Nothing to Spend: 1946 Buick Super
For anyone searching for a classic car where there isn’t a cent to spend, and that they can just drive and enjoy, this 1946 Buick Super seems to offer that option. It is a beautifully presented car that is said to be mechanically strong, and on top of a straight and clean body, it also features a very nice interior. If this sounds like the car for you, you will find it located in Polk City, Florida, and listed for sale here on eBay. The BIN price for this classic is $12,500, although the option is also there to make an offer.
When civilian vehicle production restarted following the end of World War II, Buick followed the path of other auto manufacturers by reviving their 1942 models, with some minor upgrades to styling and model designations. The Series 50 Super successfully combined the body of the Series 70 with the Series 40 power-plant. They also introduced some new trim and an updated grille to give the cars a distinctive appearance. This car is the result of those efforts, and it really is in fantastic condition. The Canterbury Blue paint looks extremely nice, and the external chrome and trim also appear to be in good condition. The owner provides a good selection of photos of both the exterior and underside of the car, and it looks like it is rock solid.
The interior of the Buick presents nearly as well as the exterior, with only one non-urgent fault visible. The wheel has a good collection of cracks, and the next owner could either have this restored, search for a replacement, or leave it as it is. Otherwise, the deep blue upholstery and trim look to be in first-rate condition, as does the headliner. The dash is original and unmodified, and when the owner says that everything works, I would assume that the cool factory radio is included in that statement.
Powering the Buick is the 248ci straight-eight engine, which produces 110hp. This sends its power to the rear wheels via a 3-speed manual transmission. The Super is quite a heavy car, so that engine does have some work to do to get the car up and mobile. Having said that, once moving, the Buick is a comfortable cruiser. Once again, there is nothing to spend on this extremely well-presented engine. The owner says that the engine starts and runs like new, and that it has no leaks. He also states that the transmission shifts smoothly and that the car is “turn key” ready to use.
This Buick really does appear to be a car that is ready to be driven and enjoyed. The owner does point out that it’s not perfect, but it presents well enough to attract plenty of admiring glances. Classics that are ready to be enjoyed have their attraction, especially for people who are unable to tackle a restoration project. As a car that fits into this category, this one looks like a good prospect at a pretty reasonable price.
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Comments
OK, say whatever you want about 4doors, but this is one massive ride! I had the opportunity to closely examine a similar 4door 51 Super at a car show this Wednesday and I can testify these dinosaurs have a massive presence!
Considering this is an early civilian vehicle after WW2 I suspect these were also the first to go to the crusher when the baby-boomers traded up later in the 50s. I suspect the cloth material utilized here isn’t correct, at least the 51 I saw had a much more coarse fabric. The I-8/stick combo found here is IMO the only way to go in this giant whale; love everything about it and it’s a great find!
Baby boomers were born between 1946 and 1964. Pretty sure we weren’t trading up and crushing cars in the fifties. Maybe our parents were.
I was born in 56, my first car in 74 was a 1951 Ford sedan with V8 flathead, 3 on the tree, it was a tank and I would never send it to the crusher. Sold it for $700 in 76 for twice what I had in it. Those were the days of really good cheap cars. Drove it all over Southern California.
Bought a ‘47 Super in Hawaii in 1959, for $100. A real jungle-cruiser! Ate retread tires, though. Had an interesting sun visor operated by a lever inside the car.
Worth every penny! Just too bad that I don’t have the pennies to buy it! Great
car that’s only half an hour away from me,
as I live in Winter Haven. I’ve always liked
Buicks for their comfort and engineering
and, as you said, local sheriff, their presence on the road. All that being said,
this car checks all the boxes for me and
yes, I”d really rather have a Buick!
My dad had several stories about his ’49 “Sedanette” (fastback) Buick. One involved turning it over to a parking attendant in Mobile AL and listening to the tires squeal all 5 stories to the top of the garage. Another was about a trip from Pensacola to Miami at a time when there were no interstates, averaging speeds that to me are incomprehensible for back roads. The third was when he drove it to work at a noisy paper plant. The engine was so quiet that he accidentally left it running all day. When he returned it was still idling but when turned off, the engine seized. Eventually he got it going again. He called the car a “Running Piece of Plunder”.
Buid quality on these was great.I have 2 ’41’s – a Super & and a Roadmaster – ditto.
Beautiful looking car. I’ve always liked 1946-54 Buicks. They’re probably the best looking cars in Buick’s stable.
Very nice car. My oldest brother ( rip ) had a 42 Super. He told a story (maybe several) about driving from Ft. Leonardwood, Mo to California crossing states that had no posted speed limit driving 120 mph when a state trooper pulled him over, he was told although there was no speed limit you must drive at safe speeds. Then the trooper told him, that in that car 120 on a straight road was safe and sent him on his way. I rode in the back seat of that car a few times. The county road leading to our farm was a gravel road in those days (early 50’s) and my brother would slide around corners causing me to slide from side to side in the massive seat. I loved it.
God bless America
I’d let my wife sit in the back of this boat and I could be the chauffeur!!!
I know, the audacity to call a bath tub Porsche ugly, when Buick had this front end, and it got uglier. Who was in charge that said, “yep, let’s go with the frowny, toothy face, sad eyes front”,,,for right after the war,( hmm, maybe that’s why the frowny face) these were fantastic cars, again, front end aside. OHV “Dynaflash”, oil cushioned ( I believe hydraulic lifters) smooth running motor, probably shifted like butter, a road car all the way and I bet a lot of folks traveled all over in these. Just a great example of a car that screamed America, and one most could afford. Sure would stand out in a crowd today.
The ’46 – ’53 Buicks were among the most beautiful cars ever built. I don’t see a “frowny face”; I see a shimmering chrome waterfall. Of all the models from that era the ’50 grille was the best. It was aggressive and mean, and screamed, “Get the eff out of my way.”
I don’t think you could restore a car to this condition at twice the asking price. It’s a bargain if you like 1940s sedans!
I remember seeing one of these when I was a young lad enthralled by the automobile of all descriptions.
It belonged to Dr Hurst who lived beside my grandpa on Ethelbert St In Winnipeg Manitoba (Canada).
He even let me sit in it one day when I was looking in the passengers window and he came out to use it. That was special because Grandpa had a Vauxhall Victor. It was OK with it’s unique flipper signal arms but nothing like the Buick. Grandpa also had traded his 38 Pontiac for a newer one (can’t remember the year } then for some reason down sized – – he was getting older and maybe size was the thing for him.