General Data Book

By Make and Model

Buick Division Corporation

Part Two Vehicles from 1946 to 1966 Post-War through the "Nailhead" V-8 Era

May 2009 Edition

Copyright © 2006 Wild About Cars, LLC 34337 Fontana Drive Sterling Lakes, MI 48312

Member Price: $14.95 Non Members: $24.95

Table of Contents

This book contains data and information on Division of General Motors Corporation vehicles from 1946 through 1966, called “the Nailhead Era”. Earlier and later models are covered in separate manuals. This manual is broken out as follows: Introduction to this Document ...... iii Section 1 - General Information on Makes and Models...... 1 1.0 An introduction to the Company and its History ...... 1 1.01 The Post-War Years ...... 2 1.02 1953 Through 1958 ...... 3 1.02 1953 Through 1958 ...... 4 The "Nailhead" V8 is Introduced ...... 4 Refinement and Power Drive Huge Sales Increases ...... 4 The Bottom Drops Out ...... 4 1.03 1959 Through 1966 ...... 5 Winged Wonders of 1959 – 1960...... 5 A New "Small Car" and Clean Lines Help Sales ...... 5 Steadily Rising Sales Fueled by Solid Designs and Good Looks...... 5 1.1 Full Size Cars - Luxury...... 7 Introduction...... 7 1946 Roadmaster ...... 8 1947 Roadmaster ...... 9 1948 Roadmaster ...... 10 1949 Roadmaster ...... 11 1950 Roadmaster ...... 12 1951 Roadmaster ...... 13 1952 Roadmaster ...... 14 1953 Roadmaster ...... 15 1954 Roadmaster ...... 16 1955 Roadmaster ...... 17 1956 Roadmaster ...... 18 1957 Roadmaster ...... 19 1958 Roadmaster ...... 20 1958 Limited ...... 21 1959 Electra and Electra 225...... 22 1960 Electra and Electra 225...... 23 1961 Electra and Electra 225...... 24 1962 Electra 225...... 25 1963 Electra 225...... 26 1964 Electra 225...... 27 1965 Electra 225...... 28 1966 Electra 225...... 29 1.2 Full Size Cars - Regular...... 30 1946 Special ...... 31 1946 Super ...... 31 1947 Special ...... 32 1947 Super ...... 32 1948 Special ...... 33 1948 Super ...... 33 1949 Special ...... 34 1949 Super ...... 34 1950 Special ...... 35 1950 Super ...... 36 1951 Special ...... 37 1951 Super ...... 38 1952 Special ...... 39 1952 Super ...... 40 1953 Special ...... 41 1953 Super ...... 42 1954 Special ...... 43 1954 Century ...... 44 1954 Super ...... 45 1955 Special ...... 46 1955 Century ...... 47 1955 Super ...... 48

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1956 Special ...... 49 1956 Century ...... 50 1956 Super ...... 51 1957 Special ...... 52 1957 Century ...... 53 1957 Super ...... 54 1958 Special ...... 55 1958 Century ...... 56 1958 Super ...... 57 1959 LeSabre ...... 58 1959 Invicta ...... 59 1960 LeSabre ...... 60 1960 Invicta ...... 61 1961 LeSabre ...... 62 1961 Invicta ...... 63 1962 LeSabre ...... 64 1962 Invicta ...... 65 1.3 Mid-Size Cars ...... 71 1.4 Personal Sport and Luxury Sport Cars ...... 78 Section 2 - High Performance Models...... 87 Section 2.1 – Mid-Sized Cars...... 89 2.5 Production Figures for Buick High Performance Cars...... 91 Section 3 – Engines ...... 92 3.1 8 Cylinder In-line Engine...... 92 3.2 First Generation V-8 Engine - the "Nailhead"...... 93 3.3 Nailhead High Performance Parts & Engine Specific Modifications...... 98 3.4 215 Aluminum V-8 Engine ...... 104 3.5 215 V-8 High Performance Parts & Engine Specific Modifications ...... 107 3.6 300-340 "Early" Small Block V-8...... 113 3.7 300-340 V-8 High Performance Parts & Engine Specific Modifications ...... 115 3.8 Engine Preparation and Modification...... 119 3.81 Degreeing the Cam ...... 131 3.82 The Relationship of Valve Length, Spring Height Rocker Stand Height and Pushrod Length...... 132 3.9 Carburetion and Other Induction...... 134 Section 4 - Drive Train ...... 136 4.1 Brakes ...... 136 4.2 Manual Transmissions, Clutch...... 136 4.3 Automatic Transmissions...... 136 4.4 Rear Gears, Axle ...... 142 4.5 ...... 142 4.6 Wheels...... 142 Section 5 - & Body Parts ...... 143 5.0 General Specifications...... 143 5.1 Suspension...... 151 5.2 Frame ...... 151 5.3 Fenders, Doors, Hood, Trunk, Body Parts ...... 151 5.4 Glass ...... 151 Section 6 - Interior & Electrical...... 152 6.1 Interior ...... 152 Section 7 – Specifications Options and Other...... 1 7.1 Production Figures ...... 1 7.2 Options ...... 9

