Buick Series 50

In 1903, the Buick Motor Car Company was formed by David Dunbar Buick. In 1907, over 725 vehicles were produced, and one year later, it grew drastically to over 8,800 with the help of the ever-popular Model 10. By 1940, Buick had moved into the higher end and larger car range. Even though over 16,500,000 cars use the Buick name, Mr. Buick was only involved with 120 of them. In 1929, he passed away due to cancer in the motor city, Detroit.

The 1940's Buick design took a different turn than most of its competition. With fuller grilles having horizontal bars, the headlamps were set-back into the fenders, hoods that opened much differently, and more space throughout provided a different choice for consumers. Most Buicks of this time came with dual carburetors as standard options. The convertibles came with an automatic power top, which was a great luxury option of that era.

The early Super Series 50 was powered by an eight-cylinder engine and was distinguished by its three chrome ventiports on the sides of the hood. The term 'Super' was placed on the front fenders. The Supers were the same size as the Specials with their 121.5-inch wheelbase unless the Super Series 50 LWB version was ordered. This extended the wheelbase by four inches and provided extra interior room for its passengers.

The three-speed manual gearbox was standard but a Dynaflow transmission could be ordered for an additional cost.

In 1955 the Buick Super Series 50 sat atop a 127-inch wheelbase and was powered by an eight-cylinder engine that produced just under 240 horsepower. There were three body-styles offered, a four-door sedan with seating for six costs $2,875. The two-door Riviera Hardtop had seating for six and cost $2,880. This was the most popular of the Super Series 50 with 85,656 examples being produced. The two-door convertible with seating for six costs the most, setting the buyer back $3,225. These were the fewest produced of the series with only 3,527 examples being created.

For 1956, the Series 50 continued to be a large vehicle in the Buick lineup, with features such as four ventiports per fender and a very vertical windshield as part of its distinguishable features. For 1956, a Riviera sedan was added to the lineup, which quickly became the most popular in the series, fetching $3345 for a base model. All body styles rested on the 122-inch wheelbase and power came from an overhead-valve V8 engine that displaced 322 cubic-inches. Horsepower was impressive at 255, and torque measured just over 340. Dynaflow drive was standard on the Series 50.

The lowest production series 50 for 1956, was the 56C, which demanded a price of $3,540. There was seating for six on this two-door convertible body style, and a total of 2489 examples were produced during this year. This was Buick's most 'exclusive' bodystyle in regards to it being the lowest produced body style for all Buicks. The next body style to have the fewest production figures was the Buick Series 70 76C, which saw production reach 4,354.

For 1957 the Super and Roadmaster were Buicks were given unique roof treatments and a new C-body. The word 'SUPER' was spelled in block letters on the trunk. Three body styles were available, the '53' which was a four-door Riviera hardtop with seating for 6. This was the most popular of the Series 50, with a total of 41,665 examples being produced during this year. The '56R' 2-door hardtop Riviera also had seating for six and was the second most popular body style in the Series 50 line-up. The two-door Convertible '56C' continued to lag in production figures, with a mere 2,056 examples being produced. It cost $3,980 which was a couple of hundred dollars more than the other Series 50 body styles. Having only two-doors, it was less versatile and required a buyer who was interested in its convertible top and sporty persona. These were truly marvelous cars and have become highly sought after in modern times.

There were two body styles offered on the Series in 1958, the two- and four-door Riviera hardtop. The two-door version was the less example model of the two, costing $3640. Included with this price were standard power steering, power brakes, safety-cushion instrument panel, Dynaflow gearbox, carpeted floors, and courtesy lights.

The name 'Series 50' would continue until 1959 when new names and modified styling was introduced.

For a period in time, the Series 50 was Buick's most popular model. They were elegant and stylish, and in a price range that many, in this price group, could afford. They were not an entry-level vehicle, but one higher up the ladder. The early 1950s saw the unique ventiport design and 'buck-tooth' front-end grille. The round styling of the bodies was modern and flowed nicely with the one-piece windshield. Power was adequate and dependable, capable of carrying these prestigious cars to adequate speeds.

The name 'Series 50' had been with Buick since 1930 when it served as a replacement for the Series 121. At the time, they rested on a 124-inch wheelbase and powered by a six-cylinder engine that displaced 331 cubic-inches and produced just under 100 horsepower. The Great Depression was a difficult time for many marques, but Buick was able to weather the storm and came through with their Series 50 still intact.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2007Buick's best-selling vehicle of 1930, the Series 40 was the precursor to the Series 50. With a wheelbase that stretched to 124 inches, the Series 121 was renamed the Series 50. The large six engine was enlarged to 331.5 cubic inches and achieved 98 hp and 2,800 rpm. The Series 50 ranged in price from $1,510 to $1,540. The styling of the Series 50 was new and featured conservatively sporty lines and much less chrome than the public had grown used to.

The Buick Series 50 Convertible came with hydraulically operated top, front-seat adjustments, and door windows. The wheelbase was a total of 124 inches.

Buick faced a lot of pressure during the Great Depression, while Buicks were a substantial part of the medium-price range, almost the enter class was being squeezed out. Unfounded rumors were milling about that the Buick nameplate was about to cease, these obviously proved untrue. The Series 40 was introduced in May 1934 by the new Buick GM, Harlow Curtice. The Series 40 was basically a Chevy body mounted on a Buick straight-8 chassis and featured 2 overhead-valve straight-8 engines. The Buick series were given names in 1935. The Series 40 became the Special and the Series 50 became the Super. The following year the three larger engines were all replaced by a 320 c.i.d. unit that would be the mainstay of Buick engines until 1953.

The Super Series was next renamed Roadmaster. Following the war, the Century line was deleted and Buick filled the demand with the larger Supers and Roadmasters.

By Jessica Donaldson