1950 Buicks Are On Display Here
The Keeling Buick company here in Levelland now has on display the most comprehensive line of cars produced by Buick since pre-war days.
Buick has turned out for the first time models in a wide range from the newly-invaded lower price field to luxury custom models in the upper brackets.
The cars are new from styling and engineering standpoints boasting more powerful engines, new and roomier bodies, greater comfort and sweeping fender lines carried through the length of the body.
Although there are 19 models in the line with seven in the Special Series and six models each in the Super and Roadmaster Series. Basically the cars are on three different chassis but one model in both the Super and Roadmaster Series is on a lengthened chassis to accommodate a more spacious body.
A new engine is offered in the Super Series while the Roadmaster and Special engines have undergone changes to give increased performance.
Highlighting the style of the new cars are lower lines, the apparent use of more glass and Buick’s characteristic full taper-through front fenders flowing in smooth lines through the entire body length. These lines are accentuated in the medium and higher priced models by a stainless molding running most of the length of the car.
Two distinct body styles are utilized in the Special Series, the Jetback and Tourback designs which are available in the four-door six passenger sedans. The Jetback, and ultra – streamlined body with a sweep back is available also on the two-door three passenger coupe and the two-door six passenger sedanet.
The Tourback styling, with its spacious trunk and generally roomier dimensions, is used in the four-door models in the Super and Roadmaster Series cars and the two-door models are Jetback. In addition these series each will have a convertible, a Riviera and an Estate Wagon.
The Special Series is being increased with introduction of deluxe models, the first in the history of the Special that deluxe models have been offered.
Buick’s exclusive Dynaflow transmission continues to be standard equipment on all Roadmaster models and optional in the Super and Special Series. Nearly 350,000 of these torque converter transmissions have been installed on Buick cars since Dynaflow was introduced in 1948, and during 1949 approximately 70 per cent of all Buicks were equipped with Dynaflow.
Many Refinements have been made on the device which has been credited by engineers with being the outstanding contribution to motorig comfort in the last quarter century.
An outstanding feature of the entire line is adoption of the unique and widely – acclaimed front-end first offered on the Special Series in August. The new front-end is a sturdy grille and bumper combination which has proved highly successful since it was brought on the Special With the combination grille and bumper it has been possible to shorten the Super 5 3/ 8 inches in over-all length without shortening the wheelbase, and the Roadmaster models 5 1/3 inches over-all Super models now are 204 inches over-all, except for the one long wheelbase model which is 208 inches, and Roadmasters are 208.8 inches except for the long wheelbase model in this series, which is 212.8 inches.
The compression ration of all engines in the Roadmaster and Special Series with Dynaflow also has been increased to 7.2 to 1, with a corresponding increase in horsepower. Brake horsepower of the Special with Dynaflow now is 122 and on the Roadmaster 152.
The new bodies, widest and roomiest of the low-priced eights, have hip-width increases up to 13 inches in the rear seat of the Super Series four-door sedan. Riding comfort for rear seat passengers has been improved with relocation of the seat to a point further ahead of the rear axle permitting more head room in the Tourback models and the lowering of the rear roof lines on all models.
Push-button door locks are used on all models. The new chrome handles blend smoothly into the door panels and are stationary with no ends. The rear compartment lock is incorporated in the decorative emblem on the trunk lid. The lid is mounted on counterbalanced springs and permits easy access. Doors on all models are easier to open and a more secure hold-open device has been installed.