The straight-8 is a bygone engine configuration that was once common for automakers seeking enhanced performance and refinement. Buicks were powered by straight-8s for more than two decades, in varying displacements.
Sometimes referred to as the Fireball Eight, Buick rolled out the engine across its entire lineup beginning with the 1931 model year, and the straight-8 continued powering all Buicks until it was replaced by the 322-cubic-inch “Nailhead” V8 beginning in 1953.
The Pick of the Day is a straight-8-powered 1951 Buick Special, offered in West Babylon, New York, by a dealership advertising the club coupe on ClassicCars.com. It’s finished in a two-tone black and silver, and adorned with lots of chrome accent trim – including, of course, its Buick-signature portholes on the side of the hood. The upper portion of the toothy grille even spells out in cursive script “Buick Eight.”
The dealership states that this Special was female owned for 30 years and has been shown at special events. It has its original engine, which is paired with Buick’s Dynaflow automatic transmission. While specifics around maintenance history are not called out in the ad, the sedan is said to run and drive great and has been mechanically well-maintained, according to the seller.
The Buick lineup in the early 1950s was easy to map out, with just three models starting with the Special (Series 40) at the entry-level position. Moving upward came the Super (Series 50) with such features as distinctive rear side windows. Sitting at the top was the Roadmaster (Series 70) flagship with “sweepspear” fender trim and wide chrome panels below the windows and doors.
Buick aficionados will be quick to point out that the Roadmaster was the only model with four portholes on each side of the hood instead of three. That styling cue was a visual nod to the Roadmaster’s straight-eight being 320 cubic inches as compared with the 260cid of lesser models.
The seller has included detailed photos showing the dashboard and interior, which though imperfect appear to be in decent shape for a driver-grade vehicle approaching 70 years old. The dealer is asking $9,900 for this Buick.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Seems like a nice deal. As far as the number of portholes on the sides. Every year was different. While the Roadmaster always had 4 holes, some Supers also had 4 holes. That has been a great topic of conversation among Buick Aficionados. I have a 55 Super with 4 holes. There’s no rhyme or reason, at least that I know, what determined the number of holes.
Tony M. BCA #45939
Proud owner of a 4 hole Buick Super and member of the Buick Club of America
I loved the smoothness of the Buick straight eight, but we used to call the early Dynaflow the Dynaflush as it was very mushy and you never really felt a shift. Also they were very comfortable cars that were not easy on gasoline, about 10 to 12 MPG. Enjoy
Bumpers painted. Ruins the look of the car.
Agree. One of the things that Buicks are known for, is all of their chrome. At least the bumpers are still attached and , if in good shape, can be re-chromed.
Looks to me like the potholes are on the top of the fender, not on the hood.
Glad we have some Buick enthusiasts in our midst. I referenced some official sales literature as well as the Hometown Buick website when writing this. Every photo I saw of a Super & Special had only 3 portholes, but I could be wrong and I’ll definitely defer to the expertise of Anthony who is an official member of the Buick Club of America. Sounds like you have a great Super!
As for Michael’s comment on the porthole location – for 1951 you’re absolutely right. I’m most familiar with the 1950 models which had them on the side of the hood. So, glad you caught that.
I’m determined to own a Buick from this era at some point – my grandfather and grandmother drove a 1950 Special “Jetback” 4-door on their honeymoon in 1954. I have photos of the car hanging in my kitchen so I see them every day as a reminder. Thanks for reading!
Where is the car located? I like it… Did they come with rear fender skirts?
Seems like a nice deal. As far as the number of portholes on the sides. Every year was different. While the Roadmaster always had 4 holes, some Supers also had 4 holes. That has been a great topic of conversation among Buick Aficionados. I have a 55 Super with 4 holes. There’s no rhyme or reason, at least that I know, what determined the number of holes.
Tony M. BCA #45939
Proud owner of a 4 hole Buick Super and member of the Buick Club of America
I don’t know everything there is to know about BUICKS, but I will share what I do know. The portholes were introduced in 1949, from 49 to 54, The Roadmaster was the only model to have 4 portholes In 1955 The Roadmaster and Super had the 4 portholes, and were the only two models to have the tear drop headlight ring to include the front signal/parking lights. The 1955 Buick Special was the only Buick to have 3 portholes, the Buick Century had 4 portholes in 55. The Special, and Century were the only models to have round headlight in 55 with the signal/parking lights separated below the headlight with its own small ring. The Century was a Buick Special body with The Roadmaster engine. The Century was reintroduced in 1954 with 3 portholes and the 322 V8, the last year before that was the 1942 model Century which had the 320 Straight Eight. From 1955 to 1957 Super, Roadmaster, and Century had the 4 portholes. In 1958 and 59 the portholes so to speak were gone, reintroduced in 1960.
Is this Buick still available?
Is this Buick still available? Is it road ready to be driven to Chattanooga TN?
I am the current owner of this buick. I purchased it in october. It’s not what I had hoped it to be. It looks nice, but the brake line snapped entirely upon trying to drive it home, it has no turn signals that work and no signal bar, this vehicle was sold in very poor condition. The seller told me “it needed love” but completely failed to mention how dangerous this car was to drive off the lot. I knew when I saw the vehicle that it clearly needed plenty of attention, but I was not aware that the attention it required was so vast. The painted bumper and rust patches don’t bother me, they can easily be replaced and fixed up. But for a car that was priced at 8k, it will require 4k of work JUST to get it to drive safely. This car was not road ready when I bought it and was not really “well maintained” but for it’s age, it certainly stood the test of time.
HOWEVER, I must emphasize that I was aware this was a project buy and going to be a headache. I really was not too happy with the workload but that’s not the fault of the seller. It’s a 70 year old car and the money for the purchase went to the original driver who has fallen ill. So I am still quite happy with my purchase, I feel the price was fair and negotiated down to 8k, the seller and his workers were very polite to me.
I would still recommend the seller to people who ask where I bought it and the seller does have a history in the business and is known to have some beautiful vehicles.
I got one for sale.
how much and what condition
are you guys kidding me this is great price, for paint only it will cost more
Is this car still for sale?
You have to follow the links in the story to the ad, which has seller contact info.
I have a 51 in nice shape new center exhaust fuel pump rebuilt some rust on floor boards up for sale 6k or obo