A legendary 1955 Buick Roadmaster
The year 1955 marked a major styling overhaul for Buick’s flagship Roadmaster series. After nearly 15 years without significant changes, this Roadmaster debuted a bold, contemporary look that came to define GM luxury styling of the 1950s.
At the forefront of the redesign were prominent new tailfins, a growing trend in the automotive industry influenced by the jet age. Buick’s vertical tailfins projected a sense of motion and flight. Coupled with a lowered, sweeping profile, this gave the 1955 Roadmaster a sleek, aerodynamic presence on the road.
Distinctive portholes along the front fenders, a newly iconic Buick feature, accented the long hood and raked windshield. Inside, an abundance of chrome details, from the grille to the wheels, exhibited classic 1950s flash. Two-tone color schemes provided elegant contrast on the exterior.
Underneath the radical new look, this Roadmaster retained Buick’s hallmark comfortable ride and handling. Power still came from a potent 322 cubic-inch Nailhead V8, which delivered strong acceleration paired with quiet operation.
For customers seeking the ultimate luxury experience, the 1955 Roadmaster convertible, with a power-operated top, allowed open-air motoring accompanied by abundant comfort features. Sedan and coupe body styles were also available.
Spacious interiors housed passengers in sofa-like seats upholstered in quality fabrics. Amenities like power windows and a Dynaflow automatic transmission made the 1955 Roadmaster the epitome of luxury. Stylish dashboards with a minimalist, streamlined design completed the modern aesthetic.
Buick’s bold gamble with the 1955 redesign proved successful, making the Roadmaster one of GM’s best-selling lines that year. Collectors today consider it among the most desirable American cars of the era. The styling set the tone for General Motors design over the next decade. Sixty years later, the landmark 1955 Buick Roadmaster remains an automotive icon representing the pinnacle of 1950s style, performance, and prestige.
- Little Known Facts:
- The convertible had an electrically operated power top, rare at the time
- Roadmasters were used as pace cars for the Indianapolis 500 race
- The base price started at around $3,500, equivalent to $35,000 today
- Buick’s chief designer also influenced the look of 1950s Cadillacs
- Roadmasters came with an early version of air conditioning
- Amazing Facts:
- Had the most powerful V8 engine Buick offered that year at 322 cubic inches
- Weighed over two tons fully loaded
- Over 82,000 Roadmasters produced, a sales success for Buick
- Could reach 0-60 mph in under 12 seconds, fast for its day
- Optional power steering and brakes added luxury and convenience
A five-year sales history can be seen at Classic.com. Valuation tables can be seen at Caaarguide.com. Current values can also be seen at Collectorcarmarket.com. Production data can be seen at Conceptcarz.com. In-depth production specifications and data can be viewed at Automobile-catalog.com. Additional specs can be seen at Classiccardatabase.com. Some additional details on the family of Roadmasters can be found at Hometownbuick.com.
Nadaguides.com – Average price: $7,075
Image credit – Wikipedia.org
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