Pete Phillips Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 Found another one from long-term barn storage, similar story to the other '48 I found in May. This one is a 1948 Roadmaster model 76S, from a barn in Maine. You won't believe it: 16,000 actual miles, documented on the oil change stickers on the driver's door post! Has sat in the barn untouched since 1970, when the original owner stopped driving it and gave it to a friend. The friend put it in the barn and just left it. This fall, he finally decided to sell it, now that he is in his late 80s. I got John Griffith in Maine to go look at it for me--thanks again, John--and he confirmed it was the real thing and in good shape, but not running of course. I had it hauled from Maine to Hershey, drove to Hershey, PA. with my trailer last week, loaded the car in the rain in front of my cousin's house in Jonestown, PA., and hauled it home to Texas, arriving back this past Monday afternoon after 3 days of driving. Man, that Roadmaster is heavy! The car attracted a small crowd every time I stopped for gas or food. Has the original black paint, original upholstery, even has the original worn and cracked US Royal 8.20 by 15" tires. Engine was stuck, but I got it unstuck after putting Marvel Mystery Oil in the spark plug holes overnight. If you felt a slight movement in the earth about 2:15 pm yesterday, it was the celebration in my garage when we got the engine to crank and run for the first time in 43 years!! No lifter noise, no rattles, no exhaust manifold leaks, 40 pounds of oil pressure at a fast idle, fuel pump works and it is actually running off of 43-year-old gas in the tank (what a difference from today's gas). Lots of white smoke due to burning off the Marvel Mystery Oil, but that's good for it right now. I soaked the valves and valve stems with it, too. I found several 1940s road maps of New England and New York in the trunk, an antique can of Simonize car wax, and a new fan belt in a box from the early 1940s, plus the jack, the original trunk mat, spare tire with wood shelf, and near perfect cardboard liners.No rust, couple of dents in the left rear fender, bumper guards pretty badly pitted, but this gem is totally unrestored! Interior is amazing.Question to the group: Would you clean and repaint the engine and engine compartment or not? It has almost no paint on it and looks pretty lousy and dirty. I am not going to paint or restore anything on the exterior or interior, but I can't decide about the engine. Next work is to redo the entire brake system and get some new tires. Look for this car in the Archival Class at Springfield, MO in 2015!!Pete Phillips, BCA #7338 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireballV8 Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 Hi PeteWhat a great find and a good story as well. I would leave the engine compartment alone unless it starts to rust from the moisture in the air, but in Texas this should not be a problem.Glad it found a great home with you.Congratulations.Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimacar Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 Nice find...I'd leave the engine compartment alone if I were you, once you start cleaning and painting, it's just an unfinished restoration, not an original car...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retirednow Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 Awesome! I wouldn't touch a thing on a car in such great original condition! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 I would paint and detail the engine and it's compartment after 2015. It is a beautiful car. Congrats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Awesome!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackofalltrades70 Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Wow Pete! Glad you were able to pick up this baby! I would just repair what needs to be repaired and leave the rest alone. Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jscheib Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Pete,Sorry I did not get to see it while it was passing through, and sorry that one got out of New England.There may be more, but not many that nice. Good Find.John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Nice find...I'd leave the engine compartment alone if I were you, once you start cleaning and painting, it's just an unfinished restoration, not an original car...... Agree!!! You are one lucky feller. Or just diligent. Beautiful. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Nice Pete, the Sedanettes are some of the most beautiful Buick ever built. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonOf2Buicks Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 GREAT score !! Beautiful Buick, I am jealous ( in a good way ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 (edited) I would paint and detail the engine and it's compartmentMe too. I'd Follow Shadetree's lead - restore the hidden stuff, while enjoying the lovely originality of the rest. Good thing this isn't a '49 or I'd have come down there and get it. Edited October 19, 2013 by Rob McDonald (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Can you post a photo or two of the engine compartment in question? I would imagine the decision depends on what it actually looks like. If it's an absolute disaster, then I would me more tempted to clean it up, at least some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Can you post a photo or two of the engine compartment in question? I would imagine the decision depends on what it actually looks like. If it's an absolute disaster, then I would me more tempted to clean it up, at least some.I agree with this^^^Outstanding car, Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasJohn55 Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Yes, outstanding car! I may have to stop and see it the next time I come through on my way to Bonham. Congratulations Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadmaster75 Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 A real "Stunner" Pete!I'd just carefully de-grease the engine compartment so it'sclean ... no abrasives ,etc... no paint... What a car!mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted October 19, 2013 Author Share Posted October 19, 2013 The engine compartment is not pretty. Grease and surface rust on nearly every surface. It's somewhat apart right now, but here is a current photo. Got the radiator out for cleaning, putting new hoses on everything, valve cover off for valve train oiling. Right now, to show anyone under the hood, is a big let-down, compared with the rest of the car. My thought is to open the hood and have it be spotless and gleaming with correct engine paint, etc. Yes, I know that's a deduction for archival judging, but it is so ugly under there now.Second photo is what I found in the trunk--1940s road maps, 1941 fan belt new in the box, ancient Simonize wax in a can, and a brand new inner tube still in its 1940s box.Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Dn't do it Pete. Get your Archival Elite award first. Just spray some more oil on everything to keep the rust from spreading and enjoy the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retirednow Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 *LIKE* QUOTE=JohnD1956;1227189]Dn't do it Pete. Get your Archival Elite award first. Just spray some more oil on everything to keep the rust from spreading and enjoy the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Pete As the saying goes, "it is your car, do what you want.". If it were mine, I would de-grease, gently. You may be surprised . And do not remove the manifold!! If it is like my Mod 52, it does not leak. Whatever you do, it is a BEAUTIFUL BUICK!!! Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZRIV Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 What a beauty and amazing find with such low mileage. Its nice to know these gems do still exist. Great story and pics - thanks for posting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Flivver250 Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 What a jewel. Great find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share Posted October 21, 2013 More engine photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
50jetback Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 (edited) Pete, nice find, great car!As for the engine and engine compartment - well I think I would be tempted to cheat a little!!Cut and polish will bring up the firewall - horns - air tubes etc in keeping with the rest of the car.As for the motor itself I think I would paint it and then " age " it artificially. Have seen this done on some of those TV restoration shows, most recently on a Chev motor done by the Gas Monkeys on Fast'n'Loud.At the end of the day though you are in a win win situation with that car - well done. Edited October 21, 2013 by 50jetback (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 More engine photos If only the blue engine paint had been as good as the black underneath!! They all did this. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph P. Indusi Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 What is your secret Pete? How do you find these beauties? You must live a clean life and are being rewarded for your exemplary ways. This is a really great looking car, on a level with the 49 Roadmaster Riviera.Joe, BCA 33493 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBRMD Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Pete, I'll just join the admiring chorus with a simply outstanding! And there are certaining uglier engine compartments out there than that one. I vote for cleaning it up but leaving it unrestored. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfreakofkorn Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 nice score ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted May 3, 2014 Author Share Posted May 3, 2014 (edited) Today is the first really warm, dry Saturday we have had this spring, so I got the BIG baby out for the first time this year, washed off the dust, and gave it the first wax and polish job it has had since at least 1970. That's the original paint, rust spots and all, but I will never repaint it as long as I own it. I was able to pop out the dents in the left rear fender without any paint damage, and I do admit to having the front bumper rechromed because it was pretty badly dented up and damaged by the original owner. Not bad for 66-year-old paint that spent 43 years in a chicken coop in Maine. The big 320 engine purrs like a kitten. Edited May 3, 2014 by Pete Phillips (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasJohn55 Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 Bravo Pete! I would look at your pics but they are too big for me on dial-up at 15 min each. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 Too cool... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 Love it!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 Today is the first really warm, dry Saturday we have had this spring, so I got the BIG baby out for the first time this year, washed off the dust, and gave it the first wax and polish job it has had since at least 1970. That's the original paint, rust spots and all, but I will never repaint it as long as I own it. I was able to pop out the dents in the left rear fender without any paint damage, and I do admit to having the front bumper rechromed because it was pretty badly dented up and damaged by the original owner. Not bad for 66-year-old paint that spent 43 years in a chicken coop in Maine. The big 320 engine purrs like a kitten. I am sorry, Pete. It is so neat everything must seem second place:p. I had a ,48 Super in the late '50s. I cant remember another riding as well. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 PETE, wow, what a sweet car! You said it's running great - how's it drive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 She looks great. Enjoy it this summer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZRIV Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 Holy Cow! What a Car! Awesome. Thanks for posting pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBloomberg Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 Pete, I'm glad I got to see the car yesterday at the chapter meeting. It looks even better in person than on the pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 Hey Pete, I just found the thread, and I have nothing original to add, except for my congrats on another awesome "barn find"! Enjoy!Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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