1949 Buick Roadmaster Touring Sedan
Buick’s first major postwar redesign introduced a distinctive styling feature that would become synonymous with the brand for decades. Four decorative VentiPorts appeared on each front fender of the flagship Roadmaster, inspired by designer Ned Nickles’ personal modification to his own 1948 car.
On his car, Nickles had installed flashing lights in similar openings that synchronized with each cylinder’s firing sequence, mimicking the exhaust flames of a World War II fighter plane.
The restyled body featured Buick’s first curved windshield and sleek, integrated fenders that departed from prewar design language. Premium appointments included wide-swinging doors, luxurious interior materials, and distinctive styling cues like the gunsight hood ornament and sweeping chrome side trim known as the “sweepspear.”
Under the hood sat a 320 cubic inch Fireball straight-eight engine producing 150 horsepower, paired with the smooth-shifting Dynaflow automatic transmission (standard on Roadmasters).
Priced between $2,616 and $3,732, this full-size luxury sedan competed at the top of the American automotive hierarchy. The four VentiPorts distinguished it from lesser Buick models, which carried only three ports per side.
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