Does anyone know what model years of early Buicks were equipped with functional "ventiports"? I know that the ports in later year classics were just bolt-on trim pieces, but I believe that they covered/surrounded actual holes in the fenders or hoods the first few Buick models that were equipped with them.
You might be surprised to find that their original intent was only cosmetic from the very beginning. I'd be interested to know if they were ever used for airflow or not. Devon
Looks like I got at least part of the answer from Bulldog (Thank you). I don't know if this helps, but by "functional" I only mean that air can pass through them. Not that they were actually performed a necessary engine or engine bay cooling function.
I don't have documented evidence. I am strictly going on my memory of seeing a '49 Buick some years ago. I asked the question over at AACA. http://forums.aaca.org/f162/49-portholes-310329.html#post924542
There is a guy over on the AACA board that bought some Ventiports for his '52 Buick from a guy, and they are open into the engine compartment, where his originals weren't. Can't find the thread at the moment.
As far as I know, ventiports were functional for roughly half of the 1949 model year, and were strictly decorative after that.
Check this 1950, have look at the interior of the hood o No: ; http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?p=1909098
Here is that link. http://forums.aaca.org/f115/interesting-find-anybody-ever-seen-anything-308900.html Guess they are off a Canadian Buick.
I was going to guess 49-54. Anyone have Ventiports that light up like the concepts, custom functionals, on years that didn't have them, or with a 5th?
49-50 were the only ones that were open. Seems too many customers had problems with kids tossing rocks in them so Buick closed them up in 51. A dealer accessory that was offered to fix this was little screens that bolted in from behind. I don't remember ever hearing about anyone offering a "light-kit" for those things, but as Devon pointed out, I guess it was possible to time flashes to the sparkplugs, which is what they did on that test car. The inspiration was the exhaust ports on any in-line engined fighter plane, particularly the early Spitfire.
I think i remember reading that, the car with the prototype ventiports had lights wired to the spark plugs. (?)
I'm not sure how I ended up on this old thread, but it reminds me about '66 Wildcat ports. I've had/have and parted a few of these cars and recall that some of the ports were blocked and some not-had a series of holes in the casting.There may have been a vendor change midyear?
