|
|
When '53 Buick owner Paul Blackbourn spotted an advert for a 1949 Series 70 Roadmaster Riviera hardtop coupe, he didn't even know the model existed; but that was over two years ago - he's learned an awful lot since then...
1949 marked an important year in Buick's history. Harley Earl's Art & Color Studio had created the first real post war automobiles and the all new Buick was to reflect the popular trend for aircraft-inspired design that would sweep through the industry for many years to come. Among the many novelty features to adorn the new lower, sleeker body, one in particular would become a hallmark for the Buick - "portholes" had made their debut.
The '49 Riviera hardtop coupe is a rare beast: basically, take a late '49 model convertible, add a steel roof, and that, says Paul, is just what GM did to create what is widely respected as being among the first truly mass-produced hardtops. Just 4,343 rolled from the line in this particular guise, in a year which recorded a total output of 324,276 units for Buick.
Paul located the Roadmaster coupe in Oxford, from where it was transported to its new Yorkshire reside in three separate trips. Initially, a car load, then by pick-up, and finally the time-scarred body shell made the long journey via trailer. At this point, I must stamp out any doubt arising over the sanity of our fellow-member, with one superbly executed restoration under his belt, and I'm sure, a very understanding wife, Wendy (and pet dog, Sam) to his credit.
The restoration task did not commence immediately; suitable garage space was greatly needed and the much-loved show winning '53 had to be sold. The latter, in itself caused a great deal of grief, a saga reaching its bitter conclusion at auction. With the '53 gone, work could now begin in earnest.
First, the mammoth bodyshell was separated from the chassis and placed on "skates", thus enabling it to be manoeuvred during restoration. Once the bodyshell was completely stripped, the process of removing all signs of rust and corroded metal could commence. It soon became apparent that the condition of the body was worse than Paul initially envisaged, but ironically even this was not a surprise, as any experienced restorer knows only too well. The floor was found to be badly corroded, both back and front, with much of the affected area hidden from view, necessitating even more stripping down to reach the areas in need of attention. Rust had also seriously established residence on the door skins and frames. These were hauled along to Granville College in Sheffield, where Paul (by sheer coincidence) had enrolled in a vehicle restoration course. The large panels proved an excellent learning project at the evening classes, claiming some 36 hours hard labour (12 weeks at 3 hours a week) to repair.
Another difficult step proved to be the roof. Here, rust was removed from both top and underside; the gutters were completely removed and sandblasted, as were the skin edges. These are now all repaired and lead-loaded, and the whole roof area is now in primer. Also now restored are the badly disintegrated sections of floor which for the first time in many years show sound metal once again. The Buick's bodywork is now almost completed... Or if that's a little too optimistic, it is at very least beyond the point of playing its trickiest card, and Paul is starting to research other areas of the restoration. |
|
 |
|
