Guest 41buick Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Hello,I'm interested in opinions. I would like to purchase a fully restored 1949 Buick Roadmaster convertible or a 1941 Cadillac Convertible and would like to get some opinions as to which would be the better choice. Some of my concerns are as follows:reliabilitydriving and riding comfortease of repair and partsease of resale appreciationdesirabilitythank you for any help you can provide.41buick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 (edited) Both excellent, would depend on what style you like better. If both cars are to be automatic I would choose Cadillac. I like Hydra-Matic better than Dynaflow from a performance point of view because it's more flexible in many aspects. With equal vehicle weight and engine horsepower HydraMatic is quicker and more fuel efficient-it takes less horsepower in it's operation. Parts are no problem on either. If your into styling (and neither of the cars you mentioned has this feature) Buick had a styling feature no other GM product had. The 49 Roadmaster has GM's flow through styling that was first used on all 48 Cadillac's and 48 Olds 98. The 1942-48 Roadmaster and Super get their own special body that has low flow through styling that goes into the rear pontoon and fender skirt mid way. No other GM car has this except the 1941 Cadillac Sixty Special built by Coachcraft Ltd. for the Duke of Windsor. This makes the prewar 1942 Buick really appear in Oldsmobiles term Futuramic.Don42 Buick;http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezwebin_site/storage/images/news/autoshow_articles/concours_d_elegance_at_cranbrook_auto_shows/concours_d_elegance_at_cranbrook/concours_d_elegance_at_cranbrook_gallery_001/915596-1-eng-US/concours_d_elegance_at_cranbrook_gallery_0011_cd_gallery.jpg Edited August 18, 2011 by helfen (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PONTIAC1953 Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 hi, i'm guessing that you already have a 1941 buick, does the caddy have hydra-matic, and does the 1949 roadmaster have dyna-flow ?, now i like both cars, i think your choice won't be an easy one. ease of repairs should be the same, both engines have strong points and weak ones, i've never been fond of chevies and buicks having babbit bearings. parts might be alittle easier to get for the buick's straight eight over the caddy's flathead V8. if both cars have automatic transmission, the caddy's hydra-matic is better at getting good fuel mileage than the buick dyna-flow. both cars will be highly desirable, and hold their resale value well. if the choice were mine, i would pick the buick over the cadillac. charles coker, 1953 pontiac tech advisor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
50jetback Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 [quote name=pontiac1953;922301 i've never been fond of chevies and buicks having babbit bearings.A 1949 Buick 320 motor will have replacable shells' date=' not babbit bearings.I wouldn't have thought a pre war car ( 1941 ) would compare in any way to a 1949 model. It would be more difficult to decide between a 1949 Caddy and a 1949 Buick Roadmaster but if comparing a 1941 Caddy and 1949 Buick Roadmaster the choice is easy - the BUICK wins hands down! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Those are two nice options - is CCCA eligibility a concern? Opens the door to additional events you won't be able to do with the '49, and probably a plus for appreciation/resale. Just a thought... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 That's a tough question, but ultimately I would echo Steve's comments that CCCA eligibility is a plus for the '41 Cadillac. I think the Buick's driving dynamics will feel slightly more modern and its performance envelope will be slightly larger, but otherwise I'd say it's a wash. Both are comfortable 5-passenger convertibles with the same amenities, although I believe the Buick can be had with power windows and seat, which may be a plus or minus depending on how you look at it. The Buick's styling is a flat-out home run, although the Cadillac is one of the best pre-war designs around.I don't envy you this decision, but if it were me, I think I'd go with the Cadillac just because of the CCCA eligibility, which opens up some great events. I also believe the Cadillac will always be more valuable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 I agree with Helfen, Steve and Matt (except for Matt's assessment of the performance part, which Helfen addresses). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poci1957 Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Boy is THAT a tough choice, you have selected two of GMs best efforts! If it were me and I had no other preferences I could probably be swayed by the idea of the Cadillac being a Full Classic. Not to mention absolutely gorgeous and historic. But it is a very tough call, can't go wrong either way. Todd C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K8096 Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 "A 1949 Buick 320 motor will have replacable shells, not babbit bearings" The flathead 346 CI Cadillac engine uses all shell bearings as well. There are no babbit bearings in a 1941 cadillac engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Martinez Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Do yourself a favor, drive a good 41 Cadillac, you could be surprised, I know I was. I bought a 41 series 62 coupe not long ago, and drove it 1,000 miles back home. I was really impressed with the harmony of design, both asthetic and mechanical. Silky shifting (manual) plenty of power and good highway manners, all at 15-16 MPG on the highway. It scoots around town really good too, totaly impressive.I used to own a fully sorted 1950 series 62 cadillac convertible and what surprised me was that the 1941 drove every bit as well as that 1950 and was even more fun with the 3 speed manual vs the 4 speed hydramatic in the 1950.I would also think that the 41 Cadilac will retain it's value a bit more than the 49 Buick as it's the most popular touring car in the CCCA....those old dudes know the good stuff.