1931 Buick Series 50

All 1931 Buicks were powered by eight-cylinder engines, replacing the six-cylinder units that had served the Buick marque for many years. The Buick lineup included the Series 50 resting on a 114-inch wheelbase, the Series 60 on a 118-inch wheelbase, the Series 80 at 124-inches, and the flagship Series 90 with a 132-inch wheelbase.

This was the first year of the Series 50; the previous year's entry-level model was the Series 40 resting on the 118-inch wheelbase. While the Series 40 of 1930 was priced from $1,270 to $1,330, the Series 50 listed at $1,035 to $1,095, had a shorter wheelbase, but a larger eight-cylinder engine (compared to the previous six). Styling throughout the 1931 Buick line was similar to the previous year, with the most visual difference being the figure 8 radiator cap proudly proclaiming the new eight-cylinder engine.

None of the eight-cylinder engines shared interchangeable parts. The Series 50 had the smallest displacement, measuring 220.7 CID, with overhead valves, mechanical valve lifters, five main bearings, a two-barrel updraft carburetor, and producing 77 horsepower at 3,200 RPM. The Series 50 had a 272.6 CID engine with 90 horsepower, and the Series 80 and 90 had a 344.8 cubic-inch displacement and 104 horsepower.

All engines were backed by a three-speed sliding gear, synchromesh (synchromesh, which had been reserved for the more expensive Buick models, became available mid-year on the Second Series) transmission with a single dry plate clutch and floor shift controls. Mechanical brakes on all four wheels provided the stopping power.

There were two series of the Series 8-50, with the first series beginning in July of 1930 and the second introduced in January of 1931. First Series had conventional transmission, while the Second Series brought the Silent Syncrhomehs transmission, torque-tube drive, and internal mechanical brakes.

Series 50 body styles included a business coupe at $1,025, a two-door sedan priced at $1,035, and a sport roadster, sport coupe, and phaeton at $1,055. The sedan and convertible coupe were both priced at $1,095. The most popular body style was the sedan with 33,184 examples built, followed by 5,733 of the sport coupe, 3,616 of the two-door sedan, 2,782 of the business coupe, and 1,531 of the sport coupe. The sport roadster and four-door phaeton were the most exclusive with 907 and 358 examples built respectively.

The Series 50 had either mohair or cloth upholstery, armrests, adjustable driver's seat, carpeting for the rear seat floor area, a rear foot rail, dome lights. Delco-Remy ignition and Hotchkiss drive were also standard equipment.

The Series 50 served as the entry-level model in 1931 through 1933, moving slightly upmarket in 1934 with the re-introduction of the Series 40. The Series 50 went dormant in 1936 and would not re-appear until 1940, but when it did it received a new designation, now known as the Series 50 Super. The Buick Super was produced from 1940 through 1958, replaced in 1959 by the Electra.

by Dan Vaughan

Sedan

The most obvious visible styling change in the 1931 Buick was a new radiator cap. It features a figure 8, which denotes the availability of three totally new straight-eight engines. This handsome 4-door sedan has the 220 cid version, rated at 77bhp. It is a multiple award winner at Buick Club of America events, and has appeared at most of the major Concours in this country.

In 1931 all Buick models were powered by an eight-cylinder engine. To highlight this fact, Buick placed the number '8' on the radiator cap.

For 1931 Buick introduced the Series 50 which served as a replacement for the Marquette though it was mounted on the same 114-inch wheelbase. There were two series of the Series 8-50, with the first series beginning in July of 1930 and the second taking over in January of 1931. Standard equipment now included mechanical brakes, Delco-Remy ignition, and Hotchkiss drive with conventional transmission.

There were six body styles offered for the Series 50 and an additional bodystyle for the Second Series 50. The two-door Business Coupe with seating for two was the least expensive model, setting the buyer back $1,025. An extra ten dollars would buy the two-door sedan with seating for five. The most popular of all the First Series 50 vehicles was the four-door sedan with seating for five. In total, over 33,180 examples were produced in 1931. The Second Series 50 introduced a two-door Convertible Coupe which had seating for four. The vehicle would set the buyer back just under $2000. The Roadster from the first series became a Sport Roadster in the Second Series.

The Second Series brought with it the Silent Synchromesh transmission which had been reserved for more expensive Buick models. Also standard was the internal mechanical brakes and torque-tube drive.

The 1931 model year was significant for Buick, as cars were designed for both men and women. For the male audience the eight-cylinder engine was introduced with 104 horsepower, and for the female audience luxury was at her fingertips, with Mohair Wool interior, additional insulation to reduce road and wind noise. This particular model was the most popular model sold during the depression era.

Buick also introduced the Synchro-Mesh shift transmission this year.

The current owner has been working on the restoration for the last 10 years. The car was featured in the Buick Bugle, published by the Buick Club of America.

Sedan

In 1931 all Buick models were powered by an eight-cylinder engine. 1931 was the first year for the overhead valve, 'straight eight' engine. To highlight this fact, Buick placed the number '8' on the radiator cap. For 1931 Buick introduced the Series 50 which served as a replacement for the Marquette though it was mounted on the same 114-inch wheelbase. There were two series of the Series 8-50, with the first series beginning in July of 1930 and the second taking over in January of 1931. Standard equipment now included mechanical brakes, Delco-Remy ignition, and Hotchkiss drive with conventional transmission.

This is a Southern Ohio car that has only 50,400 original miles. The restoration was completed in 2002.

Sedan
Chassis number: 258763

For 1931, all Buicks were powered by the all-new 8-cylinder engine. A number '8' was placed on the radiator cap, in reference to the 220 CID, 8-cylinder unit which produced 77 horsepower. This example is an original Series 57 4-door Sedan that wears an older restoration.

In 2014, it was sold at the Barrett-Jackson auction where it found new ownership for the sum of $16,500 including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

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 Dan Vaughan

Buick'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 Jessican Donaldson