1947 Buick Super Series 50

Buick models during the 1920s were powered by six-cylinder engines, switching entirely to eight-cylinder power in 1931. Mechanical and stylistic changes arrived in 1936, with 'turret top' designs and an improved independent front suspension. Revisions occured again for 1942 just prior to the onset of World War II, with mild updates applied when civilian production resumed in 1946, followed by all-new post-war styling in 1949.

The Buick lineup in the immediate post-war era consisted of the entry-level Special (Series 40), the intermediate Super (Series 50), and the range-topping Roadmaster (Series 70). The Special rested on a 121-inch wheelbase while the Super and Roadmaster shared a 124-inch wheelbase. Both the Super and Special were powered by a 248 cubic-inch 'Dynaflash' inline-8 cylinder engine with 110 horsepower while the Roadmaster was fitted with a 320.2 CID inline-8 with 144 horsepower. Both engines had five main bearings, mechanical valve lifters, overhead valves, and a two-barrel carburetor setup. All models were equipped with a three-speed manual transmission with steering column-mounted shift level and braking was handled by four-wheel hydraulic brakes. The suspension was independent in the front with a live rear axle with coil springs.

The Buick Special was priced around $1,600, the Super listed for $1,845 to $2,600, and the Roadmaster from $2,130 to $3,250. The lion's share of Buick's production was from the Super with 151,759 examples built (plus additional built for export). The sedan was priced at $1,930, the two-door sedanette at $1,845, the convertible coupe at $2,335, and the station wagon at $,2,600. Approximately 15,400 (plus export) were built of the Special and approximately 77,800 were Roadmasters.

The Buick Super had the roominess of the Roadmaster with the engine from the Special and wore a new stamped grille with a new emblem, stainless steel lower body moldings, series identification and chrome emblem on the crossbars between the bumper guard, and a white Tenite steering wheel. The instrumentation was round and set within a two-toned dash panel. The Harley Earl-supervised design elements included restrained bright-trim accents, fade-away front fenders, and broad grilles. The Super 50 Estate Wagon bodies wore woodie coachwork by Michigan's Ionia Manufacturing Company.

The 1948 Buick Super models received minor trim and external changes, while the 1949 Super gained a new General Motors C-body that it continued to share with the Roadmaster.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2021