Dustin Hoffman is sending a very special Buick to the auction block this month - one of movie car fame. It's an iconic1949 Buick Roadmaster convertible, one of two used in the multi-award winning1988 movie Rain Main. Hoffman acquired one of the Buick's when the film wrapped. The vehicle was restored by Larry Payne of Glendora, California, and shown at a 1989 Buick Car Club event. The car's remained in Hoffman's ownership, but it's rarely been seen in public in 34 years. Something that's about to change.
"The Buick's been in storage too long," says Dustin Hoffman, "It should be driven, enjoyed, and cherished."
The car will cross the block at Bonham's The Scottsdale Auction on January 27th. It's estimated to sell for between $150,000-$250,000.
The 1988 Academy Award winning movie Rain Man is the story about a road trip taken by two brothers -- Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) and Raymond Babbitt (Dustin Hoffman).
Charlie discovers that his estranged father has died and bequeathed virtually all of his multimillion-dollar estate to his other son, Raymond, an autistic savant, of whose existence Charlie was unaware. Angry at being cut out of his share of the inheritance, Charlie takes Raymond out of the mental institution and vows to bring him to live in California. Since Raymond will not fly, Charlie puts him in the front seat of the 1949 Buick and they set out on a cross-country odyssey.
Barry Levinson (Director): "The car had a very strong visual presence in the film and was featured throughout. It became a character. Dustin, Tom Cruise, and the '49 Buick. In essence, the car had "third billing."
Check out the full auction listing here.
Photo Credit: Bonhams Auction.