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I was looking at an impressive 1938 Buick Roadmaster offered by Hyman Ltd and based on the description it appears that the Roadmaster was on par with or a viable alternative to a 1938 Packard 120 sedan. Any thoughts/opinions?

Please remember, I don't know much, so don't be to hard on me.

take care
Garrett Meadows

For "only" $13k more you buy a 33 Buick coupe

I would say that the 1938 Buick Roadmaster would be more on a par with the 1938 Packard "Super Eight".
The Buick Special would be on par with the Packard 120.
That is, unless you're talking about value/prices.

Roadmaster was between the 120 and the Super 8. Or a high medium priced car. It has more horsepower than both 120 and Super 8, but guzzled gas like all straight eights. Even worse than the Packard. I knew somebody who owned a Brewster Buick and it got all of six (6) miles per gallon.

Only six miles per gallon?! Good lord! I would never undertake an extended trip across Nevada (where I live) and there's easily 100 miles between gas stations.

take care
Garrett Meadows

For the sake of discussion and because I simply don't know, would you do a simple compare/contract of the Buick Roadmaster and Packard Super Eight?

take care
Garrett Meadows

I think the most interesting Buick is the Century - the Roadmaster engine in the lighter Special chassis.

1938 Packard Super Eight Touring Sedan
$2,790
4,530 pounds
L-head 8; bxs 3-3/16 x 5"
320cid
6.5 compression (7 optional)
130hp
stromgerg carb (single bbl, I think)

1938 Buick Roadmaster Touring Sedan
$1,645
4,245 pounds
overhead valve 8; bxs 3-7/16 x 4-5/16"
320cid
6.35 compression
141hp @3,600rpm
dual draft stromberg carb

Buick has more horsepower and less weight.

Hi

The Buick most directly comparable to the $1,325 '38 Eight (120) Touring Sedan in price and size is the $1,297 '38 Century Touring sedan. The Buick has 21 horsepower up on the Eight (120) but is also 130 lbs. heavier.

The Century was considered the hot car then, essentially a Buick Special powered by a big Roadmaster engine. The '39 Super 8 follows the same formula and the '40-'41 160 is very much a contender in that pre-war luxury/performance class.

The $1,645 '38 Roadmaster with the 320 engine, sets on a 133" wb, weights in at 4245 lbs., has from Packard only the $1,540 Eight Touring Sedan Deluxe or jumping to the LWB models, the $1,955 Model 1602 5/7passenger Touring Sedan on 148"wb.

Shopping New Cars? Think Packard!

Steve