Golden Anniversary 1953 introduced first-time availability of energy steering and a 12-volt electrical system, but the spotlight was a effective new overhead-valve V-8 for Super and Roadmaster. The Riviera name additionally graced properly-proportioned 1950-51 Super and Roadmaster four-door sedans with special lengthy wheelbases (125.5 and 130.Three inches, respectively). Roadmasters had been demoted to a 121.5-inch wheelbase save the Riviera sedan, which shared the Super’s 125.5-inch span. The ‘forty nine Riviera was a handsome, luxurious brute with a fantastic pillarless roofline. Buick stretched its ’42 tooling by means of the 1949 Special, then got here back with a model-new Special for 1950. (One 12 months could make an enormous distinction within the automotive business.) Exotic customs did not return; they simply weren’t wanted. Production dropped nearly 100,000 for the mannequin, to 288,000, making Nova the one Chevrolet collection to indicate a sales decline for 1978. Sales of the Nova hatchback body fashion lagged nicely behind common coupes and sedans, and base fashions handily outsold Customs. The all-new ‘forty nine fashions swelled Buick quantity to 324,276 units — once more proper behind Chevy-Ford-Plymouth.
The nineteen nineties bought only about 1300 items better. The successor Twin-Turbine Dynaflow of 1953 was extra constructive and gave higher oomph. spaceman would maintain this basic lineup by means of 1953. This, too, would persist via ’53. First launched in 1939, the Studebaker Champion was a full-measurement automobile for its first three generations, and then a mid-dimension automobile starting in 1953. Available as a sedan, coupe, station wagon or convertible, the Champion was designed to be affordable and was additionally made to be mild (“weight is the enemy” was the mantra of its designers). Also new was the first of Buick’s trademark “portholes” or “VentiPorts,” an idea from designer Ned Nickles. Buick’s usually robust gross sales within the ’80s reflected a consistent model lineup, which advanced in step with these of other GM divisions however was, maybe, more clear-lower to patrons from yr to 12 months. As it was, production peaked with the ‘eighty four fashions — over 145,000 constructed. But because of its ‘forty two redesign, Buick resumed civilian production in nice fettle. Among manufacturing ’41s, the two Limited traces have been mixed right into a single Series ninety on a 139-inch wheelbase. Styling was cleaned up via single instead of double side moldings, easier grille, and the first of Buick’s distinctive “gun-sight” hood ornaments.
Also highlighting Buick’s 50th year was a flashy new restricted-version Roadmaster convertible. Buick’s most eye-catching ’49 was the Roadmaster Riviera, introduced at midyear along with Cadillac’s Coupe de Ville and Oldsmobile’s Holiday. With the primary emphasis on styling, the ‘forty nine Buicks changed little mechanically, though Dynaflow-geared up Supers acquired higher, 6.9:1 compression that improved horsepower to 120. Roadmaster had been similarly raised to 150 in 1948, and continued that method with Dynaflow customary. The 1950 Special engine delivered one hundred fifteen bhp (a hundred and twenty bhp with Dynaflow) from its ordinary 248 cid. There have been new engines, too: a 225-cid V-6 (a novelty for Detroit) with 155 bhp, and a solid-iron 300-cid V-eight with 210/250 bhp. While the primary postwar Buicks were mainly ’42s, there have been fewer of them: Special, Super, and Roadmaster sedans and sedanets; Super and Roadmaster convertibles; Super Estate wagon; no Centurys or Limiteds; only one Special collection. And there were no ’94s in any respect. Like 1953’s corresponding Olds Fiesta and Cadillac Eldorado, Skylark was principally a customized standard convertible, with 4-inch lower windshield and top, plus totally radiused rear wheel cutouts. 2003: Some automobiles experienced a failure of the decrease screw connection of the rear struts to the chassis. Harley Earl’s team efficiently translated aircraft themes to an car, and solely a trace of the old separate rear fenders remained on Super and Roadmaster.
The ’53 Roadmaster Estate value a hefty $4031 and weighed 4315 pounds. Both lines also included woody Estate wagons through ’53, with structural body parts of mahogany and white ash. Body types stayed the identical, save the new hardtop. The energy you save might be your own. Compound Carburetion did not return either, so Special/Super remained at a hundred and ten bhp. The 1941 Special/Super engine gained new-design excessive-compression pistons for extra-efficient combustion that lifted horsepower to 115. Available for the forty touring sedan and sedanet was “Compound Carburetion” — two carburetors with a progressive linkage that added 10 bhp. Unique twincam heads with four valves per cylinder, twin fuel injectors at each port, and closely fortified internals boosted output to rarefied ranges: 550 bhp and 500 pound-feet of torque. Start at Sixth Street and Lamar with Girl Next Door (500 North Lamar), finished up in girly pink and brown and providing L.A. Though Ford replaced pistons by the hundreds to ease proprietor worries, the engine difficulties harm sales.