Buick’s First Port Hole

The famed Buick front fender Ventiport treatment first appeared in 1949 on cars like this two door Super fastback. Learn who came up with the idea and why some Buicks had three Ventiports and others had four.
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[@markchizmadia2004]

It's neat to look at that old Buick today, it must have been a stunner when it was brand new.

[@lilmike2710]

That one looks like it can be rescued. I'd like to do a "will she run" on it. Judging by the looks I bet she'd bring the thunder on day one.

[@timothyharrison8953]

Back in the mid eighties a friend in the Air Force resurrected a '50 or '51 Buick with this awesome Fireball Eight that was fresh out of a Carolina tobacco barn. He had it running, but it was only hitting on about five cylinders. He had added new ignition, and cleaned the carburetor, but it still ran poorly. I did some simple diagnostics. My granddaddy always said start a tune-up with a compression check. Sure enough, those three cylinders had no compression, even with oil in the plug hole. so off came the valve cover. The first thing we noticed was those three cylinders had the rocker arm lash adjusters screwed open more than the others on the exhaust. Had no indication why this was done, so loosened them up until there was some lash(put each valve on the base circle of the cam lobe to adjust the hydraulic lifters, and added a little tension like a small block Chevy.) We restarted it and it still misfired. Not knowing how long it had run with the valves like this, I had two thoughts, bent valves from hitting a piston or gunk on the valve and seat. So I once again loosened the lash and then wacked the valves with a rubber mallet a few times and reset everything. This time it fired up and clearly was hitting on all eight. I've never seen an engine run so smooth in my life. He promptly got in took off down the road to test drive it. About 15 minutes later he came walking back. He'd run out of gas from the mostly empty one gallon gas can he was running it off of, but he had a huge grin. He said it ran better than his '52 Chrysler Windsor that someone had transplanted a 51 New Yorker's chassis and running gear(332 Hemi) in the early seventies. He got out of the Air Force not to long after that and moved back to Ohio. I wasn't able to keep in touch with him and often wondered what happened to him and his odd collection of cars. He brought back with him from Japan a right hand drive Celica and as far as I know, took all three of those cars to Akron, Ohio.

[@carlov.3017]

That dog gets me every time. I hear the bark and I laugh. Don't know why, but I find it hysterical.

[@jamesviehmann4291]

You are not alone... Lockjaw is an integral part of the show now. He is to Steve like Kramer was to Jerry. Ya gotta love him!

[@hughmarloweverest1684]

When better cars are built, Buick will build them.

[@brewsky38c]

Grandpa loved those straight 8 Buicks, he called them a tank

[@johngranato2673]

What a shame--rotting there. Thanks, Steve!

[@ddellwo]

Yes - so many of the vehicles in this yard are essentially intact that it doesn’t look as if they are being parted out for restorers or collectors - they’re simply sitting here as silent, deteriorating monuments to our illustrious automotive past……😕

[@vet-7174]

@@ddellwo you can always rescue them from that yard , Steve has said.

[@davidmiles8941]

that car is an absolute stunner, a real head turner if it were restored to road legal condition.

[@steves9905]

A super Super...the late 40's GM fastbacks were a style leader. Hope someone can make something out of this awesome buick

[@jameswebster8105]

Even rotting away in the junkyards, the Buicks show their class. Absolutely the best looking GMs made. A friend had numerous Buicks of this era/style back in the 1980s. I wish now I would have purchased one of the cars he sold off. He had a lot of them. Not sure where they went when he passed away. Some great looking cars back when designers had creativity.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

I agree James, they were great looking cars!

[@samholdsworth420]

And yet, GM only retained buick because its big in china. Lol

[@jameswebster8105]

@@samholdsworth420 I hear you. I never said the current Buicks LOL! I think it is sad they can wear the Buick emblems. Not total pice of craps but...

[@samholdsworth420]

@@jameswebster8105 current buicks like 99% of GM are ugly and not worth owning 😂

[@gieb6428]

Knew someone in the 70s that had a large Buick collection, they were all 1958. 1958????

[@frankfurther3828]

I love the sound of the straight 8

[@vettekid3326]

Back when I was a kid in the 1960's there was an old lady that drove one of those to our church on Sunday. She was probably in her seventies at the time but the car was perfect.

[@bruceprentice6441]

Keep them coming, I love the late 40’s early 50’s body styling

[@savedin87ify]

Nice Buick almost looks savable.

[@loualiberti4781]

What a great way to end the week - sweet car.

[@letsgobrandon5814]

Years ago, I started working for a junk yard, Pearl Road. just to purchase older cars cheaper ! I saved many of those older cars over the years! But that Buick is my Ultimate Dream car to have in my garage!! I love car history! also love dismantling vehicles on a day-to-day basis !

[@willhorting5317]

Always liked the "torpedo" style cars.

[@frankjones4094]

Great history lesson on the Ventaports

[@planetwisconsin9901]

I love the idea of lights in the port holes!

[@drivexyz2297]

this has to be properly restored, pure history written on it.

[@Daniel-fd3wp]

@DriveXYZ without a doubt that Buick has some potential. 👍

[@corvairjim1]

This, the "Sedanette", has always been one of my favorite body styles. It doesn't matter which G.M. division made it, the body lines and proportions are spot-on. It started for e with the AMT 1950 Chevy Fleetline fastback model that I built in the late 70's when I was about 15. That model had the best rattle can paint job that I had ever done upto that time. Sapphire blu3 with a typical for the 1950's gray interior. Flash forward 30+ years to the Cadillac Sedanette-based Boyd Coddington/ZZ-Top "CadZZilla" show rod and I was hooked for life. About 15 years ago, I got started on a full custom version of that first AMT model with a chopped top and no B-pillars, "fadeaway" front fenders, the rear fenders drawn out into Cadillac-style fins, frenched headlights, taillights, grille, and license plate. The two-piece windshield became a single, bent piece of "glass", and I decided to buck tradition by foregoing cruiser skirts for fully open rear wheel walls that mimicked the shape of the fronts. I lowered it a smidge, but made it look lower still with a pair of Lakes pipes. Unfortunately, I completely screwed up the paint job and strippng that paint screwed up some of the filler work on the body. I never got around to finishing it, and I don't know where it is now. 😢

[@googleusergp]

Tough to tell if that's moss or code 11 Gala Green exterior paint. LOL. There were 398,482 Buicks produced for the 1949 model year. 1949 Buicks could have been assembled in Linden, NJ, Southgate, CA, Flint, MI, Fairfax, KS, Wilmington, DE, Framingham, MA or Atlanta, GA. Flint, MI was the "home" plant and the others were considered branch assembly plants. Often times the plant closest to the destination market made the vehicle, but that is not a steadfast rule. There were 34,425 Buick Super Sedanettes made for the 1949 model year. No tag, can't brag, but might be something like 49 for 1949 model year, 4507 for Buick 50 Super Sedanette.11 for Gala Green exterior paint, among other codes.

[@marioncobaretti2280]

Your hair looks great stevey, thanx for your efforts and great knowledge and bringing your doggy along

[@steveib724]

Thanks Steve video wake up call is cool. little car history lesson nice!crazy to think how strong this stuff was lol

[@jeffreyrichards153]

Absolutely fascinating. If my dad were alive today, I swear he'd be your #1 fan.

[@chrisscearce]

Hi Steve, great video on this 49 Buick. If anyone would like to see Steve talk more on Compound Carburetion, he has an earlier roadside video called "Compound Carburetion Buick," a perfect example of this set up is in that video. Steve mentioned the 1st for the VentiPorts on Buicks and how they were used until the 80s. Well as most know, the VentiPorts are now seen on any car, squotted trucks, Japanese cars, and European cars. Some are put on tastefully most are not. The up and coming customized car culture has embraced Buick style. Now you can go to the box store auto parts and buy you some stick-on VentiPorts and add it to your ride. Remember to get 8 of them, 4 on each side so everyone can see you have the higher priced model. Hopefully, you know I'm being sarcastic. 🤣 have a blessed day everyone 🤙🏼Namaste 🙏🏼

[@daynadiggle8169]

Hi Chris , as a P T Cruiser collector , I had to laugh when I started seeing P T 's riding around Daytona and on the beaches with these vent ports stuck on them . CHEESY ! I have four P T ' s and refuse to put crap like that on them . Thinking about sticking some on my mailbox though ! Have a great day .

[@chrisscearce]

@daynadiggle8169 Hi, the mailbox idea is cool. Maybe a gun sight hood ornament on top, and I believe you could sell a few at the swap meets, or if you're really an entrepreneur and creative, set them up on Amazon or Ebay. It may not be a get rich idea, but put a few $ in your pocket for another PT. An original diggle design could be worthy. You never know what will take off and be the next trend. Namaste 🙏🏼

[@burthenry7740]

@@daynadiggle8169 My girlfriend had a PT. We loved it. Called it the 'Tardis' after Dr. Whos' travel machine. It looked so small on the outside but was surprisingly roomy inside. And besides, it reminded me of a '37 Ford Slantback!

[@saws_n_stuff]

If I were going to have Ventiports, I’d have to light them synchronized with the piston firing like the originals. Never heard of that before and it would make them totally cool.

[@chrisscearce]

@saws_n_stuff Hi, I agree that would be really cool. With all the new "under glow" and lighted rims trend happening today, why couldn't they do something cool like this. What colour would yours be? Body colour? Neon? Or somehow flames 🔥? Namaste 🙏🏼

[@tightmike4945]

I've always loved those old Buicks, I was born in 54, that same year my Dad bought a 53 Buick Special, that car stayed in the family for eleven years, Thanks for a great video!

[@triggermanrv]

Damn, that would make an awesome hot rod.

[@gertraba9806]

Callm ICON. For. A 455 swap

[@monroe7403]

Buick still uses those ports on new cars today. I'm a millennial and whenever I see a Buick with them I point out the vents to my friends and tell them Buick has used those since the 40's.

[@Scalihoo]

These were up there with Cadillac in luxury & style almost . Although much later car my neighbor had a 1972 Electra 225 it was his garaged sunday car ..just an amazing car to ride in & look at

[@bilalmoly9017]

👉Super Cool...Buick super two door fastback. 🙏🤘😎

[@Joe-ov1ut]

And sitting in front of that Buick is a 1965 Buick LeSabre. My dad had a 65 LeSabre 400. Beautiful two door red car. Always brings back great memories!!

[@waynetaylor8082]

Absolutely love those SMILING GRILLS of that era BUICK!!!

[@LongIslandMopars]

Well, thanks to this video, the trim rings inside that Buick are the same ones that I hauled out of my dad's garage following his passing. His parents had a new 47 or 48 Buick back in the day as I have black and white photos of it. I also have one remaining hubcap from that car along with an enclosed license plate frame (heavy stuff). Dad told me he drove that car as a teenager and that straight 8 pulled like a locomotive. Amazing stories from the greatest generation.

[@customkey]

The ventiports on the '49's were open all the way through. By 1950 or '51 they had to block them off with a plate on the inside. Seems that when the car was parked at the curb, the holes were just the right height for "young" men to relieve themselves into. Century used the lighter weight Special body with the big Roadmaster engine, shorter wheelbase. Buick invented the overhead valve design, credited to Eugene Richard, Buick's first chief engineer. Million Dollar Grin, bombsight hood ornament, dorsal antenna, and ventiports - you always knew a Buick when it was coming down the road.

[@garrettbenson7743]

Body lines are absolutely gorgeous on those post war Buicks. Better than a caddy!

[@jonathangehman4005]

Steve. The portholes are there to let the Dyna Flow! Geeze, figured you'd know that

[@reb1050]

Back in the late 60's, a friend of mine used to drive his grandfather's 48 Buick on a regular basis. It was in excellent shape but didn't get very good gas mileage. I asked him why he drove it so much when he had a 64 Chevy and his standard answer was simple. "If I have a head on collision with anything smaller than a Mack truck, I automatically win." That thing was built like a tank.

[@Knobstock]

Nice to see you finally reviewing cars that don't look like they were bombed by the Eighth Air Force in WWII.

[@Mr.Death101]

That is one of the best looking cars I've ever seen, I wish I had enough money to restore something like that not even to like concourse but just back to driving and jack it up a little bit with some truck chassis. It's just beautiful

[@dalebaker8266]

Love it, should be saved

[@rogercamp6071]

The Buicks in '49 used a two barrel Carter carburetor,I remember some thirty years ago looking under the hood of a Super four door and seeing the Carter automatic choke adjustment on it, love those old Buicks from the forties and fifties 😊

[@OldProVidios]

My mom was VERY proud of her new '49 Buick. VERY.

[@Splagnate]

Similar to the advancements made from 1980-2020 another span of 40 years with huge gains!

[@dougsilva8603]

My Mom and dad always had Buick Cars really nice cars

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

My dad had a 48 with a straight 8, a 52 or 53, 55,56,57 and 2 1973 Electra. One of the Electras was a ocupe, 2 door limited edition . The other was a 4 door 225. The 4 door can be seen on Tony Angelo’ Haggerty’s You Tube channel. It had been worked on by Motion Performance of Baldwin, LI. It was bored out to 500 cubes, nitrous oxide, headers, dual exhaust, Edelbrock manifold and carb.

[@todddenio3200]

I saw the video on the 4 dr Electrs a while back and shared it with my brother so he could watch it too. That thing was INSANE but looked like it would have been a lot of fun.

[@gideondingle9363]

In 1976 I took my driving test on a 66 Buick Le Sabre that my father bought in 1973 from the original owners who lived across the street from us 4 $600.

[@jaymorgan8017]

Saw it, thanks

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

@@jaymorgan8017 that car at one time was a taxi and my dad bought it from the owner and rebuilt everything and painted it brown. If used to be like a lime color. Hated to part with it but I am now retired and taking care of my wife who has dementia. Hopefully one day I can return to work. The Element Limited 2 door coupe used to belong to me, was bought new. Unfortunately it was stolen. Thanks again for watching

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

@@todddenio3200 yep my oldest son use to take it behind my back and race it on Fountain Avenue in Brooklyn. I just found about it from the comments made on KZbin 😃

[@saws_n_stuff]

Spotted that Buick in the background of a previous video and hoped you'd cover it. Used to have 1950 Super. What a car!

[@haljohnson5729]

Another interesting video. Thanks Steve

[@durandjohnson1321]

That Buick needs to be totally restored!

[@annoyedatthis1]

His "classroom" lectures should be offered in VoTech schools to give students some context and history, which is as interesting as it is valuable.

[@1967davethewave]

I love that body style. I've owned 2 '49 Fleetlines but have always wanted a '48 Cadillac Sedanette. There was a time when these things were basically free if you found them. But not now. The value has gone up a lot. Still good deals though when compared with most other classics and Muscle Cars.

[@Ian-of9oi]

I have a 57 Special 2 door hard top. The Buick V8s had a weird trans bolt pattern making engine swap’s difficult. The torque tube driveshaft made it hard to swap the trans. I think that is one of the reasons Chevy got so much popularity with hot rod guys. If you are upgrading an early buick you have to swap everything. Just my two cents.

[@garyszewc3339]

It's been a lot of years since I've worked on them so it's hard to remember. I don't know how far back it went but I know in the sixties and seventies, GM had two bellhousing styles. Chevrolet and I believe Pontiac had a point at the top of the bellhousing, Buick and Oldsmobile had a v at the top. Never really worked on Cadillacs back then.

[@DanEBoyd]

@@garyszewc3339 Buick, Olds, and Pontiac, used the same pattern, and Chevrolet had their own. I forget if Cadillac had their own, or if they used the BOP pattern.

[@garyszewc3339]

@@DanEBoyd maybe Cadillac had the other pointed one. I know there were two that use the pointed one. Like I said it's been a long time. I quit being a mechanic 35 years ago.

[@Ian-of9oi]

@@DanEBoyd yes there was chev and BOP bolt pattern but in the 50s the nailhead Buick engine had a weird casting. I think when they went to the 340 430 engine family in 67 they had BOP. And to my knowledge Cadillac also shared the same bolt pattern. I’m not sure what early Oldsmobile had but I know in the 70s it was BOP compatible

[@melodigrand]

Great memories in this. The summer of 1969 my friend Dave showed up with a 53 Buick Special, the last of the Buick straight eights. The Special got a V8 a year later than the other Buicks. Dave's two door had the small 263 straight 8 and three on the tree, and had been painted brown with a brush, done surprisingly well. It was a well running car, unusual for something bought for around $100. Our friend Bob had inherited his dad's straight 8 54 Pontiac Chieftan hardtop. The Buick had portholes, but the Pontiac had a transparent Chief's head that lit up at night. Both great styling touches. After the 54 Pontiac and Packard there would be no more American straight 8s.

[@beatglauser9444]

It is actually amazing that those cars simply disapeared. They were not only beautiful, bullet proof, but also made to last forever. It is a shame that most people always ran after the newest trends. Cars were never better than in the Fourties, Ffties and Sixties. One thing made them incredible, their bodies were unbelivably solid and did not rust away over night.

[@danw6014]

They still make batteries like that. I use them in my 4020 John Deere, which brings me to my point. I never understood why auto makers hung on to the flathead engine for so long when most farm tractors of this era were overhead valve. Considering the ratio of automobiles to tractor was significantly higher. That Buick must have been a sharp looking car in it's day. My grandfather had a Pontiac with a straight 8 but I don't know what model it was.

[@haydenwilliams1750]

Overhead valve was seen as a serviceability plus on a tractor. Valve jobs were common back then and if it got a bad seat it was easy enough to pull the head off and send it into town for repair. Can't really do that with a flathead, certainly not as easily anyway!

[@windyhollowgarage]

More great automotive history

[@larryrowe5259]

Who else goes to KZbin and looks at restored cars Steve features for the day? Today, the 1949 Buick Super. Off I go.

[@BigMikesHooptyBarn]

Great car! There was a similar one I had my eye on for quite some time and intended to ask about it but I drug my feet and one day it was gone. I asked the neighbor about it and he said that the guy sold it for $100. Live and learn.

[@garymckee8857]

The convertible Rambler beside the Buick caught my eye 👁

[@jamesviehmann4291]

My dad had that same Rambler vert in maroon with a white top.. It was a 61 model he bought brand new I believe. Hope Steve does a vid on that one!

[@davidmccrory5604]

Absolutely awesome as always I'm a die hard American car enthusiast my babies are a 62 chrysler 300 sports and are barracuda coupe I now understand better how Buick got its reputation gday from Australia all the best to you Steve and everyone on this great channel 👍🙂🙃

[@rickwhite3181]

Good morning Steve and everyone

[@jeffclark2725]

Great video, yea it's in a bone yard,primarily been there a long time,but looks in great shape for sitting so long for Steve together todo a walk around for us today

[@sporty196071]

The Buick is a strong sleek looking car the low wide grille, portholes, and long fastback yes it even stands out in the junkyard. I can remember a similar car in an old cartoon, maybe Popeye ?

[@ahamilton1949]

That Buick looks restorable

[@scatpackbob3707]

Beautiful ‘49! A great classic!!!!

[@sonnymoon9851]

I love Buicks almost as much as I love hubcaps! Thanx Steve!

[@brianbloom1799]

Steve Now That Buick Turns Me On Beautiful Car, Love when I see them slightly lowered and chopped, Great looking Car.

[@ddellwo]

Those bumper guards are still all the rage down here in Texas - only now they’re attached to the front of behemoth Ford SuperDuty trucks for pushing brush, wildlife, and even the occasional SmartCar out of the way as they roar down the road……😂

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Enjoyed!!! 👍👍

[@Slimjim260]

What a grand old car Steve, great episode

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Morning to all ! Steve this has been very informative. Sad to see that one rusting away !

[@vet-7174]

Howdy Mr B !

[@debbiebermudez5890]

@@vet-7174 Mr. B ! Here ! Good morning to you !

[@seanmcconomy711]

My '53 Roadmaster still has bolt on rear quarters

[@Damone7653]

My Father had a 49 Buick he worked on every day after school. He replaced all the necessary parts and talked about how great it ran. I miss his stories, thanks for the memories.

[@gregorylyon1004]

The only reason these cars and parts still exist is because this particular junk yard has a no crush policy. Hats off for doing that to this yard. Don't crush anything guys. We are learning from what your saving

[@burthenry7740]

Definitely hit all the Buick highlights!! ! I had a '50 Buick Special 4 door. And if you were feeling strong you could lift off the hood entirely and lean it up against a wall, nose down, hopefully on a scrap of carpet, and work away on the engine. It was a little tougher setting it back in place by yourself without scratching the paint on the fenders! 😁 Once the Dynaflow got going, the straight 8 would pull like a locomotive!

[@christolbert4628]

My dad said when he was a teen Buick's were referred to as 3-holers or 4-holers.

[@jtaldridge2108]

Love your videos Steve

[@redneck5356]

Buick made some nice rides. That back bumper guard is kind of a desirable piece

[@gertraba9806]

Luv the grille

[@Ron_Lockwood]

Always loved the Buicks. Be well.❤

[@user-sc3gs6ot6e]

I'm coming after this beautiful Buick

[@jimjungle1397]

I remember the first person in our town to have automatic transmission was the doctor with his new Buick.

[@stoned-soup]

Great video Steve... Thank you for sharing your knowledge...

[@lynnlubben8750]

Love the old Buicks! Thanks for your enthusiasm.

[@MikeL-vu7jo]

Wow that Buick in particular must have been one awesome looking car when it was new

[@MrGlenferd]

That's a nice looking car and looks good enough to restore. I hope someone gets it out of there.

[@nastybastardatlive]

You see those portholes even on the new Buick suv.

[@maxvallacchi4105]

Somebody ought to save that car it looks buildable

[@markparent3323]

Wow, that Buick is beautiful!!! I love it.

[@greggcollins4215]

I had read many years ago that the origion of the Buick ports was from an engineer that ran his exaust pipes out from under the hood that way.

[@larryg.9187]

... It tickles me, that this is not the first time, I've seen that dog statue with you in one of your clips 😂 🤗 ...

[@danielstratos4254]

Seeing that car come up behind you with that grill in the rear view mirror would look impressive.

[@jamesblair9614]

The Buick looks just great sitting there, beautiful patina, and a trunk full of spare parts. I’ve seen a couple 50’s Buick’s where the Ventiports have been converted to functioning exhaust stacks, totally impractical, but the kid in me says cool!

[@jayrodriguez8927]

This guy is on point big time ,

[@knutbkristiansen]

Awesome episode

[@charlesharnois3684]

My Parents rode in an identical car on their wedding day July 2 1949 I have the perfect b/w photo in my collection! Thanks for your excellent report on these elegant cars!

[@Harpo.jr70]

Cool car.

[@gieb6428]

You don't see many guys getting down on their knees in the dirt to show an old car. He loves old cars

[@ricksaint2000]

Thank you Steve,Get well soon.

[@Tmrfe0962]

Great, great great video Steve, what an absolute treasure to find this car, and so many others that you show us. Thank you!

[@davesnothereman7250]

The body on this looks surprisingly nice.

[@jamesrichards4455]

If I lived in the area that would be coming home with me! One of my favorites