Bulldog Car Guy Posted June 13, 2021 Share Posted June 13, 2021 I am considering buying this 1953 Buick Riviera. But it has a straight 8 in it which the owner says is a crate engine. I thought all 53's had a V8 so it seems odd that they would replace the V8 with a straight 8. So that got me thinking maybe it is an earlier model. How can I tell if this is a 52 or a 53? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Heaps Posted June 13, 2021 Share Posted June 13, 2021 It’s a ‘53 , the Special still had the inline 8. Last ones. Good looking car! 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulldog Car Guy Posted June 13, 2021 Author Share Posted June 13, 2021 Thank you. So it is a 45R? Just for my learning, how can you tell the difference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-g-g0 Posted June 13, 2021 Share Posted June 13, 2021 (edited) Specials are a smaller body. Also check the aluminum tag on the left side of the firewall. Will give you model info, color number, trim code, etc. Also on the engine by the distributor there is a machined surface that will have a series of numbers/letters STAMPED on it. This will identify what the engine is from. Edited June 13, 2021 by g-g-g0 Additional info (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 55er Posted June 13, 2021 Share Posted June 13, 2021 Check the firewall tag as advised. The car is a 1953 Special. They had unique one year one model hubcaps as pictured. Specials also had 6 volt electrical systems from the factory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted June 13, 2021 Share Posted June 13, 2021 Very nice Special. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Heaps Posted June 13, 2021 Share Posted June 13, 2021 I thought these were the ones for ‘53 Special . And the Big bodied Buick came with the covers with the big V for the new V8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted June 13, 2021 Share Posted June 13, 2021 4 hours ago, Bulldog Car Guy said: Thank you. So it is a 45R? Just for my learning, how can you tell the difference? 45R is correct. All Specials were 40 series. In Buick speak each had a number/letter mod # Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y-JobFan Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 6 hours ago, Rusty Heaps said: I thought these were the ones for ‘53 Special . And the Big bodied Buick came with the covers with the big V for the new V8. Those are the hubcaps, the wheel covers shown in the first one were optional and I believe in the accessory package. There was also a wire wheel cover as an option for the Special that had the crest versus the V like the big series 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerage Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 53 Special Riviera (hardtop) A nice one too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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