1931 Buick Series 50

All 1931 Buicks were powered by eight-cylinder engines, replacing the six-cylinder units that had served the Buick marque for many years. The Buick lineup included the Series 50 resting on a 114-inch wheelbase, the Series 60 on a 118-inch wheelbase, the Series 80 at 124-inches, and the flagship Series 90 with a 132-inch wheelbase.

This was the first year of the Series 50; the previous year's entry-level model was the Series 40 resting on the 118-inch wheelbase. While the Series 40 of 1930 was priced from $1,270 to $1,330, the Series 50 listed at $1,035 to $1,095, had a shorter wheelbase, but a larger eight-cylinder engine (compared to the previous six). Styling throughout the 1931 Buick line was similar to the previous year, with the most visual difference being the figure 8 radiator cap proudly proclaiming the new eight-cylinder engine.

None of the eight-cylinder engines shared interchangeable parts. The Series 50 had the smallest displacement, measuring 220.7 CID, with overhead valves, mechanical valve lifters, five main bearings, a two-barrel updraft carburetor, and producing 77 horsepower at 3,200 RPM. The Series 50 had a 272.6 CID engine with 90 horsepower, and the Series 80 and 90 had a 344.8 cubic-inch displacement and 104 horsepower.

All engines were backed by a three-speed sliding gear, synchromesh (synchromesh, which had been reserved for the more expensive Buick models, became available mid-year on the Second Series) transmission with a single dry plate clutch and floor shift controls. Mechanical brakes on all four wheels provided the stopping power.

There were two series of the Series 8-50, with the first series beginning in July of 1930 and the second introduced in January of 1931. First Series had conventional transmission, while the Second Series brought the Silent Syncrhomehs transmission, torque-tube drive, and internal mechanical brakes.

Series 50 body styles included a business coupe at $1,025, a two-door sedan priced at $1,035, and a sport roadster, sport coupe, and phaeton at $1,055. The sedan and convertible coupe were both priced at $1,095. The most popular body style was the sedan with 33,184 examples built, followed by 5,733 of the sport coupe, 3,616 of the two-door sedan, 2,782 of the business coupe, and 1,531 of the sport coupe. The sport roadster and four-door phaeton were the most exclusive with 907 and 358 examples built respectively.

The Series 50 had either mohair or cloth upholstery, armrests, adjustable driver's seat, carpeting for the rear seat floor area, a rear foot rail, dome lights. Delco-Remy ignition and Hotchkiss drive were also standard equipment.

The Series 50 served as the entry-level model in 1931 through 1933, moving slightly upmarket in 1934 with the re-introduction of the Series 40. The Series 50 went dormant in 1936 and would not re-appear until 1940, but when it did it received a new designation, now known as the Series 50 Super. The Buick Super was produced from 1940 through 1958, replaced in 1959 by the Electra.

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2021