BROOKLIN AND THE 1948 BUICK ROADMASTER CONVERTIBLE

The standard 1948 Buick Roadmaster Convertible (BRK45) appeared shortly after the C.T.C.S. special. It is finished in blue metallic with white and grey interior. Color shades of blue exist. These models may be found with wide spaced grille bars (14 bars) and narrow spaced grille bars (21 bars). The final Buick Roadmaster was the BRK45A, with identification on the box, introduced in 1995 and deleted in 1999, finished in cream with a brown interior.

CANADIAN TOY COLLECTORS SOCIETY

The 15th Brooklin special produced for the C.T.C.S. was released at their annual autumn toy show in October 1993. This Buick Roadmaster Convertible is stunning from bumper to bumper, from the proud length of the hood to the rounded curves of the trunk. The grille and front bumper is massive and intricate, described by some as a "cow catcher" in style and crested by the Buick shield. The rear bumper is only slightly more modest. Chrome details, which include the hood ornament, hood side louvers and Buick Eight badge on the trunk, add just the right amount of flair to the whole image. The C.T.C.S. special is done in gulf blue, with red interior, black steering wheel and tonneau cover and overall looks quite appropriate for a parade car. Red and white banner decals on the doors and trunk lid proclaim Barbara Ann Scott as the 1947 Ladies European & World Figure Skating Champion and as the 1948 Ladies Olympic Figure Skating Champion. Barbara Ann Scott figure, the handiwork of Omen Miniatures, adds a completing touch to this Brooklin special. Only 500 C.T.C.S. Buick Convertibles were produced, each one with a certificate commemorating Barbara Ann. The C.T.C.S. show special was a preview version of the 1948 Buick Roadmaster convertible. The license plate reads “ONTARIO 48 U1” and “C.T.C.S. 93 1 of 500” is cast in base.

DEALER SPECIAL

Brooklin Models established the Dealer Promotion Program in October 1994 in order to allow serious Brooklin collectors the opportunity to purchase a specially produced model at the price of a standard model. The first of the Brooklin Dealer Promotion Specials was a bold and bright 1948 Buick Roadmaster Convertible, painted fire engine red and sporting lots of chrome. The beige interior, with vanilla cream dashboard, seats and tonneau cover, provide a striking contrast to the body color and the combination emphasizes the long hood of this classic American automobile. The Promotional Special has a blue Missouri license plate below the toothy grille. All of the specials in the Program are identical except for the box label, indicating BRK45DS, and the baseplate detail, both of which identify a specific geographic area. The six areas are: Europe, United States, Canada, Australia / New Zealand, Japan, South Africa, and are identified by an insignia engraved on the black baseplate (no insignia for South Africa).

Author: Gianluigi Cappi

You may find more pictures and information on this model plus many other Brooklin stories in the Brooklin Models Collectors Guide.