• Total industry production: 5,168,308, up 60.09%. • Number of manufacturers for model year: 19, no change. • Number of models and body types offered: 217, up from
212.
• Industry average base price: $2,360, up 5.94%.
• Industry base price range: $849 for the Crosley Hotshot 2-Door Roadster, to $5,334 for the Chrysler Crown Imperial 4-Door, 8-passenger Limousine.
BUICK
“When better automobiles are built, Buick will build them.”
Among the first all-new postwar GM cars to be in- troduced was a new C-body line that included the Road- master and Super. Looking leaner and trimmer than before, the new models still had the characteristic Buick waterfall grille bars, set under an over-arching grille bar. Parking lamps moved to the tops of the front fenders. Rear styling was simple and rounded with vertical taillamps set low in the fenders. The body sides were generally smooth with a horizontal beltline running the length of the car. The fa- miliar Buick body line running down from the front to- wards the rocker panel, then sweeping up over the rear wheel arch would disappear this year, but would return in 1950 in the form of chrome trim, beginning a run of sev- eral years in which the “sweep spear” would be highlighted in chrome. Another styling feature that would become a Buick trademark began this year. The “porthole,” or “Ven- tiport” as Buick would call it in later years, was for 1949 a round chrome trim piece mounted on the side of the front fenders. This unique styling touch gave the Buick a slightly customized look and quickly became a popular regular trim
feature in various forms. Supers got three on each side, and Roadmasters were given four on each side.
The Roadmaster series was among the first GM cars to receive a 2-door hardtop model, and the only new model in the 1949 Buick line. The “Riviera” 2-Door Convertible Hardtop, as it was originally known, was essentially that — a Roadmaster Convertible with a steel hardtop welded into place. The styling was particularly nice on the 1949 Buick, with its already clean and uncluttered looks.
For 1949, several manufacturers offered a first series 1949 model line and then a second series 1949 model as the new postwar designs became ready for production. In the GM house, the Buick Special was the only such car, but it did not take the first and second series route. Instead the “first-series” 1949 models were carry-overs from the 1948 model year, riding on smaller 6.50 ×15" wheels, and the “second series” cars would officially be known as the 1950 Buick Special. Introduced midway through the 1949 model year, they shared the look of the remainder of the Buick lineup, though it was not identical as the Special still uti-
187
1949 • Buick
1
9
4
9
lized the GM B-body. However, the new Special sported the front grille and bumper styling that would appear on the entire 1950 Buick line.
Powertrain changes were few, with the Super adding Dynaflow to its optional features list midway through the
1948 selling season. Engines continued in the same config- uration as prior years, with the Dynaflow equipped engines having slightly higher compression and horsepower. The only other significant chassis change was the switch to smaller 15 inch wheels on the Special series.
Roadmaster 2-Door Riviera Hardtop
Super 4-Door Sedan Roadmaster 4-Door Estate Wagon
Model year production:316,703, up 54.86% from 1948.
Domestic market share:6.13% (4th place).
Base price range:$1,787 to $3,734.
Buick average base price:$2,642, up 8.98%.
Introduction date:November 1948.
Assembly plants:Flint, MI (1); Southgate, CA (2); Linden,
NJ (3); Fairfax (Kansas City), KS (4); Wilmington, DE (5); Atlanta, GA (6); and Framingham, MA (7).
Serial number identification:Eight digit code read as fol-
lows: 1st digit indicating assembly plant code from above, followed by sequential number by plant — Flint, 15020984 to 15348304; Southgate, 25030001 to 25332419; Linden, 35036001 to 35333911; Fairfax, 45043001 to 45335606; Wilmington, 55050001 to 55517948 and 55417001 to 55417948; Atlanta, 65054001 to 65337687; Framingham, 75057001 to 75338786. Style number can be found on body identification plate. “Ionia” denotes the builder of wagon bodies for Buick.
