1947 Buick Super sedan and a 1948 Buick Roadmaster convertible with Dynaflow box. The Super was sold new in Belgium, I am the third owner. The Roadmaster was imported from the USA quite recently, I have no history. Both are dark blue, the Super has a grey cloth interior and the Roadmaster a red leather interior and a beige top. Both are in very good condition, they are wonderful cars.
This is a proper automobile. I have always fancied Buicks as the best bang for your buck. Still have one today.
I love Buicks. REAL Buicks, not Japanoid econo boxes with Buick badges.
1954 my father bought the fleet of 1947 Buicks from a local funeral home. After trading most of the vehicles for a Kaiser and an Ambassador, he was left with two Roadmasters. A black stretched sedan and a GM Aero body (fast back) two door - leaf green. Both straight eights, They became daily drivers for mom and him throughout that Summer, but by Fall he had traded them away - one for a Crosley station wagon the other got him a Hudson Twin Hornet. From 1913 to 1987, when he took his "final drive" he had owned over 200 cars.
Dear sir love your enthusiasm of an era gone by. There is definitely something about the automobiles of the 30s 40s and 50s that are hard to describe, but you do a fantastic job.
In an earlier Audrain video I commented that, while I liked exotic cars, I’d like to see more “common man” cars because that’s what so many of us can afford and have. Well kudos Donald, you can’t get much more common man than a Buick Roadmaster! Gotta love Donald and the Audrain.
Buick Special was the common mans upscale car, Roadmaster was the top of the line, untouched by commoners hands until they were 10 years old.
Early on when shifters migrated from the floor to 3 on the tree, some car companies would advertise it as "remote control".
In 1947 automatic trans was available nice to see this wonderful car doesn't have one.
Donald, I felt like I was riding right along in the passenger seat.
Congratulations on such an historic [and well loved] automobile.
You’re so right about old cars being like time machines. Driving them really takes you back! 🙂
Absolutely!!
Perfect match of car and master I think, you're both looking great!
Great video from a time when cars were different from one another besides the name plate. A Buick was a Buick. Mechanically different, visually deferential. Glad to have experienced the time period.
Donald, in 1954, my Dad purchased a used 1948 Buick Roadmaster Dynaflow. As a 4 year old, I had never been in so big a car.
To this day, I can still imitate the sound of the transmission when the car took off. Another memory was when an oil truck backed into the left front fender, while we were parked in front of the local candy store. Dad ran inside to get a pack of Camels and cigars. When he came back out, the truck driver came over to show him the damage ( the world was a more honest place in the 50’s.). There was a slight flat spot which Dad told him he could rub out with compound. You could never tell where the truck hit it.
Sadly, he junked the car in June of 1960. It was replaced with a 1950 Chrysler Imperial equipped the “electric” windows that always seemed to stay stuck open whenever we were caught in the rain. I sure do miss that Buick.
Some of the most beautiful cars were made shortly after WW2 ended. That Buick is GORGEOUS!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Donald! What wonderful memories this video brings back. As children of the South, like so many others, my Brother and I had an Aunt and Uncle who were no relation to us. In our case, they were Aunt Maude and Uncle Marshall Hackler, members of our parents Sunday School Class. Uncle Marshall's 1947 Buick Roadmaster was his pride and joy. He bought it new and it was the only car he ever owned. He proposed to Aunt Maude in it and lovingly kept it in like new condition throughout their courtship and long marriage. What wonderous weekend adventures we had in that elegant and capacious Roadmaster with Aunt Maude and Uncle Marshall. When Uncle Marshall passed away, Aunt Maude (who didn't drive) sold both their home and that beloved Roadmaster to move into Arbor Acres, a local retirement community in our hometown of Winston-Salem, NC. During our first newlywed Christmas with my family, I took my NYC born, Ivy League educated bride, Sandy, to meet my legendary "unrelated" Aunt. During a walk around Arbor Acres that Christmas Eve, Aunt Maude proudly introduced us to a man with a walker who was well into his 90's. After shaking hands with me, he boldly asked Sandy if he could kiss her. "YeYeYeYes!," she stammered, wondering what kind of strange Southern tradition this must be. The Old Gent toddled over, gave her a peck on the left cheek, stood back, grinned ear-to-ear and exclaimed, "Thank you, my Dear! I never kissed a Yankee before. So, that was a lifelong dream come true!" According to Aunt Maude, He never stopped beaming and passed away in his sleep shortly after ringing the New Year of 1988. Being the undisputed Master of the Tenuous Connection, you have surely deduced that the moral of this story is, "Classic cars are inevitably intertwined with the most memorable experiences on everyone's bucket list." Thanks for reminding me how Uncle Marshall's 1947 Roadmaster ranks right up there along side my own first car, a 1950 Plymouth Special Deluxe. It was a family heirloom, brought back into the fold when I bought it from another member of my parents Sunday School Class for $300. He had purchased it for the same $300 price 3 years earlier from my Great Aunt Mary, to whom I actually was related... 👍😄👍
Thank you for sharing. Glad we could help evoke those memories.