-Tom M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PONTIAC1953 Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 hi K8096, i never said the cadillac engine had babbit bearings, i said chevies and buicks. i didn't know that the 1949 buick engine had insert bearings, charles coker, 1953 pontiac tech advisor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K8096 Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Sorry, no offense intended. I just wanted to clarify it though so people didn't think the Caddy did have babbit bearings. This style of Cadillac flathead V8 engine was used from 1936 through 1948. It was also used in a couple different tanks during WW II along with the hydramatic transmission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Roth Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 WOW !! -- Some great opinions --Given the space and the affordability, I would get BOTHI have the 1941 Caddy convertible, and really love the way it drives - prefer my stick-shift and have the no-cost-optional runningboards - just my personal preference.Our Roadmaster convertible is a bit older - a 1937 - but it drives just as nicely.I've driven the 1949 Buick Roadmaster convertible with Dynaflow - also a fantastic car!Your funds are just languishing in that 1.2% CD -- get some real enjoyment, and drive both while they appreciate.Your beneficiaries will appreciate it too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 41buick Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Thank you all for the very thoughtful and informative responses. They were all great and very helpful. I have made a decision to go for the 49 Buick roadmaster convertible. Now for the $64000.00 question, where can a I find one that is fully restored. If anyone out there knows of one for sale please let me know. Thanks again for your help. 41buick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Roth Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Now that you've made your decision, join us as a member of the Buick Club of America, attend club functions, tour with us, read our monthly publication "The Buick Bugle", peruse the classifieds. You may find your dream car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilswillys Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 WOW !! -- Some great opinions --Given the space and the affordability, I would get BOTHI have the 1941 Caddy convertible, and really love the way it drives - prefer my stick-shift and have the no-cost-optional runningboards - just my personal preference.Our Roadmaster convertible is a bit older - a 1937 - but it drives just as nicely.I've driven the 1949 Buick Roadmaster convertible with Dynaflow - also a fantastic car!Your funds are just languishing in that 1.2% CD -- get some real enjoyment, and drive both while they appreciate.Your beneficiaries will appreciate it too.Hi MartyThe Picture with your 41 Cadillac convertible, with the sky view, is one of my favorite, Pictures at allIt looks like the rearend have been lowered when you compare to the other Pictures, if so how much lower is it, if i may askWhat a beaty.......Best Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Roth Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 Hi MartyThe Picture with your 41 Cadillac convertible, with the sky view, is one of my favorite, Pictures at allIt looks like the rearend have been lowered when you compare to the other Pictures, if so how much lower is it, if i may askWhat a beaty.......Best TimThanks Tim,The other pictures (not the one with the sky of the Blue Ridge Parkway) show that the rear of our '41Caddy has NOT been lowered at all - actually the caddy had NEW springs front and rear in original specifications. the only reason that the one photo seems to have a lowered rear, is that we were on an 18-day rolling tour/family vacation with our grandson, leaving New Orleans and traveling through Cherokee, NC - driving to White Post, Virginia, and then working our way back, mostly driving the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Pkwy. We visited sites for several miles on either side of the beautiful and historic road. The trunk of the Caddy was filled with tools, spare parts, and luggage - so the tail end was hanging just a bit at the time, but again, look at the other pics.When I was a teen in the '50s, that tail-dragger look was very popular - mostly accomplished with lowering blocks - and then in the '60s the California rake raised the tail.Thanks for asking - your Avatar appears to be a chopped tail-dragger with bubble skirts - right out of my teen years! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilswillys Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 (edited) Thanks Tim,The other pictures (not the one with the sky of the Blue Ridge Parkway) show that the rear of our '41Caddy has NOT been lowered at all - actually the caddy had NEW springs front and rear in original specifications. the only reason that the one photo seems to have a lowered rear, is that we were on an 18-day rolling tour/family vacation with our grandson, leaving New Orleans and traveling through Cherokee, NC - driving to White Post, Virginia, and then working our way back, mostly driving the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Pkwy. We visited sites for several miles on either side of the beautiful and historic road. The trunk of the Caddy was filled with tools, spare parts, and luggage - so the tail end was hanging just a bit at the time, but again, look at the other pics.When I was a teen in the '50s, that tail-dragger look was very popular - mostly accomplished with lowering blocks - and then in the '60s the California rake raised the tail.Thanks for asking - your Avatar appears to be a chopped tail-dragger with bubble skirts - right out of my teen years!Hi MartyJust wanted you to see the build thread on HAMB, not for faint hearted original Minded, but a very prewar era correct custom build:http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=740119I have started on the next car and it is a 1941 Cadillac ConvertibleNice to see the low rear stand on your Cadillac, loaded up with spareparts :-), a very very nice cadillac you have!!Looking for the outside windshield stainless, do you know any one who might have sparepartsBest Tim Edited March 1, 2014 by Devilswillys (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Roth Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 Hi MartyJust wanted you to see the build thread on HAMB, not for faint hearted original Minded, but a very prewar era correct custom build:http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=740119I have started on the next car and it is a 1941 Cadillac ConvertibleNice to see the low rear stand on your Cadillac, loaded up with spareparts :-), a very very nice cadillac you have!!Looking for the outside windshield stainless, do you know any one who might have sparepartsBest TimHi Tim,You might try:lauren@allcads.comwww.allcads.com702-454-1147 in Nevada - they advertise in HemmingsAlso:www.nosandrestoredcadillacparts.com 514-808-3347 in Ontario, CanadaGood luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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