Nineteen fifty-four turned out to be a momentous year for Buick: Consistent annual growth in both production capacity and sales through the preceding decade, built on a reputation for quality, luxury, styling and performance, had finally brought the brand into the top-four American automakers by market share. Aiming to solidify this image, Buick further tightened the reins of quality control across an ever-expanding lineup of sedans, convertibles, coupes, and estate wagons in four trim levels.

Concurrently, Buick’s acclaimed 322-cubic-inch (5.2-liter) “Fireball” V-8 engine was ushered in as the standard powerplant for the entire range of Buick products. Introduced in the previous model year, it offered a much more compact, lighter, and robust powerplant with a smaller footprint than the previous inline-eight, giving the marque the flexibility to design multiple distinctive model variations utilizing the same basic front-end layout.

The long-wheelbase Roadmaster was the top-of-the-line chassis for 1954, with even the Skylark utilizing the shorter Century body and frame. The Fireball V-8 was tweaked in both the Roadmaster and Skylark lines for greater performance, with 8:1 compression and a 200-horsepower output. The $3,521 factory price of the Roadmaster convertible, topped only by the Skylark in 1954, resulted in only 3,305 units sold, compared to over 47,000 Roadmaster hardtops being sold that same year. Very few 1954 Roadmaster convertibles have survived today as a result, with this cherished example considered by many Buick aficionados to be the finest of its kind.

Meticulously restored and presented, this 1954 Roadmaster convertible has twice been judged at Buick National shows, securing BCA Gold recognition, and scoring 400 out of 400 points both times, according to its current owner and longtime collector Terry Johnson. In its most recent BCA National showing, it was awarded the “Spirit of BCA 1950s” Best of Show trophy—an ample-sized and well-deserved reward for its accomplishments.

Sporting a more streamlined silhouette, distinctive tail fin design, revised front windshield and tighter beltline than years previous, this 1954 Roadmaster convertible is further enhanced by its desirable factory color combination. Standard equipment for the Roadmaster convertible included a Dynaflow automatic transmission, power brakes, power steering, and hydraulic-electric power windows, power top, and power seat. This example was additionally optioned from the factory with “easy eye” glass and a heater/defroster unit. To finish off its stellar presentation, a spotless set of period-correct chrome Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels are mounted with Firestone Deluxe Champion white walled tires.

This world-class Roadmaster is accompanied by a matching spare wheel, BCA Nationals awards, and an extensive collection of marque literature and manuals.