1957 Buick Facts, Figures, and Specifications
Five Fast Facts You May Not Know
1957 Buick Century Caballero Wagon
1956 Buick Roadmaster 75 4-Door Hardtop
1956 Buick Century Convertible
1. New 364 CID V-8 makes 300 HP
2. Roadmaster 75 Model Increases Luxury Features
3. 15 Improvements to Chassis and Drivetrain
4. Special Gets Detuned 364 CID V-8
5. Dual Exhaust Standard on Roadmaster Only
1957 – Sleek Lines and a New V-8
1957 Buicks featured all-new bodywork and featured a larger 364 CID V-8. The lineup still included the entry-level Buick Special, the performance-oriented Buick Century, the long wheelbase Buick Super, and the flagship Buick Roadmaster. Significant for 1957 was the Buick Century Caballero Estate Wagon, a dramatic pillarless four-door hardtop station wagon.
1957 Buick Resources
Equipment or products directly related to this car. Click to view:
Need New Springs or Shocks?
Get the Exact Springs for your Buick
Click Here for
1957 Buick Facts – Body Paint Color Codes
Click on the Paint Code Name to See the Mix Codes for the appropriate color:
1957 Buick
| A Carlsbad Black | |
| B Castle Gray | |
| C Dover White | |
| D Starlight Blue | |
| E Biscay Blue | |
| F Mariner Blue | |
| G Dresden Blue | |
| H Kearney Green | |
| I Belmont Green | |
| K Mint Green | |
| L Jade Green | |
| M Seminole Red | |
| N Garnet Red | |
| P Shell Beige | |
| R Antique Ivory | |
| S Arctic Blue | |
| T Bittersweet | |
| T Dawn Gray | |
| U Apricot | |
| U Gulf Green | |
| W Hunter Green | |
| X Sylvan Gray | |
| Y Dusk Rose |
Collector Car Insurers
Click on the links below to find your car’s value or get a quote:
1957 Buick Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1957 Buick Facts
For 1957, Buick styling was notable for its three-piece rear window design. This was a feature in all series fixed-roof body-styles, (excluding wagons and convertibles). Oldsmobile also used this 3-piece rear window design that year, marketed as the “Twin-Strutted Rear Window.” All Buick models featured a lowered body style and a new 364 CID V-8. Roadmaster, Super and Century received a 300 HP version of this engine, while Special models had a 250 Hp unit. A new ball-joint suspension system improved handling.
Roadmaster
The 1957 Roadmaster featured the new lowered body style with an even more panoramic windshield with reverse slanted pillars. A red-filled Sweepspear lined the bodyside, and a chromed rear fender lower panel filled the area between the wheelhouse and the bumper end, continuing to offer “Dagmar bumpers” at the front. A new centered fuel filler was located in the rear bumper. Engine exhaust exited at the ends of the bumper. “Roadmaster”, in script, was placed within the deck and grille emblems. Two-door models had a trio of chevrons on the rear quarters, while the four-door models had a Roadmaster emblem nestled within the Sweepspear dip.
The four-door Riviera hardtop proved so popular in the previous year that the pillared sedan was dropped from the model lineup. Also, new was a mid-year production Roadmaster designated as “Model 75”. It featured standard power seats and windows, carpeted lower doors, a one-piece rear window, Deluxe hubcaps, and a “Series 75” script identification on the rear quarter body panel of the Roadmaster 2-door coupes and the rear door panels on the 4-door body styles, replacing the standard three chevrons. Roadmaster sales dropped to about 47,751, including the Series 75. The overall economy was in a recession, impacting sales.
Super
The Super, like the Roadmaster, used the new C-body for 1957. Super models had a group of three Chevrons on each rear quarter or door for series identification, in addition to the “Super” designation within the grille and deck emblems. Four Ventiports still graced the front fenders. Like Roadmaster and Century, engine displacement was increased to 364 CID on the Nailhead V8. Nevertheless, sales fell to 70,250, the lowest level in the decade.
Century
The Century was still considered Buick’s performance model. As usual it was very similar to the Special in exterior trim, except for an identifying fourth Ventiport on each front fender. It still sat on GM’s B-Body with the shorter 122 inch wheelbase. Century models were no longer available with manual transmission, and were all Dynaflow equipped. Because the Century was considered the senior “small Buick”, the model received a version of GM’s hardtop station wagon, the Century Caballero Estate Wagon.
