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Golden Anniversary 1953 brought first-time availability of power steering and a 12-volt electrical system, but the spotlight was a fantastic new overhead-valve V-eight for Super and Roadmaster. The Riviera title additionally graced effectively-proportioned 1950-51 Super and Roadmaster 4-door sedans with special lengthy wheelbases (125.5 and 130.3 inches, respectively). Roadmasters were demoted to a 121.5-inch wheelbase save the Riviera sedan, which shared the Super’s 125.5-inch span. The ‘forty nine Riviera was a handsome, luxurious brute with a lovely pillarless roofline. Buick stretched its ’42 tooling by means of the 1949 Special, then got here back with a brand-new Special for 1950. (One year can make an enormous distinction in the car business.) Exotic customs did not return; they merely weren’t wanted. Production dropped almost 100,000 for the mannequin, to 288,000, making Nova the only Chevrolet collection to point out a gross sales decline for 1978. Sales of the Nova hatchback physique type lagged nicely behind regular coupes and sedans, and base models handily outsold Customs. The all-new ‘forty nine models swelled Buick quantity to 324,276 items — once more right behind Chevy-Ford-Plymouth.

The 1990s sold only about 1300 units higher. The successor Twin-Turbine Dynaflow of 1953 was extra optimistic and gave better oomph. Buick would maintain this primary lineup via 1953. This, too, would persist by ’53. First launched in 1939, the Studebaker Champion was a full-measurement automobile for its first three generations, and then a mid-size car beginning in 1953. Available as a sedan, coupe, station wagon or convertible, the Champion was designed to be inexpensive and was also made to be light (“weight is the enemy” was the mantra of its designers). Also new was the first of Buick’s trademark “portholes” or “VentiPorts,” an thought from designer Ned Nickles. Buick’s typically sturdy sales within the ’80s reflected a consistent mannequin lineup, which developed in step with these of different GM divisions but was, perhaps, extra clear-cut to buyers from 12 months to yr. Because it was, manufacturing peaked with the ’84 fashions — over 145,000 constructed. But 389sport to its ’42 redesign, Buick resumed civilian production in wonderful fettle. Among production ’41s, the 2 Limited traces were combined right into a single Series ninety on a 139-inch wheelbase. Styling was cleaned up by way of single as an alternative of double facet moldings, easier grille, and the primary of Buick’s distinctive “gun-sight” hood ornaments.

Also highlighting Buick’s 50th year was a flashy new limited-version Roadmaster convertible. Buick’s most eye-catching ‘forty nine was the Roadmaster Riviera, launched at midyear together with Cadillac’s Coupe de Ville and Oldsmobile’s Holiday. With the main emphasis on styling, the ’49 Buicks modified little mechanically, although Dynaflow-geared up Supers bought ­higher, 6.9:1 compression that improved horsepower to 120. Roadmaster had been similarly raised to one hundred fifty in 1948, and continued that approach with Dynaflow commonplace. The 1950 Special engine delivered one hundred fifteen bhp (one hundred twenty bhp with Dynaflow) from its regular 248 cid. There were new engines, too: a 225-cid V-6 (a novelty for Detroit) with 155 bhp, and a cast-iron 300-cid V-8 with 210/250 bhp. While the first postwar Buicks have been principally ’42s, there were fewer of them: Special, Super, and Roadmaster sedans and sedanets; Super and Roadmaster convertibles; Super Estate wagon; no Centurys or Limiteds; only one Special collection. And there were no ’94s in any respect. Like 1953’s corresponding Olds Fiesta and Cadillac Eldorado, Skylark was principally a personalized normal convertible, with four-inch decrease windshield and high, plus totally radiused rear wheel cutouts. 2003: Some vehicles experienced a failure of the decrease screw connection of the rear struts to the chassis. Harley Earl’s crew successfully translated aircraft themes to an vehicle, and solely a hint of the old separate rear fenders remained on Super and Roadmaster.

The ’53 Roadmaster Estate value a hefty $4031 and weighed 4315 pounds. Both lines additionally included woody Estate wagons by way of ’53, with struc­tural physique parts of mahogany and white ash. Body kinds stayed the same, save the new hardtop. The power you save might be your individual. Compound Carburetion didn’t return either, so Special/Super remained at 110 bhp. The 1941 Special/Super engine gained new-design high-compression pistons for more-environment friendly combustion that lifted horse­power to 115. Available for the forty touring sedan and sedanet was “Compound Carburetion” — two carburetors with a progressive linkage that added 10 bhp. Unique twincam heads with 4 valves per cylinder, twin gas injectors at every port, and closely fortified internals boosted output to rarefied ranges: 550 bhp and 500 pound-toes of torque. Start at Sixth Street and Lamar with Girl Next Door (500 North Lamar), accomplished up in girly pink and brown and offering L.A. Though Ford replaced pistons by the hundreds to ease proprietor worries, the engine difficulties harm sales.