Location: Santa Monica, California

$53,900 USD | Sold

Throughout its long history, Buick has been synonymous with prestige, style, advanced engineering and good value. The Super, offered between 1939 and 1958, shared the body size of the Roadmaster, which topped the Buick model line, and was a clear expression of its owner’s hard work and its rewards. The factory suggested price between these two Buick convertibles in 1957 was less than $100 difference.

The popular Roadmaster was completely redesigned in 1954, and shared the new C-Body platform in common with the Super. Updated for 1957 with a new body and a lower roofline, the Series 50 Super line was available in sedan, coupe and convertible models, and featured Buick’s distinctive VentiPorts, dashing sweepspears, and “Dagmar” bumpers, and gained nearly ten inches in overall length. The 322 cubic inch “Nailhead” V-8 engine; introduced in 1953, evolved into a 364 cubic inch, 300 horsepower powerhouse by 1957, and was mated to a Dynaflow automatic transmission that combined strong acceleration with good fuel economy . Meanwhile, the interior featured a wide variety of premium upholstery choices, and a distinctive bright metallic dash motif.

Many considered the Buick to be beauty in motion and the “most dashing of all the convertibles.” The 1957 Buick Super offered action, power and performance that was available with a reliable car with riding comfort, sharply designed interiors, driving ease and roominess. Luxury marked the Buicks and they were said to be for the young at heart – “a real ground-hugger that’s built with panther-like grace.”

Just 2,056 examples of the Series 50 1957 Buick Super Convertibles were built, priced at a considerable price of $3,981 when new. Today, they remain a very desirable collector car, including the very fine example offered here, which displays a handsome red exterior finish, complemented by excellent brightwork, a white convertible top, a “Continental” spare tire kit, and a set of attractive Kelsey-Hayes 40-spoke chrome-plated wire wheels with period-style wide whitewall tires.

The Buick has been upgraded to resemble its more ornate Roadmaster “sister car.” It displays an attractive interior that is highlighted by rich red and white leather upholstery with matching red carpets and reveals very few visible signs of wear. Fittingly, the Super is well-equipped for comfortable cruising with power steering and power brakes, as well as power windows, power-operated top, air conditioning, a pushbutton-operated AM/FM radio, a heater and a clock. Meanwhile, the engine bay and “Nailhead” V-8 engine are very presentable, featuring period correct finishes throughout.

Truly, this Buick Super convertible is a well-respected platform of postwar American top-down motoring. With the top up or down, be prepared to assuredly glide down the highway in a true fifties icon.

https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/ca15/lots/r0072-1957-buick-super/