TX54

Welcome! Hoping you are having as much fun with your Buick as I, and am gaining knowledge from the excellent resources and people on this forum.

Thanks @MrEarl! I appreciate the response and the effort spent to look up the car. Yes-I have found the car to stop fairly easy without too much pedal pressure needed. From memory, and looking this up from on Hometown Buick, take a look at the '50 72 and '50 72R. The difference in the sedans is in the Sweepspear's presence on the Riviera model. Perhaps Buick carried this forward on the Roadmaster line until the 4-door hardtops appeared.

Hello Phil - this car did not have plastic seat covers when I bought, but here are some pictures of the interior.

Good morning Phil. Please see attached pictures. The first shows the R designation after the 72. The later are of the master cylinder.

Thank you for this tip! Also the procedure you used is innovative.

Good morning All, was thinking yesterday that I had not posted in awhile and wanted to give a progress report. One interesting thing - the passenger side window would pull amps when the switch was activated but the window would not roll down. With the recent North Texas cold-spell, I had a hunch, cranked the car, and lo and behold, the window rolled down. I suppose several heat-cold cycles "stuck" the window in the guides. I took some silicone lubricant and generously applied to the felts + rails, and the window now functions as it should. The next items for attention are: 1) Replacement of front shocks - I have 2) Service of rear shocks - the seals are bad where the lever arm goes into the dampener housing 3) Get speedometer repaired 4) Free up the thermostat control. It works, but tighter than I'd like 5) Repair defroster dampener cable (middle lever) 6) Identify exhaust leak - sounds like around driver side exhaust manifold Two questions for Y'all: 1) In '54, I thought the Roadmaster cars were equipped with power brakes. Mine does not have. Was this a holdover due to the '53 power brake mishap? 2) The full name of the car is a Roadmaster Riviera Sedan, Model 72R. I thought the Riviera cars had the fully exposed rear wheel openings. What makes this car a Riviera (other than the designation)? Have a great day! JT

Thanks Ken! I have been having fun with this car. One interesting thing - the passenger side window would pull amps when the switch was activated but the window would not roll down. With the recent North Texas cold-spell, I had a hunch, cranked the car, and lo and behold, the window rolled down. I suppose several heat-cold cycles "stuck" the window in the guides. I took some silicone lubricant and generously applied to the felts + rails, and the window now functions as it should. The next items for attention are: 1) Replacement of front shocks - I have 2) Service of rear shocks - the seals are bad where the lever arm goes into the dampener housing 3) Get speedometer repaired 4) Free up the thermostat control. It works, but tighter than I'd like 5) Repair defroster dampener cable (middle lever) 6) Identify exhaust leak - sounds like around driver side exhaust manifold Two questions for Y'all: 1) In '54, I thought the Roadmaster cars were equipped with power brakes. Mine does not have. Was this a holdover due to the '53 power brake mishap? 2) The full name of the car is a Roadmaster Riviera Sedan, Model 72R. I thought the Riviera cars had the fully exposed rear wheel openings. What makes this car a Riviera (other than the designation)? Thanks and have a wonderful evening, JTF

Neat question! Some of us like picanha, some roast, some meatloaf... I leaned towards the '54. Round yet boxy. Refined but means business. Classy yet bold... Thankfully it takes many types to keep the passion going.

Thank you! I worked in Miami circa '14-'15. The car in your avatar looks familiar... Your car is very nice also. -JT

Thanks! I'm off on a hitch-when I get back in I will do this. Hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday Season! -JT

UPDATE: I freed up the ashtrays, removed, cleaned, greased and replaced. It took some jiggling but I was able to remove without too much difficulty. While I was at it, I removed the auxiliary heater fan motor, disassembled, cleaned, and greased the bearing. No more squeals! As a bonus, I added an Airmeter temperature + humidity gauge. Seems to be registering accurate. Last night was our town's Christmas parade. People loved the Roadmaster. The previous owner had rigged up blue lights in the Ventiports, which I think adds a nice touch. Thanks for the help! -JT

All, This car appears to have dual exhausts. On the '54 models, wouldn't you need to cut a hole in the driver's side X-frame to run the driver's side pipe? Not familiar with the manual transmissions, but with my 72R the Dynaflo and brake system looks for a very congested setup with dual exhausts... -JT

Very well! Thank you for the reply. -JT

Thank you Bill - this is a Sonomatic, which I have. I am looking for the Selectronic. Once again, thanks for the tip. -JT

Sharp! Appears that the Flight Pitch transmission has been replaced with a Twin Turbine? PNDLR vs PNDRG? Hope you have many years of enjoyment with this, my second favorite Buick! -JT

Am looking for a Selectronic radio to fit a '54 or '55. JT

Rocketraider, Thank you for the detailed instruction. I'll give it a go and am sure it will free up. -JT

Thanks!

Figured it out - They are ash trays. These are very stuck at the moment and have no movement.

Good morning, was going through my service manual and operators manual, and unless it was a rattlesnake jumping out at me, I've missed it. Trying to figure out what these are (see circled in red). Are these vents? -JT

Thank you EmTee! I'm having a blast with the car already.

Thanks for the compliments and welcome JohnD1956 and lancemb! lancemb - The car had a repaint years ago. From the records I have on the car, I'd surmise that it has been well kept and unrestored. The engine does not smoke. There are drips from the rear end (3rd member). I have replaced the rear shock links and am getting ready to fill rears with oil. The shock link on the passenger side had all of its rubber gone on the link end that attached to the shock lever. To date it's made about 400 miles cruising around. Turns heads and all grins. The best part is the look on my buddies' kids faces when they tromp the accelerator and the engine roars to life! What a feeling!

Hello everyone, Back in '92, I was a young kid playing out in the front yard of my Grandparents' place. I looked up and there was a beautiful '93 Buick Roadmaster Limited coming up the drive. Imagine a pearly white exterior, supple blue leather interior seats with more switches and buttons that I had seen at that point (and my Grandmother put the fear of hell into me about messing with those switches). Years later I drove this car in high school, and owned two more of this series. I've always had an affinity for the 1954 Roadmaster, and after a decade-long search I was able to qualify as "caretaker". Found this beauty in MN, and her previous owners have done a swell job of taking care of her also. Many thanks to you-if any of you are on here I hope you see this. Without further ado, meet "Flossie". -JT

Howdy All, I've recently fulfilled a decade-long dream of owning a classic Roadmaster. Been lurking on the forums and have had a ball. Looking to continue the trend! Meet my '54 72R. She arrived from Minnesota the other day. If any of you were previous owners, thanks for taking car of her! -JT