The ‘Rain Man’ 1949 Buick Roadmaster is Up for Sale

The Buick Roadmaster, that was one of the stars of the movie Rain Man, is going up for auction in Scottsdale to be sold to a new owner.

This is nothing new, cars that have been part of movies have been at auctions many times over the years, and now the 1949 Buick convertible is going to be the next one on the block. This car has been owned by actor Dustin Hoffman since the movie ended, but not it’s time for this car to find a new home and fetch a top price.

You Can Picture the Scene

The movie did quite a bit to raise money and awareness for autism while featuring two gifted actors, Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman, who traveled across the country to Las Vegas in the Roadmaster. This car was used for the movie poster featuring the pair driving this amazing car on the open road as they made their way toward their destination. The story features one brother who has autism, played by Hoffman, and one brother who hasn’t spent time with his brother in a long time, played by Cruise. It’s a story of family, togetherness, travel, adventure, and turmoil, taking us on a journey with these two characters.

” I’m an Excellent Driver”

The famous line repeated throughout the movie by Hoffman playing his autistic character was “I’m an Excellent Driver,” which turned out not to be the case. Either way, this car is on the auction block and is expected to bring in anywhere from $150,000 to $250,000 at the auction when all the bits are in. When this car was new in 1949, it would have cost $3,150, which is a huge difference from what it should receive when going across the line in Scottsdale.

This Car Has Some Original Qualities

The 1949 Buick Roadmaster heading to the auction block comes with a 320-cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine that produces 150 horsepower, which is pushed through a two-speed Dynaflow automatic transmission. The car even has an independent front suspension and four hydraulic drum brakes, which made this car a special model when it was brand new.

One of the features of this car that you don’t see today is the engine layout which is an inline version with all eight cylinders in one row, something that isn’t built any longer because a V8 takes up less room in the engine bay.

The Hoffman Ownership was Gentle

There were two of these cars used for the filming of Rain Man, and this one was owned by Dustin Hoffman from the time filming ended until it goes on auction later this month. This car was restored by Larry Payne of Glendora, CA but hasn’t been driven or used much at all. The car was shown at a 1989Buick Car Club event, and it looks pristine. As it makes its way to the auction, this car will show off as one of the most attractive and impressive cars that will be sold during this event.

Its Time for a New Owner

The gorgeous build and amazingly perfect look of this car are ready for a new owner. According to Hoffman, this car has been in storage too long and should be enjoyed by someone who has the time and desire to drive it on the road. Even though he won the Best Actor award in 1989 for his portrayal of Raymond Babbitt in Rain Man, he’s ready to give up this gorgeous car that is made to be perfect for someone to drive and enjoy.

More Classics are On the Auction Block

This Roadster might be the most famous car at the Bonhams Scottsdale auction later this month, but it’s not the only classic that will be sold to a new owner. This auction will feature a 1958 AC Ace roadster which should fetch a price of about $375,000, a 1989 Lamborghini Countach, which might bring close to $350,000, and a 1965 Jaguar E-Type Series I 4.2 coupe that might sell for as much as $275,000. These three cars will certainly grab prices that are much more than when they were first sold, but none carries the same story as the Buick.

Who will be the new owner of the Rain Man Buick Roadmaster? Will a story go along with the car? Will the new owner take this amazing car out on the road when the weather is right and enjoy a fun time with the top down? This car will soon have a new home, but it sure is fun to remember the movie that brought it to life.