1952 Buick Roadmaster Four Door Sedan TealWhtWesleyChapel100216

Buick sure made a nice family sedan! Last year for the overhead valve straight eight across the board...in 1953 only the Special would have that engine. The rest of the 1953 fleet would have the ohv V8. That grille made this Buick immediately recognizable. "Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use."
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[@donnyboyblue]

"Save me a blue one". I remember that being advertised by Buick in the 50's. Thanks for the video Jack.

[@coolrides]

Hey, Donovan! That's a cool ad! Suggests not only that they were "selling lot hot cakes" but that the intended owner was in a frenzy to buy one! :D Thanks! :D Jack

[@califdad4]

These were nice cars, and must have been pretty good cars, since I remember seeing then into the 60's. Being in California we didn't have the rust issue, so people could drive their cars longer Can you imagine, you had a new 52 Buick and then the next year they come out with a V8, oh well, guess that straight 8 was still a good engine

[@coolrides]

Hey, Brian! Yes, California is a good place to keep a car for a long time. That straight 8 was a good engine...perhaps it might comfort someone who might have been a bit leery of a new V8. Thanks! :) Jack

[@muffs55mercury61]

The last year of the big block 320 straight 8. They sang such beautiful music. First year that power steering and four barrel carburetion was offered. 32,069 of the Roadmaster 4 doors were built and was a fairly good run. It might have been more except the numbers were down due to a nationwide steel strike and a factory shutdown to retool for the new 53's

[@coolrides]

We sure appreciate those facts on the '52! That straight 8 had served Buick so well, but it was time for an overhead valve V8. I can imagine that extensive changes had to be made for the '53 models! Thanks! :) Jack

[@muffs55mercury61]

@@coolrides Yes as you probably know the '53s used the same basic body shell for one more year but the Roadmasters and Supers were all new underneath. I read they shut the assembly plants down for almost two months to get the retooling done. Buicks at the time were bought by mostly middle aged and retired folks that were probably financially secure and there was no need (yet) to think of performance so the old drivetrains stayed in them. That Roadmaster sedan listed new for about $3200---no small chunk of change in 1952.

[@dsteele27]

Gorgeous car! Great colors. And so luxurious. I so very well remember my Uncle Ray struggling with one of these hoods that he'd accidentally unhinged on both sides.

[@coolrides]

I've never had the "unique pleasure" of trying to open one of those side opening hoods! I'll surely demure from such a task! Thanks! :) Jack

[@duayneveer8229]

yes jack iwould say teal. i love anything close to tropical terquois. beautiful buick!!

[@coolrides]

Hey, Duayne! That color was pretty popular back in the day...it was refreshing! Thanks! :) Jack

[@RTS222]

That side hinged hood must have presented a challenge if you needed to work on the driver's side. The cavernous interior reminds me of the Hudson Hornet. Interesting car.

[@coolrides]

The hood does open the from the driver's side too...it's ingeniously designed! Thanks! :) Jack

[@cheddyrod]

This 72R was in the luxury class. Actually it was just about the same size as a Cadillac series 62. These Roadmasters were known for their super, comfy seats. I think the big news for 52 was the introduction of 4 barrel carburetors on Oldsmobile, Buick and Cadillac. :)

[@coolrides]

Hey, Chester! Yes, I believe this as comfy as the Cadillac would have been, perhaps chosen by someone who wanted to keep a lower profile. Thanks! :) Jack

[@IkarusFlight]

The 4 barrel carb makes this 320 the most wanted Buick straight 8 engine. I have been looking years for an engine like that. Luckily I found one. :-)

[@coolrides]

Hey, Ted! Thanks for the insight on that straight 8....a four barrel would do wonders for it. Thanks! :) Jack

[@IkarusFlight]

The four barrel intake took it from 150 to 170 hp while still using a very low compression of 1:6. It's no problem to get 200+ hp from that engine.

[@dozerm.4108]

gotta love the way the hoods opened

[@coolrides]

Yes, there were all sorts of unusual openings....before it was fairly well standardized! Thanks! :) Jack

[@grampy2014]

It has some front teeth missing.

[@coolrides]

Hey, Grampy! One has to take it to the Buick dentist! Actually, I think this version is better! Thanks! :) Jack

[@duayneveer8229]

some thing i was gonna ask jack- does this hood open from either side?

[@coolrides]

Hey, Duayne! Yes, the hood opens from either side...pretty tricky! Thanks! :) Jack

[@JohnJRevitte]

Great cars Jack!

[@coolrides]

Thanks, John! :) Jack

[@duayneveer8229]

lets ride down route 66!

[@coolrides]

Hey, Duayne! I drove a lot of route 66 from Santa Monica pier through to Texas...it is an amazing ride. Not a continuous road, lots of it doesn't exist anymore...but the part that does is really travelling through the time tunnel! Thanks! :) Jack

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Hey Jack. Lovely looking Buick. I've never seen a 52 Buick in person. :)

[@coolrides]

Hey, Jason! Yes, it sure is....Buick had a quality image! Thanks! :) Jack

[@jasoncarpp7742]

I agree. I love Buicks of the 1950s through the 70s. :)

[@coolrides]

Hey, Jason! It was one of those cars that was immediately recognizable! Thanks! :) Jack

[@jasoncarpp7742]

I agree. From 1949 into the 90s, Buicks had what's been called "portholes" or "ventriports", take your pick. :)