Which Buick Roadmaster Version Should You Buy?
The choice comes down to three documented specifications. Within the 1991–1996 Estate 5-door generation, the strongest option is the 5.7 AT with 264 hp and 454 Nm; compared with the 179 hp 5.7 AT, it provides 85 hp more from the same 5,733 cc displacement.
The choice comes down to three documented specifications. Within the 1991–1996 Estate 5-door generation, the strongest option is the 5.7 AT with 264 hp and 454 Nm; compared with the 179 hp 5.7 AT, it provides 85 hp more from the same 5,733 cc displacement. Buyers interested in an earlier Roadmaster can compare the 1949–1953 Estate 5-door 5.3 AT, with 154 hp and 380 Nm, against the 1942–1948 Cabrio 5.3 MT, with 146 hp and 374 Nm. The catalogue contains eight generations in total, but only these three generations have version-level engine specifications.
Buick Roadmaster generations compared
The 1936–1937 first generation is a Phaeton. It has no listed versions, so engine output, transmission, weight, performance, and economy are not measured in the supplied data.
The 1938–1939 second generation is a Sedan. It also has no listed versions, leaving its detailed specifications not measured.
The 1940–1941 third generation is a Cabrio with no listed versions. Its engine, gearbox, performance, dimensions, and weight figures are therefore not measured.
The 1942–1948 fourth generation is a Cabrio represented by one version, the 5.3 MT. It combines a 5,247 cc Gasoline Inline 8-cylinder engine with a 3-speed Manual gearbox and RWD.
The 1949–1953 fifth generation changes the documented body from Cabrio to Estate 5-door. Its single version is the 5.3 AT, which retains a 5,247 cc Gasoline Inline 8-cylinder engine and RWD but uses a 2-speed Automatic gearbox.
The 1954–1956 sixth generation is a Sedan with no listed versions. Detailed engine and chassis figures are not measured.
The 1957–1958 seventh generation is a Coupe with no listed versions. Version-level specifications are not measured.
The 1991–1996 eighth generation returns as an Estate 5-door and contains three catalogue entries, all named 5.7 AT. They must be distinguished by output and weight: one produces 179 hp, while two produce 264 hp. The documented engines are 5,733 cc Gasoline V-shaped 8-cylinder units paired with a 4-speed Automatic gearbox and RWD.
Buick Roadmaster engine options and specs
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942–1948 5.3 MT | 146 hp (107 kW) at 3,600 rpm | 374 Nm at 2,000 rpm | 5,247 cc | Gasoline | 8, Inline | No | 3-speed Manual | RWD |
| 1949–1953 5.3 AT | 154 hp (113 kW) at 3,600 rpm | 380 Nm at 2,000 rpm | 5,247 cc | Gasoline | 8, Inline | No | 2-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1991–1996 5.7 AT, 179 hp | 179 hp (132 kW); engine speed not measured | not measured | 5,733 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1991–1996 5.7 AT, 264 hp, 2,045 kg | 264 hp (194 kW) at 5,000 rpm | 454 Nm at 3,200 rpm | 5,733 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1991–1996 5.7 AT, 264 hp, 1,858 kg | 264 hp (194 kW) at 5,000 rpm | 454 Nm at 3,200 rpm | 5,733 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
The fourth-generation 5.3 MT develops about 27.8 hp per litre, while the fifth-generation 5.3 AT reaches about 29.4 hp per litre. That is an 8 hp and 6 Nm increase with the same 5,247 cc displacement. Their compression ratios are 6.6 and 7.2 respectively, and both use a Carburetor with 2 valves per cylinder and no boost.
The eighth-generation 179 hp 5.7 AT produces about 31.2 hp per litre. Each 264 hp 5.7 AT produces about 46.0 hp per litre, an advantage of roughly 14.8 hp per litre over the 179 hp version. All three use Distributed injection (multi-point), have a 10.5 compression ratio, and require 95 fuel. Bore and stroke are not measured for the 179 hp entry; both 264 hp entries list 101.6 × 88.4.
