WTB 1949 Buick Roadmaster Convertible, but what's the difference in the side molding?

[Sir John]

I am interested in buying a 1949 Buick Roadmaster Convertible project car, but I keep seeing two different looks with regard to side molding.  In one case, the side molding is a straight line, extending from behind the front wheel well all the way to the back bumper, while in the other case, the side molding extends from above the front wheel well and then curves down to join the metal protector in front of the rear wheel well.  I want the latter.  What is the difference in models for these two styles, so that I know how to specify what I want to buy?

[mercer09]

Super has 3 port holes and roadmaster has 4. is that your question?

 

Roadmaster is a longer car with larger motor.

[Bloo]

 

[Sir John]

Thanks, Bloo.

 

These two photos display exactly the difference I was describing. But how do I describe to someone that I’m looking for the model in the top photo ( curved side molding) and not the model in the top photo ( straight-line side molding)?

 

Do these two photos represent two kinds of a 1949 roadmaster convertible?  What are they called? 

 

Thanks again.

 

[John_S_in_Penna]

Here is the explanation from the book, Seventy Years of Buick,

by George Dammann:

 

"When the [1949] Roadmaster Riviera [2-door hardtop] was

first introduced, it featured a straight chrome bar as side trim.

Then, when production really got rolling in June, the cars started

coming out with the chromed sweep-spear trim...all subsequent

models carried the new trim bars."

 

The cars are the same model, with the minor difference of

the side trim.

Edited June 16, 2018 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[Sir John]

Thanks, John S. 

 

That at makes sense. Is it only true for the Riviera, or are there other models of Roadmaster where you see this difference?

[John_S_in_Penna]

I'm quite sure that the trim variations occurred only

on the Roadmaster convertible and 2-door hardtop.

(The  Roadmaster "Riviera" was their name for the 

newly introduced 2-door hardtop.)  Other Roadmaster

models were the sedanet (2-door fastback sedan),

the 4-door sedan, and the station wagon.

 

Further information from the same book:

"From mid-July on, this model [the convertible]

could be ordered with the Riviera sweep-spear trim

as an extra-cost option, though the vast majority of

these cars appeared with the standard trim..."

 

I wouldn't be surprised if people restoring cars

have added the sweep-spear trim if they liked it.

Buick purists might be able to tell production dates,

and maybe what trim the car originally had;  but maybe not,

and I don't think anyone would really mind if you changed the trim.

[Lebowski]

52 minutes ago, Sir John said:

 I’m looking for the model in the top photo ( curved side molding) and not the model in the top photo ( straight-line side molding)?

 

 

You're contradicting yourself here. Which one are you looking for? 

[Sir John]

Thank you.  That is REALLY helpful.  It is a lot easier to find the straight-line trim versions.  What you're suggesting is that if I'm looking at having a junkyard rust-bucket '49 roadmaster convertible resotred to like-new, as long as I get a '49 convertible, it should not be an issue to specify sweep-spear side trim - either to a professional resotration company or to any potential buyer later on, if I ever wanted to sell it (which I'm not planningg to do), if I understand you correctly.

 

[Sir John]

Lebowski - YEs - realize I messed that up.  It's the one with the sweep-spear trim that I'm interested in, and John S just explained that both styles were produced in '49 for the same model.  So mayber not a big issue to have either type of trim specified in a restoration order. 

[John_S_in_Penna]

5 minutes ago, Sir John said:

...What you're suggesting is that... it should not be an issue to specify sweep-spear side trim... 

 

That's my perception, but I can't say for sure.

Maybe another Buick person can tell more.

 

Of course, when you're driving and enjoying your Buick--

a beautifully styled car in either case--you won't even notice the

configuration of your side molding.

 

Edited June 16, 2018 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[Sir John]

True enough

[Restorer32]

Might be very difficult to find the curved mouldings to retrofit to a straight moulding car.