'52 Buick Special Parts Catalog Parts Book
- Thread starter unknown20
- Start date
I am not aware of any parts books on the net. The '52 Shop Manual (CLICK HERE), does carry a section on the body.
Panningbros
Member
I have a 52 Special also and have been looking off and on for a parts book on ebay etc for one but I’ve never seen one or downloadable. I found a genuine Buick shop manual and bought it and it’s handy.
dmva.parts
Member
Look on eBay. There's almost always parts books listed.
You'll need both a Master Chassis Parts manual and a Master Body Parts manual - they are separate publications.
Check for print dates - very, VERY important. A 1953 date would be your absolute best, as it would incorporate anything Buick did late in the 1952 model year, while still retaining every single 1952 part. These parts books were printed several times a year, so there are many different print dates available, and the printing dates of the Chassis books do not necessarily jive with the printing dates of the Body books - just try to get some close.
As years went by, GM deleted the part number from later printings of parts books if the part was discontinued and no longer available to the dealers. Thus, after 7 years or so, many body parts (and some mechanical) started being discontinued, and are missing from, say, a 1960 printing of those books. Even more missing in 1964 printings, etc.
And don't necessarily jump at the very first ones you find on eBay, as prices of these books are all over the map - cheap to outrageous. I have seen a couple people offering CD versions, but they're almost always coupled with other publications, and not necessarily at the best prices. I don't believe any of those CD versions are authorized by GM. I've never had one, so don't know how good they are. The paper versions are almost always originals, and I find flipping pages much easier than mouse-clicking, but then I'm a dinosaur.
And congratulations. You are smart enough to recognize that a parts book to cover your newly bought car is the absolute MOST important FIRST step in trying to restore your car. I would even get the parts books before I bought the shop manuals, but those should be next.
You'll need both a Master Chassis Parts manual and a Master Body Parts manual - they are separate publications.
Check for print dates - very, VERY important. A 1953 date would be your absolute best, as it would incorporate anything Buick did late in the 1952 model year, while still retaining every single 1952 part. These parts books were printed several times a year, so there are many different print dates available, and the printing dates of the Chassis books do not necessarily jive with the printing dates of the Body books - just try to get some close.
As years went by, GM deleted the part number from later printings of parts books if the part was discontinued and no longer available to the dealers. Thus, after 7 years or so, many body parts (and some mechanical) started being discontinued, and are missing from, say, a 1960 printing of those books. Even more missing in 1964 printings, etc.
And don't necessarily jump at the very first ones you find on eBay, as prices of these books are all over the map - cheap to outrageous. I have seen a couple people offering CD versions, but they're almost always coupled with other publications, and not necessarily at the best prices. I don't believe any of those CD versions are authorized by GM. I've never had one, so don't know how good they are. The paper versions are almost always originals, and I find flipping pages much easier than mouse-clicking, but then I'm a dinosaur.
And congratulations. You are smart enough to recognize that a parts book to cover your newly bought car is the absolute MOST important FIRST step in trying to restore your car. I would even get the parts books before I bought the shop manuals, but those should be next.
dmva.parts
Member
A search on eBay today (Feb 22, 2023), using the words "Buick parts book", turns up over 2 full pages of 200 items each, and containing 9 different parts books with print dates close to 1952-1953 (but not before 1952).
Here's a 1952 Chassis book (very reasonably priced), with a perfect Jan 1, 1953 print date, from a guy who I have bought manuals from in the past:
Here's a 1952 Chassis book (very reasonably priced), with a perfect Jan 1, 1953 print date, from a guy who I have bought manuals from in the past:
1928-1952 Buick Master Chassis Parts Catalog Book | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1928-1952 Buick Master Chassis Parts Catalog Book at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
I thought today was February ELEVENTH (11th)!!!!A search on eBay today (Feb 22, 2023), using the words "Buick parts book", turns up over 2 full pages of 200 items each, and containing 9 different parts books with print dates close to 1952-1953 (but not before 1952).
Here's a 1952 Chassis book (very reasonably priced), with a perfect Jan 1, 1953 print date, from a guy who I have bought manuals from in the past:
1928-1952 Buick Master Chassis Parts Catalog Book | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1928-1952 Buick Master Chassis Parts Catalog Book at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!www.ebay.com
dmva.parts
Member
Yeah, I missed the "1" key and hit the "2" key.