One Super Project: 1949 Buick Super Convertible

Swap meets that have the size and stature of the AACA’s Eastern Fall Meet in Hershey, Pennsylvania, abound with seemingly endless purchasing possibilities. Whether you’re on the hunt for automotive ephemera, petroliana, or hard-to-find parts, the object that haunts your dreams just might be lurking in one of the seven—yes, seven—named fields. The same applies to the hunt for your next restoration project vehicle, as it may not be in the miles-long car corral. A perfect case study is this 1949 Buick Super convertible we happened upon somewhere in the Green Field during the latter days of the 2022 extravaganza.

It probably goes without saying that 1949 was a monumental year for the domestic automobile industry, when every auto manufacturer welcomed truly new postwar designs in earnest; or at least those that didn’t have a head start, such as Hudson. It could also be argued that Buick’s much anticipated update featured a masterful inclusion of traditional elements—we’re looking at that waterfall grille—that complemented fresh flanks flaunting Buick's trademark ventiports and sweepspear trim (that latter initially on top-of-the-line Roadmaster hardtop Rivieras); two Buick hallmarks seen in various guises through the Seventies.

Exterior motifs aside, this well-used example, one of a staggering 21,426 built during the model year, seemed to be rather complete. What you don’t see affixed to the exterior—front and rear bumpers, for instance—looked to have been buried under a pile of miscellaneous parts that littered what once was a standard, leather-trimmed cabin. Being a convertible, it was also furnished with a hydraulically operated top, seat, and windows (precursor to the electric versions that soon followed), all standard equipment in the $2,583 base price when new.

More good news: This one boasted the optional Dynaflow transmission, and the “Pilot-Centered” instrument panel was still populated with a full complement of factory gauges. Moreover, the Super series was Buick’s bread-'n'-butter line for 1949. Total production was a whopping 220,165 units. Roadmaster sales came in at 86,130 units. (The entry-level Special began the ’49 model year with carried-over ’48 styling. The series did not sport ’49 updates until mid-year). This means that whatever body and trim parts required to resurrect this tired steed to as-new condition, like the smashed decklid, are potentially more plentiful, to say nothing about far-more-common mechanical components.

If there was any bad news, at least one door panel was missing or had evaporated, tires neglected to hold air for any length of time, and surface rust outside may have been hinting at what could have been lurking on the chassis. Then again, Buicks of this era were constructed upon extremely substantial X-braced frames that supported robust suspensions and the division’s famed torque tube drive system. Unless it was submerged in mud or water, the frame should still be rock solid.

If the Buick still looks daunting, consider that restoring this Super may only take a carefully planned budget, time, and patience if one first opts to tap into the considerable support network easily accessible via the Buick Club of America. Now, if it had only sported an asking price.

1949 Buick Super Model 58C Convertible

• Asking Price: Undisclosed
• Found At: AACA Eastern Fall Meet, Hershey, Pennsylvania