Chassis No. 7C1002308

Body No. G 63

Detroit saw the horsepower race steadily heating up in 1956, and that year's Buicks were the most powerful to date, with the top-of-the-line Roadmaster now offering 255 horsepower and capable of a top speed above 100 mph. The previous year's styling had been well-received by buyers and, accordingly, was only lightly freshened, with a redesigned, more aggressive grille; bumper guard bullets that resembled jet engine intakes; and fully cut-out rear wheel wells, as were first used on the 1953-54 Skylarks and subsequently on 1955's Riviera models.

Among the scarcest of the 1956 Buicks was the Roadmaster convertible, a prestigious model that sold 4,354 copies – accounting for less than one percent of Buick production this model year. Relatively few have survived, and fewer still have been meticulously restored to a high level, in the best colors and with all of the most desirable options and accessories.

The Roadmaster convertible offered here was restored over many years by George Wenk of Boca Raton, Florida, working in his spare time as a 'labor of love,' and was subsequently acquired from him for the Taylor Collection in 2003. It is beautifully finished in an especially attractive combination of Tahiti Coral and Dover White, with black and white leather upholstery over comfortable foam cushions, nylon loop carpeting, and including accessories of automatic transmission, power brakes, power top and windows, AM radio, clock, tissue dispenser, and Skylark-style chrome wire wheels.

The restoration has some light age to it, but remains in largely good, honest condition, with a beautifully detailed engine bay nicely showing off the famous Buick 'nailhead' V8. Radial tires allow for a more modern driving experience, which Mr. Taylor has quite enjoyed. Such is the attractive presentation of this car that it was photographed by Design Circle, Inc., and used by the Danbury Mint as the basis for their well-known die-cast model, a copy of which accompanies the full-size Roadmaster to this day. The Buick was also exhibited for a time, on loan from Mr. Taylor, in the Northeast Classic Car Museum. At the time of cataloging, the car had recorded 52,617 miles.