Buick Roadmaster horsepower, performance, and mpg
The available figures clearly rank engine output, but they do not establish acceleration or top-speed differences. Acceleration from 0–100 km/h is not measured for any version, and top speed is not measured for any version.
City fuel consumption is not measured for the 5.3 MT, the 5.3 AT, or any 5.7 AT. Highway fuel consumption and combined fuel consumption are likewise not measured for every version. Consequently, Buick Roadmaster mpg and gas-mileage comparisons cannot be calculated from this dataset, including comparisons among the 1991–1996 model years.
CO₂ output and environmental class are also not measured for every listed version. Engine output should therefore guide the comparison only where horsepower and torque are given; it cannot be used here to claim a particular acceleration time, maximum speed, or fuel-economy result.
Buick Roadmaster dimensions, weight, and capacity
Overall length, width, height, and wheelbase are not measured for any generation. Gross weight and wheel sizes are also not measured for any listed version.
Kerb weight is available only for the eighth-generation entries. The 179 hp 5.7 AT weighs 2,045 kg, equating to about 11.4 kg per horsepower. One 264 hp 5.7 AT also weighs 2,045 kg, improving that ratio to about 7.7 kg per horsepower. At identical documented weight and displacement, its additional 85 hp is the clearest numerical reason to choose it over the 179 hp entry.
The other 264 hp 5.7 AT weighs 1,858 kg, which is 187 kg lighter than the 2,045 kg versions. It carries about 7.0 kg per horsepower, the best documented weight-to-power result in the catalogue. Its fuel tank holds 87 litres, 4 litres more than the 83-litre tanks of the other two 5.7 AT entries. All three have 150 mm ground clearance.
Kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, tank capacity, and wheel sizes are not measured for the 5.3 MT and 5.3 AT. Towing capacity is not measured for any Buick Roadmaster version, so no towing recommendation can be supported from these specifications.
Chassis differences relevant to the choice
Every version with suspension data uses an Independent, spring front suspension. The three eighth-generation 5.7 AT entries additionally list Independent, spring rear suspension; rear-suspension type is not measured for the 5.3 MT and 5.3 AT.
The 5.3 MT and 5.3 AT have Drum front brakes, while their rear-brake specification is not measured. Every eighth-generation 5.7 AT has Ventilated disc front brakes and Drum rear brakes. This is a documented hardware difference between the early specified generations and the 1991–1996 generation, although braking-distance figures are not measured.
Which Buick Roadmaster version should you choose?
Choose the 1991–1996 5.7 AT with 264 hp and 1,858 kg when the priority is the strongest documented power-to-weight specification. It matches the other 264 hp entry’s 454 Nm output but is 187 kg lighter, reducing the weight carried per horsepower from about 7.7 kg to about 7.0 kg. It also has the largest measured tank at 87 litres.
Choose the 1991–1996 5.7 AT with 264 hp and 2,045 kg when comparing directly with the 179 hp version at the same documented 2,045 kg kerb weight. Both have a 5,733 cc engine, 4-speed Automatic gearbox, RWD, 150 mm clearance, and an 83-litre tank, but the stronger entry supplies 85 hp more. Its 454 Nm torque figure is measured; torque for the 179 hp entry is not measured.
Choose the 1991–1996 5.7 AT with 179 hp only if that exact lower-output specification is the target. The supplied data gives it no measurable advantage in weight, ground clearance, tank capacity, transmission, drive, suspension, or brakes over the 2,045 kg 264 hp version.
Among the early cars, choose the 1949–1953 5.3 AT if an Estate 5-door and Automatic gearbox are required. Compared with the 1942–1948 Cabrio 5.3 MT, it gains 8 hp and 6 Nm without changing the 5,247 cc displacement. Choose the 1942–1948 5.3 MT when the Cabrio body and Manual gearbox define the purchase: its measured output is 146 hp and 374 Nm.
For the remaining Phaeton, Sedan, Cabrio, and Coupe generations, the dataset does not provide version-level specifications. A purchase decision based on engine size, horsepower, weight, mpg, dimensions, or performance cannot be made from the supplied figures alone.