Also, you're quite the storyteller. Felt as though we were reading a page from a book.
In 1964, my Mother bought an impeccable 1957 Roadmaster. I well remember the French seamed, leather upper dash pad, the lush, cut pile carpet and the leather and brocade upholstery. These were things only seen in Cadillac Eldorado and Sixty Special and Mother's car was not even the top of the line Buick for 57!
I'm a FoMoCo guy, Mercury in particular, but a vintage Buick is one of the sweetest cars out there. Style, power, ride... Best GM product out there!
The Mercuries of this era are also beautiful!
Thank you Donald Osborne for your down to earth appraisal of this fine Buick. You and Jay Leno are great curators of these historic gems. I remember waiting for radio tubes warming up. You've got one of the best jobs in the world.
I was recently playing LA Noire and I could have sworn I saw that Buick! 😄
Truly exceptional by design. “Oh how I love to drive my Buick!”
You look distinguished and important as well as cool in that hat. Love the car.
My Dad's first car purchased when my parents first married was a 1946 Buick (long before my time). I have only seen pictures of it but would love to see one in person. Beautiful car for our Greatest Generation.
"Not a car, an Automobile". Truer words were never spoken!
Terrific. Already wanted a '38 Buick, now I need a '47, too. Thanks heaps, Big Daddy....
Sir, that car is ***YOU***! You and it fit perfectly together. My grandfather drove a 47 Roadmaster for a time. When he passed in 1995, he still had a copy of its registration. He probably didn't purchase it new, but he did love Buicks. Later on, he purchased a 1954 Buick Special Riviera 2 door HT. That was in the spring of 1954. My grandmother always felt that Buick had the best ride, better than a Cadillac.
Buick's motto back then" When better cars are built, Buick will build them!" They were not lying! An old Consumer Reports magazine published a survey, wherein, over a 25 year period, Buick was chosen to be the most reliable brand of the General Motors line-up.
I had a 1972 Buick Electra 225 Limited that gave me years of trouble free reliable service. It rode well and had a 455 V8 with plenty of power.. Not horrible on gasoline either.
Your attire is so perfect for this car. Love the video.
Great review of not just a lovely car, but of the feeling driving it. This was back in a day when there were far less complications in life. I can't imagine someone under 40 driving this car without computers, cameras, wi-fi, Bluetooth and displays the size of television screens and not going apoplectic. Keep up the good work!
My first car was a 1949 Buick Roadmaster with Dynaflow. It looked great, but it needed a lot of work. I couldn't drive on the expressway, but it was great for around the 'hood, dates, and beach trups. I felt like a king driving that old Buick!
I learned how to drive in my dads 51 Buick. In the early 60s when I was 11 or 12 my little brother and I used to shine shoes downtown. At closing time we would go behind one of our Dads favorite saloons and he would be sleeping in the Buick and we would drive him home. I don't know if he ever knew the truth. He owned it for a long time.
