1951 Super and Special differences

[Edwin The Kid]

I have a 1951 model 52 Buick super sedan I am trying to get back on the road, and was wondering if a 1951 Buick special sedan would work as a parts car. Would the body panels be interchangeable along with the bumper? 

 

^My car 

 

 

^Potential parts car (no engine or transmission)

 

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

Edwin, body parts WILL NOT interchange.  Some body parts from 1950 all series will work.  Some from 1951 and 1952 Roadmaster will work. I think none from a 1951 or 1952 Special will.

 

  Ben

[Edwin The Kid]

1 hour ago, Ben Bruce aka First Born said:

Edwin, body parts WILL NOT interchange.  Some body parts from 1950 all series will work.  Some from 1951 and 1952 Roadmaster will work. I think none from a 1951 or 1952 Special will.

 

  Ben

 

Just curious, why won't they work? are they the wrong size or do they use different connection points or what?

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

3 hours ago, Edwin The Kid said:

 

Just curious, why won't they work? are they the wrong size or do they use different connection points or what?

 

 Completely different body . Special is smaller.  For instance, the rear fenders on the Super are bolted on. The Special fenders are part of the body shell. The Special is narrower, therefore the bumpers will not work.  I have always marveled at how much they look alike to be so different.

 

  Ben

[Edwin The Kid]

Shucks, hoped I had found a good parts car. 

 

I might get it anyway just to save it from the crusher.

[Pete Phillips]

Upper grille bars, grille bar extensions, and parking light housings are almost worth their weight in gold, since they are not reproduced anywhere to my knowledge--for either the Special or the Super/Roadmaster. Save it! Same with the exhaust manifold.

Pete Phillips, BCA #7338