One of the most iconic automobiles in Hollywood history will be up for auction later this month, with Dustin Hoffman's 1949 Buick Roadmaster Convertible going under the hammer at The Scottsdale Auction set up by Bonhams on January 27.
The car was an unspoken character in the 1988 hit movie "Rain Man" that starred Hollywood superstars Tom Cruise and Hoffman. The film won several prizes, including Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. The movie follows the life-changing cross-country road trip made by wheeler-dealer Charlie Babbitt, played by Cruise, and his autistic brother Raymond, played by Hoffman.
The production used two 1949 Roadmaster Convertibles on set, with Hoffman purchasing one of those after the movie wrapped. The car has rarely been seen in public, though, with the vehicle largely remaining in Hoffman's garage the past 34 years. That is about to change with Hoffman deciding that the iconic car has been in storage for too long.
Barry Levinson, who won the Best Director Oscar for this film, said that "the car had a very strong visual presence in the film and was featured throughout." Levinson added that the 1949 Buick became a character in the movie alongside Hollywood giants Cruise and Hoffman. The '49 Buick, in Levinson's words, had third billing in Rain Man.
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Given the car's place in Hollywood history, interest is high heading into the January auction. This particular model initially sold for $3,150. The 1949 Buick Roadmaster Convertibles remain popular nowadays, with this car typically selling for $80K. This model will sell a lot higher given the car's connection to Hoffman and its part in film history, with some estimating it to fetch around $250K.
Bonhams head of US motoring Jakob Greisen released a statement, saying, "This Roadmaster presents an extraordinary, truly once in a lifetime opportunity to own the third character from the classic Rain Man movie." Greisen added that they are honored to have been entrusted with this special motorcar, and they are sure the Roadmaster will be a hit with Buick enthusiasts and fans of Hoffman and the movie Rain Man alike.
Hoffman said that the car "should be driven, enjoyed, and cherished." The said Roadmaster underwent restoration after Hoffman's purchase and appeared at a Buick car event in 1989. The convertible is powered by a 5.2-liter inline 8-cylinder engine, paired with a two-speed DynaFlow automatic transmission to deliver 150 horsepower. The said Buick has a chassis number of 15235854.
Hoffman's Buick is the latest vehicle with Hollywood connections to go under the hammer in 2022. A 1975 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham, previously owned by Elvis Presley, and a 1964 Porsche 904 GTS, once owned by Robert Redford, are up for auction as well.
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