Changing of the Guard: the 1953 Buicks

[Bob Riebe]

               https://macsmotorcitygarage.com/changing-of-the-guard-the-1953-buicks/

               

               Next, for 1953 Buick introduced its first V8, the one that became known as the Nailhead. (See our feature here.) Since 1931, Buicks had been known for their overhead-valve, straight-eight engines, a brand identifier, but the new V8 was not only necessary, it was inevitable. GM had decided that going forward, its corporate vehicle platforms would no longer support inline eight-cylinder engines. After all, the V8 was 150 lbs lighter and more than a foot shorter than the straight eight—a far more manageable package

               

               Air conditioning was another new Buick feature for 1953. Offered only on the V8-powered Super and Roadmaster, this was a first-generation A/C unit with the compressor mounted on the engine and the condenser ahead of the radiator in the familiar manner. However, the evaporator and blower were located in the trunk, with ducting through the parcel shelf and headliner.

              https://macsmotorcitygarage.com/time-lapse-engine-rebuild-buick-401-nailhead-v8/

                                                    Time-Lapse Engine Rebuild: Buick 401 Nailhead V8

[Graybeard]

Long, long ago, dad drove a '55 Roadmaster. Nice car.

[ironglowz]

Those old straight * engines were heavy...whether in a Buick, Pontiac or Packard, among others !