1949 Buick Roadmaster Riviera-Very Rare-Running/Driving-So. Cal Original-2 Owner

1949 Buick Riviera

Up for sale is my father's very rare 1949 Buick Riviera 2dr hardtop with reportedly 26K original miles. I purchased this car from the original owner's family about 10-12 years ago in Yorba Linda, CA. I purchased it for my then 80 year old father to have a project to keep him busy. He has worked on it for the last 10 years or so. He is now 90 and really doesn't have the energy to play with it, so it is time to get it to a new owner who will continue on with it.
What I know about it from talking to one of the daughter's of the original owner:It was bought new in Orange County, CA. Her father bought it for her parents to use as their "Vegas car". It was not driven very much. Her father took good care of it and it had always been in some type of running and driving condition. It started out as a dark blue, but over the years her father had it painted a couple of times in other 1949 colors.. Her father was a Buick man and had several Buick's over his lifetime. He was a member of the Buick Club of America for a long time, they might have more info on this car.. Apparently, her father took the car to get it's current paint job in the mid 90's to a body shop in Orange, CA. He fell ill and the car sat there for several years partially apart. He passed away and her brother went to get the car. He had a altercation at the body shop but eventually retrieved the car.
I purchased the car from her brother who had listed it locally. He seemed to need the money to save his house. I went the next day to AAA and registered it to myself. The day after that, his sister called me and was very angry. It appeared his brother was not supposed to sell the car as it belonged to him and his two sisters and the sisters had no intention of selling it. After about 15 minutes of being yelled at, I just said hey, I just answered a ad and purchased the car so being mad at me is not fair.. She finally relented and offered to purchase it back from me. I declined explaining it was going to be a project for my father. This is when she told me about the car. She also seemed to know that it was a possible pre-production car, per her father... I do not know that to be a fact.. However, in obtaining parts for my father, I had to drive to central California to match up a few parts as the senior Bob, from Bob's Automobilia had not seen these mounts and such on a 1949 Buick, as they were for a 1948. I showed him photos of the car, he seemed to know it, and said that there were a few pre-production cars and this may be one of them.. This was 10 years ago... He showed me his beautiful convertible in his garage. Very nice gentleman. I have no way to confirm this, but it is what I have been told.. Maybe the Buick folks out there can shed some light on this.. I am told that the mileage on the car is original, by the daughter of the original owner, however I have not been able to absolutely verify this.. I understand these cars didn't go to public sale until mid 1949 due to problems with glass fitment, but the owner's daughter said her father purchased this car in February of 1949..
As you can see from the photos, she is a very nice old car, that really is very original. Here is what I know...1. Most of the interior is original, with a older Lebaron Bonney seat kit and newer headliner. The original parts are in remarkable condition for their age. I believe the carpet is original, but could be a very much older replacement. The trim is original and for the most part nice, but there is some pitting and aging on the chrome and such as it is 100% original. The interior window mouldings are their original dark blue! the top of the seats and rear package shelf have some sun aging from sitting outside at the body shop for several years, unfortunately. Overall, a really decent mostly original interior that is very presentable as-is. The front door panels were not found at the body shop when the son picked up the car, I was told.. so they will have to be purchased or made. There is a small crack in the driver's door glass and the passenger quarter glass (see photos). Glass is all original and has some aging in some of the edges.
2. Mechanical: She runs and drives pretty nice. My father installed (mostly) a custom made exact reproduction wire loom about 8 years ago. I think there are certain items he couldn't hook up like the dome lights, etc... the new wiring is there to install. He pulled the engine and trans, cleaned, re-sealed, replaced and rebuilt as needed, detailed, then re-installed.. I know the engine is 100% original mechanically (pistons, rings, valves, cam, bearings, etc.) and runs very smooth and quiet. She is still 6 volt and has a newer Interstate battery. The transmission and engine were not separated at the time. I know he replaced the rear ball seal, but to this day it will leak if the car sits nose high. The chassis is 98% original and in excellent condition. I know he replaced the rear shock links and the front stabilizer end links. Other than that, I believe its all 1949..