Powertrains
Compression
Engine Ratio Gross HP Transmission Special Super Roadmaster
248 CID, 2-bbl., valve-in-head, 8-cyl. 6.3:1 110 3-speed manual S - -
248 CID, 2-bbl., valve-in-head, 8-cyl. 6.6:1 115 3-speed manual - S -
6.9:1 120 Dynaflow Drive Automatic - $212 -
320.2 CID Fireball, 2-bbl., valve-in-head, 8-cyl. 6.9:1 150 Dynaflow Drive Automatic - - S
Major Options
Special Super Roadmaster
Weather-Warden heater/defroster $ $ $
Sonomatic AM radio $ $ $
Auxiliary driving lights $ $ $
Exterior spotlight $ - -
Automatic windshield washers $ $ $
Rear window wiper $ - -
E-Z-I non-glare rear view mirror $ $ $
Outside rear view mirror $ $ $
White sidewall tires $ $ $
Options common to most models. (—= Not Available) Items may be stan- dard equipment, optional at different pricing, or unavailable on certain models. This chart is only a guide.
Paint Colors
Code
Black 1
Bahama Blue Metallic 2
Sunmist Gray Metallic 3
Verde Green Metallic 4
Elan Blue Metallic 5
Sequoia Cream 7
Cumulus Gray 8
Regency Blue Metallic 9
Allendale Green Metallic 10
Gala Green Metallic 11
Royal Maroon #2 Metallic 12 Cirrus Green Metallic 13
Old Ivory 14
Calvert Blue Metallic 15 Mariner Blue Metallic 16
1949 • Buick
188
Special
“The sprightly Special.”
Nameplate year of origin:1935.
Current bodystyle lifespan:1941 through 1949.
Percentage of division’s sales volume:3.29%.
Primary competition:Dodge Meadowbrook, Kaiser, Nash 600,
Oldsmobile 76, Pontiac Streamliner, and Studebaker Commander.
Notable changes:No significant changes.
Major standard equipment:Cloth seats, rubber floor mats, front ash re-
ceiver, black Tenite steering wheel, turn signals, automatic choke, twin stainless moldings on front and rear fenders, full-length chrome belt molding, full-length lower rocker panel molding, front and rear bumper guards, rear fender skirts, and 6.50 ×15, 4-ply BSW tires.
Measurements
Wheelbase 121.0" Length 207.5" Width 77.5" Height 65.1" Legroom — front 42.5" Legroom — rear 42.5" Headroom — front 38.0" Headroom — rear 35.8" Cargo capacity (cu. ft.) 17.5 Fuel capacity (gals.) 19.0Models Available
Change from Shipping Model Year Change from Style No. Base FADP LY Wt. (lbs.) Production LY
Special 2-Door Sedanet, 6-p., Model 46S 4407 $1,787 +3.00% 3625 4,631 -57.02%
Special 4-Door Sedan, 6-p., Model 41 4409 $1,861 +2.87% 3695 5,777 -56.65%
TOTALS Avg. price $1,824 +2.93% Production 10,408 -56.82%
Super
“Looks fine for ’49. Now available with Dynaflow Drive.”
Nameplate year of origin:1935.
Current bodystyle lifespan:1949.
Percentage of division’s sales volume:69.52%.
Primary competition:Chrysler Windsor, DeSoto Custom, Frazer, Kaiser
DeLuxe, and Oldsmobile 88.
Notable changes:Completely redesigned.
Major standard equipment:Cloth interior trim, front rubber floor mats
with rear floor carpet, “pilot centered” recessed instrument panel, lower body full-length stainless trim, 3 round Ventiports with series designa- tion in chrome script on both front fenders, rear fender skirts, full wheel discs, and 7.60 ×15, 4-ply BSW tires. Convertible adds: Leather interior trim, power convertible top, power seat, and power windows.
