1947 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon
Buick’s most expensive offering for 1947 wrapped luxury in maple and mahogany woodwork. The Roadmaster Estate Wagon debuted that year as the first woodie in Buick’s flagship series, carrying a $3,249 price tag that exceeded all other models in the lineup. Only 300 examples were built with Hercules‑crafted bodies, making it one of the rarest postwar Buicks.
The Estate Wagon rode on a 129-inch wheelbase and drew power from Buick’s “Fireball” valve-in-head inline eight-cylinder engine. The 320 cubic inch powerplant produced 144 horsepower, paired with a three-speed manual transmission. Four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes handled stopping duties.
Buick had been building Estate Wagons in lower series since 1940, but the Roadmaster version elevated the station wagon concept to premium status. The Model 79 represented an ideal vehicle for wealthy buyers who needed utility without sacrificing prestige.
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