KIWI 49R

Came across this on one of our local auction sites down here in NewZealand and thought some of you might be curious. Take a look http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Other/auction-21874681.htm if you look close you`ll notice its right hand drive.

Hi, your Roadmaster has the sweepspear type side trim on it which means it was built in the 2nd half of 49.It was offered as an option midway through 49 which means your car is quite rare.The sweepspear stainless trim is almost impossible to buy and if your planning on "shaving" your car you will get GOOD money for a complete set of trim. Let us know what you have planned for your car. Chris.

Adam, I wouldn`t call myself a 49 expert but I`m pretty sure that the body differences between the Super and the Roadie are all forward of the firewall.Doors,rear fenders and associated trim are common to both models.I`ve replaced my passenger side door with one of a Super and it bolts straight on. Hope this helps. Chris Slee.

There is a set on Ebay now here is the address http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...;category=33654 only $90.00 Cheers, Chris. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I`ve been looking around the net and a number of print media`s and every picture of a 49 trunk I`ve seen shows the spare wheel mounted vertically and partially recessed into the trunk floor. My convertible has the wheel mounted flat laying on the trunk floor which is flat. It has definatly had no repairs in this area and the mount to bolt the wheel onto looks original.It also has spring assisted trunk lid hinges which I didn`t think it was supposed to have as one of my manuals states it should have telescopic stay arrangement on the L.H.side of the trunk. Any idea`s folks? <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Bruce, the eng No is 52535627 although the 6 in the number looks a little funny it could be a letter b not sure really,possibly a different type style. The body No is G896 and there is also a small tag next to the main I.D tag on the R.H. side of the firewall with the No 25034144.Thanks in advance for your help.

How can you tell if the engine is the original unit. I read somewhere that the eng no should be the same as the body no, is this right? My eng no isn`t anything like the body no so I`d appreciate some advice on this guys.

Hi Ken, I live in Auckland in the North Island if your ever over this way again let me know we can have a beer and I`ll tell you some sheep jokes. Romy, I`ll keep updating the forum with progress as it happens but it will be slow to start with as I`m supposed to be finishing the house renovations first! RawjaNYC, where did you find those links I thought they dropped of Ebay a few months ago? Cheers, Chris

I`ve started stripping my 49 convertable and expected the motor to be frozen based on the amount of rust everywhere else but found it turned over with a socket and power bar on the front pulley.So I ran some power to the starter and it spun over nice without the plugs in,surely this old girl will never start I thought but what the heck lets try.I put some new plugs in and added an old 12V coil that was lying around,hot wired the ignition,added a bit of Ether to the carb and turned her over.I was stunned she actully tried to start (about three fires out the open exhaust as most of its rotted off)squirted a bit more Ether down the carb and tried again this tme she started and ran far about 15 seconds.Then I poured a bit of petrol down the carb and fired her up again this time she ran for about a minute with me dribbling petrol straight into the top of the carb,even had oil coming up through the rocker gear.She sounded nice out the straght pipe!I still plan to rebuild the motor but was just fascinated to see if she would run after 40 odd years sat out doors and I`m still stunned that she did,full of suprises these old Buicks. Cheers, Chris

Ray,<BR> thanks for your generous offer. Give a little time to figure out some shipping and I`ll get back to you. Is your email address still valid as I just recieved an email back that said it was undeliverable?<P>Packard V8,<BR> do you mean the outside handle assembly or the latch mechanism on the inside of the trunk lid<P>Thanks, Chris

Hi Ray,<BR> she a Roadmaster,let me know price and condition of your fender.<P>Thank, Chris

Hello all,<BR> My project has arrived at last, nearly six months after purchase.Its exciting to have it here but its a bit disapointing to see just how much rust the car has that didn`t show up on on all the photo`s that were posted on Ebay.All the floors including trunk will need replacing and the inner and outer rocker panels.She is definatly worth saving though,its just going to take awhile.I will post photo`s as soon as figure out how.If anyone out there has a R.F. Fender and a Trunk lid let me know.<P>Cheers,Chris

I just recently purchased a 49 convertable and with the research I did I came up with the same figures as Centurion.Parts for 49s can be quite hard to find as they were a one year only model so the more complete the one your looking at is the better.There does still seem to be a bit out there though,I found a NOS rear fender trim but it was $495.00, too dear for me. I also found a mint Dyna Flow trunk emblem complete for $10.00 but thats mine now.Tell me more about the one your looking at,whats the asking price and condition?<P>Good Luck,<BR>Chris

Hi,this may be usefull for you Bill <A HREF="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1815113540" TARGET=_blank>http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1815113540</A> <BR>Chris.

Hi, I enquired about that Lincoln but its its not for sale sorry.They apparently have quite a number of Lincolns and that one is on the list for restoration.<P>Chris

Hi All,<BR> I didn`t think I`d create so much interest,thanks for all the positive comments. To answer some questions my first job will be to totally strip tthe car and that includes taking the body off the chassis.Then its going to the acid dipper for clean up (I feel its the only way to really get rid of all the rust)Then its going to a very accomplised bodyman I`ve known for 20 years to see what needs doing and how much I`ll do and what needs to be left to an expert.Shipping the car back here is going to cost $2600.00 U.S.Dollars which is more than the car cost.A lot of money I know but this is the car I want. I will post some picture when she comes back from acid dipping but that will probably be awhile as she won`t be landing here for at least six weeks.<P>Thanks again, Chris

Skyking,do I detect a hint of pessimism in your post? Never underestimate a Kiwi,remember the America`s Cup I have put a 4 year time span on this project and the first job on the list will be a complete strip down and into the acid bath to clean her up and see what we have or don`t have to work with. I`ll keep you all posted

Skyking,yes deepdown I know youre right but there is a lot of satisfaction to be had from bringing one of these time capsules back from the brink of oblivion with your own two hands.What car enthusiast hasnt puffed out their chest when asked " Wow, did you restore this car?"<P>Chris

Centurion,the guy who sold her to me didn`t know she was an OHV untill he opened the hood (it hadn`t been opened for 40 years,he inherited it from his uncle)and he`d already posted that first lot of pictures.

If your interested take a look at these.I just purchased her of Ebay and she will be heading down to New Zealand in the next couple of weeks.Any comments or advice are welcome. <BR> <A HREF="http://storage.ettp.net/roadmaster/1949RoadmasterConvertible.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://storage.ettp.net/roadmaster/1949RoadmasterConvertible.htm</A> <BR> <A HREF="http://storage.ettp.net/roadmaster/Miscellaneous.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://storage.ettp.net/roadmaster/Miscellaneous.htm</A>

I`m sure this questions been asked before but I`m new here so humour me please.What is available and where do you get it? I want to get my old girl cranking a bit harder so any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated.

I need some fender skirts for my 49 Roadmaster Convertible. Anyone got any suggestions?

Thanks Terry thats great info to have,where or how do you find this stuff out? I have found another small tag with the No 25034I44 on it is this the frame No, if not where would I find it?<P>Thanka a lot, Chris

Hello everyone,I`ve just purchased a 49 Convertible that needs a lot of attention.Does anyone know what colours are a 75 T trim code and a 5 K paint code are?The body No is G 896 which seams a low number to me, is it? I also need a set of rear fender skirts for the car, the car is fairly complete apart from those.Look forward to hearing from you guys.<BR>Chris.