Buick 70 Series Roadmaster
America was on the cusp of radical change when the 70 Series Roadmasters hit the streets in 1940. No one knew it yet, but war was just around the corner. World War II reshaped the country in lots of ways, and the 70 Series was on the front line of those changes.
The Series 70 was actually a third-generation Roadmaster. Buick had been tinkering with the brand names for several years, trying to find the combination that best resonated with consumers. This time, company executives thought the had a winner.
The First Series 70 Roadmasters
In 1940, Series 70 vehicles had a redesigned look to go with their redesigned name. These Roadmasters had a cutting-edge (for 1940) torpedo-style C-body. Without running boards, the car had a streamlined look that was about 3” lower than its predecessors. The new look meant changes on the inside as well. Passengers enjoyed more hip and shoulder room, so the Series 70 was a true six-passenger vehicle. Other innovations included a steering column-mounted gear shift lever.
The 70 was innovative but not totally experimental. Some other GM vehicles, most notably the Cadillac Sixty Special and Oldsmobile 90, had some similar changes.
Customers embraced these changes. Roadmaster sales almost tripled to an unheard-of 18,000 units. And this was before the postwar prosperity boom came around.
In 1941, Buick did not want to mess with a good thing. So, the external changes remained much the same. However, there were some major changes under the hood. The engine used compound carburetion. This system was basically the forerunner of more modern PVC (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) engines. Because the engine vented oil vapors through a small tube, engineers could use redesigned pistons. Yet, largely because the 70 Series was lighter because of the body changes, these cars had plenty of get up and go. At 165 hp, the 1941 70 Series had the most powerful engines of any domestic passenger car.
Postwar Series 70s
With the country on war footing, only a limited number of passenger cars rolled off the assembly line for the next few years. Some 1949 changes included a two-piece glass windshield. Its curved design significantly improved visibility. These Series 70 models were also among the first to feature VentiPorts. These openings along the fender ventilated the engine and were reminiscent of some wartime airplanes, most notably the B-24 bomber and Douglas C-series transports. And, for Rain Man fans, the car also featured the Dynaflow transmission.
The 1949 Roadmaster had a top speed of 110mph, helping it to set a sales record. That was quite an accomplishment, considering the Series 70 was one of the highest-priced cars on the market at that time.
1954 and the Last Major Redesign
Ten years after the war ended, sales were flagging and the Series 70 badly needed an upgrade. So, engineers redesigned the body, adding a wider wheel base and longer body. These changes made the Series 70 even roomier inside, and that space was a major selling point. Extras like armrests and a chrome band added to the car’s luxurious feel.
Not surprisingly, there were some under-the-hood upgrades as well. These changes included stronger suspension to accommodate the more powerful 200hp engine. Mid-model-year changes included a revamped Dynaflow transmission and back-up lights.
But despite these changes, sales continued to decline. The new interstate highway system meant a new kind of open-road driving that the Series 70 and its contemporaries did not seem suited for.
In 1958, Series 70 Buicks were available only by special order. Production ceased the next year, as the cars fell victim to changing customer preferences and an industry-wide sales slump.
