1956 Buick Facts, Figures, and Specifications
Five Fast Facts You May Not Know
1956 Buick Century 2-Door Hardtop
1956 Buick Special Convertible
1956 Buick Century Estate Wagon
1. Dual Stator Dynaflow Transmission Bows
2. Higher Compression Makes 255 HP
3. Air Conditioning Now Under Hood
4. 264 CID V-8 is Gone
5. 1956 Roadmaster Models Have Unique Sweepspear
1956 – Working on Sophistication
Minor face lifting included new taillights, and a new, slightly forward thrust grille. Air conditioning moved under the dash, and all Series received the 322 CID V-8, 4-door hardtops, and an improved Dynaflow transmission.
1956 Buick Resources
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1956 Buick Facts – Body Paint Color Codes
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1956 Buick
| Lilac | |
| A Carlsbad Black | |
| B Castle Gray | |
| C Dover White | |
| D Electric Blue | |
| E Bedford Blue | |
| F Cadet Blue | |
| G Cambridge Blue | |
| H Laurel Green | |
| J Foam Green | |
| K Glacier Green | |
| L Claret Red | |
| M Seminole Red | |
| N Tahiti Coral | |
| P Cameo Beige | |
| R Harvest Yellow | |
| T Bittersweet | |
| U Apricot | |
| W Spruce Green |
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1956 Buick Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1956 Buick Facts
For 1956, face lifting included new taillights, and a new, slightly forward thrust grille. with the exception of the Roadmaster, Series script continued to appear on rear quarters.. Oval Ventiports replaced round unit on front fender this year. Compression boosted the 322 CID V-8 to 255 HP, except for the Special which now used the larger displacement block but had lower compression and only a 2-barrel carburetor. Two stator wheels were adopted to improve the Dynaflow transmission. A 12 volt electrical system was adopted. Air conditioning was now mounted under the front cowl for a more efficient delivery of cold air.
Roadmaster
In 1956, Roadmaster had a shallower Sweepspear that did not dip down to the rocker panel as on other models. “Roadmaster” in script was placed on the front doors, beneath the vent windows, unlike the other lines. Twin chrome strips were set on the decklid, and “Roadmaster” was spelled between them. Fender tip dual bombsights were standard. A brand new four-door Riviera hardtop was introduced and proved to be the most popular Roadmaster, with 24,770 units sold. This beat the traditional best-selling pillared sedan by more than two-to-one. Overall sales were 53,418 (which was 9% of model year production). A padded dash became standard.
Super
Although the Super was a larger Buick, set on the 127 inch wheelbase of the Roadmaster, with vertical windshield posts and four Ventiports per fender, it had a deep Sweepspear similar to the smaller Series 40 Special and Series 60 Century models. “Super” in script was found on rear quarters and within the deck and grille emblems. The 4-door Riviera hardtop was now available. The Super was an “in-between” car, and as such it was tending to turn buyers away – sales of the Super fell to 80,998.
Century
The Century was still considered the performance Buick, and relied chiefly on a fourth oval Ventiport on each front fender for distinction between it and the lower-priced and lesser powered Special whose wheelbase it shared. “century” in script was also on the rear quarters and also within the deck and grille. Like the Special, it shared the GM “B-Body”, recognizable by its reverse slanting windshield pillars. It continued to share the Roadmaster’s 322 CID 255 HP V-8.
Special
For 1956 the larger 322 CID V-8 engine was now shared with the rest of the range. However, the Special would receive a lower compression ratio and only a 3-barrel carburetor delivering reduced HP and torque. The Special continued to use the popular Sweepspear side motif in 1956, but now all models, including sedans and wagons, had round rear wheel house cutouts.
Historical
All models received the 4-door hardtop, which in most series except the Special, were the best-selling models.
