1950 Buick Series 40 Special

By the close of the 1940s, the Buick Specials were given all-new bodywork, the first new styling since before the war, dating to 1936. The design was similar to other models in the Buick lineup, with the three VentiPorts being a distinguishable feature to the more senior car's four VentiPorts. In the front was a prominent 'bucktooth' grille, again a feature that was shared with the rest of the Buicks. This would be a one-year-only design as the following year would introduce a vertical bar grille with a more conventional bumper. The hood could now be opened by an inside hood release instead of the prior VentiPorts key and slot system.

The Specials did not have side body moldings. The Special Deluxe models received full-length bodyside moldings, Special script on the front fenders, additional brightwork, and plusher interiors. Bodystyles included sedans, coupes, and sedanette with prices that ranged from $1,800 to $1,990. The most popular body style was the Model 41D four-passenger sedan, priced at $1,980, with 141,396 examples built. The second most popular model was the Model 46O Sedanette ($1,890) with 76,902 examples built. A total of 42,935 examples were the two-passenger sedanette (Model 46S) priced at $1,860 and 58,700 were Model 43 Sedans priced at $1,900. The most exclusive body style was the Model 41 Sedan ($1,940) with 1,411 examples constructed. 2,500 examples were the Model 46 Coupe and 14,335 were the Model 43O sedan ($1,950).

The Series 40 Special retained the 248 cubic-inch engine which was first used in 1937, an overhead valve unit that developed 124 horsepower and mated to a three-speed manual transmission.

Total production reached just over 337,900 examples, which accounted for nearly 60-percent of Buick's total sales. The styling introduced in 1949 would continue through 1958.

The 1950 Buick Model Lineup
The 'entry-level' Buick model was the Special Series 40 resting on a 121.5-inch wheelbase chassis and powered by a 248 CID inline-8 cylinder engine. The Super Series 50 also rested on a 121.5-inch wheelbase chassis (albeit, the Model 52 six-passenger sedan used a 125.5-inch wheelbase platform) and came with a 263.3 CID inline-8 with 124 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. The Model 52 was the most popular, priced at $2,210, with 114,745 examples built. Over 56,000 examples were the hardtop coupe ($2,140) and 55,672 were Model 51 sedans priced at $2,140. The range-topping Roadmaster Series 70 used a 126.25-inch wheelbase platform and was motivated by a 320.2 CID inline-8 cylinder engine fitted with a Stromberg or Carter carburetor and delivering 152 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. Both the Special and Super used a three-speed manual transmission, and the Roadmaster was given a Dynaflow (optional on the other two models). When equipped with the Dynaflow and 6.9:1 compression, the Special produced 120 brake horsepower and the Super had 128 horsepower.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2019