1932 Buick Series 50

Buick was an innovator from the earliest days and one of the oldest American automobile brands, established in 1903 and General Motors' first brand when it came to life in 1908. Among the technology they introduced was valve-in-head, or overhead-valve, engines in 1904. In the GM hierarchy, Buick was below Cadillac as an upscale brand offering customers luxury and durability in a more conservative package.

The Buick Series 50 was introduced in 1930 and powered by an inline 6-cylinder or optional inline 8-cylinder engine. The 1932 Buick lineup included the Series 50, Series 60, Series 80, and Series 90 - all powered by eight-cylinder engines of various displacement size and power outputs. All engines had a sliding gear, three-speed synchromesh transmission with floor shift controls. The Series 50 and Series 60 had a single dry plate clutch while the Series 80 and 90 used a double dry plate clutch (an automatic clutch was optional). Mechanical brakes on all four wheels provided the stopping power. The 'Wizard Control' offered both freewheeling and no-clutch shifting between second and third gears, allowing the driver to shift through the gears without touching the clutch pedal, instead utilizing an automatic-style clutch. Adjustable shock absorbers were standard on all Buicks.

Specification and Body Styles
The Series 50 had a 114-inch wheelbase, the Series 60 measured 118-inches, the Series 80 at 126-inches, and the Series 90 at 134 inches. Buick prices from 1932 ranged from the low $900s to $2,050. Prices on the Series peaked at $1,150, but most were around $1,060. The list of body styles included a victoria coupe, convertible phaeton, sport phaeton, business coupe, convertible coupe, sport coupe, Special sedan, and sedan. The sedan was the most popular with 10,803 examples built, followed by 9,766 of the Special Sedan. 2,194 were victoria coupes and 1,905 were special coupes.

The inline eight-cylinder engine had overhead valves, mechanical valve lifters, five main bearings, a two-barrel updraft carburetor, and a 230.4 cubic-inch displacement. The engine delivered 83 horsepower at 3,200 RPM and 200 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 RPM. The Series 60 and 80 models used different spark plugs and a thinner head gasket, resulting in higher compression.

1932 Buicks had new hood doors replacing the prior and long-used louvers, a raked windshield with a more pronounced 10-degree rake, no external sun visor, taillights, a tapered radiator, and longer flowing fenders. The wheelbase continued to measure 114-inches, the engine displacement grew to 230.4 cubic inches, and the new-for-1932 Wizard Control offered both free-wheeling and no-clutch shifting between second and third gears. Dual taillights, a fold-down windscreen, and dual side-mount spare tires were standard equipment, along with a choice of wood or wire-spoke wheels, and a luggage rack. The interior could be finished in a choice of leather with contrasting color piping. The rear compartment came with side and folding center armrests and velvet carpeting. Among the optional amenities included a driver's side rear view mirror, clocks, wind wings, and dual driving lights.

While the other Buick models had chrome beaded radiator shutters and chrome-plated hood handles, the Series 50 was devoid of this feature. The series 50 had painted headlight shells while the others were chromed. In the back was a single taillight.

Production
Buick Series 50 Production by Year:
1930: 28,204 including 22,929 of the sedan and 5,275 of the coupe.

1931: 48,111 including 33,184 of the sedan, 5,733 of the sport coupe, 3,616 of the two-door sedan, 2,782 of the business coupe, 1,531 of the convertible coupe, 907 of the sport roadster, and 358 of the phaeton.

1932: 27,473 including 10,803 of the sedan, 9,766 of the special sedan, 2,194 of the victoria coupe, 1,726 of the business coupe, 1,905 of the special coupe, 630 of the convertible coupe, and 380 of the convertible phaeton.

1933: 26,537 including 19,109 of the sedan, 4,118 of the victoria coupe, 1,643 of the sport coupe, 1,321 of the business coupe, and 346 of the convertible coupe.

1934: 19,233 including 12,094 of the sedan, 4,405 of the victoria coupe, 1,078 of the business coupe, 1,150 of the rumble seat sport coupe, and 506 of the convertible coupe.

1935: 6,062 including 3,778 of the sedan, 1,589 of the victoria coupe, 2,68 of the sport coupe, 257 of the business coupe, and 170 of the convertible coupe.

The Series 50 was the entry-level Buick model from 1931 through 1933. The entry-level Buick model in 1930, 1934, and 1935 was the Series 40. The wheelbase measured 114-inches in 1931 and 1932, growing to 119-inches in 1933. The 1931 engine displaced 220.7 cubic inches and offered 77 horsepower. It grew to 230.40 inches for 1932 and 1933 with 83 horsepower being produced in 1932 and 86 hp the following year. For 1934 and 1935, the engine displaced 235 cubic inches and produced 88 horsepower.

All-new turret top bodies were introduced in 1936, complete with bullet-shaped headlights, wedged-shaped radiators, and vee-type slanted windshields.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2020