1956 Buick – Factoids
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- 264 CID V-8 Dropped Dropped
- High Compression Pushes HP Up Once Again
- Dynaflow Gets a Second Stator
- Air Conditioning Moves Under the Hood
The small bore 264CID V-8, originally used in the Special was dropped in 1956 and a lower compression (8.9:1) 2-barrel carbureted version of the 322 CID V-8 was now the Special’s powerplant.
Buick redid the pistons to achieve a 9.5:1 compression ratio. This increased power in the Roadmaster. Century and Super 322 CID V-8. Also contributing were new free-flowing exhaust headers. The engine was otherwise unchanged.
This year, Buick installed a secondary stator in the Dynaflow to smooth out the shift from low to high. Much like that in the Jetaway Hydra-Matic, performance was not improved, but shift “feel” was reduced.
Previously, when GM cars received air conditioning, it was a rather large unit (the size of current window air conditioners) located in the trunk. Of course, space was reduced and the air flow had to be directed through the headliner to front passengers. The new unit resembled what we have today and was located where the heater resided – much more compact and allowing proper ducting. It was a dramatic change that made A/C a much more common option.
1956 Buick Facts – Models Offered
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Special – The Special continued to use the popular Sweepspear side motif in 1956, but now all models, including sedans and wagons, had round rear wheel house cutouts. Series script continued to appear on rear quarters and within the deck and grille emblems. Specials had three Ventiports per front fender that were now oval. Closed car interiors were vinyl/Cordaveen combinations, while the Model 46C convertible was upholstered in all-Cordaveen. Standard equipment included directional signals, front and rear armrests, sliding sunshades, cigarette lighter, glove compartment light, map light, dual horns. Step-on parking brake, a new horizontal red line speedometer and a trip mileage indicator.
Special models were 2 door Sedan, 4-door Sedan, 2-door Hardtop Coupe, 4-door Hardtop Sedan, Convertible and 4-door 6-passenger Station Wagon.
Century – The Century had the fourth oval Ventiport on each front fender, its series script on the rear quarters and the series designations within the deck and grille emblems for its exterior differentiation from the Special. It shared the GM “B-Body”, recognizable by its reverse slanting windshield pillars. with the Series 40 Special. All bright moldings interchanged. Nylon/Cordaveen interior combinations were used in duo and tri-tones. The convertible, Model 66C, was trimmed in leather. the Century’s standard features were. in addition to those found on the Special, foam seat cushions, a trunk light, electric clock and rear license frame. Model 66C, the convertible, had a power top, windows and horizontal seat adjuster included.
Century models were 4 door Sedan, 4-door Hardtop Sedan, 2-door Hardtop coupe, Convertible, and 4-door 6-passenger Station Wagon.
Super – Although the Super was the larger Buick, using the 127 inch wheelbase, with vertical windshield posts and four Ventiports per fender, it had a deep Sweepspear similar to the smaller Series 40 and 60 cars. Series script was found on rear quarters and within the deck and grille emblems. Interiors were Cordaveen and patterned Nylon, except for the Model 56C which was all-Cordaveen trimmed and had power windows, horizontal seat adjustment, and top in its standard form. Dynaflow was now standard on all Supers, along with foam seat cushions, a trunk light and electric clock, plus features found on the lower-priced Special.
Super models were 4-door Sedan, 2-door Hardtop, 4-door Hardtop, and Convertible.
Roadmaster – An effort was made to further distinguish the Roadmaster Buick for 1956. The top line model had a shallow Sweepspear that didn’t dip to the rocker panel as on other series. Twin chrome strips graced the deck lid, with “Roadmaster” spelled out in block letters between and “Roadmaster” in script was now on the front doors, beneath the vent windows. Fender-top dual bombsights were standard and the grille emblem also had Series identification. Standard Roadmaster equipment included a perimeter heating system, Variable-Pitch Dynaflow, power steering, power brakes, back-up lights, windshield washers, glare-proof rear view mirror, parking brake signal release light, electric clock, DeLuxe wheel covers, foam-cushioned seats, foam-backed carpets and dash pad. Interiors included Custom Nylon and cord combinations and leather in the convertible, Model 76C. Two-door models had bright front seat cushion bands and Models 76R and 76C had power windows and seat adjuster as standard equipment.
