One fast '54! La Carrera Panamericana

Discussion in 'Classic Buicks' started by NFP, Oct 14, 2010.

  1. NFP

    NFP Active Member

    So have any of you heard of a race titled "La Carrera Panamericana"?

    Holy chit I have fallen in love again! http://www.panamrace.com/

    This is a real deal mulit-day open road race made up of vintage racers! Was first brought to be in the early '50s to attract people to mexico as they had finished a new highway system and wanted to increase tourism. I'm not going to bore you with the fine details, just check out some of these vids and see for yourself!
    :beer

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq47APUxZ4Q

    Below is the Buick that turned me onto this whole concept, may have a small block Chevy at heart, but that is one fast Lead Sled!

    The Buick on La Bufa

    The Buick finishing a stage

    Accident LT Carrera Panamericana 2007

    The Buick ready for La Carrera Panamericana 2007
     
  2. Rodster

    Rodster Well-Known Member

    Been watching these for some time.Yes,a neat looking '54 with a small block Chevy.
    Rod
     
  3. sean Buick 76

    sean Buick 76 Buick Nut

    What it needs is a Twin Turbo Buick 350!
     
  4. bhambulldog

    bhambulldog 1955 76-RoadmasterRiviera

    That's cool. :TU:
    I noticed,the portholes on the 54 Buick have been turned upside down. So, that, they appear to "scoop", rather than "extract".
     
  5. d2_willys

    d2_willys Well-Known Member

    From 52 to 54 the Lincoln Capri's were king of La Carrera Panamericana! Came in 1,2,and 3 one of those years. Makes me feel good about owning my 54 Lincoln Capri
     
  6. bhambulldog

    bhambulldog 1955 76-RoadmasterRiviera

    54 Lincoln? Every time my dad sees one he says, "there goes a Road Race Lincoln" They're beautiful cars. I'ld like to see pictures:kodak:
     
  7. rmstg2

    rmstg2 Gold Level Contributor

    Good eye, I noticed that too

    Bob H.
     
  8. rmstg2

    rmstg2 Gold Level Contributor

    Bill Vukovich ( spelling ) was the hot dog racer in the old Lincolns back in the mid 50s

    Bob H.
     
  9. philip roitman

    philip roitman Well-Known Member

    If I wasn't goin (leaving to):3gears: :3gears: :3gears: :3gears: :3gears: :3gears: :3gears: to BG tomorrow I would be at Madison Ave. Sportscar Driving chowder society Tues. The founder of the new race will be there selling his video,and telling stories. (Sardis NYC) Chowder guys sorry but racing comes 1st.
     
  10. buickjunkie

    buickjunkie Well-Known Member

    the video make me want to find a 54 Special :laugh:
    Bruce
     
  11. NFP

    NFP Active Member

  12. rogbo1

    rogbo1 Well-Known Member

    Me too! Here's one I didn't buy a few years ago, still kicking myself.
    It was on ebay and didn't pull the trigger for around $12k.
    Called a few months later when I had sold something else and
    it was sold.:ball: Love the videos along with the Hollies! :TU:
     

    Attached Files:

  13. r0ckstarr

    r0ckstarr Well-Known Member

    What is the difference between the Special and the Century? In the comments of the crash video, someone says that it is a Century.
     
  14. bhambulldog

    bhambulldog 1955 76-RoadmasterRiviera

    54 Special had 264ci 2v
    54 Century had 322ci 4v, Also, fancier interior than Special or Super

    In 54 only Roadmaster had 4 holes in the fenders.
     
  15. HilbornNailhead

    HilbornNailhead Well-Known Member


    Four different levels, Special, Century, Super, Roadmaster, in that order. Don't know enough about the '54s, but I in '57 the Special and Century were smaller bodied (hard to notice, but they have smaller grilles, and I believe bumpers), and the Super and Roadmaster shared the same size. The Special was the bottom of the line with the 250HP 364ci engine, the other three came with the 300HP 364ci engine. In my opinion, the Century was the one to have, lighter weight with the most HP offered.
     
  16. bhambulldog

    bhambulldog 1955 76-RoadmasterRiviera

    This applies to 54-56 as well.
     
  17. John Codman

    John Codman Platinum Level Contributor

    Yup. One major mechanical difference was that the manual shift models of the '54 and '55 Special got the light-duty 3-speed, the Centurys got the HD transmission. The reason for this was that (as was said earlier) the '54-'55 specials got the 264 engine; all other models got the 322. In '56 they all got the 322, and the light-duty 3-speed wasn't strong enough to stand up to that engine. Ask me how I know. :grin:
     
  18. John Codman

    John Codman Platinum Level Contributor

    The '54 Mexican Road Race Lincolns had (I believe) a Latham chain-drive axial flow supercharger. When I was a kid, a family nearby had one. I am wondering if the road race had rules similar to NASCAR that required manufacturers to build a specific number of units before the cars were certified as stock for the race. Does anyone know?
     

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