1953 Buick Series 50 Super Station Wagon

The overhead-valve straight-eight engines served the Buick marque for over two decades. As the 50s continued to progress, a new engine was needed. The straight-eight design was seen as 'outdated'; Buick quickly responded by introducing an all-new V8, introduced in 1953, to celebrate the marque's golden anniversary. The 'nailhead' V-8 could be found in the Super and Roadmaster series, offering 170 and 188 bhp respectively. The engine was placed in the traditional Buick coil-sprung chassis, had torque tube drive, and mated to an improved Dynaflow automatic gearbox.

1953 was also the first year for the 12-Volt electrical system.

Some of the XP-300 show car's design made their way into the newly restyled Buicks, such as the headlight surrounds and grille design.

This 1953 Buick Super Estate Wagon is one of 488,805 vehicles produced during the model-year run. Of those, only 1,830 examples were the Super Estate Wagons. The wood-bodies for the wagons were handcrafted by Ionia Body Company of Michigan, who had been performing their craft on Buick automobiles since 1949.

This car was restored by Barry Briskman and his crew from Scottsdale, Arizona. It is painted in black with a read-and-eggshell-white leatherette interior. Most of the ash wood on the body has been refinished rather than replaced. The mahogany panels are new, as is the interior.

In 2007, it was brought to the Gooding & Company Auction held in Pebble Beach, California where it was estimated to sell for $150,000 - $200,000. Bidding reached $105,600, including buyer's premium and the lot was sold.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2008