Models available were 2-door hardtop, 4-door Sedan, 4-door Hardtop and Convertible.
1956 Buick Facts – Engines
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322 CID 2-Barrel V-8 – All Transmissions. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 322 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.00″ x 3.32″.
Compression ratio: 8.9:1.
Horsepower: 220 @ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 319 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic
Camshaft timing: Intake 282°, Exhaust 292°, Overlap 67°, Lift (intake) 0.378″, (exhaust) 0.378”.
Carburetor: Carter WGD Model (manual transmission) 2378 (automatic transmission) 2400.
NOTE: Available in Series 40 Buick Special Only.
322 CID 4-Barrel V-8 – All Transmissions. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 322 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.00″ x 3.32″.
Compression ratio: 9.5:1.
Horsepower: 255 @ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 341 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic
Camshaft timing: Intake 287°, Exhaust 291°, Overlap 70°, Lift (intake) 0.378″, (exhaust) 0.378”.
Carburetor: Rochester 4-GC Model 7009200; or Carter WCFB 4-Barrel Model 2347.
NOTE: Series 60 Century all transmissions and Series 50 Super and 70 Roadmaster with automatic transmission. Not Available in Special.
1956 Buick Facts – Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: Special and Century – 122.0 inches; Super and Roadmaster – 127.0 inches.
- Overall length: Special and Century – 205.1 inches; Super and Roadmaster – 213.6 inches.
- Overall width: Special and Century – 75.5 inches; Super and Roadmaster – 80.0 inches.
- Overall height: Special – 59.8 inches; Century – 60.0 inches; Super 60.2 inches; Roadmaster – 60.4 inches.
- Front tread: All – 59.0″.
- Rear tread: Special and Century – 59.0 inches; Super and Roadmaster – 62.2″.
- Tires: Special – 7.10 x 15; Century and Super 7.60 x 15; Roadmaster – 8.00 x 15.
- Optional Tires: Special – 7.60 x 15.
1956 Buick Facts – Powertrains
- Dynaflow Transmission Ratios
- All: 1st – 1.82, 2nd – 1:10, Reverse – 1.82:1.
- All: Stator Stall Ratio 3.5:1 @ 1500 RPM (low angle) 3.1:1 @ – 2500 RPM.
- Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- All: 1st – 2.39:1, 2nd – 1.53:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.353:1.
- Rear Gear Standard Ratios
- Dynaflow Transmission: Special – 3.23:1.
- Dynaflow Transmission: Century, Super, and Roadmaster – 3.36:1.
- Manual transmission: Special & Century Only – 3.91:1.
1956 Buick Facts – Power Train Options
- Engines:
- 322 CID 220 HP Special V-8: Special only, Not Available Others.
- 322 CID 255 HP V-8: Standard on Century, Super and Roadmaster AMT, Not Available on Special.
- Transmissions:
- Dynaflow Transmission: Standard on Roadmaster, Century and Super. Optional on Special ($193).
- Three Speed Manual Transmission: Standard on Special. Optional on Century. Not available on Super and Roadmaster.
1956 Buick Facts – Significant Options
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- Air conditioning.
- Antenna, electric.
- Carpet cover.
- Cushion toppers.
- Custom Cordaveen interior on Series 40, 60 and 50.
- Deluxe Handy mats.
- Dor-Gards.
- Easy-Eye glass.
- Electric clock.
- Exhaust pipe trim.
- Gas door guard.
- Handy mats.
- Handy-Spot-lite.
- License frame (open top).
- Outside rear view mirrors.
- Padded instrument panel (standard Series 70, available for Series 50).
- Power brakes, standard Roadmaster.
- Power front seat adjustment,
- Power steering, standard on Series 50 and 70).
- Power windows (standard on Models 66C, 56C, 76C, 76R, available all other except Model 48).
- 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.