Special
As in the Century, a new, wider and lower B-body graced the 1957 Special. A red-filled bright Sweepspear lined the body sides and a chromed rear fender lower panel filled the area between wheelhouse and bumper end. A new centered fuel filler door was found in the rear bumper, the ends of which the single or optional dual exhausts passed through. Three Ventiports were found on each front fender. Special models received the new 364 CID V-8, however this engine received “tamer” camshaft and lower compression, 8.0:1 on manual transmission models and 9.5:1 on Dynaflow equipped cars.
1957 Buick – Factoids
Click a Tab to See the Details
- New Engine CID Raises Power
- Roadmaster 75 Model Gets More Luxury Features
- Only Roadmaster Has Dual Exhaust as Standard
- One Axle Ratio for All Senior Series Buicks
The engine size was increased to 364 CID wit a bore and stroke increase from 4.00″ x 3.32″ to 4.125″ x 3.40″. Roadmaster,, Super and Century received this version, now at 300 HP, while the Special received a detuned model making only 250 HP.
Mid-year, Buick delivered a new model “Roadmaster 75” , that was intended to bridge the gap between the standard Roadmaster and the Series 62 Cadillac. It featured an upgraded interior with better fabrics and leather seating.
In a surprising move, Buick eliminated the feature of Dual exhaust for the Century, its performance model, and made single exhaust standard on all models except Roadmaster. Asking Century owners to pony up extra money for a symbol of power was a marketing blunder.
Another surprise was that lack of optional axle ratios on the Series 50 Super, Series 60 Century, and Series 70 Roadmaster. Even with the new, larger engine, performance suffered. See this February 1957 test of the Buick Century with a comparison of acceleration to the 1956 model that illustrated this fact HERE.
1957 Buick Facts – Models Offered
Click a Tab to See the Details
Special – New this year was a red-filled bright Sweepspear lined the body sides, and a chromed rear fender lower panel filled the area between wheelhouse and bumper end. At the rear, a new centered fuel filler door was found in the rear bumper, the ends of which the single or optional dual exhausts passed through. Three Ventiports were found on each front fender. “Special”, in script, was set within the deck and grille emblems. Closed models were upholstered in nylon/Cordaveen combinations except for the Model 49D Estate Wagon which had cloth and Cordaveen upholstery. The Model 46C convertible was trimmed in two-tone Cordaveen. Standard Special equipment included a red-line speedometer, glovebox lamp, dual horns, trip mileage indicator, directional signals, dual sunshades, color-coordinated dash panel and, on Model 46C only, an outside left-hand rear view mirror.
Special models were 2 door Sedan, 4-door Sedan, 2-door Hardtop Coupe, 4-door Hardtop Sedan, Convertible, 4-door hardtop 6-passenger Station Wagon, and 4-door post sedan 6-passenger Station Wagon.
Century – Buick’s performance star was very similar to the Special in exterior trim, except for the fourth Ventiport on each front fender. Series designation was also found on the rear quarters or doors and within front and rear emblems. Interiors were plusher, with Rivera hardtops upholstered in Nylon/Cordaveen combinations and the Model 66C convertible being trimmed in Cordaveen and leather. Power windows and seats were standard on this convertible model. Regular features, in addition to those found on the Special, included foam rubber seat cushions and an automatic trunk lamp.
Century models were 4 door Sedan, 4-door Hardtop Sedan, 2-door Hardtop coupe, Convertible, and 4-door hardtop Caballero 6-passenger Station Wagon.
Super – The Super used a new C-Body for 1957. Larger than the Series 40-60 bodies, the Riviera hardtop styles had different roof treatments as well. Supers had a group of three Chevrons on each rear quarter or door for series identification, in addition to the wording within the grille and deck emblems. The usual four Ventiports were on each front fender. Closed models were upholstered in Nylon/Cordaveen combinations, while the Model 56C convertible had an all-Cordaveen interior and featured power windows and seat controls as standard. Other Super equipment approximated that of the Century.
Super models were 2-door Hardtop, 4-door Hardtop, and Convertible.
Roadmaster – The Roadmaster Riviera hardtops featured a new body and revised rooflines, with chrome bands sweeping over the top and down division bars on the three piece rear windows. Consumer resistance led to the optional deletion of these bars and substitution of a one-piece rear window on Models 73A and 76A. Roadmaster models had their usual four Ventiports per fender. Two-door models had the trio of Chevrons on the rear quarters, however the four-door styles had a Roadmaster emblem nestled within the Sweepspear dip. Interiors were broadcloth and Nylon on the four-door, Nylon in the Riviera hardtops and leather in the Model 76C convertible. A padded instrument panel was among the extra touches of luxury found in the Roadmaster. Later in the year a “Model 75” Roadmaster bowed, with an upgraded interior. It was created to bridge the gap between the top level Buick and the Series 62 Cadillac.
