1955 Buick Resources

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• Buick Roadmaster
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1955 Buick Facts – Body Paint Color Codes

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1955 Buick

1955 Buick Facts and Specifications

General Year Information – 1955 Buick Facts

1955 Buicks received a major facelift, with new rear fenders housing “tower” taillights, new front fenders and a new oval grille opening housing a textured grille panel and a large horizontal emblem bar distinguished the lines. The larger bodied Buicks were readily identified by their more rounded contours, straight up windshield pillars and sedan rear quarter windows. Power brakes were optional and tubeless tires were new.

Engine horsepower for the Roadmaster Super and Century was increased from 200 to 236 via higher compression ratios and freer flowing heads, and the Special model’s smaller V-8 benefited from these improvements to the tune of 188 HP. A new variable-pitch Dynaflow, in which the stator blades changed pitch under hard acceleration, provided quicker off-the-line getaway.

Roadmaster
In 1955, to distinguish Roadmaster, broad lower rear fender bands, gold-colored “Roadmaster” deck script and hood ornament, bars on the wheel covers, and a gold-accented grille were added. Back-up lights were now standard. All C-bodied Buicks were distinguished by vertical windshield posts and headlamp rims containing the parking lamp units as well. Roadmaster interiors were plusher, with 10 choices, including brocaded fabrics. The Model 76C convertible had a standard leather interior. Overall sales were 64,527. The Roadmaster Convertible replaced the exclusive Roadmaster Skylark convertible as the top model.

Super
In 1955 Buick’s popular Super continued to combine the large C-body interior expanse with medium bracket interiors and manual transmission as standard. Super models, like the rest of the line, had four of the new round Ventiports per fender. Additional “Super” series script was found on rear quarters and within the deck emblem. The side Sweepspear was unchanged from 1954. Inside, a new Red Liner speedometer lay horizontally across the instrument panel. Interiors were trimmed in nylon “Cordaveen” combinations, except for the convertible which featured leather seats. Standard Super equipment included trip mileage indicator, electric clock and, on convertibles, a power horizontal seat adjuster. Super sales rose to 132,463.

Century
The Century remained Buick’s performance line, with engine power rising from 200 HP to 236. Introduced in the middle of the 1955 model year, the four-door Buick Century Riviera was part of the first four-door hardtops ever produced. Century models were identified by their four Ventiports per fender, the “Century” in script on rear quarters, and that series designation within the deck emblem. Inside, damascene panels were inset into the instrument panel, and a quilted metallic door panel section was featured. The Century had the round “Red Liner” speedometer with a trip mileage indicator, unlike Roadmaster and Super models, who used a horizontal bar. An electric clock was also standard. Century continued to feature four Ventiports on the front fenders like the larger Buicks, indicating its engine status equal to the Super and Roadmaster, though using the shorter and lighter B-body.

Special
Special continued with the smaller 264 CID V-8, now developing 188 horsepower. Special Series script was found on the rear quarters and within the grille emblem. Cordaveen upholstery was used. The distinctive Series 40 and 60 instrument panel, with twin round gauge pods was continued. Introduced in the middle of the 1955 model year the four-door Buick Special Riviera (along with the Century Riviera, the Oldsmobile 98 Holiday, and the 88 Holiday) were the first four-door pillarless hardtops ever produced. By then, the Buick Special was one of America’s best-selling automotive series, and is credited with helping Buick rise to #3 in sales, overtaking Chrysler’s volume-seller Plymouth.

Historical
In 1955, the California Highway Patrol placed a large fleet order for 270 Century two-door sedans, a body style unavailable to the general public in Century models. It combined the Special model’s two-door sedan body shell with Century powertrain, of which 135 were fitted with Dynaflow automatic transmission and 135 had manual transmissions. Broderick Crawford was shown driving a two-door Century sedan during the first season of his popular syndicated TV series Highway Patrol. These Century two-door sedans were actual police vehicles owned by the California Highway Patrol and were loaned to the TV production company, but the real CHP door emblems were changed to a generic highway patrol emblem.

1955 Buick Facts – Significant Options

• • Accessory group, for Special (includes electric clock, rear license frame, full wheelcovers, & trunk light.
  • Air conditioning.
  • Antenna, electric.
  • Cushion toppers.
  • Deluxe Handy mats.
  • Dor-Gards.
  • Easy-Eye glass.
  • Electric clock.
  • Gas door guard.
  • Handy mats.
  • Handy-Spot-lite.
  • License frames.
  • Outside rear view mirrors.
  • Power brakes, standard Roadmaster.
  • Power front seat adjustment,
  • Power steering ($108, standard for Series 50 and 70).
  • Power windows, standard on Roadmaster 2-door hardtop and convertible.
  • Radio, Selectronic.
  • Radio, Sonomatic.
  • Rear seat speaker, except convertibles and station wagons.
  • Rear view mirror, inside glare-proof.
  • Rear view mirrors, outside glare-proof, right and left-hand.
  • Red Liner speedometer with trip mileage indicator (for Special, standard other Series).
  • Safety group (includes back-up lights, brake warning light, windshield washer, standard Series 70).
  • Spotlite.
  • Tissue dispenser.
  • Tool kit.
  • Two-tone and tri-tone paint.
  • Visor vanity mirror.
  • Wheel covers, full (standard on Roadmaster).
  • Whitewall tubeless tires.
  • Windshield washer.
  • Wire wheels, genuine 40-spoke (not available on Special).