Howard Hughes $1.6 Million Buick Roadmaster - BARRETT-JACKSON 50th ANNIVERSARY

To mark Barrett-Jackson’s half-century in business, this special series looks back at a few extraordinary vehicles from the past 50 years. These vehicles led the charge across the block - making history, setting records, and altering and ultimately reshaping the marketplace.
Howard Hughes’ 1953 Buick Roadmaster crossed the block at the 2005 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction. Said to be the last car Hughes ever drove, this Buick was put into storage upon his passing, where it remained hidden for nearly 20 years. The idiosyncratic and eccentric Roadmaster sold for $1.65 million, setting a new auction world record for the sale of a Buick.
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[@JoJoJoker]

Howard Hughes is definitely one of the most interesting people of the 20th century.

[@thomshin2460]

I have a 2003 Buick Regal with 36,000 miles the car is like new and such a pleasure to drive love Buicks

[@KenanTurkiye]

Been someone non-American and living in a different country, I wasn't aware of Mr. Hughes, but I was of the Roadmaster. I'm excited to it's condition, especially it's not restored, amazing artifact of automotive history!.

[@JoJoJoker]

Whaaaat. Yeah he is the one of the most influential people of the 20th century.

[@KenanTurkiye]

@@JoJoJoker Yeah, some great people are not cross-cultural. But many great cars are. : ) That's how it is world over.

[@JoJoJoker]

@@KenanTurkiye interesting dude. His company Hughes Tool is created the bit used to drill nearly all of the oil in the 20th century. His company Hughes Communications invented Satellite TV and he is responsible for creating modern Las Vegas. The Bond film Diamonds Are Forever is based on Hughes as is Tony Stark. Jay Leno has videos of a few of Hughes’s cars. The Doble Steamer is the most interesting one. A high performance luxury car, it can run 200 miles on a tank of water in 1925!

[@KenanTurkiye]

Thank you Joel. I had looked him up at the time of my first post. Ingeniuty seemed to be his middle name, both in business and engineering. 200 miles on a tank of water, i'll look that up, sounds amazing.

[@JoJoJoker]

@@KenanTurkiye kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIbKkKihd9ymr9E

[@choward5430]

What's interesting to me as Howard Hughes could have had a '53 Eldorado or Mercedes. But he chose a 4 door Roadmaster! Tells you about the mindset of many Americans back then. A lot of Americans owned 4 door sedans.

[@mortygoldmacher]

He must have had a good reason, he was paranoid. And he loved engineering. Maybe it was easy to seal and had lots of space.

[@paulburt3112]

Buicks and Cadillacs were very fine cards in the 1950's. Equal to the Mercedes for sure

[@dave1956]

Howard Hughes was a germaphobe. He never would have bought an open car like an Eldorado. Mercedes Benz products were just plain weird until the 80’s.

[@JoJoJoker]

Howard owned many high end cars including a Doble and Duisenberg, he was also known for his fine custom suits. He started getting more low key with his image during the Depression out of fear of being kidnapped for ransom. There were probably deeper reasons.

[@MarinCipollina]

@@paulburt3112 The Benz wasn't in the class of Cadillac or even Buick in 1953, not to mention the fact that WW II wasn't that far back in the rear view mirror.. There were still a lot of hard feelings with Germany..

[@danielwanner8708]

I remember being on the Autostrada del sole Italy in early 60s in a 56 Buick Special 4 door flying past the little Fiat cinquecento . It was repainted red with a white top . Gorgeous . At one gas station the attendant kept looking under the car . He couldn't believe the size of the gas tank thought it was leaking somewhere . Going through a tunnel on the Saint Gotthard pass a Mercedes hooked the bumper with his bumper . The guy was so pissed as he picked up the bumper and put it in his trunk . We never even felt it . The Swiss loved American made cars , and after WW2 there was a real demand for them . Buicks and Cadillacs were the desired cars .

