In 1954 a new Fisher body was developed for GM's B-body cars, and shared between the Buick Special and Oldsmobile 88. The Buick Century (Series 60) was also introduced in 1954, built on the 122-inch B-body but with the 322 cu.in. V8 of the larger Series 70 Roadmaster. In 1955 both cars were given their annual update. It is possible that 'spies' from the British Rootes Group saw this design and plagiarised it for what they regarded as the 'British Buick', the Humber Hawk/Humber Super Snipe. The Series 70 Roadmaster and Series 50 Super were built on a 127-inch C-body.
Buick Special 1955
Buick Roadmaster 1954 - 1956
Cadillac Series 62 1955 4-door sedan front
Cadillac Series 62 1955 4-door sedan. In 1954 General Motors rolled out its new C-body which was also given to the larger Buicks. Cadillacs had their own 5,425cc V8.
Chevrolet BelAir 1955 2-door hardtop front
Chevrolet BelAir 1955 2-door hardtop. The original BelAir was launched with what was perceived to be a Ferrari-like grille (!?!), but this was altered in 1956. The 2-door hardtop was a popular choice, but there was also 2 and 4-door sedans and an estate car.
Humber Super Snipe Series II front
Humber Super Snipe Series II. In 1959 the Series II Super Snipe was launched with the Armstrong Siddeley design 2,651 cc, six-cylinder overhead-valve engine enlarged to 2,965 cc.
Oldsmobile Super 88 1956 Holiday Sedan front
Oldsmobile Super 88 1956 Holiday Sedan. The pillarless 4-door coupe 'Holiday' model was introduced in 1955 on both the 88 and Super 88 Oldsmobiles. The vertically split grille was given to all 88 and Super 88 models for 1956.
s Pontiac Chieftain 1956 Catalina 4-door hardtop side
Pontiac Chieftain 1956 Catalina 4-door hardtop. There was a 2-door Catalina hardtop version of the Chieftain and in 1956 a 4-door Catalina hardtop (this model) was added and shared with the GM A-body cars such as the Buick Century Riviera Sedan, Chevrolet BelAir Sports Sedan and Oldsmobile 88 Holiday Sedan.
