Buick Roadmaster (1953)

The 1953 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon represents the grand finale of America’s true wood-bodied wagons. As Buick’s 50th anniversary year, 1953 brought significant innovations: the introduction of the Skylark convertible, the all-new “Nailhead” V8 replacing the long-running straight-8, a 12-volt electrical system, and an improved “Twin Turbine” Dynaflow transmission. But for this Roadmaster wagon, the historical highlight is clear: it’s part of the last generation of genuine wood-bodied wagons, with only 670 Model 79R units built.