1936 Buick Roadmaster Series 80C Convertible Phaeton

320ci OHV Straight 8 Engine
2-Barrel Stromberg Downdraft Carburetor
120bhp at 3,200rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission
"Knee-Action" Independent Front Suspension and Solid Rear Axle
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes

*Bought new by the creator of 'Dr. Pinkerton's Peppy Pink Pills'
*Top-of-the-Line Roadmaster model
*CCCA Full Classic®

The Series 80 Roadmaster

Before World War II, there was no blurring of the hierarchy at General Motors. The ladder built by GM boss Alfred P. Sloan started with Chevrolet, with Pontiac a rung up, followed by Oldsmobile, Buick, LaSalle and Cadillac. Although positioned between Oldmobile and LaSalle, there was nothing inexpensive or bare-bones about the Buick. It was a very good car that held a fair bit of status in its own right.

Within the Division, Buick had as hierarchy of its own, consisting of four series: Special, Century, Roadmaster and Limited. As a result, Buick was able to offer cars for as little as $820 and as much as $2,000, which helped considerably to broaden the company's appeal.

In 1936, the Roadmaster offered a lot of car for the money, and almost 70 years on the name still holds a considerable weight. Available in two body styles, a 6-passenger Sedan and a Convertible Phaeton, the price range began at $1,255 for the former and climbed to $1,565 for the latter.

The long hood of the Roadmaster made it clear that power came from a straight-eight. In the case of the Model 80, it was a 320ci, overhead-valve unit producing 130 horsepower and loads of torque. It was mated to a three-speed manual transmission with a floor-mounted gearshift lever. The chassis was fitted with General Motor's "Knee-Action" independent front suspension and solid rear axle. Hydraulic drum brakes were fitted at all corners.

The Motorcar Offered

The original owner of this Series 80C Convertible Phaeton was a Dr. Pinkerton. Originally finished in Imperial Black over Tan leather, for the creator of "Dr. Pinkerton's Peppy Pink Pills", a miracle cure available in the 1920s, the business for placebos was good enough to not only pay for an open Roadmaster but also to get it repainted in a non-factory bright red to match its owner's eponymous pills.

The Buick was acquired by the vendor in the early 1980s. Kept as is for about a decade, a frame-on restoration and repainted in its as discovered reddish pink color was done in 1993. Today the car continues to show well. The black leather trimmed interior is comfortable and welcoming while the hard to miss paintjob makes the car easy to spot in a crowd.

A beautiful and very usable Buick, it is eligible for any AACA or CCCA event.