-ii- Introduction

Introduction to this Document What this Document is This document is intended as a guide and a reference tool. As such, there is now way that it could ever contain all the information and enthusiast may want or need regarding their vehicle. And because it is a paper document (even though you may have downloaded it from the web, it is intended to be moved to paper), so there is a practical limit to the number of pages, size and content it can hold. What this document is intended to do is to provide the enthusiast with sufficient information to become knowledgeable on the vehicle(s) covered in the Manual and to set them on a course to become more proficient in their avocation or hobby. The manual contains an overview of vehicle make, model, series, and options, not every single fact and figure that would be impossible to place in a document of this size and function. Unlike the Internet, this document is printed which means that it is a "snapshot in time". Changes in information can occur, more or newer information can become available; and in such cases this manual will be updated and/or revised - or a sub-set of the manual will be issued. What we hope you see this as is a useful tool to assist you in your hobby or avocation. Suggestions for improvements or additional information may be submitted to: [email protected]. Please be sure to indicate the Manual Name and revision number and date when submitting a suggestion or additional information.

What this Document is not This manual is not: . An Owner's Manual. Owner's manuals are quite complete and specific to year, make, model, series, etc. They can be found and purchased through various vendors. Wild About Cars has a section in both it's Classifieds and Member Mall where these items can be purchased. Wild About Cars is also embarking on a HUGE project to acquire and scan/collect these documents into our library for electronic download; go to www.wildaboutcars.com for more information. Members are assisting in this endeavor by submitting manuals for loan so we may copy them; and there is a section where you can do so on the Site. . A Factory technical Service Manual. Service manuals are quite complete and specific to year, make, model, series, etc. They can be found and purchased through various vendors in both authentic paper and as a digital document. Wild About Cars has a section in both it's Classifieds and Member Mall where these items can be purchased. . Manufacturer Brochures. Brochures are specific to year, make, model – and sometimes even the series. They can be found and purchased through various vendors in both authentic paper and as a digital document. Wild About Cars has a section in both it's Classifieds and Member Mall where these items can be purchased. Wild About Cars is also embarking on a HUGE project to acquire and scan/collect these documents into our library for electronic download; go to www.wildaboutcars.com for more information. Members are assisting in this endeavor by submitting copies; and there is a section where you can do so on the Site. . A complete guide to each and every potential modification to the vehicle. This would be impossible, given the wealth of companies and individuals who have made such mods or are in business to provide this service to you, the enthusiast. Much more information and services can be found on our website www.wildaboutcars.com and/or purchased through various vendors Wild About Cars has a section in both it's Classifieds and Member Mall where these vendors can be located. And if you are a member, we give you access to subject matter advisors who can answer question and add to your knowledge. . A complete trove of all information on the vehicle. This would be impossible, given the wealth of companies and individuals who have collected information or are in business to provide this service to you, the enthusiast. Much more information and services can be found on our website www.wildaboutcars.com and/or purchased through various vendors Wild About Cars has a section in both it's Classifieds and Member Mall where these vendors can be located. And if you are a member, we give you access to subject matter advisors who can answer question and add to your knowledge. . All concepts, ideas, or opinions on the vehicle. This is a never-ending process. For more information go to our website www.wildaboutcars.com. There are subject matter advisors, blogs, forums, clubs and other organizations that can add to your knowledge base.

- iii - Introduction

. A photo journal of each model, series, option or color. This would be impossible, given the wealth of photographs taken by enthusiasts, and journalists – and the manufacturers who have compiled photo records over the years. Many more photographs can be found on our website www.wildaboutcars.com and/or purchased through various vendors. Wild About Cars has a section in both it's Classifieds and Member Mall where these vendors can be located. Wild About Cars is also embarking on a HUGE project to acquire and scan/collects many photographs into our library for electronic download; go to www.wildaboutcars.com for more information. Members are assisting in this endeavor by submitting photos; and there is a section where you can do so on the Site.