Work that has been done over the last 10 years:1. Professionally rebuilt starter, generator, carb., water pump2. New engine and trans. mounts3. New wiring4. Some new seals and gaskets5. New hoses and thermostat, belt, reconditioned original 1949 radiator with NO blocked off tubes! Excellent orig. condition6. Newer brakes (complete), rebuilt master cylinder- done about 6 years ago. Stops smooth and straight7. New heater hoses including under-seat heater and transmission cooler-Ranco valve is bypassed. My father said it leaked a little.8. New belt9. Recent oil and filter, trans. service, diff. topped up-Diff will drip a drop or two if sitting for a few months..10. Some new weatherstripping-top door felts, a door gasket, etc. There is a door seal and trunk seal that need installed but come with the car.This is what my father can remember. There is probably more but at 90, his memory is not as good as it once was.
The paint is a good 15 footer.. It was painted in the mid-late 90's so the paint is 30 years old. It shows very well, but there is some cracking, paint pealing, etc. happening hear and there. I had a guy several years ago repair a couple of spots and blend them, thinking it had rust. He found absolutely no rust under the pealing areas he fixed, but found a very, very thick layer of several paint jobs. So, the pealing, cracking, etc. it has now are from excessive layers of paint (see roof picture as sample). But, all in all, as is she shows well for a Sunday cruiser. My father several times wanted to strip the car to bare metal and start over. I convinced him that the better part of valor for him was to leave it alone... With the exception of the bumpers and upper grill surround, I believe the chrome is all 1949 and in remarkable shape. Some pitting and aging, but overall excellent for 75 years old. Most of the weather stripping is original, so plan on vent window seals, etc.. need replacement..
The hydraulic windows and seat are working. I know my father replaced the fluid a few years ago at the pump. I know he had to replace at least one flexible hose at one point. But, they are working, but slow and probably need adjusting, flushing, etc.... I do not know much about these systems, but plan on a some tinkering...
Dash gauges are working as far as I know, but my father has the speedometer cable unhooked as he said it makes some noise when spinning, but if you hook it up, the speedo works fine. Most lighting working, fog lights working, etc. But, I there again some tinkering needed I am sure to get it all up to spec. Radio is not working. I believe the vacuum wipers are working and the blade inserts are new. I know there was a broken part for the passenger outer door handle and my father couldn't find it. I found it for him on a Cadillac site as it appears the door mechanisms are 1948 Cadillac! The made repro repair part after hours of me searching for this part under the 1949 Buick description and no luck.. event the factory shop manual doesn't show the latch and part that are in this car..
The tires are 30+ years old but have 20 miles on them??? They hold air fine, but are flat spotted and are probably unsafe to use.. My father only drove this car around the block twice in 10 years! He would tinker with it and drive it around his track of homes only. I just started the car after a couple of months of sitting in the garage and she fired right up. Smooth and quiet. I test drove the car around his track of homes and she runs and drives pretty decent. The dynoflow is a bit lazy from low to high. I am told this is normal, but I would assume it needs the fluid topped up and maybe an adjustment. The park gear only engages sometimes. Not sure why, so you have to use the handbrake when leaving it parked.. Maybe the parking pawl is worn?
Ok, so all in all, she is a very original old gal that has had constant care it who life. Has never really been apart or restored, just kept in a certain condition. She needs some work and further repairs/ restoration as you can see. But.. I do not think there is another 1949 Riviera out there in this type of condition. She is unique to herself. There are a bunch of parts that come with her including inside handles, original hubcaps, etc. They are in a box in the pops garage.. She has her issues, but if you were 75 years old and original you would too.. Really looking for someone to pick up the torch and continue with the old gal> Otherwise it will just sit in my father's garage and eventually not run. He is ready to pass it on to someone who can pick up where he has left off..
Please as any and all questions before bidding.Car is sold "as-is", "where-is" with no expressed or implied warranties
Thank you for taking the time to read the lengthy description about this rare old Buick..