The phenomenon of converting used luxury cars into wreckers more or less ended with the Depression, but as we can see from this 1950 Buick Roadmaster-based wrecker, the idea didn’t die once prosperity returned to the country.
This particular example looks a little more refined with its concealed wrecker boom and winch, all of which looks undisturbed from the day whoever built it decided to retire it.
This wrecker was custom built in the mid 1950’s by a Buick dealership near or in Oakland, CA. Under the hood seat Buick’s 320, 5.3L Fireball straight 8 cylinder with about 168 hp.
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The workmanship is superb. The custom roof is gorgeous and very well done. The boom actually retracts into the floor of the bed. No, this did not start life as a flower car.
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This Buick Roadmaster was built and stayed at the Buick plant and was used to ferry parts from one end to the other. Probably it was never driven on a road or even plated.
It has minimal rust on the rear fender and on one wheel arch dog leg. The floors are excellent (no prior patches, etc.). It starts right up and runs well. The brakes were overhauled, but a few years ago. This Roadmaster was discovered in a collection in Northern CA, several years ago.
Since then, it has been stored in dry storage until these most recent photos were taken of it. The car runs fine despite being in storage for so long, stops and is ready for wrecking duty should it come to that.
Even if it was just left as-is, the bewildering uniquity of the Buick Towmaster should make it an attention magnet at just about any car show.
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