-iv- General Information on Makes & Models

Section 1 - General Information on Makes and Models for Buick Vehicles Produced from 1953 - 1987 1.0 An introduction to the Company and its History Introduction As a high-end offering from General Motors, Buick was considered a "premium brand", just under the super luxurious model; Buick always offered full-sized cars. In Section 1, we will break out Buick's offerings into Full Size Luxury Offerings and Other Full Size Sedans and . The Full Size Luxury Section is comprised o: Electra, Limited and Roadmaster. The Other Full Sized Section contains: Centurion, Century, Invicta, LeSabre, and Super.

-1- General Information on Makes & Models

1.01 The Post-War Years 1946 - 1948 Buick returned to the market after World War II set in just the right niche. During the years before the War, Buick had risen to be one of the favorite cars of upwardly mobile families. Before WW II, large fast cars were again becoming vogue after the lean Depression years, and Buick's sporting lines captured the imagination of those looking to forget the somber look of the early 30's. Thus, many veterans came home with a dream of a family, a home, and a Buick. That said, Buick was positioned to feed the pent up demand for automobiles that the humming post-war economy fired. The Buick's role as part of the postwar dream was born out by a huge sales surge for Buick's 1946-1948 models, even though they, like all other US manufacturers, were merely warmed-over pre-war models with different chrome trim. The and Super were heavily sought after, due in the most part to their sweeping lines. And though the styling hadn't changed since it was penned in 1942, in 1948 the "" automatic debuted. The Dynaflow was only the second found on American cars, selling side-by side with Cadillac/'s "". Though optional only on the 1948 Roadmaster, soon it would soon be standard on that line and become popular as an option for the Century and Super series and sought after even for the lower-priced Special.

1948 Buick with Dynaflow Drive. 1949-1952 Only Buick, Olds and Caddy had true auto transmissions back then 1949 was a year of change. Though still drawing cues from the early 40's designs, the car began to look much like the offerings that would come through the first half of the 50's. The hallmark "Ventiports", as those porthole-looking extrusions on front fenders were actually called (not "portholes") made their first appearance. Some still hint at this styling cue even today.

1949 . It set the standard for all from 1949 through 1972

-2- General Information on Makes & Models

In mid-1949 a new "Riviera" hardtop was introduced. The fact that many Buicks were immediately gobbled up with this design, led the way towards GM's acceptance of this design - eventually finding its way all the way down to the lowly Chevrolet line. As such, the two- door hardtop coupe would become one of the most popular models of the 50's. In 1950, Buick went a step too far, according to many automotive pundits of the times when they introduced a grille cavity made up of what looked like guards. Nicknamed the "Bucktooth Buick", the grille took away from the car's sleek, low slung look. The new grille design had first appeared during mid-1949, when the new 1950 Special line was introduced. The reason for this dramatic look was that though there had been a Special line since 1946, introduced to attract new buyers hungry for the Buick name, but not willing to pay premium price. As late as the beginning of 1949, the had not received any styling updates and looked almost identical to the 1942 models. The Special had been a slow seller; because of this styling, and that the sales staff ignored them and concentrated on the more expensive Supers and Roadmasters where there was more markup. But Buick wanted a piece of this part of the market, and so in mid 1949, they decided on a new push into this lower-priced field, so the Special received the new styling first. But this new grille and the heavy trim of all of the 1950-1952 Buicks made them somehow a bit lacking in excitement and, even today, are not ranked among the most popular models. Buick seemed 1951 Buick Riviera Hardtop Coupe. Buick had stagnant, so in 1953 new styling debuted - and it caught on. What shed their prewar look in 1950 and it really was missing, however, was the excitement of a new OHV V8 as allowed the hardtop to come into its own. both Cadillac and Oldsmobile had introduced these modern powerplants in 1949 and Chrysler, Lincoln and even De Soto had them. Buick needed to catch up. Thus straight-eight era ended for all but the Special with the introduction of the new styling on Buick's 50th birthday in 1953, when a four-barrel carbureted, 188 HP 322 cubic inch V8 appeared on the Roadmaster. The new V8 said farewell to the in-line 8, which had debuted in 1931.

1950 Buick "Bucktooth" Grille.

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