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Canadian car identification here: Serial Numbers 1935-1964 | 1965-1966
and more information in the reference section here.
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Thread: Identification on a '52

  1. #1

    Question Identification on a '52

    So I know that there is a LOT of info in the reference section about vin numbers and such, but I am really confused. This is the info exactly as my dad sent me the other night so I could look it up:


    From the Right side under hood:

    1952 mod 52-410

    Style no 52-43690

    Body no 2458

    Trim no 41

    Paint no 01

    Body by fisher
    From what I can gather, its paint is Carlsbad Black, interior is patterned cloth with dark grey bolster.

    But what I don't know is if it is a Special or a Riviera. I thought that the trim #41 means it's a special, but my dad says that the 52-410 would mean that it is a model 52, making it a Riviera.

    Which is it???

    Any other info would be greatly appreicated. I know that it is in the reference, but I am REALLY confused.

    (I have a couple of pics of the front and back on my profile, and yes, it is a four door )

    THANKS!!!

    '52 Buick Kid

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    I'm guessing those 0's are actually D's, so it would be:

    Model# 52-41D
    Style# 52-4369D

    The 52- stands for 1952 and the 41D/4369D means Special Deluxe 4 door 6-passenger Tourback Sedan. The term Riviera usually refers to a hardtop car (could be a Special, Century, Super, or Roadmaster then it became its own series in '63), but I think in '52 the Super model 52-52 and the Roadmaster 52-72R were both 4-dr Riviera sedans but were not hardtops but had extra-posh trim levels and a longer wheelbase. The model 41D (52-41D) should have a one piece windshield, rocker panel molding, chrome tail fins, and an upgraded interior.


    I like to use this:

    If you go on Holiday, you might go to Catalina or the Riviera.

    Holiday = Oldsmobile gimmic name for hardtop
    Catalina = Pontiac gimmic name for hardtop
    Riviera = Buick gimmic name for hardtop

    (In the '50's each GM division had a gimmic name for just about every feature of their cars.)
    Sean Smith
    BCA# 42746
    MBCC# 2122
    SAH# 4186
    Buickman Award 2015

    1957 Special 4-door Riviera (hardtop) model 43

  3. #3

    Riviera

    See this thread here: http://www.teambuick.com/forums/show...hlight=riviera.

    Basically All '52s are Rivieras.
    http://www.bluemooncars.co.uk - Classic Buick wedding cars in the UK

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lockhouse View Post
    Basically All '52s are Rivieras.

    Thats not entirely true. In '52 the only models officially designated as Rivieras were models 45R, 52, 56R, 72R, 76R, and 79R. These would be:

    Model Style Description
    52-45R 52-4337 Special 2d 6P Riviera Hardtop
    52-52 52-4519 Super 4d 6P Riviera Sedan
    52-56R 52-4537 Super 2d 6p Riviera Hardtop
    52-72R 52-4719X Roadmaster 4d 6P Riviera Sedan
    52-76R 52-4767X Roadmaster 2d 6P Riviera Hardtop
    52-79R Roadmaster 4d 6P Estate Wagon


    Models 52-41, 52-46S, 52-46C, 52-41D, 52-48D, 52-56C, 52-59, and 52-76C were not listed as Rivieras. Model 76C was not referred to as a Riviera in any of the factory literature (1952 Buick Sales Facts book or shop manuals). However, convertibles came standard with leather interiors, just like the Riviera sedans (52-72R) but the wheelbase was the shorter than the Riviera sedans. The same would apply to the '49 models 49-76C and 49-76R: convertibles came standard with the leather interior and power accessories but weren't specifically referred to as a Riviera like the 49-76R which also had the upgraded interior.
    Last edited by Buford26; 04-16-2010 at 10:24 AM.
    Sean Smith
    BCA# 42746
    MBCC# 2122
    SAH# 4186
    Buickman Award 2015

    1957 Special 4-door Riviera (hardtop) model 43

  5. #5
    Thanks everyone. This is a big help. Just trying to figure out what I've actually got. Just glad it's a 52, since I just bought a set of '52 plates.

    THANKS!!

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