Charlie and Raymond Babbitt embark on their cross-country journey in a 1949 Buick Roadmaster convertible. Photos from www.imcd.org

Everyone remembers Raymond Babbitt, the autistic savant, explaining to his brother Charlie Babbitt, “It’s a 1949 Buick Roadmaster. Straight 8. Fireball 8. Only 8,985 production models. Dad lets me drive slow on the driveway. But not on Monday, definitely not on Monday.”

There were actually two cars built for the film, one of which had a modified rear suspension to hold the extra weight of the camera equipment and cameraman that shot the scenes from the trunk. 

In 2012, the modified 1949 Buick Roadmaster convertible was sold at a Heritage Auction in Dallas, Texas. The opening bid started at $80,000 and kept ratcheting up until it finally sold for $170,500.

Charlie and Raymond Babbitt’s cross-country adventure centered around the sweet ride, with the car in a majority of the scenes. It is almost appropriate that Charlie is left the car when his father dies. The classic Buick is one of America’s greatest cars from the golden age of auto manufacturing which plays into the movies theme of ethics.

“Only 8,985 production models,” according to Raymond.

When it comes to ethics and selling the car, perhaps Raymond said it best: “Dad lets me drive slow on the driveway every Saturday. Of course the seats were originally brown leather now they’re a pitiful red.” The interior was not original but the car still commanded a premium price.

The Buick always got the pair to the TV in time to see the next episode of “The People’s Court” without fail.

Specs:

• Two-door convertible
• Beige exterior
• Red leather interior
• Straight-8 Fireball 320 ci engine
• 2-speed Dynaflow automatic transmission
• Modified rear suspension

The 1949 Buick Roadmaster convertible driven by Tom Cruise in the film “Rain Man” was definitely an excellent car. Definitely. “Course, three minutes to Wapner.”