Thanks for this great video. New sub.
When engineers ran USA companies ! You are wearing the perfect outfit for this video.
You have to love the warm glow of an old fashioned tube radio.. It was truly a different era. Not hard to imagine you traveling when the car was new, listening to Billie Holiday on that radio.
this body style was introduced in the short lived 1942 model year.
My grandfather had a Roadmaster almost exactly like that one. I do not know for sure that it was that particular year but his position as a professor at a New England college demanded that less ostentatious style of car.
I do have to comment upon your admiration of the radio though. I am old enough to have been trained by the U.S. Navy on electron tube radios during the transition to the use of transistors. I am also an early adherent to the High Fidelity movement before Stereophonic sound became the rage. That radio's "warm sound" probably owes much more to the trend in the nineteen thirties and forties to deliberately limit the frequency spectrum of tube radios of all sorts, especially in automobiles to roll off around 2500 hz. This made AM radio sound more tolerant to one,'s ears of the many sources of static, especially from other car's ignition systems. High Fidelity tube amplifiers are very capable of accurate and very smooth rendition of the full spectrum of our ears. They are equally capable of being bent to the tastes for Rock and Roll and its sometimes deliberately distorted sounds.
Great narration and enjoyable video. Cool old car and I remember when these were on the road. I had a paper route and motorcycle in 1968 and on my route was an old house with one of this style Buick in black. I had noticed it several times parked, but one day it went by me in the opposite direction. I swear it was driven by the oldest man with his equally old wife as a passenger. However, in the back seat was a kid, probably 5 years old and he had the window down with one of those pin-wheel things on a stick toy. He was holding it out the window and it was turning as they drove. I can still see that image fifty plus years later.
The lasting memories that revolve around cars!
My grandfather had a 1949 when I was young. Many fond memories of long trips and sleeping in that huge back seat. I'm currently on the lookout for a "49" so I can relive those days. The "47" was beautiful, thanks for showing it. Cheers
I couldn't agree with you more that driving a car of this era is so relaxing and you don't worry about rushing to where you're going. I enjoy my leisurely rides in my 48 DeSoto club coupe quite often
That was the age of the lovable automobile. How i miss those beauties.
It was a pleasure to drive. The Cruise,and the glide.
Donald, you described the experience so beautifully, thanks
I would love to have Donald Osborne tell me a story... any story about anything. What a magnificent narrator.
He has written a beautiful essay about an era, an iconic automobile, and a feeling about driving. I really like the "piloting" image of consciousness and planning one's actions behind the wheel. He's showing off an automobile in a way that makes driving feel like yachting.
Donald, great narrative on this beautiful automobile. “Handy Dandy of the Highway"
Outstanding commentary. Enjoyed every minute of it.
Indeed, a marvelous presentation! We could feel it!
Medium blue enamel paint job, hood ornament, front teeth grillwork crowned with flying Buick badge, colorful three dimensional Buick badge on trunk lid above streamlined rear lights and recessed reflectors, soft gray interior, triangular positioning of gages integrated with deco dash, large ivory steering wheel and shifter knob to match, driver dressed in coat and bow tie, topped with a fedora; what a deal! There were lots of these "old" Buicks still around in my 55s-60s teen years but no appreciation for the magnificent beauty of the '47. (Wish I'd have saved my dad's fedoras.) Thanks, A.M., for the ride and show.
The exterior paint is enameled?
Cool Automobile. Cool outfit Mr. Osborne. One of my favorite cars. Beautiful. ❤💙🧡👍😎
Great Automobile…..fantastic way to live on through Audrain ❤
Gorgeous car! It's amazing how quiet and smooth that straight-eight is, and those gears seemed to snick into place so nicely with each shift. It looks and, drives like the calendar was still in the 1940's, amazing.
Awesome car!!!!
Agreed!
Very cool. We have a 92 Roadmaster which we use as a family “loaner “when another car is in for repair. The front grill is taken directly from your example, and the interior is grey leather (in excellent condition). The big V8 provides adequate power and the road holding and steering are perfect. Everything you described about the older car is applicable to ours. It’s not the best looking car in the world, but it gives a great sense of safety and capability on the road. We’ll probably keep her forever! Thanks, Donald.
