1948 Buick Roadmaster Convertible

[electra225]

This Dynaflow car is the right colors. Very sloppy restoration, though. The fender/hood/door fit is poor. Fender skirts fit is poor. The tailpipe comes out at the wrong spot and the turndown is wrong, incorrect. The top fit around the rear glass is poor. I don't know why these big 320 cid straight 8 engines sound so bad on video. They are nearly silent in operation. The only engine quieter is a Packard. Dynaflow engines were different from the standard shift engines, and had hydraulic valve lifters, the first year for a Buick. Body panel fit from the factory was very spotty and is a challenge to restore and make them look right. Getting the rear quarter windows, top and doors to meet and not break the glass when you move the top or shut the door is the real challenge, almost impossible to pull off successfully. The fit on this car is very good. The paint and chrome on this car is very nice. The hood latches aren't broken. People don't realize that pushing in on the "dot" actually releases the latch, then you pull out on the "tail" to finish releasing the mechanism, but you don't use the tail to pull up on the hood. Most of the tails have been broken. They are not that hard to find still usable.

I restored one of these cars that the bottom half of the body and nearly all the floors were cardboard and Bondo. I may share that story one of these days if there is interest....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuGB-oFmzBk

[TC Chris]

As to that one, I'm usually tolerant of imperfection. Remember that my Chevy is in a very high state of imperfection and yet it's still fun to drive around and it makes people smile. We don't know what condition that one was in when the project started and now much had to be done to get it where it is.

As to the engine sound, the video recording device probably has an automatic audio level control. It boosts quiet sounds and cuts peaks. Basically a compressor. So the engine ends up sounding noisier than it really is in person.

And as to restoration stories, they are always welcome. They are good for entertainment and sometimes they teach lessons as well.

Chris Campbell