Garage Alchemy - Every now and then, the automotive world surprises us with something so unusual and creative that it demands a second look—something that makes us question not just what a car is, but what it can be. We’re talking about vehicles that break the mold, much like
the whimsical Lil Redd Wrecker built by George Barris. But unlike
Barris’s famously polished creations, there exists another vehicle that stands out not because of its showroom shine, but because of its sheer character and the story built into its bolts. That vehicle is none other than the
Buick Roadmaster Custom Wrecker—a curious blend of American luxury and utility that looks like it rolled straight out of a movie set, even if it’s coated in dust and stories.
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| 1950 Buick Roadmaster Custom Wrecker built by a Buick dealership near or in Oakland, California. (Picture from: BarnFinds) |
At a glance, this Buick doesn’t scream “tow truck.” In fact, from the side, it keeps up the illusion of being a fully intact Roadmaster—a car originally known for its elegant, post-war design and high-end flair. But look a little closer and you’ll discover a cleverly integrated boom that actually retracts into the bed, hiding its true identity like a secret agent in disguise. It’s no wonder someone joked it feels like something out of a James Bond film.😅 Despite its rugged second life, this Roadmaster remains remarkably well-preserved, even decades after its conversion. That’s no accident—it’s the result of dedicated craftsmanship by two men who poured heart and skill into building something truly one-of-a-kind.
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| 1950 Buick Roadmaster Custom Wrecker was found in dry storage for years in northern California. (Picture from: BarnFinds) |
Back in
the 1950s, i
n the small town of Susanville,
California,
friends Harper Honea and Clark Burr weren’t just building cars—they were building dreams.
Burr,
a freshly minted Buick dealer,
teamed up with Honea,
a capable mechanic,
to open a modest dealership in town. These weren’t big-industry players; they were hands-on craftsmen.
The two of them built the dealership building from scratch,
and when business was running,
Honea was the sole full-time mechanic keeping the gears turning.
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| 1950 Buick Roadmaster Custom Wrecker has a special boom actually retracts into the floor of the bed. (Picture from: BarnFinds) |
Some years into their venture, the pair got hold of two wrecked 1950s Buick Roadmasters—ironically, both had originally been sold through their own dealership. Rather than send the cars off to the scrapyard, Burr and Honea saw potential. Over time, Honea meticulously rebuilt the vehicles into a single, functional machine. He shortened the cabin, added a custom bed, and integrated a boom, generator, and motor—all based on Burr’s detailed design ideas. The result wasn’t just a tow truck; it was a hand-built mechanical hybrid, seamlessly blending Buick’s luxury DNA with hardworking practicality.
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| 1950 Buick Roadmaster Custom Wrecker is known to be sold with a price tag of $45,000 in 2016. (Picture from: BarnFinds) |
This custom wrecker served the dealership well into the 1970s, proving that good design doesn’t just turn heads—it gets the job done. Then, like many relics of a bygone era, it slipped into obscurity, resting quietly in dry storage in Northern California for years before resurfacing in Virginia. The passage of time has only added to its charm. It still runs, it still stops, and yes—it’s still ready to go to work if duty calls.
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| 1950 Buick Roadmaster Custom Wrecker while was used as a special big tow vehicle at a Buick dealer in California. (Picture from: Hemmings) |
While it once carried a price tag of $45,000 in 2016, there’s no public word on whether it found a new home. But that number hardly matters when you're dealing with something this rare. The real value lies in the story—of two friends, a small-town dream, and a luxury car reborn as a rugged roadside hero. The Buick Roadmaster Custom Wrecker may not shine like a showpiece, but it carries something even more powerful: legacy, ingenuity, and a soul forged in steel and friendship. *** [EKA [28092020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BARN FINDS | GM AUTHORITY | RODAUTHORITY | HEMMINGS ]
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