1949 Buick 51 Super Touring Sedan
Buicks of the 1949-1953 period have become American icons in the tradition of Coca-Cola machines, Route 66 signs, and Standard Crown gas pump globes. No other car symbolizes postwar promise and prosperity like the bulbous, toothy Buick. The ubiquitous Buick offered a model for every buyer in most every price class. In the days when the buck stopped with Harry Truman, and well into the Eisenhower years, Buick absolutely dominated the American automobile scene above the Chevy-Ford-Plymouth trio. GM's Flint, Michigan, division did it with a combination of bold styling, innovative marketing, and a dealer organization second to none.
Here we offer up for consignment what could be best described as large and in charge. Not quite a Caddy, but who cares, it is from an era where the more chrome the better, make use of big rounded steel panels like the aircraft of the time, and add features that are decidedly Buick. A success story in this 1949 51 Super sedan with all the wonderful late 40's style and charm, an original interior only showing slight wear, and 98,049 title verified actual miles. Let's roll.
Exterior
With a seemingly open mouth and toothy smile this front bumper is worth the price of admission. The Buick Eight script is carved into the top "lip" of the smile and just above begins the long journey of the hood on its way to the windshield. Prior to its rise, a cloisonn© badge looks upward to the chromed gun sight hood ornament atop the bulbous shaped hood front. On the side front fenders which flank this beautiful hood, the famous Buick portholes chromed and styled with more aircraft influence lead the way for the large beautiful trim spear which will run through each massive door then highlight the rear fender gravel shields just before the rear wheel then tapering off to a point just below the Dynaflow emblem. This spear feature is unique to the 1949 model. More shiny trim in good condition makes a lap around the door sills, windows and rear roofline and has a chromed mirror hanging off the driver's side. A small bump out for the rear fenders are backed by vertically oriented shield tail lights with shiny bezels. A large bumper frames the back lower and another beautiful big Dynaflow badge adorns the center of the trunk. Correct Carlsbad Black paint drenches the body, with the front clip being a darker shade of black than the rear 2/3rds of the body. We note chips, scratches, scrapes, and overall patina to the finish along with some heavily cracked prior bodywork, but thankfully no invasive rust is noted. Polished dish styled wheels with a bump out dog dish center for the wheel covers and these are wrapped in wide whites to complete the effect. "Lights out at 11, right after Judge Wapner"
Interior
A swing of the doors and the hits just keep on coming! Snazzy gray and slightly soiled broadcloth panels with horizontal chrome spears border wide gray vinyl lowers in horizontal form along with some chrome curved trimmings, shiny window cranks including the wing window crank and chromed door actuator lever. This is awesome. Slipping inside more striped gray broadcloth for the two benches which are neatly tucked into lighter gray and brown tubs. The original looking two tone dash is in greenish gray and black for the dash top, has round instruments and a large chromed center mesh speak panel with the original and non working Buick AM radio. Also in the dash are the cigar lighter and map light control. The clock does not work. A big round bakelite black steering wheel with a chromed center horn ring shows well right down to the central Dynaflow badge. Gray carpet floods the floors, and above is a slightly water stained mohair headliner in tan. A shout out to the trunk which has its original tan liner, plaid mat sharing space with the jack perched on the right of this trunk.
Drivetrain
A tilt of the hood and we shake hands with the Fireball inline 8 which is definitely original. 248 cubes sport an aqua valve cover and block and sit snugly into the unrestored and patinaed engine bay. A single 2-barrel carburetor is on the side, and on the back is the famous Dynaflow 2-speed automatic. "I only fly Qantas, Qantas Airlines, no Crashes, No Deaths."
Undercarriage
Looking underneath there is slight surface rust on the rear framing and patina, but the X frame remains solid. Nice solid floor pans and rockers are seen, however we do note some invasive rust at the bottom of the spare tire well. Drum brakes for all 4 corners are noted. For the ride Buick offers up independent front suspension, and semi-trailing arms with coil springs for the glide ride.
Drive-Ability
She started right up and on the test track worked swimmingly. Smooth acceleration, bias free stopping, and a wonderful cushy ride just standard for Buicks of the era. Do not try to round a sharp bend at more than 40mph though because it's a big piece of Detroit iron and it will have some roll to the body. A small sacrifice for that great ride and remember it's not a race car! As mentioned, the clock and radio did not work and we noted a pesky exhaust leak and brake lights that would not illuminate when prompted. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
A full 2 thumbs up for this wonderful machine all blinged out with massive chrome, presentable paint and a snazzy interior. Just a beauty of a design, and personally I would take this over the same year Caddy any day. A fine example and don't drop the toothpicks! (I'll have to count them!)
TRIM TAG
1949 MOD 51
STYLE NO 49 4569-1949 Series 50 Super Touring Sedan
BODY NO G50534-Flint Body #
TRIM NO 51-Gray Striped Broadcloth
PAINT 1-Carlsbad Black
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