[@skiphughes7705]

I always wondered where my Uncles car went

[@lawrencelewis2592]

I've seen the car at the Meadowbrook show about 15 years ago. It was interesting but the hell would I do with it? it belongs in a museum. There was another car at that show that was owned by Howard. The owner said that there were imprints of a woman's high-heeled shoes in the ceiling above the back seat. They were there, alright.

[@quicksilver2510]

Imagine Howard Hughs living through covid.

[@pfcwar5150]

He did….1950’s Asian Flu pandemic 1968 Hong Kong flu pandemic…..all declared pandemics by the US …and mass vaccinations

[@cocopublicnews6766]

The continental kit is a win

[@talfacprez]

In Tulsa Oklahoma I was at the Leake Auction in 2008 and watched the sale of Howard Hugh's Lincoln Aero-mobile sell for a Million dollars. That is still a very vivid memory I will NEVER forget.

[@dave1956]

In the early 80’s I worked in Houston for a company that did business with Hughes Tool. A few of the old timers told me many a Howard Hughes story.

[@thyslop1737]

And you are gonna leave us hanging?

[@dave1956]

A couple of the old timers mentioned meeting Howard Hughes. You didn’t dare approach him unless he approached you first. They said that he was extremely paranoid even back in the 40’s. One of the women who had worked at Hughes Tool said that he was as good looking as any movie star.

[@frankwood7878]

I wish i owned this Classic Buick. Piece of true Americana 🇺🇸

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Enjoyed!!! 👍👍👍

[@BRPFan]

I remember that! It was awesome!

[@josecanales2978]

I imagine he’d fare well

[@choward5430]

Insane, literally

[@JackieontheTrunk]

That young lady working with the Alan Jones - wow, she was absolutely stunning!

[@busman7228]

I was looking at the hot chick with the tie also

[@jimmywicker1662]

What's her name? I think Amy.

[@hectorrivera2785]

That was tense.

[@keithhoward4069]

My older brother had a Buick Roadmaster. My dad gave it to him when he was in Highschool. It was a great car. When I got to high school I got a 57 Buick(made before I was even born). It was a real tank but on the straightaway, it could go from 0-60 mph ' 5.5 seconds

[@michaelbenardo5695]

I know the 57 Buick, especially the Century, was a fast car, but 5.5 seconds with DynaFlow?

[@steveashcraft718]

@@michaelbenardo5695 ,yes. I had a 53 Super. Would flat out fly. Puter in low all the way to the floor. Shift to drive at 40 mph and hang on.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

@@steveashcraft718 That's what I used to do as well. Many people who did that would shift to Drive under power, which would ruin the Direct Drive clutch in the trans. I let up off the gas until it engaged into Drive - you could feel it.

[@EristiCat]

@@michaelbenardo5695 sorry but nope, no way.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

@@EristiCat What is this in reply to?

[@42lookc]

How someone could be so completely paranoid _looney_ , almost to the point of being entirely socially crippled, and yet such a financial and industrial genius and magnate is just beyond my comprehension. HH was for sure one of a kind.

[@SevenBears1]

That was fun

[@ArcherMorningside]

Reminds me of that one book. A buick 8

[@jonathanmorrisey5771]

That was an interesting book.

[@pierceaero3005]

I grew up next to Lockheed Burbank, and would see those planes in storage, by the factory, decades later before they moved it. Beautiful. Especially when parked next to 1950s cars. A germ box makes sense given the current pandemic. He knew people wanted his plane to crash. Disease served the same purpose. Plus, smog was deadlier then. A closed air circulatory system would filter that out of his passenger area. A Buick would draw less attention than a Cadillac, for traveling incognito. I know he had issues, but his choice of ride and customizations do make sense.

[@lilibethdoherty295]

Syphilis was the culprit his brain as well as his heart and liver were ravaged by the Disease it is amazing that he lived to be 77 years old.

