Years before the Riviera became the personal-luxury coupe we know and love, it was a title denoting a body style, the “hardtop convertible” as it was sometimes called. The Riviera hardtop was introduced in 1949 as a Roadmaster and was an immediate hit, expanding through Buick’s lineup over the next couple years. In 1950, one could buy a Super Riviera with styling that has become synonymous with early-1950s excess, the “Bucktooth Buick” as some called it. The Buick’s pronounced grille was only around for one year: some hate it, some love it (I love it, but I love ’50s Buicks). Whichever camp you’re in, however, you have to admit that it has personality. While this ’50 Super might be too far gone for a restoration, it’s a solid runner that could be a fun “leave-it-alone” beater for the right person. Barn Finds reader Mitchell G. found it on craigslist in Raleigh, North Carolina, and the asking price is $4,500.
Unfortunately, the seller didn’t open the Buick’s grand piano hood to show us the engine, the new-for-1950 263 cubic-inch straight eight. With Dynaflow (as this car has), it produced 128 horsepower (an increase of four over the standard transmission). Dynaflow cars got a thinner steel-shim head gasket to raise the compression ratio by about a half point. Speaking of the Dynaflow, it’s one of the most misunderstood transmissions in the collector car world. Often labeled as a two-speed automatic by sellers, the truth is a little more complex. While Dynaflow does have a low-range, it is manually selected; if you place the gear selector in low, the engine will stay there until the valves float or a connecting rod finds the nearest exit. If you place the selector in drive, the Dynaflow never shifts in a traditional sense. The torque convertor handles gear reduction and you won’t feel a shift from zero to top speed.
It’s an interesting mechanical device, and that lack of shifting makes it feel sluggish to those who aren’t accustomed to it. In reality, you’re keeping up with traffic even if something doesn’t quite feel right. (I own two cars with Dynaflow, so I have some experience with them.)
The seller says that this 263 is running smoothly from an auxiliary fuel supply, but will need the fuel tank and lines cleaned or replaced (which is no surprise to anyone who has revived a long-dormant car or truck). The interior has clearly seen better days, and upholstery will be expensive, and then you need a carpet, headliner, door panels, etc.
So what do you do with a Buick like this? The seller says it has a “99% rust free body,” which is good, because most sheet metal is not available new. It deserves to be back on the road, but a restoration will easily exceed the cost of the car by multiples. As much as I hate the term, I think a “rat rod” approach would be best. Clean it up, get some blankets on the seats, give it a Comet wash and some linseed oil/mineral spirits to spiff up the paint, flush out the fuel system, fix the brakes, get some blackwall tires. You’ll need to source a new grille “lip,” as this one is broken (as so many are). There’s a lot to do, but many of us like to have a project, and this would be a head-turner even in its current state. Would you rather have a Buick?
What would I do? Why, I would stand on the hump adjusting the radio antenna while we effortlessly hurdled forward on the wet cinders covered PA
Turnpike!
That grill is almost a cow-catcher.
I’m imagining it in olive green with an ivory roof and green leather upholstery. These early 50’s Buicks and Caddies need to be saved. Unfortunately, it won’t be me, but someone with vision and deep pockets could turn this into a stunning cruiser if one tried to keep it fairly original looking.
You can see the body lines that influenced the 71-73 Rivis. I’ve been looking for years for a 71 triple black GS Riv but they seem to be extinct
LS swap, lead sled all the way. Chop the top, lake pipes, pearl white or candy brandywine, couple flamethrowers out the back just for fun.
If u do that, may I have the straight 8?
I’ve been looking for a Buick straight 8 to rebuild Trade a running LS for it? While they are extremely heavy and expensive to rebuild with no aftermarket parts around. In addition the long stroke limits Revs to 4000 inch if you are brave and willing to see connecting rods take an unplanned vacation out the side of the block.
It would be a perfect engine for THE RACE OF GENTLEMAN.
They only allow engines that were available in 1937 or earlier. Which the straight 8 qualifies for.
Probably stretch a Model A chassis or something similar. Or maybe just turn it into a vintage sprint car?
I would do a wheelbase comparo with the Cadillac CTS wagon.
FINALLY, a write-up by someone who has knowledge of the Dynaflow transmission.
I hope somebody fixes this old Super up and drives it. The most expensive replacement part will be the upper grill bar aka mustache. The Buick OHV straight eight is a great engine and should be preserved.
I ditto Gil’s comment on the misunderstood Dynaflow. I was thirteen when that gearbox hit the market and I quickly dubbed the “Fireball Valve-In-Head” straight-eight plus Dynaflow the best sounding car on the road… and I heard many cars since I was to be tied to a bike saddle for the following four years.
A torque converter is the original CVT with its greatest multiplication at stall, tapering off as input/output shaft speeds approach unity. The Dynaflow got the bad rap because, to the uninitiated, it sounded like a slipping clutch instead of having defined audible fixed ratios like all the others. Ultimately smoooooooth… and as Aaron said, not nearly the slouch it was purported to be.
I grew up with a ’37 Special as family car, replaced by a ’46 Super after WW2 but sadly never experienced the Buick automatic.
This Riv is in remarkably good condition over all and deserves TLC preservation as a prime example of one of the best of the era.
Oh, and I’d take this over the equally sad ’57 BelAir posted right next to this Riv!
