Projects 1950-52 Buick

I’m looking for anybody with a lot of knowledge when it comes to 1950-52 Buicks. Looking to start a build but wanting to pick some brains before I really start getting serious for hunting the right car down. Chime in if you can help or know someone that can thanks!

 

What do you want to know? Ask some questions and you will get lots of answers. Lots of us have Buicks.

 

Also give us hint to your location

 

It would also help if we had an idea of the direction you want to go with the car. Keep the straight 8? As @BJR said, ask the questions and the answers will come.

 

Hey everyone thanks for the help in advance. So looking to do a full custom build on a Buick. I love the secondary body line that swoops down behind the rear wheel which if I’m correct is the super models. I don’t see where they made any of these as a post or door pillar car which I also want. So I’m having all sorts of ideas running around in my head such as going with a “special” top and doors if they are at all interchangeable. I’m looking at a website hometownbuick.com which seems to be a decent reference for all the models. It’s hard to tell but there seems to be a few different body line heights even between different super and different special models. Is this true or is it just a difference in illustrations? Also was at a show this weekend and there was a super 50 4 door and the other was a special 51’or 52’ 2 door. The special looked like the front end was a bit narrower. Is this because it’s a special or a later model? What front fenders would work with different models? I know that is a ton of questions in one post. Again thank you so much for any information you guys can give me. Also im located in northwestern Kansas.

 

Fronts Series 40and 50 the same. Series 70 longer.

 

Are 40’s and 50’s same between super and special and all same between 50-52? Or is that how they code them 40s special 50s super?

 

The Special in 1951 and 1952 used a different body from the Super and Roadmaster. Although they look similar, few if any of the body panels will interchange, as the Special was actually several inches narrower.

In 1950, however, the Special and Super used (I believe) the same body. GM's body usage plan in the early '50s was a little confusing.

The Special was a Series 40, the Super was Series 50, and the Roadmaster was Series 70.

 

That makes sense after what I was looking at this weekend. Thanks!

 

ONLY FOR 1950!

Ben

 

As previously mentioned, 1950 gives you a few interchangeable body panels, 51-52 does not as much. Try to find as complete a car as possible as it will save you in the long run. Decisions on drive line are next. Keep the original running gear or upgrade?

 

are you guys frame swapping? I talked to a guy a few years ago from eastern Kansas and I think he used an eldorado frame but I can’t remember. It’s a 50 jet back. He’s always at the kkoa show in Salina. Great looking car.

 

In 49 the Special was the old prewar body, smaller than the Super, which was the same body from the cowl back as the Roadmaster. The Roadmaster just was longer from the cowl forward for the longer, bigger straight 8. The main body of the Super and Roadmaster is the same as the Cadillac and Olds 98 in 49 also.

 

Frame swapping or front clips is something we don't do on this site. There are many avenues to get the front suspension steering well and get the ride height you want. One of the biggest changes you see is converting to an open style rear axle, especially if the engine is going to be upgraded.

 

Lots of us have clipped cars we talk about here. We just don't talk about the clips.

 

Look at the Buick thread by @guthriesmith. He had a '50 IIRC in great shape, the car has been sold, but it was a great thread.

 

I have a 52 Special Hardtop (Rivera) and one of the things you need to be aware of when looking at potential cars to purchase is the rear glass to be sure it is good because they don't make reproduction glass for the rear, only the windshield. The side glass is flat so it is available. I searched many salvage yards coast to coast looking for rear glass and only found two. I was able to purchase one from a HAMB fellow and I also bought one from a salvage yard for a spare. The other difficult to find item is the "eyebrow" piece over the grille. It is pot metal and is usually pitted from exposure and expensive to re-chrome. They are great cars

 

The biggest problem with Buicks is the torque tube driveline. If you are doing an engine or transmission swap the torque tube needs to be replaced with an open driveline. But the Buicks have coil springs so you need so way of positioning the rear end. 4 bar links, truck arms etc.

 

Thanks for the info on the back glass. How about the moldings in between the glass, is that available somewhere?

 

In case this helps anyone, here are pictures of my '53 Special and a '53 Super I saw at a car show this year. You can see how few of the panels are the same, although it would be hard to tell if they weren't side by side. The '51s and '52s used the same bodies as the '53s.

 

The rear fenders are welded on for the Specials, and bolt on for the Super and Roadmaster.

 

I think you are going to find that Buicks (as well as Oldsmobile and Pontiacs) don't have the same parts availability as Fords and Chevys. While there are some folks that provide reproduction parts (usually rubber, glass, and upholstery) out there, very few for body and trim. That why it is best to find a complete a car as possible.

 

Very few cars have a cooler dash then 50's Buicks.

 

I had a 1950 Special sedanette with a stick back in the sixties for a couple of years. It is one of the few cars I would like to have back. After a couple of years, the transmission went out. My mom called around and found that the Sears branch 8 miles from my house had a rebuilt in stock for $60. I bought it, and when I jacked the car up to change it, I saw the torque tube. I was a little dismayed, but since I had helped a buddy with a '50 Chevy change his transmission, I plowed ahead and got 'er done.

 

This was one of my favorite Buicks, started as a 2-door hardtop and made into a convertible. Built by Butch Reed (RIP) & Kent Kozera from my hometown back in the mid-80's (Visalia, Cal). I think it's in So-Cal now?

 

I had the identical vehicle to yours, in black, and I too wish that I hadn't sold it.

 

Mine was black, too. The only color they came in, as I remember.

 

Yes I knew there were was a difference between super and special in the rear fenders but couldn’t tell with doors and front until I was looking at the two half way across the show and wasn’t sure if it was just because it was a the difference between a 50 vs 51-52..I was really hoping a special top and doors could be grafted to a super as I just really love the body lines of a super but also wanted a post car. Now it’s decision time!!!

 

Are the back glasses on super and special different as well and what years are compatible?