[@pfcwar5150]

Nonsense…Howard never had it… he died from kidney failure at 70 yrs old… due to drug use for pain…. Numerous plane crashes left him in intense pain for yrs

[@loneranger7877]

How many years has Steve Davis worn those dark glasses ?! LOL

[@bradb1474]

Ever since he developed eye issues where he needed them.

[@loneranger7877]

@@bradb1474 oh Had no idea.. I thought it was just a cool look wearing dark eye glasses. thanks

[@bradb1474]

@@loneranger7877 yes, cool look by a man who has cool millions and turned his cool hobby into a cool fortune! I'm jealous!

[@loneranger7877]

@@bradb1474 I still think you are cool also :)

[@bradb1474]

@@loneranger7877 my kids would disagree with you!

[@ScottALaFollette]

Mystery phone bidder at $1,225,000… “…cheapskate…”. 😂 I can appreciate the auctioneers sense of humor.

[@robertliepe6766]

💯"TRUE HISTORY"🥂🍾🥩😎🇺🇲

[@johnlott143]

Buick had a more distinct following, the family who lived next door to me also had a 1953 Buick Roadmaster. The car of the working class rich, that survived the thirties and made money during the post- WW2 economy. The family leader had worked for Bell, bought out by Lockheed in Marietta Ga.

[@lawrencelewis2592]

If you earned your money, you bought a Buick. If it was given to you, you bought a Cadillac.

[@mitchflorida]

It was known as a doctor's car, when doctors made house calls.

[@mikestang679]

His 1954 Chrysler, equipped the exact same way, SOLD for pennies, compared to this FRENZY BIDDING........🤑🤑

[@michaelbenardo5695]

And his Chrysler had a Hemi.

[@adolfoliverbusch4755]

Worried about germs and someone listing to him…..sounds like he predicted 2020

[@AntonioGomez-lk6jm]

I watched a lot of Barrett/Jackson auction, but I dont remember an episode when Barrett and Davis had hair, just saying 😁

[@JamesAllmond]

I love this era Buick, but please, just because HH owned it? Is a nice Buick!

[@alanjohnson2528]

U could do 5 movies about Howard and still not run out of material...Aviator only scratched the surface

[@margiemouse1660]

Hughes wasn't afraid of germs he was afraid of getting killed. Germs don't need locked doors, or the ability to start aircraft on his own. His bumpy relationship with the CIA may have made some enemies, so that makes sense.

[@jjtt7408]

They took that guy for a ride

[@richardmiranda640]

Howard Hughs-es

[@jerrycaughron7378]

The front end of this car reminds me of a Bulldog.

[@dewightkey6975]

That Buick could still make a lot more money

[@bradgarrett7790]

so who ended up being the mistery bidder?

[@davidnuckols8151]

Is that Wayne Corini!?!?

[@oldscout80]

Caught my eye too.

[@robertklein9190]

Where is the car today?

[@guyb7005]

At $380 / lb, that's one mean steak!

[@WAL_DC-6B]

Nice looking Buick, but I still prefer the styling of my '53 Hudson Super Wasp.

[@WAL_DC-6B]

@@oldscout80 I still call 'em that along with Nash Airflytes.

[@oldscout80]

@@WAL_DC-6B They were hard to tell apart, but when it comes to power the Hudson could leave a Nash Looking like it was standing still! Only good thing about the Nash was that the seats folded flat making it a nice playground, if you know what I mean!

[@WAL_DC-6B]

@@oldscout80 Yeah, I know what you mean about the "Nash seats." But the Hudson and Nash were pretty much worlds apart in terms of looks until Nash merged with Hudson in 1954 creating American Motors and then 1955 - '57 Hudsons were built using the basic Nash body producing what some called a "Hash" which, I suppose, means they also had a "Hash seat."

[@stevengrotte2987]

It is not A HARDTOP, it is a 4 door SEDAN!!!

[@oldscout80]

[@billjackson1317]

He wanted to blend in, that's why a Buick instead of Cadillac.

[@danielwanner8708]

Buick was Sportier .

[@newking70]

Symbolism will be their downfall.

