1946 Buick Models Described In Detail

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General Year Information

Basic styling was continued from the 1942 models. However, now sedans had the front fender sweep across the doors to the rear fenders as did the Sedanette and convertible styles. A stamped grille with vertical bars dominated the front fascia. Single stainless body trim lines began on the front fenders and ended at the rear edge of the standard rear wheelhouse shields.

The Century was not offered, and would not return until 1954. Likewise, the Limited was also retired and would only make a cameo appearance in 1958.

Production for 1946 was 149,567; 3171 Specials, 114,997 Supers, and 21,399 Roadmasters. People liked the Roadmaster looks with the Special economy offered by the mid-price Super Series.

Models Offered

Special Series 40 – The 1946 Buick Special was Buick’s lowest-priced line. It was the only Buick line continuing the Fisher “B-body” fastback styles from 1941-42 into the postwar era. Exterior bright trim was similar to the 1942 models with twin strips of stainless steel flowing from the front wheelhouse to the rear edge of the standard rear wheelhouse skirts. Bright rocker moldings were also standard. Interiors featured rubber floor mats and painted instrument panels with round gauges. “Special” was found stamped front and rear, on the crossbar, between the bumper guards. “Special” emblems were at the rear sides of the hood.

Standard equipment included an automatic choke, ash receiver and turn signals.

Super Series 50 – Buick combined the large Series 70 body with the economical Series 40 power plant to create the “Super”, the Series 50 line. Basic styling was also continued from 1942. but now sedans had the front fender sweep across the doors to the rear fenders as did sedanettes and convertible styles. Single stainless body trim lines began on the front fenders and ended at the rear edge of the standard rear wheelhouse shields. Exterior series identification “Super” was stamped on the crossbar between the bumper guards, front and rear. “Super” emblems were at the rear sides of the hood.

Standard equipment was the same as the Series 40, but Series 50 Buicks had two-tone, wood-grained, instrument panels.

Roadmaster Series 70 – The 1946 Roadmaster was Buick’s biggest and fastest car. It’s larger and longer straight eight engine required five inches more wheelbase most of which was contained in longer front fenders and the hood. The exterior trim was identical to the Super, except for the longer stainless moldings on the frontal sheet metal. The instrument panel was two-toned with wood grains except on convertibles, which used body-colored panels. “Roadmaster” was found on emblems that were at the rear sides of the hood and the name was embossed centered in the bumper guard crossbars front and rear.

Standard equipment was the same as for the Super, but richer interior fabrics were used in the interior.

Engines

Roadmaster Series – Inline Eight-cylinder: Overhead valve. Cast iron block. Displacement: 320.2 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.4375 x 4.3125″ Compression ratio: 6.6:1. Horsepower: 144 @ 3600 RPM. Five main bearings. Mechanical valve lifters. Carburetor: Stromberg AAV-26 number 380097 two-barrel or Carter 609 or 664 two-barrel.

Special and Super Series – Inline eight-cylinder: Overhead valve. Cast iron block. Displacement: 248.0 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.19375″ x 4.125″. Compression ratio: 6.3:1. Horsepower: 110 @ 3600 RPM. Five main bearings. Mechanical valve lifters. Carburetor: Stromberg AAV-16 number 380106 two-barrel or Carter 608 or 663 two-barrel.

Power Train Options

  • A three-speed manual transmission with steering column-mounted shift lever was standard on all Series. There were no optional gear boxes.

Chassis Information

  • Wheelbase: Series 40 – 121.0″; Series 50 – 124.0″; Series 70 – 129.0″.
  • Overall length: Series 40 – 207.5; Series 50 – 212.375″; Series 70 — 217.125″.
  • Front tread: Series 40 – 58.875″; Series 50 and 70 — 59.125″.
  • Rear tread: Series 40 — 61.9375″; Series 50 and 70 — 62.1875″.
  • Tires: Series 40 and 50, 6.50 x 16; Series 70, 7.00 x 15.

Body Paint Color Codes

Click the Paint Name for Paint Mix Codes

Other Significant Options

  • Auxiliary driving lights.
  • Breeze-Ease draft deflectors.
  • E-Z-I non-glare rear view mirror.
  • Multi-purpose trouble lamp.
  • Prismatic inside rear-view mirror.
  • Seat covers.
  • Side view mirror.
  • Sonomatic radio.
  • Spotlite.
  • Vanity visor mirror.
  • Weather-Warden heater/defroster.

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