The 1949 Buick was a 1-year-only styling triumph that neatly bridges the last vestiges of pre-war design with the upcoming sleeker look that would emerge in the 1950s. Convertibles like this 1949 Buick Super take on a sleek, powerful look, and when dressed in dark colors it's every bit the luxury car that it appears to be. Hailing from the Truett Cathy (of Chick-Fil-A fame) estate, this is a solid car that's ready to go to the next level or be enjoyed as-is.Finished in original code 2 Bahama Blue, this big Buick definitely has presence. This was the car that the wealthiest guy in town might own, and he wasn't interested in showing off. Buick quality was at its zenith in the late '40s, and it's tangible in how the doors close, how neatly that massive hood fits, and the smooth tightness of the car as it goes down the road. The paint was done a few years ago, and it's been driven since then, but it still looks formal and elegant today, and a big car like this looks best in dark colors. There are chips in the high-wear areas around the hood and on the nose, so it's not perfect, but it sure looks impressive going down the road. Better still, all the chrome is in good order, including that toothy grille, massive bumpers, and numerous trim details like the "bombsight" hood ornament, all of which appear to be good original pieces. And, of course, the traditional Buick "Venti-Ports" in the front fenders clearly identify this one as a Super with three portholes.The handsome interior appears to be largely original, with a dark blue dashboard adding a bit of contrast without distracting from the formal feel. The '49 Buicks received an all-new dash featuring round gauges with brushed stainless faces, and they all work except the fuel gauge. The door panels and carpets show a bit of age, but again, for a car this old, the preservation is remarkable. The original Buick Sonomatic radio is in the dash, but it isn't working (not surprising) and the chrome grille underneath is in good order. Remarkably, this car also features a 3-speed manual transmission with column-mounted shifter, which gives it sprightly performance compared to the Dynaflow automatic. Power windows are part of the package, and they're a bit balky on this car, which is typical of a car that has been out of service for a while, but getting them working is not a huge ordeal (the system usually just needs to be bled). The massive trunk is neatly trimmed with gray mouse fur upholstery and there's a blue boot to hide the top when it's down.The Super used a silky smooth 248 cubic inch straight-eight engine with overhead valves, one of the more advanced engines of the period. With 125 horsepower and linked to a 3-speed manual instead of a sluggish Dynaflow, performance is bright with a great eight-cylinder sound from the single exhaust system. It still offers the original 2-barrel carburetor and oil-bath air cleaner, along with correct turquoise engine paint that looks fairly fresh. Someone has invested in some work under the hood, that's obvious. Underneath, it's solid and original, with the torque tube suspension offering a smooth ride that's unlike anything on the road today. Big H78-15 whitewalls on red steel wheels look period perfect and add some flash.A big cruiser with an interesting story to tell, this handsome Buick only needs a little TLC to rightfully take its place at the top of the 1940s hierarchy. Call today!