Featured here is a beautiful, large, full size 1948 Buick Super 8 Convertible. Buick built a reputation as being a luxury, reliable premium auto brand. The Super 8 represented style, space and luxury.
The Buick Brand
Buick was founded by David Buick who began working with gasoline engines in 1899. Buick traditionally dates its beginnings to 1903 but prior to that built only three automobiles and had accumulated plenty of debt. In 1903 Buick was incorporated and moved from Detroit to Flint and then to Jackson, Michigan. Buick had many ups and downs financially and actually recovered from near bankruptcy in 1904. The future began to look better though, with at one time Buick being the No. 1 producer of automobiles in 1908. In that year Buick had more production than Ford and Cadillac combined. The automaker then caught the interest of William Durant who went on to acquire the firm forming General Motors with Buick becoming it’s top brand..
The Buick Super 8 The Buick Super Eight was built from 1940 through 1958, with the second generation running from 1942 to 1948. The Super Eight combined the full-sized Roadmaster wheelbase with the smaller Straight 8 engine from the Buick Special. The Super Eight was better known for its luxury and appearance than its performance although there certainly was fine performance from the model and remained a favorite in the Buick line.
Buick produced the Super 8 in five plants. These were located in South Gate, California; Atlanta Georgia; Kansas City, Kansas; Flint, Michigan; and Linden, New Jersey.
1948 Buick Styling
Buick styling portrayed a more muscular image than most other GM cars. Many new features made its way onto the Buick Super 8 exterior. A stainless-steel strip ran from the front wheel arch along the body side and onto the enclosed rear wheel arch.The car received a new body emblem including Super script on the front fenders, with the name also appearing in a badge on the rear. Last but not least are stylish chrome hub caps.
The interior is fully carpeted with power adjusted front bench seat and automatic courtesy lights at the base corners of the seat which lit up the foot wells. The dashboard is adorned with bright silver toned instruments.power-adjusted front bench seat.
The head designer at this time was Harley Earl who would be the innovator of full size clay models, basically invent the Chevy Corvette, led five design teams at GM and would end up a vice president at General Motors.
1948 Buick Super Eight Specifications
Engine for this model is a 248 cubic inch Fireball Straight Eight delivering 119 HP. The engine was also used in the Buick Special. The engine was produced by Buick from 1931 to 1953 and it had replaced the Buick Straight Six. The Fireball Straight Eight which lasted in production for 23 years was very popular because it was considered sturdy, reliable and very smooth running. The engine was replaced in 1954 by the Fireball 322 cubic inch V-8.
Gear box on the 48 Buick is a three speed column mounted manual.
Brakes are four wheel hydraulic drums.
Front suspension is independent coil spring with double acting shock absorbers. Rear suspension includes double-acting shock absorbers and coil springs.
Dimensions include a 124.0 inch wheelbase, 212.4 inch overall length, 78.6 inch width and 64.9 inch height. Curb weight 4,040 lbs.
Serial numbers for the 1948 Buick will be found attached to the right side of the firewall. Also found on the left front door pillar.
1948 Buick production numbers totaled 213,600 units. Convertible Coupe Series 50 production was 18,300 units.
Original new car price for the 1948 Buick Super 8 Convertible was about $2,520.
Related Auto Museum Online articles are on the links below..
1955 Buick Special Two Door Sedan
Reference material for this article includes…The Buick: A Complete History (90th Anniversary Edition) (Automobile Quarterly Library Series) by Terry B. Dunham..The Hemmings Book of Buicks (Hemmings Motor News Collector-Car Books) by Terry Ehrich.
The 1948 Buick Super 8 Collector Car
The Buick Super Eight’s were lavishly styled and stand out with that large toothy grille along with luxury amenities which do attract a good collector following. The Buick Super 8 also represents the styling of legendary GM designer Harley Earl. Additionally, the original engine on the Super 8 has a reputation for very smooth operation and with only 18,300 of the Convertible Coupe models produced in 1948, you are looking at a rare classic automobile.
Most recent auction sales for the 1948 Buick Super 8 Convertible in excellent fully restored original condition averaged about $42,000. There have also been retail sales up in the $70,000 range.
(Article abd photos copyright Auto Museum Online)