Buick Super

Buick Super
Overview
Manufacturer	Buick (General Motors)
Production	1939–1958
Designer	Harley Earl
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size
Layout	FR layout
Platform	C-body
Chronology
Predecessor	Buick Master Six
Successor	Buick Riviera

First generation
Overview
Model years	1940–1941
Assembly	South Gate, California, USA Flint, Michigan, USA Linden, New Jersey, USA
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 4-door convertible 2-door coupe 2-door convertible 2-door Business coupe 4-door Estate wagon
Related	Cadillac Series 62 LaSalle Series 52 Buick Roadmaster Oldsmobile 90/96/98 Pontiac Torpedo
Powertrain
Engine	248 cu in (4.1 L) Fireball I8
Transmission	3-speed sliding shift manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	121.0 in (3,073 mm)
Length	1940: 204.0 in (5,182 mm) 1941: 210.4 in (5,344 mm)
Width	1940: 75.8 in (1,925 mm) 1941: 76.5 in (1,943 mm)
Height	66.0 in (1,676 mm)
Curb weight	3,800–4,200 lb (1,700–1,900 kg)

Second generation
Overview
Model years	1942–1948
Assembly	South Gate, California, USA Atlanta, Georgia, USA Kansas City, Kansas, USA Flint, Michigan, USA Linden, New Jersey, USA
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 2-door Sedanet coupe 2-door convertible 4-door Estate wagon
Related	Cadillac Series 62 Buick Roadmaster Oldsmobile 98
Powertrain
Engine	248 cu in (4.1 L) Fireball I8
Transmission	3-speed sliding shift manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	124.0 in (3,150 mm)
Length	1942: 210.0 in (5,334 mm) 1946–47: 212.4 in (5,395 mm) 1948: 212.5 in (5,398 mm)
Width	78.6 in (1,996 mm)
Height	66.7 in (1,694 mm)
Curb weight	4,000–4,400 lb (1,800–2,000 kg)

Third generation
Overview
Model years	1949–1953
Assembly	South Gate, California, USA Wilmington, Delaware, USA Atlanta, Georgia, USA Kansas City, Kansas, USA Framingham, Massachusetts, USA Flint, Michigan, USA Linden, New Jersey, USA
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 4-door Riviera sedan 2-door Sedanet coupe 2-door Riviera hardtop 2-door convertible 4-door Estate wagon
Related	Cadillac Series 62 Cadillac Series 61 Buick Roadmaster Oldsmobile 98
Powertrain
Engine	248 cu in (4.1 L) Fireball I8 263 cu in (4.3 L) Fireball I8 322 cu in (5.3 L) Nailhead V8
Transmission	3-speed sliding shift manual Dynaflow automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	1949: 121.0 in (3,073 mm) 1950–53 Riviera sedans: 125.5 in (3,188 mm) 1950–53 others: 121.5 in (3,086 mm)
Length	1949: 209.5 in (5,321 mm) 1950 Riviera sedans: 213.5 in (5,423 mm) 1950 others: 209.5 in (5,321 mm) 1951–52 Riviera sedans: 210.2 in (5,339 mm) 1951–52 others: 206.2 in (5,237 mm) 1953 Riviera sedans: 211.6 in (5,375 mm) 1953 others: 207.6 in (5,273 mm)
Width	79.9 in (2,029 mm)
Height	63.0 in (1,600 mm)
Curb weight	3,800–4,300 lb (1,700–2,000 kg)
Chronology
Successor	Buick Skylark (convertible only)

Fourth generation
Overview
Model years	1954–1956
Assembly	South Gate, California, USA Wilmington, Delaware, USA Atlanta, Georgia, USA Kansas City, Kansas, USA Framingham, Massachusetts, USA Flint, Michigan, USA Linden, New Jersey, USA Arlington, Texas, USA
Designer	Harley Earl
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 4-door Riviera hardtop 2-door Riviera hardtop 2-door convertible
Platform	C-body
Related	Cadillac Series 62 Buick Roadmaster Oldsmobile 98
Powertrain
Engine	322 cu in (5.3 L) Nailhead V8
Transmission	3-speed sliding shift manual 2-speed Dynaflow automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	127.0 in (3,226 mm)
Length	1954: 216.8 in (5,507 mm) 1955: 216.0 in (5,486 mm) 1956: 213.8 in (5,431 mm)
Width	79.8 in (2,027 mm)
Height	62.6 in (1,590 mm)
Curb weight	4,200–4,500 lb (1,900–2,000 kg)

Fifth generation
1957 Buick Super 2-Door Riviera
Overview
Model years	1957–1958
Assembly	South Gate, California, USA Wilmington, Delaware, USA Atlanta, Georgia, USA Kansas City, Kansas, USA Framingham, Massachusetts, USA Flint, Michigan, USA Linden, New Jersey, USA Arlington, Texas, USA
Designer	Harley Earl
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door Riviera hardtop 2-door Riviera hardtop 2-door convertible
Platform	C-body
Related	Cadillac Series 62 Buick Limited Buick Roadmaster Oldsmobile 98
Powertrain
Engine	364 cu in (6.0 L) Nailhead V8
Transmission	2-speed Dynaflow automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	127.5 in (3,238 mm)
Length	1957: 215.3 in (5,469 mm) 1958: 219.2 in (5,568 mm)
Width	79.8 in (2,027 mm)
Height	60.0 in (1,524 mm)
Curb weight	4,500–4,700 lb (2,000–2,100 kg)

The Buick Super is a full-sized automobile produced from the 1940 through the 1958 model years (excluding WW II); it was built on Buick's larger body shared with the Roadmaster. It was replaced by the Riviera in 1964.

In 2008, Super returned as a performance trim level on V8-powered LaCrosse and Lucerne sedans until 2011.

Originally the Series 50 had a 331.4 cu in (5,431 cc) six cylinder engine developing 99 bhp of power at 2,800 rpm, and Buick manufactured 28,204 cars. In 1931 the model remained almost unchanged, aside from minor appearance changes. Optionally, the model was equipped with a new 220.7 cu in (3,617 cc) straight eight-cylinder and 77 hp. With the temporary disappearance of the Series 40, Series 50 became the entry level model for Buick.

In 1932 the engine displacement increased to 230.4 cu in (3,776 cc), producing 82.5 bhp. In 1933, the aesthetics of the car was completely redesigned. The power delivered by the engine was increased again and now it was up to 86 bhp, and in 1934, the model power increased to 88 hp. Buick re-introduced the Series 40, which once again became the entry level model. In 1935 the Series 50 remained unchanged and the following year went out of production, having produced 127,416 examples. The model was reintroduced in 1940 under the name "Super".

When introduced in 1940 the new Series 50 Super featured the cutting-edge "torpedo" C-body. The new C-body that the 1940 Buick Super shared with the Series 70 Roadmaster, the Cadillac Series 62, the Oldsmobile Series 90, and the Pontiac Torpedo featured shoulder and hip room that was over 5" wider, the elimination of running boards and exterior styling that was streamlined and 2-3" lower. When combined with a column mounted shift lever the cars offered true six passenger comfort, changes that had clearly been influenced by the Cadillac Sixty Special.

The basic formula for the 1940 to 1952 Super was established by mating the Roadmaster's longer behind the engine cowl body to the Series 40 Special's smaller straight-eight engine (and consequently shorter engine compartment). This led to an economical combination of voluminous passenger room and relatively good fuel economy. (In contrast the Series 60 Century combined the smaller Special body with the larger Roadmaster engine.)