Models available were 2-door Hardtop, 2-door Hardtop Model 75, 4-door Sedan, 4-door Hardtop, 4-door Hardtop Model 75, and Convertible.
1957 Buick Facts – Engines
Click a Tab to See the Details
364 CID 2-Barrel V-8 – Manual Transmission. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 364 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.125″ x 3.40″.
Compression ratio: 8.0.0:1.
Horsepower: 250 @ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 380 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 282°, Exhaust 282°, Overlap 62°, Lift (intake) 0.423″, (exhaust) 0.423”.
Carburetor: Stromberg 2-Barrel WW Model 107; or Carter WGD 2-Barrel Model 2529.
NOTE: Available in Series 40 Buick Special Only.
364 CID 2-Barrel V-8 – Dynaflow Transmission. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 364 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.125″ x 3.40″.
Compression ratio: 9.5.0:1.
Horsepower: 250 @ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 380 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 282°, Exhaust 282°, Overlap 62°, Lift (intake) 0.423″, (exhaust) 0.423”.
Carburetor: Stromberg 2-barrel WW Model 106; or Carter WGD 2-Barrel Model 2536.
NOTE 1: Available in Series 40 Buick Special Only.
NOTE 2: While compression ratio in the Dynaflow Transmission version has much higher, Buick rated this engine at the same HP and Torque of the SMT’s 8.0:1 rating. It is unlikely this was true.
364 CID 4-Barrel V-8 – Dynaflow Transmission. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 364 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.125″ x 3.40″.
Compression ratio: 10.0:1.
Horsepower: 300 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 400 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 297°, Exhaust 297°, Overlap 75°, Lift (intake) 0.423″, (exhaust) 0.423”.
Carburetor: Rochester 4-GC Model 7010070 or 7011570; or Carter AFB 4-Barrel Model 2507.
NOTE: Series 60 Century, Series 50 Super, and 70 Roadmaster with automatic transmission. Not Available in Series 40 Special.
1957 Buick Facts – Chassis Features
-
- Wheelbase: Special and Century – 122.0 inches; Super and Roadmaster – 127.5 inches.
- Overall length: Special and Century – 208.4 inches; Super and Roadmaster – 215.3 inches.
- Overall width: Special and Century – 74.8 inches; Super and Roadmaster – 77.6 inches.
- Overall height: Special – 58.4 inches; Century – 58.7 inches; Super 59.4 inches; Roadmaster – 59.3 inches.
- Front tread: All – 59.5″.
- Rear tread: Special and Century – 59.0 inches; Super and Roadmaster – 61.0″.
- 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.
1957 Buick Facts – Powertrains
- Dynaflow Transmission Ratios
- All: 1st – 1.82, 2nd – 1:10, Reverse – 1.82:1.
- Special: Stator Stall Ratio 3.5:1 @ 2800 RPM (low angle) 3.1:1 @ – 1500 RPM.
- Others: Stator Stall Ratio 3.5:1 @ 3000 RPM (low angle) 3.1:1 @ – 1700 RPM.
- Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- Special Only: 1st – 2.153:1, 2nd – 1.373:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.279:1.
- Rear Gear Standard Ratios
- Dynaflow transmission: All – 3.08:1.
- Manual transmission: Special Only – 3.58:1.
1957 Buick Facts – Power Train Options
- Engines:
- 364 CID 250 HP Special V-8: Special only, Not Available Others.
- 3264 CID 300 HP V-8: Standard on Century, Super and Roadmaster, Not Available on Special.
- Transmissions:
- Dynaflow Transmission: Standard on Roadmaster, Century and Super. Optional on Special ($193).
- Three Speed Manual Transmission: Standard on Special. Not available on Century, Super and Roadmaster.
1957 Buick Facts – Significant Options
-
- Air conditioning.
- Antenna, electric.
- Carpet cover.
- Cushion topper.
- Deluxe Handy mats.
- Dor-Gards.
- Easy-Eye glass.
- Electric clock.
- Handy-Spot-lite.
- License frame (open top).
- Padded instrument panel (standard Series 70, available for Series 50).
- Power brakes, standard Roadmaster.
- Power seat.
- Power steering – standard on Series Super & Roadmaster, optional Century & Special.
- Power windows (standard on Models 66C, 56C, 76C, 76R, available all others).
- 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.
- Seat belts.
- Spotlite.
- Tissue dispenser.
- Two-tone and tri-tone paint.
- Visor vanity mirror.