- Safety group (includes back-up lights, brake warning light, windshield washer, standard Series 70).
- Seat belts.
- Selectronic radio.
- 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 (set of five) on Series 60-50-70.
1956 Buick Downloads and Images
1956 Buick Facts – Related Document Downloads
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1956 Buick Introduction Brochure
1956 Buick Print Advertisements
SEEKING – 1956 Buick AMA Specifications Sheets – Got One? Let Us Know
1956 Buick Exposed – Motor Life Magazine
1956 Buick Facts – Related Images
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1956 Buick Roadmaster Convertible
The 1956 Buick Roadmaster Convertible was the top of the line drop top in 1956. It sold well with 4,354 delivered.
1956 Buick Roadmaster 4-door Hardtop
The 1956 Buick Roadmaster 4-door Hardtop was a new entry in the Roadmaster line. It was the best-selling Roadmaster with 24,770 delivered.
1956 Buick Roadmaster 2-door Hardtop
The 1956 Buick Roadmaster 2-door Hardtop was the sporty offering in the top line this year. 12,490 were produced.
1956 Buick Roadmaster 4-door Sedan
The 1956 Buick Roadmaster 4-door Sedan was the tried and true high end Buick, For the first time in years, it was outsold by the 4-door Hardtop, with only 11,804 built.
1956 Buick Super 4-door Sedan
The 1956 Buick Super 4-door Sedan was a staid and solid 4-door sitting on the longer wheelbase. It outsold the Roadmaster version with 14,940 delivered.
1956 Buick Super Convertible
The 1956 Buick Super Convertible sat on the longer Roadmaster wheelbase but was trimmed in a less expensive manner. For whatever reasons only 2,489 left the showrooms.
1956 Buick Super 2-door Hardtop
The 1956 Buick Super 2-door Hardtop was the lesser trimmed 2-door in the 127 inch wheelbase models. 33,334 were sold.
1956 Buick Super 4-door Hardtop
The 1956 Buick Super 4-door Hardtop was the lesser trimmed version of the 127 inch wheelbase 4-door hardtops. A solid 34,029 were built.
1956 Buick Century Convertible
The 1956 Buick Century Convertible was considered the performance drop top. It was the second most popular convertible this year, with 4,721 finding happy customers.
1956 Buick Century 4-door Hardtop
The 1956 Buick Century 4-door Hardtop was considered the performance 4-door by Buick. It was a solid seller with 55,973 delivered. Of these, 35,082 were a “Deluxe” version with upscale interior trim and power windows.
1956 Buick Century 2-door Hardtop
The 1956 Buick Century 2-door Hardtop was considered the Hot Rod Buick in 1956. A solid 33,334 found buyers.
1956 Buick Century Estate Wagon
The 1956 Buick Century Estate Wagon was the station wagon with the 255 HP V-8, adding plenty of “go” to whatever you were carrying 8,160 buyers choose perky performance over standard hauling.
1956 Buick Special Convertible
The 1956 Buick Special Convertible was the entry level convertible in 1956. It was the best-selling convertible in the line by far with 9,712 sold.
1956 Buick Special 4-door Hardtop
The 1956 Buick Special 4-door Hardtop was the 2nd best-selling Buick for 1956 with 91,025 delivered.
1956 Buick Special 2-door Hardtop
The 1956 Buick Special 2-door Hardtop outsold every other 1956 Buick by a wide margin, with 113,861 finding customers.
1956 Buick Special 4-door Sedan
The 1956 Buick Special 4-door Sedan though out shown by the newer 4-door hardtop still delivered respectable sales with 66,977 produced.
1956 Buick Special 2-door Sedan
The 1956 Buick Special 2-door Sedan was the entry level Buick for 1956. A respectable 38,672 were sold.
1956 Buick Special Estate Wagon
The 1956 Buick Special Estate Wagon combined a lesser HP V-8 with a more staid interior trim in an attempt to attract more practical customers. It worked, with an almost double sales over the Century version at 13,770 units delivered.