Need some help on identifying a vehicle I just bought. The pink slip says it's a '49 Buick, The VIN # 52285984 matches on the car & pink, but I cannot find any pics of this model anywhere for a '49. I think my car is older than what the pink slip says. It has just over 57,000 miles on it & was parked in the spot where I bought it from 33 years ago. It has Straight 8 w/ 3 speed on column. I can send pics to anyone that is good at identifying old Buicks. I know you guys can help out here. Thanks Much, Craig
http://www.buicks.net/show_and_shine/open/49_.jpg

[This message has been edited by bob (edited 06-30-2001).]

Craig, everything indicates the paperwork you have with the car is correct, and it is a 49 model Special. The VIN number falls in the range for 49 models. We can check the engine and other #s too if you want.

The 49 Special was only built for a short while in Nov-Dec 48. 5777 of the 4dr sedans were built for 49. Production was shut down very early to concentrate on the 50 Specials. Almost no advertising or catalogs show the 49 Special. It was one of the very last cars offered to the public with pre-war styling.
Some 48-49 Specials and Supers were built with gray rather than black steering wheels. The chrome belt molding along the door handles and the large chrome ornament on the bottom of the hood date it as a 48 or 49. It is not a 42 because it does not have the chrome trim streamer piece by the parking light.

There is an excellent piece in Antique Automobile magazine detailing the features of the 42-49 Specials in the Mar-Apr 99 issue. Let me know if you would like to see it.

Todd....Thanks for all the great info. I got over to the car today to take better look at things. It appears that the VIN#(25031325) under the hood has been tampered with. My son-in-law (CHP officer) is going to run all the numbers on Monday & see what we come up with. Also, the Model plate under the VIN# has different rivets in it than original (smaller). We figured sometime in early '60's it was changed for whatever reason. I took more pics of the car today, including close-ups of the VIN# change.
I'd like to get the article you mentioned. It sounds like it's just what I've been looking for.
Again, thanks for all info & don't hesitate to throw in any more you may have on this car.
Craig Reuter
Rough & Ready, CA.

Craig, now I am wondering if the engine number was used for the VIN on the paperwork.
The first 49 Special engine number was 5220972-4 (-4 suffix digit indicates a Special). Engine no. is on the right side of engine near the front.

The car serial number was similar, but did not match the engine no. The first 49 vehicle serial number from the So. Gate, Calif. plant was 2-5030001 (2- prefix indicates a car built at So. Gate plant). The car serial number should appear on the left front door pillar and the right side of the shroud under the hood.

Your numbers fall in line well for a 49 California-built car which we know had to be built early in the model year.

If you could send me a mailing address to todd@buicks.net, I will send some things along.