- Wheel covers, full (standard on Roadmaster).
- Whitewall tubeless tires.
- Windshield washer.
1957 Buick Downloads and Images
1957 Buick Facts – Related Document Downloads
Files directly related to the line will appear below:
1957 Buick Print Advertisements
1957 Buick AMA Specifications Sheets
1957 Buick Facts – Related Images
Related Images to the line will appear below
1957 Buick Roadmaster Convertible
The 1957 Buick Roadmaster Convertible was the top line convertible in the line. it was a hefty seller, despite its high price with 4,364 sold.
1957 Buick Roadmaster 4-door Hardtop
The 1957 Buick Roadmaster 4-door Hardtop was the prestige 4-door for 1957. During the year, a “Model 75” version was introduced, moving upscale to fill the gap between the Roadmaster and the Series 62 Cadillac. The standard Roadmaster sold well with 21,927 delivered, and the Model 75 version was a mid-year surprise with another 12,250 produced.
1957 Buick Roadmaster 2-door Hardtop
The 1957 Buick Roadmaster 2-door Hardtop was the most elegant of all the Buick 2-door hardtops in 1957. The standard model chalked up 6,638 in deliveries, with the Model 75 adding another 2,402.
1957 Buick Super Convertible
The 1957 Buick Super Convertible sat just below the Roadmaster version and was the other long wheelbase drop top, trimmed a bit less than the Roadmaster version. 2,056 were produced.
1957 Buick Super 4-door Hardtop
The 1957 Buick Super 4-door Hardtop was the biggest seller in the long wheelbase Buicks this year. A total of 41,665 left the showrooms.
1957 Buick Super 2-door Hardtop
The 1957 Buick Super 2-door Hardtop fell below the Roadmaster version in inside trim only. It’s solid value and lower price resulted in a strong 26,529 in sales.
1957 Buick Century Convertible
The 1957 Buick Century Convertible was considered the “sport” convertible in the line, delivering 300 HP in the short wheelbase chassis. Sales, however, did not result from this image, with only 4,085 built.
1957 Buick Century Caballero 4-door Hardtop Wagon
The 1957 Buick Century Caballero 4-door Hardtop Wagon was an all-new model featuring open air styling in a station wagon body. Considered the best looking station wagon of all time by many, a super-solid sales resulted with 10,186 finding happy customers.
1957 Buick Century 4-door Hardtop
The 1957 Buick Century 4-door Hardtop had always been considered the rapid 4-door since its introduction in 1953. It was a solid seller with 26,589 produced.
1957 Buick Century 2-door Hardtop
The 1957 Buick Century 2-door Hardtop had been considered a “Banker’s Hot Rod” since its intro in 1953, but dropping the availability of a 3-speed manual transmission and leaving only one axle ratio – 3.08:1 – as available killed performance to less than the 1956 version. The result was an almost 1/2 drop in sales to only 17,029 units.
1957 Buick Century 4-door Sedan
The 1957 Buick Century 4-door Sedan was a surprise offering in the line this year – an apparent attempt to bolster Century sales with a less expensive model. It did not work with only 8,075 built.
1957 Buick Special Convertible
The 1957 Buick Special Convertible was the lowest-priced convertible in the line, with a lesser level of trim and the 250 HP V-8. The combo was right for buyers as 8,505 found happy customers.
1957 Buick Special 4-door Hardtop
The 1957 Buick Special 4-door Hardtop combined sporty styling with a reasonable price, making it the 3rd best-seller at 50,563 delivered.
1957 Buick Special 2-door Hardtop
The 1957 Buick Special 2-door Hardtop was certainly a good-looking sporty model in 1957. These attributes and it lower price contributed to it being the number one seller for Buick this year with 64,425 finding happy customers.
1957 Buick Special 4-door Sedan
the 1957 Buick Special 4-door Sedan was considered the “bread and butter’ Buick with its low price and practicality. The result was 2nd place in sales for Buick with 59,739 leaving the showrooms.
1957 Buick Special 2-door Sedan
The 1957 Buick Special 2-door Sedan was the entry level Buick in 1957, designed to attract buyers from other makers in the mid-price field. It did its job with 23,180 sold.
1957 Buick Special 4-door Estate Wagon
The 1957 Buick Special 4-door Estate Wagon was the lower level station wagon for Buick in 1957. It combined the 250 HP V-8 with a lesser trimmed interior and non-hardtop styling in an attempt to attract the practical buyer. 7,013 were produced. The popularity of the Century Caballero wagon convinced Buick to release a Specials model version that contributed another 6,817 in sales.