Buick Special

[Ferrer]

Buick Special #1

[f6fhellcat13]

Buick special #2

[nota]

Pardon if I suggest these Buicks are most probably the high-performance Century model (Buick's big 322 cid V8 with 195 hp) rather than the Special which had a smaller-bore V8 of 264 cid V8 with 143 hp.

The distinctive script of the model-ID badge seen above the side-spear dip appears to confirm it being a Century, which basically was the swb Special chassis, fitted with the large engine from the lwb Roadmaster and Super.

Btw both of the above hp ratings are of engines specified for 3-speed manuals, as I doubt these guys are racing the dreaded Dynaflow!

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by nota

Pardon if I suggest these Buicks are most probably the high-performance Century model (Buick's big 322 cid V8 with 195 hp) rather than the Special which had a smaller-bore V8 of 264 cid V8 with 143 hp.

The distinctive script of the model-ID badge seen above the side-spear dip appears to confirm it being a Century, which basically was the swb Special chassis, fitted with the large engine from the lwb Roadmaster and Super.

Btw both of the above hp ratings are of engines specified for 3-speed manuals, as I doubt these guys are racing the dreaded Dynaflow!

Where I found the picture the article said they were Specials prepared to run the 1954 Carrera Panamericana and the team was sponsored by Coca-Cola.

In other pictures they can be seen with three ventiports which belong on the Special, unlike the other full-size Buicks four ventiports.

[henk4]

I got a recent shot of this one which is said to be a 1954 Series 60 Century

[Ferrer]

Then why does it have three holes in the front fender instead of the usual four?

[henk4]

this is a four hole Century....but from 1955

[nota]

Originally Posted by Ferrer

Where I found the picture the article said they were Specials prepared to run the 1954 Carrera Panamericana and the team was sponsored by Coca-Cola.

In other pictures they can be seen with three ventiports which belong on the Special, unlike the other full-size Buicks four ventiports.

Ah but Roadmasters were the only 1954 Buick model to wear four ventiports. Every other '54 model had three, except Skylark with none. Century was newly reintroduced for '54 and did not receive those four ventiports until model-year 1955.

Enlarge my attached first pic to closely inspect the side badge of this green Century convertible (with the distinctive elongated 't' in Century) and compare with the car in your original photo, along with my second pic of 1954 Special badge-ID...

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by nota

Ah but Roadmasters were the only 1954 Buick model to wear four ventiports. Every other '54 model had three, except Skylark with none. Century was newly reintroduced for '54 and did not receive those four ventiports until model-year 1955.

Enlarge my attached first pic to closely inspect the side badge of this green Century convertible (with the distinctive elongated 't' in Century) and compare with the car in your original photo, along with my second pic of 1954 Special badge-ID...

Alright I was wrong, again... I've removed the picture and will post it in the Century thread.

Meanwhile more Specials.

[Man of Steel]

Buick Special #8

[wwcorrigan]

Originally Posted by Ferrer

Where I found the picture the article said they were Specials prepared to run the 1954 Carrera Panamericana and the team was sponsored by Coca-Cola.

In other pictures they can be seen with three ventiports which belong on the Special, unlike the other full-size Buicks four ventiports.

In 1954 BOTH the Special and the Century had 3 ventiports. In 1955 the Century graduated to 4. some of the cars had dynaflows. I have seen pictures where the co-drivers had punched holes in the floor and were using long-necked funnels to pour transmission fluid in them enroute!
The cars were very under braked and had no real support as a team as did the winning Lincolns. The Buicks were very fast.

[csl177]

A replica of the Coca-Cola LaCarrera “Durango” number 111 Buick is currently for sale in Pacific Grove, California. Unfortunately the seller has locked his Flickr photos but it's pretty neat for the asking price of $29K. See BaT Exclusive: 1954 Buick Panamericana Racer For Sale

[henk4]

Originally Posted by csl177

A replica of the Coca-Cola LaCarrera “Durango” number 111 Buick is currently for sale in Pacific Grove, California. Unfortunately the seller has locked his Flickr photos but it's pretty neat for the asking price of $29K. See BaT Exclusive: 1954 Buick Panamericana Racer For Sale

that looks suspiciously like the car I posted in #5.

[csl177]

Originally Posted by henk4

that looks suspiciously like the car I posted in #5.

That's it, same suspicious numbers. Actually seems to be well prepared for the $$.

[Man of Steel]

Buick Special #9