BUICK Roadmaster 1949-1958 Photos, engines & full specs

Buick pulled the Y-Job concept-car drawings and created the 1949 Roadmaster, offering one of those times' most luxurious and comfortable rides.

When Harley Earl designed the Y-Job in 1939, he made the first concept car in the world, but it was more than that. It was a fully functional vehicle that Earl drove until 1951 when he replaced it. But unsurprisingly, the Roadmaster carried over many of the original design ideas and, moreover, it featured a similar engine under the hood.

With its timeless design, the Buick Roadmaster was not only an imposing presence on the road but also a vehicle that looked like it owned the road. Its chromed grille and rounded front fenders were flush with the doors and created a streamlined look. Moreover, the rear fenders were widened and covered more than half of the rear wheels to minimize drag. Also, the car sported the VentiPorts, which were four round vents on each front fender. These represented the number of cylinders under the car's hood, eight in Roadmaster's case.

The interior was lavish and luxurious, featuring leather bucket seats at the front and a comfortable bench in the back. Furthermore, since it was fitted with the standard Dynaflow automatic gearbox with the shifter mounted on the steering column, there was no obstacle between the front seats. Also, the power-operated roof was an exquisite, luxurious addition to the vehicle, increasing comfort.

Under the hood, the Roadmaster featured the same 5.2-liter inline-eight engine from the Y-Job, although it was slightly improved to offer 150 hp (152 PS). In addition, the two-speed Dynaflow automatic transmission provided a smooth gear change. Moreover, it also improved the car's riding quality and comfort.