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Of the 8,292 Buick Roadmaster Sedanets produced, 66 were for export. Affluent car buyers in Europe bought Buicks in 1946, despite prices that could be equivalent to the purchase of a house.
Over time, this car fell into the hands of smugglers who used it to transport cigarettes and other prohibited items, across the border from Switzerland into Italy. The car was eventually seized by the border patrol and auctioned off. It was purchased by a Mr. Santovetti who gifted it to The NB Center in the 1980’s. The car required a complete restoration that was accomplished soon after it was gifted. -
Company
General Motors
Make
Buick
Model
Roadmaster, 76S
Body Style
Sedanette, 2-dr., 5 -pass.
Body Manufacture
Fisher Body Co.
Model year
1946
Wheelbase
129 inches
Length
217 inches
Engine
inline-8, OHV, 320.2 cid
Horsepower
144 hp @ 3600 rpm
Transmission
3-speed manual, column shift
Original Base Price
$2,014
Brand Production
158,728 model year
This Car Production
8,226 + 66 export -
October 7, 1945 Buick debuted the 1946 model year cars. It had been 3 years and 8 months since Buick produced a car for civilian consumption and the public was ready for them. The 1946 Buicks would be warmed over versions of the 1942 cars. After all, the 1942 model year was a shortened production run and Buick hardly had time to design all new cars when the war was raging. Besides, many of Buick's offerings in 1942 were restyled and considered quite advanced for the times.
For 1946 the styling tweaks would be subtle including a revision of the grille and leading edge of the front fenders, elimination of the beltline moulding, the first use of the “bombsite” hood ornament that would adorn Buick's through the 1948 model year and variations for years to come. The most noticeable change was the extension of the front fender line through the body side connecting with the rear fender on Super and Roadmaster bodies. This styling was called “Flow through” by Buick and was a clear hint of the styling changes coming in the near future.
Buick would offer a reduced number of models and body styles for the return to civilian production. The Century and Limited were eliminated completely, although they would eventually return to the line-up in future years. The Special would only come in two body styles while the Super offered four bodies and the Roadmaster offered the same three as 1942.
Mechanically the 1946 cars were nearly identical to the 1942 cars with one major exception, the troublesome “compound carburation” installed on 1941-42 model cars was now gone. While the complex dual carburetor system allowed for more horsepower, it was at the expense of reliability and fuel consumption. Horsepower suffered from this change but customers were generally happier.
Buick enjoyed a strong reputation worldwide for delivering performance and reliability at a reasonable price. With the automobile industry in Europe all but destroyed by the hostilities, it was no surprise there was strong demand for Buicks for export. Nearly 9,500 Buicks were shipped abroad in 1946.