Donald, you did a "masterful" job creating the ambiance of the 40s and presenting the feel of this '47 Buick. The only thing that would've improved this would be turning on the radio and hearing Lionel Hampton, Billie Holiday, or Peggy Lee!
How about the Andrews sisters? That was my first thought. 😊😊
@@franknew9001 Them too!
Fabulous presentation!
I greatly enjoy your careful use of words when you speak of the cars you present. Also your impeccable attire!
I particularly enjoyed the way you describe the Buick Roadmaster as as an exceptionally well-built vehicle. This is of particular interest to me as I’m currently carrying out a full restoration on my 1941 Roadmaster Convertible Coupe here in Australia.
Keep up the great work Donald!
Thanks for watching, we're glad you enjoyed! Best of luck with the restoration!
I LIKE to listen to you discuss automobiles and their history. 🤔This Buick Roadmaster has styling I like better than the same year's Cadillac, partly because of the different approach to the grill area and the fluid lines down the side of the Roadmaster.
When we were growing up we called these Buicks Road Monsters. Land Cruisers were Land Crushers. And the propane grill was the profane grill. When we went off to college and droped these terms, they caught on quickly and it turned into a contest to see how many ways we could distort the names without being offensive. Now the marketing departments at most big company's have perfected this game.
the type of content where I like without hesitation
We appreciate you!
A properly designed and executed automobile is a mechanical symphony, which is what differentiates it from being just a car. The Buicks of that era were pure automobile, not some cross badge clone from another GM division. And like the gentleman who so expertly narrated this video, I would never drive that car without a proper hat.👒
Thanks for a very pleasant and informative ride Mr. Osborne.
There are cars in which men wear baseball caps backwards, there are cars in which men wear silly wool hats, then there are cars in which men wear a Hat.
have proper wool flat cap & Stormy Kromer & Tilley hats...
What about modified cars 4 bangers.
The Roadmaster is a "Hat" car!
That enormous steering wheel makes you look almost like a kid behind the wheel but I bet you feel like a kid in a candy store, Donald! Another really great video.
Thank you, Donald, for another very captivating narration of this great car. I’m old enough(72) to remember when these cars were on the road in the late 50’s and 1960’s. Later years became very large cars, due to the Harley Earl influence.
It’s sad to see cars being phased out with SUV, and CUV’s and pickups.
Great automobile and equally great commentary. Thanks.
Excellent commentary on the heavy shadow cast by World War II on that era. The unique feature of the Roadmasters 1942 - 1948 is the way that the front fenders extend past the front and back doors, and merge with the rear fenders.
Gorgeous car. Fantastic presantation by the Author of the Video.
Thank you for this great moments.
Delightful car. Delightful, easily understood and knowledgeable host. Thank you, young man.
Your smile is infectious! 😉
What fabulous and lovely car! Thanks for featuring it in this video!
What an art deco masterpiece inside. I remember a trip to the Pontiac dealer in the 80s with my mom. They had an old chief flat 8 sitting in the showroom. That was the same feel it gave me. Chrome, white and copper accents, metal dash so much good.
an original Ford Model A is at a dealership in Tacoma
The pre-Model T type of Model A, not the 1930s Model A !
@@markrossow6303 dang, I thought the n600 at the Honda dealer in Vancouver was cool. I might pop in next time I am up thatta way.
Pontiacs used a STRAIGHT 8, not a flat 8. In fact, I don't think anybody ever made a flat 8. A flathead engine is not a flat engine.
@@jamesbosworth4191 flat head, I miss wrote/spoke, it in fact was a straight 8 flathead known as the silver streak.
