1949 Buick Series 50 Super

Buick re-entered civilian production following World War II with mildly updated versions of its pre-war models. Models included the entry-level Series 40 Special, The Super Series 50 that combined the powertrain of the Series 40 with the bodies of the larger Series 70. The Series 70 was the company's largest, most powerful, and most expensive vehicles in the lineup with well-appointed interiors. Buick would continue to use the Series 40, 50, and 70 model nameplates through the 1950s.

The 1949 Buick Super was the first year of a new body design that would continue through 1953. It shared the C-body platform with the Buick Roadmaster (Series 70), and its 121-inch wheelbase with the Series 40 Special. Body styles included a sedan, convertible coupe, station wagon, and Sedanette with prices that ranged from $2,050 for the Sedanette and rose to $3,180 for the station wagon.

Buick offered station wagons from 1940 and earned the distinction of building the last wood-bodied American wagons in 1953. Most of the wagons were wood-bodied in the Series 50 and Series 70. The Model 59 station wagon bodies were sourced from Ionia Manufacturing Company in Ionia, Michigan.

The inline overhead-valve eight-cylinder engine displaced 248 cubic-inches, had five main bearings, mechanical valve lifters, and a Stromberg or Carter two-barrel carburetor. This engine was the same as the one used in the Series 40 Special but its compression ratio was 6.6:1 instead of 6.3:1, and power was rated at 115 horsepower at 3,600 RPM, five more than on the Series 40. A three-speed manual transmission was standard on the Series 40 and 50, while the Series 70 had a Dynaflow drive. Stopping power was by four-wheel drum brakes and the suspension was independent in the front with semi-elliptic leaf springs in the back.

The script 'Super' was positioned above the full-length body and fender molding on the front fenders and the were full wheel trim discs at all four wheels. Standard equipment included an automatic choke, ashtray, and a cigar lighter. Cloth interiors were standard on all body styles except the convertible coupe which was trimmed in leather and leatherette. Standard features included power windows, a power seat, and a power top.

131,514 examples of the sedan were built with 4,909 built for export. 65,395 were Sedanettes with 865 for export. 21,426 (684 for export) were convertible coupes and 1,830 (17 exports) were station wagons.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2020