Fuel-efficiency be damned, large land yachts prowled America’s streets for decades, giving families large, cavernous cabins that seemed to fit as many children as parents could haul. Big cars with big V8 engines were the hallmark of American driving, and these massive cars were used for road trips, nights out at the drive-in theater, or taking the family to the local football game on Friday night to watch one of the older siblings perform on the field.Today, it's nearly impossible to find an American-made land yacht, and those still in existence are admired. These big cars have been replaced by the SUV craze that began in the early 1990s but really took off in the 2000s. Although the big American sedan has fallen out of favor, thanks to SUVs, fuel costs, emissions regulations, and styling evolution, one Buick sedan has an amazing secret that made it truly special during its time. Corvette-Derived LT1 V8 Gave It Unexpected Performance Shared DNA With The Chevrolet Corvette Bring A Trailer The LT1 small-block V8 is a staple of GM and has been for decades. It’s the engine that powered many Corvette models, including the 2013 version, which used a Gen V LT1. The LT1 that was used in the Buick sedan was the Gen II model, and in the Corvette, it made 300 horsepower. For the Buick built with the B-body, it had iron heads instead of the Corvette’s aluminum heads. This reduced power to 260 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque, but allowed the Buick sedan to run on 87 octane fuel. Strong Towing And Highway Power Bring a Trailer Would you consider towing up to 5,000 pounds with a modern sedan? For the most part, that answer is likely a resounding “no,” but there was a Buick sedan that not only used the Corvette LT1 engine, but could also tow up to 5,000 pounds. That figure rivals that of some modern SUVs and is more than enough to tow a medium-sized trailer or boat. In addition to towing this amount, the large Buick sedan could reach 60 MPH in 7.8 seconds, which was impressive for a car that weighs 4,240 pounds and is made for highway cruising. Old-School Body-On-Frame Engineering Made It Exceptionally Durable A Rare Throwback Design Even In The 1990s Bring A Trailer By the 1990s, most sedans were much smaller and rode on unibody platforms, but the Buick Roadmaster was not. The B-body platform was a body-on-frame build, giving the venerable land yacht the durability of a pickup truck in sedan form. The B-body platform was extremely appealing because it allowed GM to offer several versions of similar cars in sedan and wagon body styles. If you remember Oldsmobile, Buick, Chevrolet, and Cadillac offering vehicles of similar size and shape, this was part of the appeal. Even the hot rod Impala SS of the 1990s was built on this platform.Bring a Trailer The B-body platform is a modern-day throwback, modern for the 1990s that is. For all intents and purposes, it is mechanically similar to several 1960s platforms, offering a body-on-frame build, RWD layout, and a massive V8 power plant. Even the brakes, spindles, suspension, and rear end make this platform a throwback. This build is the secret to what made the Buick Roadmaster an excellent car. Built Like A Truck, Which Boosted Longevity Bring A Trailer The same build philosophy that appeared in the Buick Roadmaster was also used in many pickup trucks. Trucks from nearly any era have body-on-frame platforms and have powerful V8 engines. The 5.7-liter V8 engine has been a staple of GM for decades, giving the Roadmaster a robust, tank-like build that allows it to last a long time.Bring a Trailer The Roadmaster is tough and rugged, but like many older cars, it has some issues that diminish its reliability. It was mired by the less-than-stellar OptiSpark ignition system, but other than that, it was known for being a dependable vehicle. Ride Comfort That Rivaled Luxury Cars Above Its Price It Feels Like A Living Room On Wheels Bring A Trailer The Roadmaster defied its truck-like build, proving comfortable on the road. Despite sharing a body-on-frame build with pickup trucks, this Buick land yacht was consistently touted for its soft ride. The massive cabin helps add to the comfort, making it a great choice for families who want to enjoy road trips together. Before seat belt laws, it was common to see a Buick Roadmaster Wagon with kids in the rear cargo area, almost like when some people rode in the back of pickup trucks before that became a serious driving faux pas. Spacious Interior With True Full-Size Proportions Bring A Trailer You almost need to choose a full-size SUV or pickup truck to get the same spaciousness in today’s market that the Roadmaster offers. It was in line with other large American sedans of the time, but still extremely admired for its spaciousness. Front passengers had 42.1 inches of legroom and 63.3 inches of shoulder room, while rear passengers enjoyed 38.9 inches of legroom and 63.3 inches of shoulder room. Some wagon versions included a third-row, rear-facing seat, allowing up to nine people in the car, and everyone had a seat belt. This was one of the last cars to have a front bench seat, which added passenger versatility. Proven Reliability And High-Mileage Longevity Engines Capable Of 200,000+ Miles Bring A Trailer The LT1 engine is one of the most durable and longest-lasting engines in the automotive industry. It is well known for its durability and longevity, typically exceeding 200,000 miles, even when not properly maintained. Owners who care for their cars properly have reported reaching 300,000 miles or more. The uncomplicated build and overbuilt features enable the engine to achieve high mileage. Other Roadmaster parts might not last as long, but the engine has been one of the toughest. Owners Report Exceptional Durability Bring A Trailer The Roadmaster, once it received the detuned Corvette engine, proved it was a great road car. It had always been a good choice for families, but the LT1 engine, coupled with the body-on-frame build, made it one of the most durable cars on the road. The only drawback some owners have reported is the car's size, which is what you get with a land yacht. It Was Overlooked Because It Didn’t Fit Changing Trends Lost In The Shift To SUVs And Modern Sedans Buick You might not remember the Buick Roadmaster for its admirable qualities, but think of it as just another large sedan that eventually gave way to SUVs. The Roadmaster represented the end of the traditional RWD American sedan. At a time when most cars were smaller, built on unibody platforms, powered by four-cylinder engines, and FWD, the Roadmaster kept the traditional sedan alive for as long as possible. It quietly combined toughness, power, and comfort together in a winning formula that no longer fit the market. Underrated Despite Strong Fundamentals The Buick Roadmaster was underappreciated during its time and wasn’t much praised in the years that followed. It has taken several years for this car to become recognized for what it offers, making it a classic and hidden gem among drivers who truly understand what it brings to the table. Only 90,700 Roadmaster models were built during its time, which doesn’t make it extremely rare, but it's not nearly as common as Chevrolet sedans that shared the B-body platform. The Buick Roadmaster contained one of GM’s best-kept secrets, a fundamentally impressive car that was overlooked during its time.
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