My father had a Green 1947 Roadmaster 2 Door. On a family vacation we drove from Seattle to Cresent City, California several times. Big straight 8 with a Dynaflow auto trans.. I was surprised to see your car has a manual trans. The car was huge. You could easily fit 6 passengers and often time we had 7. 3 in the front, 4 in the back. You could rent the trunk out to a small family, BIG. The Buick was not a hot rod, but it had plenty of power, and the ride was smooth and comfortable.
Thanks Donald, for the great story and the video.
Great car eloquently described as always.
Donald you are perfet for that automobile! The tweed jaket, the bow tie, the fedora hat; you look like you just popped out of a Buick ad from the post War "40s. I love your insight on the Roadmaster and your desription of the driving experiene. I feel like I'm driving down the road with you.
"Good evening Mr. and Mrs. Osborne. Your theater tickets are at the box office. Shall the valet park your car?"
Donald is a classy guy! Thank you.
My Grandfather had one when I was very little. I can just barely remember playing in it. The knob that moved the antenna fascinated me.
The truly sad thing is that the car replaced a senior Packard.
We have that same leather key case for our 1957 Cameo. My wife's grandfather was a mechanic, and he gave those with his shop information. To his "Special Customers". It's a simple and elegant solution- Won't scratch the dash, and the key folds into it and snaps closed so it won't poke your leg when in your pocket.
Thanks Donald!
Thank you for this great review . As an older person , let me say that you absolutely do ' GET ' this lovely car !
Beautiful Automotive Design
The 1950's auto industry is about America being great - driving on gasolene from OUR own wells, cars made with American steel and labor, American styling (sought after world wide)
FACTS.
Gorgeous car. We’ll produced. But it was the hat that made me watch this video!
Enjoyed the car and your commentary immensely! Happy motoring.
Lovely car, superb narrative. I need to get down to Newport, it's all of about an hour and forty-five minutes. Perhaps this summer.
That was a great video, Donald. The Road Master is elegant with a strong presence. Thank you for sharing.
My dad had his 1950 in Germany while stationed there. That 8 cylinder motor blew the doors off any European car he came across. The big American car ruled the roost. LOL
Great narrative! Your clothing style fits exactly to 1949! My mother';s aunt had one-I recalled the radio antenna on the roof (you could turn it to get a better sigal. Thanks again
So elegant… I saw one of these in a parking lot here in South Orange County, CA just a couple of weeks ago. Same color, but I think a 1949 with those wonderful hood “portholes”.
Great video! I thoroughly enjoyed this. Well done describing the brilliance of the Roadmaster. My grandfather worked for a Buick dealership in California and I have a great picture of his then-new 1955 Roadmaster. This car looks even better. I have actually driven a few cars with a three on the tree. It is pretty awesome.
A Time Capsule Video, perfect in any sense, optically like by the enthousiastic comments .Great dress code by the way!
I definitely would rather have that beauty 🌝
Excellent suggestion to donate your vehicle to your institution. This way you can rest assured it's going to stay in pristine condition and not have to fear the claws of a sheet metal knife attacking it 👍
A great car and a comment well done! Useful information and a good description about how it handles.... Does make me think of the movie "Driving miss Daisy" With Morgan Freeman driving as a chauffeur, saying: " mmm... mmm, yes Ma'm...." Those were the days!
Magnificient presentation, thank you so much...
What a wonderful automobile, Donald. You look very dapper driving the Buick.
You said it better than anyone could
Enjoy your narrative. Great perspective, very well presented. Classy.
Thank you!
Glad you liked it!
Donald is the best! He always presents vehicles in the most perfect way best befitting the car.
Lovely video. Communicates the joy of driving so poetically.
Just by seeing how you and many others at the museum take car of these pieces of history I know I can sleep at nighta nd very nice post war car and I loved the video.
Outstanding video on an amazing preserved classic. The exposition/story telling is absolutely engaging and something to behold! This was magic. Go Donald and the Audrain, keep moving forward!
Thank you for watching!
Transportation from point A to B
Adventures onto a road not traveled yet ?? Chasing Dreams 🤔..
There's a Difference!! 😉
Happy Motoring ✌️🤠
That was a beautiful presentation.