Info für Besucher ohne Javascript

Premium

Buick Special Convertible - Sunny Day Cruiser

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on May 1, 2019

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Bruno von Rotz

41

GM/Buick

12

Archiv

4

Bruno von Rotz

41

GM/Buick

12

Archiv

4

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - low waistline and panoramic windshield

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - elegant convertible

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - well over 5.2 meters long

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - weighing almost two tons

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - perfect embodiment of the "American Way of Driving"

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - the panoramic windshield doesn't make getting in too much more difficult

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - get in and drive off

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - attractive interior design

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - two-tone look inside too

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - two gas pedal pedals and an additional pedal for the parking brake

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - complete equipment

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - generously instrumented, but without rev counter

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - Trademark on the steering wheel hub

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - speedometer up to 120 miles per hour, but at about 100 MPH it was over on flat roads

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - even the pilot always knows what he's driving

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - Additional gauges for power, oil pressure, water temperature and fuel level

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - with expensive Sonomatic radio

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - with time clock

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - Space for six people in a convertible

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - space for three people in the front

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - 190 SAE horsepower from the V8 at 4800 rpm

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - good accessibility to the engine is guaranteed

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - robust engine with as much as 35.3 mkg torque according to the SAE measurement method

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - longitudinally mounted Fireball V8 engine with a displacement of 4.3 liters

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - massive radiator for the 4.3-liter V8

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - the V stands for the V8 engine

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - the V as a radiator grille

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - Radiator grille design

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - lots of chrome at the front

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - the experts criticized at the time that the lines were no longer as clear with the panoramic windshield ...

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - Panorama windshield

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - with expensive wire wheels

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - model designation on the flank

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - the additional spare wheel (Continental Kit)

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - lots of chrome, lots of reflections

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - upright rear lights

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - lots of chrome

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - the spare wheel at the rear

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - two spare wheels, one outside and one in the trunk

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special Convertible (1955) - View of the additional beautifully packaged spare wheel at the rear

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Eight (1950) - Advertising for the Buick in Switzerland

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Eight (1943) - Buick Eight - Model 51

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Roadmaster Convertible Sedan (1949) - The first with portholes

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Super (1951) - as a convertible

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special (1953) - the smaller model with in-line engine - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Le Sabre (1951) - Chief stylist Harley Earl next to a model of what was later to become his everyday car

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Le Sabre (1951) - together with its predecessor, the 1939 Buick Y-Job

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Le Sabre (1951) - Harley Earl explains the "laboratory on wheels"

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

GM Le Sabre (1951) - The exhaust flows into the corners of the bumpers

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Le Sabre (1953) - 1956 in front of the auditorium of the General Motors Technical Center in Warren, Michigan

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

GM Le Sabre (1953) - not all design elements made it into series production

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Skylark Convertible (1953) - elegant and attractive

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Skylark Convertible (1953) - in front of a Pan Am building

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Skylark Convertible (1953) - in front of modern architecture

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Super Riviera (1956) - as a four-door sedan coupé without visible B-pillar

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Skylark (1953) - a 'sports car' in the American sense - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1953

You have only

1 out of 57

images seen in high resolution

Summary

The Buick Special was one of the most successful cars in the USA in the 1950s. With the V8 introduced in 1953, a new era began that was characterized by a great deal of faith in the future and foresight. Various versions and a long list of optional extras provided customers with plenty of choice, while the Convertible was one of the rare variants that are particularly popular today. This driving report portrays a Buick Special Convertible from 1955 and tells the story of the successful Buick post-war model series.

This article contains the following chapters

The new Buick after the war
A new engine
Traditional chassis technology
Three "valve ports"
Design evolution in steps
Successful model series
Comfortable thanks to automatic transmission
The elegant convertible
Character cruiser
Further information

Estimated reading time: 6min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The history of the Buick brand dates back to 1899, but it only really got going in 1903, when the "Buick Auto-Vim and Power Company" became the "Buick Motor Company". This marked the foundation of the oldest American car brand still in existence today. 50 years later, Buick, part of General Motors since 1908, introduced its first own V8 engine. After the production break enforced by the Second World War, Buick began building cars again in 1946, although these were a continuation of the pre-war models with in-line eight-cylinder engines. In 1949, the Buick Special was given a completely new body after having been smoothed and modernized year after year.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

Continue reading this article for free?

Images of this article

Source: