Man - that's smooth - What a sound! Dynaflow I think was still optional on the Super - standard equip on 49 Roadmaster. Dynaflow had a slot for "park" -- while Hydramatic (Olds and others) didn't have "park" until later. In talking about cars with guys that remember the early 50's - the driving public in the early 50's was really tired of 3 speed manual shifting. Automatic trans really took off after about 52-3.
The 49 Buick was unique - 49 was Buick's first post-war design but then was changed in 50 (also a classic). The 49 Buick body I think is similar to the 49 Caddy - other than that, they were very different cars.
I bought my dark green 'Nette '49 from Texas in 1998, had to rebuilf engine in 2001, and never got a problem. From an Enzo to a Royale, from a spider Packard 1928 to a Retard Special Nissonda "Skycrapliner MZ8", no car, but NO CAR, turns so many heads than a sleek beauty like this.
Actually, Dynaflow transmissions were not designed to be "shifted" from low to drive under normal driving conditions. It is much better for the transmission to use "drive" when starting out. They are very tough, durable transmissions but will not take a lot of "shifting" from low to drive while driving. That is why the straight 8 was built with more horsepower for cars with Dynaflow. I've driven a Buick with Dynaflow for many, many years, and never use low range to start off.
drive to chicago! what a beautiful car. maybe someday ill have money to have a buick! but now my choices are with the low price three. YET only PLYMOUTH has 21 out of the 22 features that high end autos have. For starters, the new 1949 PLYMOUTH has key start ignition. No buttons to push no worrying at all. just turn the key and I go!
well... it's not really one gear but two, Hi and Low. If you shift to low you can only max out at about 40mph (red line) but "D" or Hi is normal driving about 100mph...
@SakoTGrimes When using "Drive" range, there are no "gears" at all, but yes, just one speed forward. The torque converter provides an "infinite number of ratios", but there are no gears being shifted. Only if you manually select "Low" range is there any gearing involved. Incidentally, Hydramatic was GM's 4-speed automatic transmission. Perhaps you are thinking of Chrysler's Fluid Drive?
@SakoTGrimes Fluid Drive was a fluid coupling between the engine and transmission, but it did not multiply torque like a torque converter. Thus, Fluid Drive was always used in conjunction with a clutch and a 3 or 4 speed conventional transmission, sometimes manually shifted, and sometimes with electromechanical automatic shifting devices (in all a semi-automatic transmission.) Once in Hi or Lo range, using the clutch was not required.
@SakoTGrimes Dynaflow is incredibly smooth; there's no shifting as smooth as no shifting at all! Chevrolet's Powerglide was essentially a scaled-down Dynaflow, and Packard's Ultramatic was also similar, although it had a lockup clutch for travel at higher speeds.
Have you driven it backwards? What does it sound like? We used to have a 1963 Buick and it whined super-loudly!
heatherstub 3 months ago
How do you start the car?
mustangnick94 11 months ago
My first car was a 1949 Buick Roadmaster with Dynaflow. I felt like a king driving that car around!
boazrg 1 year ago
restored or not, i think its pretty damned sweet a what, 60 year old car at this point'll do 60 mile an hour!
greezeyD 1 year ago
Man - that's smooth - What a sound! Dynaflow I think was still optional on the Super - standard equip on 49 Roadmaster. Dynaflow had a slot for "park" -- while Hydramatic (Olds and others) didn't have "park" until later. In talking about cars with guys that remember the early 50's - the driving public in the early 50's was really tired of 3 speed manual shifting. Automatic trans really took off after about 52-3.
bigcity233 1 year ago
The 49 Buick was unique - 49 was Buick's first post-war design but then was changed in 50 (also a classic). The 49 Buick body I think is similar to the 49 Caddy - other than that, they were very different cars.
bigcity233 1 year ago
I drove a 49 Super in the Eighties- even unrestored it was the smoothest, quietest car I ever drove. This really brings back memories.
PlanBModels 3 years ago
Not only memories, this car is ELEGANT in every time and everywhere.... I love theses watches.... BEAUTIFUL
plasenciapedro 2 years ago
I bought my dark green 'Nette '49 from Texas in 1998, had to rebuilf engine in 2001, and never got a problem. From an Enzo to a Royale, from a spider Packard 1928 to a Retard Special Nissonda "Skycrapliner MZ8", no car, but NO CAR, turns so many heads than a sleek beauty like this.
mutterschied 3 years ago
Actually, Dynaflow transmissions were not designed to be "shifted" from low to drive under normal driving conditions. It is much better for the transmission to use "drive" when starting out. They are very tough, durable transmissions but will not take a lot of "shifting" from low to drive while driving. That is why the straight 8 was built with more horsepower for cars with Dynaflow. I've driven a Buick with Dynaflow for many, many years, and never use low range to start off.
OOPSETTER1 3 years ago
drive to chicago! what a beautiful car. maybe someday ill have money to have a buick! but now my choices are with the low price three. YET only PLYMOUTH has 21 out of the 22 features that high end autos have. For starters, the new 1949 PLYMOUTH has key start ignition. No buttons to push no worrying at all. just turn the key and I go!
but wow im rambling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hep2jive 3 years ago
They don't make 'em like they used to
JohnJFentiman 3 years ago
So is there only one gear? Is this similar to the Chrysler Hydramatic?
SakoTGrimes 3 years ago
well... it's not really one gear but two, Hi and Low. If you shift to low you can only max out at about 40mph (red line) but "D" or Hi is normal driving about 100mph...
oldcarnut1980 3 years ago
@SakoTGrimes When using "Drive" range, there are no "gears" at all, but yes, just one speed forward. The torque converter provides an "infinite number of ratios", but there are no gears being shifted. Only if you manually select "Low" range is there any gearing involved. Incidentally, Hydramatic was GM's 4-speed automatic transmission. Perhaps you are thinking of Chrysler's Fluid Drive?
nashtwin8 1 year ago
@SakoTGrimes Fluid Drive was a fluid coupling between the engine and transmission, but it did not multiply torque like a torque converter. Thus, Fluid Drive was always used in conjunction with a clutch and a 3 or 4 speed conventional transmission, sometimes manually shifted, and sometimes with electromechanical automatic shifting devices (in all a semi-automatic transmission.) Once in Hi or Lo range, using the clutch was not required.
nashtwin8 1 year ago
@SakoTGrimes Dynaflow is incredibly smooth; there's no shifting as smooth as no shifting at all! Chevrolet's Powerglide was essentially a scaled-down Dynaflow, and Packard's Ultramatic was also similar, although it had a lockup clutch for travel at higher speeds.
nashtwin8 1 year ago
DAMM whats beautiful car with beautiful engine sound??
xvmon1 4 years ago
Thanks, yeah it has a unique sound to it, but runs really smooth!!!
oldcarnut1980 4 years ago
@oldcarnut1980 My 1948 buick has the drone as well. Arent these guys known for the drone sound?
commentmutant 1 year ago