1957 Buick Roadmaster Convertible 70 or 75 Series???

[BNTZ57RDMASTER]

I am still new at this Classic car restoration thing,But How can I tell if my car is a 70 or 75 series and does it much effect the value of the car?.

[Centurion]

Your car would be a Series 70 Roadmaster, model 76-C.

There was no convertible version of the Roadmaster 75 in '57, only 2-door and 4-door Riviera hardtops.

[Guest sintid58]

Very nice looking 57!

[TG57Roadmaster]

What a dreamy '57! On the body data plate on your firewall, I'll wager the "Paint Code" reads; EC, which translates to Biscay Blue & Dover White. If it's FC, then it's the spring color Mariner Blue.

The Blue Sweepspear color is correct, per a Buick Service Update issued during the production run.

In many '57's, in an effort to "polish" the engine-turned dashboard fascia, the applique has been inadvertantly rubbed off. What's yours like? If it's shiny and <span style="font-style: italic">has</span> been scrubbed away, the good news is that, regardless of model, they all interchange. (Specials were not so-equipped.)

Should the need arise to buy body parts, realize that the "B" body (Century & Special) and "C" body (Super & Roadmaster) differ in many ways. Don't make the mistake and pop for the gorgeous NOS grille offered up, 'cause it may not be wide enough for your big ol' Buick. Even the interior door handles differ.

If you don't mind sharing, give us the VIN #, so we can tell you in which plant it was assembled, and the approximate range of build-date. Also, take your back seat bottom out and look for a pink tag wedged in the spring; that'll be date-coded, as well. Your standard power seat should have a date stamped on the motor, to further date its place in the production run.

How exciting to welcome another '57 to the fold, and a <span style="font-style: italic">convertible</span> to boot! As you learn more about your beauty, consider going to the optional (and often-seen) Tangerine (red) Wheel color. Most Buicks back in the day had 'em, but they fell from favor as the years wore on. When mine undertook that simple tweek,

she went from <span style="font-style: italic">fine</span> to <span style="font-weight: bold">fabulous!</span>

Wow, you made my day!

TG

Mine is 7D6008435

7=70 Series

D=1957

6=Atlanta Assembly Plant <span style="font-weight: bold">*</span>

008435=Sequential build number

<span style="font-weight: bold">*</span>:1=Flint; 2=Southgate, CA; 3=Linden, NJ; 4=Kansas City, 5=Wilmington, DE; 7=Framingham, MA; 8=Arlington, TX

[TG57Roadmaster]

This attachment illustrates what's happened to so many '57 4-holers. The aluminum dash applique is engined-turned, but unlike the 1941's and others, it's a lacquer-type finish that makes the swirls. In attempting to "clean, or polish" this best feature of the dashboard, the swirling easily is worn away, leaving a shiny but boring fascia.

My friend Bob Smith is shown here replacing tha fascia on his Caballero, with one taken from a '57 Super parts car. It's an easy fix, just be careful when you remove the large center dash pad, as the radio speaker wire is (usually) welded to the speaker.

Also, consider scouting around for the "safety" cushions on the glove box door and the little one between it and the right heater/A/C vent. These tend to flatten out/distort with age, but a replacement can be dyed to match your dash color. I've yet to see a "new, replacement" type with the correct contours and shape of the original.

These two alterations make all the difference in the world on what, I think, is one of the prettiest dashboards of the fifties. They remind me of those big, cool kid's toy dash units (with all the bells & whistles) that I recall, but could never afford, from childhood.

TG

[Guest 57wagon]

Can this facia be applied to a Special? I really love the engine turned look as it realy livens up a rather expansive dashboard. Is it a simple operation?

[TG57Roadmaster]

Yeah, it's alot simpler than it looks here, as Bob had to replace the temperature gauge from the speedo housing, all the way down to the engine block. If you're going to upgrade, lose the boring painted verticle zoomies and replace with the chrome versions shown. The same fascia works from all series...the trouble will be finding one that hasn't been trashed.

As the "Thrifty" Buick, Specials didn't have 'em.

TG

[BNTZ57RDMASTER]

When I got the car,It wasn't in bad shape,Just a little aged for sitting for 15yrs. Attached is a pic of the dash after I cleaned it up a bit. Also more pics of the car in the Buick Photo Gallery.

Thanks,

Ed

[Guest imported_Thriller]

Your speedometer looks a bit like my '56 Special...sitting still, it is at about 30 mph.

[TG57Roadmaster]

Somebody's done a litle "tweaking" with your dash, as that's from a Roadmaster 75. They intro'd the dash-wide "chrome lower bar" that was carried over for '58 on top-level Buicks. Unless, of course, somebody ordered it that way; judges go crazy trying to sort all this crap out! Since yours is a "late" car, perhaps that explains it.

That's why mine's a driver, and I don't have to bother with all that drivel...

TG

[42crazy]

My '57 Roadmaster convertible has the plain dash, not engine turned, plus the area below it, that protrudes out, is chrome also, it is not padded, so, apparently, as per a couple of people, they put RM 75 dashes in some roadmasters. Also, the headlite rings are sometimes painted, or sometimes chrome. My car had chrome rings, but, I changed them, they look better, make the car look longer. It needed it to balance out the continental kit, it just wasn't long enough. ha ha. I had always figured my car had been repainted due to a wreck or something, but, when we repainted it, we found no evidence of prior damage at all. They did some odd and weird things in '57. Also, my antenna is on the right front fender, all others are on the left, but, no evidence of ever having a hole filled on the left. And, who would order a '57 RM convertible with no radio or antenna. I am the 2nd owner, first owner had it from '57 to '70, then parked it till '94 when I bought it, with 52000 miles on it. Paul

[TG57Roadmaster]

Hiya 42,

The intro ads for the Roadmasters show the chromed rings that are common to 40, 50, 60 Series cars, but were used thruout the production run on <span style="font-style: italic">all</span> 70 Series. The only logical explanation is that at some point, the owner of your car decided he liked the chrome (one-piece, part # 1175781) versions better than the 2-piece painted & chrome (part # 5947833=door-in-prime; bezel=# 5947838) 70 bits.

Thru the years, I've had "discussions" with owners of the lesser series, who "swear" that their cars came equipped with 70-type headlight rims. I then pull out the Buick Master Body Parts Book, prove them wrong, and they walk away, cussing me like some sailor on leave who's just banged their sister.

TG

(While we're on the subject, it appears that after the RM 75's March intro, all 76C's switched to the all-chrome, non-swirled dash panel trim. Can somebody please give me a pill...?)

[42crazy]

TG, thanks for the explanation on the dash, and it seems correct, my car was purchased in May or June, I have the original paperwork with it. I still don't understand the antenna though, why is on the right ? Paul

[42crazy]

Of course, some of this makes about as much sense as the positioning of the right side mirror where it is impossible to see it. Answer that one, Paul

[Jolly_John]

Hello TG57Roadmaster. I just sent you a PM. Thanks! John