1952 Buick Series 50 Riviera

Buicks of the 1950-1953 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 1952 Series 50 Riviera with a history of 4 owners, an original interior only showing slight wear, and factory E-Z eyeglass tinted top windscreens. 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 cloisonné 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 sweep spear which will run through each massive door then widen and dive down just before the rear wheel well. This spear feature is unique to the 1952 model. More shiny trim in excellent condition, makes a lap around the door sills, windows and rear roofline and has dual chromed mirrors hanging off on either side. A small bump out for the rear fenders which are topped with chromed fins (only for 1952!) and backed by vertically oriented oval taillights with shiny bezels. A large bumper frames the back lower and another beautiful big cloisonné badge adorns the center of the trunk. All lower steel panels are straight and rust free and painted in teal blue and paint looks good. The hardtop is presented in cream color and is a good contrast to the teal. 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 off white and slightly soiled broadcloth panels with horizontal chrome spears border wide gray vinyl in vertical 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 tan with a slight mauve tone, and off white broadcloth tops for the two benches which are neatly tucked into dark tan tubs. . The original looking two tone dash in light and dark teal dark for the dash top, has round instruments and a large chromed center panel with the original and working Sonomatic radio and just below all the control buttons. Also in the dash are a working lighter and map lighting. 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 badge. Tan 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 tab liner and a very clean share with the jack perched on the upper shelf of this trunk.

Drivetrain
A tilt of the hood and we shake hands with the Fireball inline 8 which is definitely original. 263 cubes sport an aqua valve cover and block and sit snugly into the restored and very clean 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. Drum brakes for all 4 corners are noted. For the ride Buick offers up Independent front suspension, and Torque tube and radius rod 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!

A full 2 thumbs up for this wonderful machine all blinged out with massive chrome, good 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!)

VIN DECODE
3655587I
3-Linden, NJ Assy Plant
6555871-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.