[@gs1100ed]

Referring to Steve? He’s flashing the signs

[@retroguy9494]

Oh yea the old lady and Craig Jackson were SO sad to see the car go. But I'm willing to bet dollars to donuts that mil and a half cheered them up REAL quick! LOL At first I thought it was those 2 teen dudes bidding against the guy on the phone! LOL!

[@smkh2890]

I have read a biog of Hughes, and he was a fascinating person. Today we have Elon Musk as Iron Man and culture icon.

[@donnm6811]

I miss Spanky and his wife.

[@mjlives5428]

1.5 or 1.6???confused

[@jsmith034086]

right?

[@PanzerBuyer]

1.6 with buyers premium added?

[@gs1100ed]

Freemason hand sign

[@SuperAgentman007]

That particular car resides in the Peterson museum now

[@davef.2811]

Does it even run?

[@SuperAgentman007]

@@davef.2811 yes it does run the Peterson museum does exercise their collection

[@SuperAgentman007]

@@davef.2811 they also have the only screen used Christine car from the movie there are a lot of copies out in public but the Petersen Museum has the only screen used car. They also have Saddam Hussein’s limo as well as the popes car

[@auletjohnast03638]

WHAT YEAR WAS IT WHEN IT WAS SOLD AT BARRETT JACKSON?

[@BarrettJacksonTV]

We sold it in 2005

[@thomascino311]

Ron don't lose

[@mjlives5428]

Is this The Rain Man car?

[@vernwallen4246]

No, that was a 1949 buick roadmaster.🗽👍

[@mjlives5428]

@@vernwallen4246 Ahh ok thanks mate!

[@auletjohnast03638]

mj lives, The rainman car was yellow and a convertible.

[@mjlives5428]

@@auletjohnast03638 I should have clarified...I meant is this the same make and year as the Rain Man car.Cheers

[@williameichner7177]

Germ box is'nt so eccentric now is it.

[@alanwann9318]

Perhaps he knew something we dont

[@MrShobar]

I thought Howard preferred nondescript Chevrolets.

[@johnwick-ii6il]

Is there any logic behind auctioneers speaking like that ? I think most common folk find it needlessly complicated.

[@crazyoldhippieguy]

16-01-2022,You don,t know the half of it, back in 1970 l road in that car, we talked, much to tell, nodody wants to know, good, l,m tired anyway.

[@domin8rdominant763]

Isn’t it ironic that his car sold for $1 million and he was just a millionaire when he was alive?

[@aurelnegrea7617]

Pe nuts for some. Hmm. What a moment ??

[@dave1956]

I used to enjoy the television coverage of Barrett Jackson. The last several years they seem to feature nothing but restomods and tribute cars. That and the mind numbing number of commercials. I stopped watching.

[@busman7228]

Yeah that company has rip off auction prices. I agree with you

[@wendellworth353]

I would not give 1.6 dollars for it. Huges was demented and ruined the car.

[@vernwallen4246]

Name recognition anyone??

[@rickprusak9326]

Why do auctioneers babble and bumble their words so fast when announcing the price and increases in the price?

[@kevinallen6197]

Germbox? Air filter dufus

[@Marc816]

$1.6 million for a 1953 Roadmaster because Howard Hughes owned it!!!!!?????? Is the old junkbox made out of gold!!!!!??????

[@bestprice1776]

I would have bought Bitcoin instead of that

[@captainbart]

of course you would.......someone has to drink the Kool-Aid. meanwhile, the rest of us normal people watch, and buy, cars.

[@bestprice1776]

@@captainbart I bought a Jaguar F type convertible last year with Bitcoin, does that count?

[@ArcherMorningside]

@@bestprice1776 hey man, making fun of and being a dick about the way you talk about other peoples dream cars just shows how much you really know about life and classic cars them selves!!!

[@rjnation5042]

@@bestprice1776 Show's how little you know about cars when you buy one of those,

[@godfreyberry1599]

Money or for that matter, Bitcoin has no soul.