1931 Buick Series 50 Model 8-57
Buick’s 1931 Series 50 models were equipped with a three-speed manual transmission featuring improvements that offered smoother shifting compared to earlier designs. Second and third gears included synchromesh, which was a notable feature among mid-priced cars at the time.
This gearbox made shifting smoother and easier than the non-synchronized “crash-box” designs common among competitors. The Series 50 rode on a 114-inch wheelbase, the same dimension previously used for Buick’s discontinued Marquette line.
The Model 8-57 four-door sedan seated five passengers and proved popular, with 33,184 units produced during the model year. Rear passengers benefited from a foot rail, while the driver enjoyed an adjustable seat. Buyers could choose between high-quality cloth or mohair upholstery.
Power came from a 220 cubic inch straight-eight overhead-valve engine producing 77 horsepower at 3,200 rpm, fed by a single two-barrel Marvel carburetor. Four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes provided confident stopping power for the period.
In Buick’s 1931 lineup, the Series 50 occupied the mid-range position below the larger and more powerful Series 60, 80, and 90 models, which featured higher-displacement straight-eights producing up to 104 horsepower.
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