As I noted in the linked post, "General Motors' 1954 redesigned B- and C-body Oldsmobiles, Buicks and Cadillacs were sensationally futuristic when they were announced in the Fall of 1953... Those cars were lower, more squared off than previous models and, especially, they featured panoramic or wraparound windshields -- a feature mostly seen on Dream Cars and special, low-production luxury convertibles."
Unless noted, images below are of cars listed for sale. Aside from frontal views, photos are of four-door sedans so as to compare like-with-like.
B-body Buick Specials
GM's 1951-1953 B-bodies had comparatively rounded features. The hood is high and the fenderline low, being well below the passenger compartment beltline. The chrome Sweepspear on the side was a strong Buick identifier for a number of years, as were the vertical grille bars.
The redesigned B-body was lower. Fenders were higher, merging with the beltline. Hoods were not much higher than the fenders. The Special's Sweepspear is narrow and extends over the rear wheel opening. Also retained are the three "portholes" on the front fender, another strong Buick characteristic since the late 1940s.
C-body Buick Supers and Roadmasters
C-body Buicks featured lower, more curvaceous fenders than seen on B-bodies. Other Buick brand-related details are similar.
The hood is higher than on the Special, but lower than for 1953. The fenderline runs slightly below the beltline. In other words, a less-dramatic 1953-1954 difference. Sweepspear treatment is the same as on the '54 Special.
Again, the main rear carryover has to do with the taillights.
Buicks for 1953 were given headlight assemblies that would carry over to 1954, a shrewd tactic.
The '54s featured the same upper grille frame shaping and similar hood sculpting, the latter a long-term Buick feature. The bumper is similar, grille bars are thinner and more numerous.
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