Dustin Hoffman’s filmography is debatably unrivaled, serving as a symbolic showcase of just how versatile one man can be. From playing Jon Voight’s counterpart in Midnight Cowboy to one Mr. Bernie Focker in, that’s right, Meet the Fockers, the list truly never ends. Be that as it may, few of his roles are more memorable than that of Raymond Babbitt, the autistic savant in Rain Man. Now, a symbolic relic from the late-eighties drama is up for auction: the film’s iconic 1949 Buick Roadmaster that has been in the Oscar-winning actor’s possession ever since the movie.
Upon being restored in 1989 by California-based Larry Payne, the aptly-dubbed RAIN MAN Buick was shown at the 1989 Buick Car Club event and hasn’t left Hoffman’s side. The American marque’s former flagship turns out 150 horsepower and runs on a 320-cubic-inch inline 8-cylinder engine that’s mated to a two-speed(!) DynaFlow automatic transmission.
While the car is symbolic in its own right, it also served as an integral element of Rain Man‘s plot, as one of the beloved cars of the Babbitt brothers’ late father. According to Hoffman, the Buick has been in storage for quite some time, and he says “It should be driven, enjoyed, and cherished.” Be it whether you are a fan of the film or automotive Americana, this iconic Buick model is sure to be the delight of whoever ends up placing the winning bid.
Anyone looking to get their hands on a piece of both film and automotive history can do so on January 27th at Bonhams’ The Scottsdale Auction. The auction house expects the classic car to ultimately sell between $150,000 and $200,000.