Measurements
Cars Wagon Wheelbase 121.0" 121.0" Length 209.5" 209.5" Width 78.5" 78.5" Height 63.4" NA Legroom — front 43.5" 43.5" Legroom — rear 42.7" NA Headroom — front 35.5" 37.5" Headroom — rear 35.4" 37.3" Cargo capacity (cu. ft.) NA 82.0 Fuel capacity (gals.) 19.0 19.0Models Available
Change from Shipping Model Year Change from Style No. Base FADP LY Wt. (lbs.) Production LY
Super 2-Door Sedanet, 6-p., Model 56S 4507 $2,059 +3.62% 3735 65,395 +99.01%
Super 2-Door Convertible, 6-p., Model 56C 4567 $2,583 +2.58% 3985 21,426 +17.01%
Super 4-Door Sedan, 6-p., Model 51 4569 $2,157 +3.35% 3835 131,514 +174.04%
Super 4-Door Estate Wagon, 6-p., Model 59 Ionia $3,178 +1.73% 4100 1,830 -6.39%
189
1949 • Cadillac
1
9
4
9
Roadmaster
“Extra room, extra view and Dynaflow too
in these bountiful new Buicks for ’49.”
Nameplate year of origin:1936.
Current bodystyle lifespan:1949.
Percentage of division’s sales volume:27.20%.
Primary competition:Cadillac Series 61, Chrysler New Yorker, Frazer
Manhattan, Lincoln, Oldsmobile 98, and Packard Super Eight.
Notable changes: Restyled grille and detail changes.
Major standard equipment:Finer grade upholstery, front rubber floor
mats with rear floor carpet, “pilot centered” recessed instrument panel, lower body full-length stainless trim, 4 round Ventiports with series designation in chrome script on both front fenders, rear fender skirts, full wheel discs, and 8.20 ×15, 4-ply BSW tires. Estate Wagon adds: Leather interior trim, carpeted cargo floor, and mahogany veneer exte- rior panels. Riviera Hardtop adds: Leather and cloth interior trim, and power windows. Convertible adds: Leather interior trim, power con- vertible top, power seat, and power windows.
Measurements
Cars Wagon Wheelbase 126.0" 126.0" Length 214.2" 214.2" Width 78.5" 78.5" Height 63.5" NA Legroom — front 43.5" 43.5" Legroom — rear 42.7" NA Headroom — front 35.5" 37.5" Headroom — rear 35.4" 37.3" Cargo capacity (cu. ft.) NA 82.0 Fuel capacity (gals.) 19.0 19.0Models Available
Change from Shipping Model Year Change from Style No. Base FADP LY Wt. (lbs.) Production LY
Roadmaster 2-Door Sedanet, 6-p., Model 76S 4707 $2,618 +13.97% 4115 18,415 -10.35%
Roadmaster 2-Dr. Riviera HT, 6-p., Model 76R 4737 $3,203 NEW 4420 4,314 NEW
Roadmaster 2-Dr. Convertible, 6-p., Model 76C 4767 $3,150 +11.03% 4370 8,095 -28.79%
Roadmaster 4-Door Sedan, 6-p., Model 71 4769 $2,735 +13.11% 4205 54,674 +16.22%
Roadmaster 4-Door Estate Wagon, 6-p., Model 79 Ionia $3,734 +8.77% 4490 632 +83.72%
TOTALS Avg. price $3,088 +12.44% Production 86,130 +8.62%
CADILLAC
“Cadillac for 1949. The World’s Most Distinguished Motor Car.”
Billed as “Cadillac’s greatest engineering achievement in 45 years,” an all-new overhead valve V8 engine marked its debut in the 1949 Cadillac line. This new engine boasted higher performance, better fuel economy and smoother op- eration in a lighter, smaller displacement engine. It was a highly successful powerplant that would become the engine of choice for start-up manufacturer Muntz (see Appendix I: Minor Makes), and for many custom car builders throughout the early fifties.
The season’s other big announcement was the addition of Cadillac’s first two-door hardtop model. In what would
become a tradition among all manufacturers, the new hard- top was given a glamorous or luxurious sounding designa- tion befitting their top of the line status. For Cadillac this nameplate would be the Series 62 “Coupe de Ville.” This new body style was shared with the Buick Roadmaster Riv- iera and the Oldsmobile 98 Holiday hardtops and early on was commonly referred to as a “hardtop convertible,” which was a literal interpretation of their original construction, a convertible body and frame with a steel top. The Coupe de Ville and Convertible also shared equipment such as stan- dard hydraulic power windows. Beautiful styling and the