I remember these early 50’s Buicks as a kid and listening to them as the accelerate, they made a humming sound unlike any other cars (funny, as I type this I’m hearing the sound in my head).
As to what to do with it, IMO the body is perfect the way it is (no chop or section needed). I would seriously consider a resto-mod for this one. At the very least, upgrade the brakes and suspension, and I would swap out the straight 8 and Dynaflow for a modern V8 (probably a 350 crate) and automatic trans. Art Morrison frame if I could afford it; redo the interior (from modern junk yard stock :-)). Nice paint job and cruise.
30 miles away and I have to resist temptation to park it somewhere on my 40 acres close by the house so I could just admire it regularly as lawn art. Too many projects ahead of it.
Couldn’t stand it. 30-45 minutes away…called the guy and he’s got a couple of folks interested, but I’m going to go look at it on Saturday, weather permitting and if he still has it. Told him I’m probably not a buyer, but sure wanted to look at it up close. Nice guy. Seems to do a lot of buying and selling (like most of us on this board) and has a 50 Ford shoebox and a 54 Willys wagon he’s looking to sell as well. Don’t know the condition. The Buick was inherited from a guy in PA who had barn full of them but passed on. The heir had a bunch of them shipped down to Cary, NC and sold some of them after going through the NC process for titling them (hopefully they had PA titles to make it much easier). The current owner got it directly from the heir.
That thing needs an orthodontist
For me it’s the grill. The toothy maw is almost a ‘50 Buick exclusive challenged only by the ‘50 DeSoto. If a Buick aficionado has or can source the missing front trim; the hardest task might be covered. Brakes and fuel system isn’t a deal breaker. Finish off with a Derek Bieri restoration and go cruising with “Dynaslush”. GLWTS.
These are great cars this is a great price which gives people some wiggle room because a vehicle 74 years old will need some money put in the straight 8 is one of the most reliable engines ever made, I have 3 collector cars in would love to buy this gem but too many cars would be in the dog house with the wife 😝😝🤔
This Beauty deserves to be the moonshine runner it was born to be…
Somebody with the coin save this…
You gots to love that toothy grill!
could you picture this, find a wreck HELLCAT and put the whole drive line and suspension under this beast.
There MIGHT be one of these completely restored as all original in a museum somewhere. If true then we don’t need two, do we? hahaha. I’m similar in thinking with Eric_13cars in that I love the idea of KEEPING this car with its incredibly interesting and gorgeous body but then … drive it. Make it as ready for repeated coast to coast road trips as a new ToeYaTuh. A modern yet modest 250 hp or so low end torque motor with 8 speed automatic. Include AC, layer upon layer of soundproofing, super cloud floating suspension, fabulous living room furniture type cushioned upholstery, built in navigation. Can people install Buick’s Adaptive Cruise Control? For colors in and out get help from an artist/upholstery/paint team. Oops… did I just spend $80,000? Now I’ll have to sell one of my Platinum Trim Vistig’s. Oh well, it’s only money.
There is a picture of a 50 Buick where either the second or third tooth in the grill is copper.
The commercial phrase was “Wouldn’t you really rather have a Buick?”
This 50 Buick lines are so beautiful, it doesn’t need any chops or custom building. The straight eight dynoflow or dynoslush is an evolution further than the fluid drives Chrysler had in their 1948 cars. A shame the seller didnt include any engine pics. This car is probally already gone. I’d give her a tuneup rebuild the brakes, with new shoes and socks and use some Poppys Patina on this straight looking body. Car of dreams.
When the 1950 Buick first came out, I was crestfallen at the loss of the beautiful ’49 — one of my personal favorites — being Autistic, I loved the use of a ’49 Buick in “Rainman”, a film that raised awareness of us, even if Dustin Hoffman’s portrayal was a bit stilted and perpetuated unfortunate stereotypes: at least our existence was made KNOWN! Over the years since late 1949, the disappointing 1950 Buick has (shall we say) “GROWN” on me. If I could afford this one, I would restore its original mechanicals to reliable roadworthiness, just as Buick built them, drum brakes, 6 volts, and all. Then I would restore the radio and clock, so I could have the same use of them that I would have enjoyed in 1950. Next, I would toss a thick and comfortable soft blanket over that worn-out front seat, and drive it just the way it is. Someone down the street has a fading 1949 Pontiac, driven every day, cracked window in the driver’s door and all: works for ME!
Would do 3 things
A – conserve the beautiful patina with linseed or clearcoat
B – ask Derek from Vice Grip Garage for making this oldie driveable
C – do the roadtrip and collect the missing chrome pieces one by one
What an opportunity!
We have recently acquired a 6 acre property and this big thing could be used as a planter , cut up the roof and fill with earth !
YOLO
To Lukin R.: I like your style! To Claudio: that’s MEAN! — have you no feeling for a car that has survived 75 years? AS A CAR??
Can smell that interior all the way here in upstate NY.Would not do anything to it Just drive it .That Dynoflow is bullet proof
To Michael p brown: I’m in upstate New York, too! (Hello, Neighbour!)
Somebody was selling that same grill set up at the Albuquerque Drag Strip last fall. It didn’t sell.
I expect to see it this March.
Small swap meet, nothing like Hershey of Pomona.