General Data Book By Make and Model Buick Division General Motors 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 Buick 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 -i- Table of Contents 1956 Special .................................................................................................................................49 1956 Century ................................................................................................................................50 1956 Super ...................................................................................................................................51 1957 Special .................................................................................................................................52