When and where was my Buick build - no tags

[roadmaster_56]

I’m trying to figure out when and possibly where  my 50 Buick Super Sedanette 56S was manufactured,  but I have little to go by.

 

The previous owner removed/lost both the body and frame number tags.  I located the frame number which is stamped on the frame rail (#45457471).

 

In chasing down a torque ball leak, I discovered my Dynaflow had an early style breather vent with no drain tube.  A change in the breather was made in May of '50 to include a drain tube, so I'm guessing my car was built sometime before May of '50. Also my Dynaflow is stamped "E5". see below

 

I understand that Specials were released as a '49 1/2 model in the 2nd half of the ’49, but I don't know when the first Supers began production.

 

If anyone can help figure out when and where my ’50 was built I’d appreciate it...thank you.

 

David Daggett

Santa Cruz, CA

 

 

 

 

[1953mack]

The prefix numeral "4" in your frame serial number indicates that your 1950 Buick was assembled at the Kansas City, KANSAS assembly plant --- not the Kansas City, MISSOURI plant as the Hometown Buick website and reproduction literature or others claim. Their 1950 frame serial numbering range began with (4)5380001, thus your frame number (4)5457471 tells you that some 77,000+ 1950 Buicks rolled out of that assembly plant #4 before yours did. There were six plants assembling 1950 Buicks.  

 

Dynaflow transmission codes starting with "E" = 1950 . . . "5" = the fifth day of that year's transmission production run. 

 

Check your starter, generator and instrument panel gauges for their date codes. If they are original to your car, that would give you somewhat of a closer idea as to the month they were built and your Buick was assembled thereafter. 

 

Al Malachowski

BCA #8965

"500 Miles West of Flint"  

 

Extra Credit:   Buick Motor Company used the BK designation for their Kansas City, Kansas assembly plant on the Body by Fisher Number Plate. How ironic is it that the K = the State of Kansas and not the State of Missouri?  

 

 

 

Edited May 4, 2023 by 1953mack (see edit history)

[roadmaster_56]

Thank you Al,  for filling in the blanks re: my Buick's history....it's just what I wanted to know.   BTW, I also searched under the seats for a build sheet, but the previous owner had them recovered.  Probably lost at that time along with the data tags.

[Caballero2]

I found my build sheet for my 57 model 56R under the floor carpet on the passenger side. This is what it appears like;