I find it interesting that this C-body was so short-lived; typically, a GM body would be in production for three or four model years around 1950. The subject C-body was used for 1948-1949 Oldsmobile 98s, 1948-1949 Cadillacs, and for 1949 Buick Supers and Roadmasters -- 1949 being an extended model year for Buick.
C-body wheelbases varied considerably. The shortest was that of the Buick Super: 121.0 inches (3073 mm). Next were the Oldsmobile 98 at 125.0 inches (3175 mm), Buick Roadmaster and Cadillac 61 and 62 at 126.0 inches (3200 mm), and finally the Cadillac 60 Special at 133.0 inches (3378 mm). Side-view images below illustrate how these different wheelbases were dealt with in terms of bodywork.
Of design interest is how successfully Harley Earl's divisional styling teams were able to create visual brand personalities on that basic body platform.
Unless noted, images below are photos of car listed for sale.
Oldsmobile design was one of the "cleanest" of the C-bodies.
Buicks featured hood sculpting, fender "portholes" and a wide, "toothy" grille. Even more detail was in the form of turn-signal lights with trailing chromed strips atop the front fenders.
Entry-level Cadillac 61s looked the same as 62s other than lacking the chromed panel abaft of the front wheel opening.
Also a "clean" design in terms of lack of chrome trim.
Simple rear styling in the form of cascading rounded shapes. Modest tail lights. The backlight window is in two sections because auto glass forming technology was not quite up to production of single-unit windows of that size. The problem was probably production wastage rates, solved shortly later.
Even more cascading elements -- note the aft ends of the rear fenders. Backlight is in three segments here.
The 1948 model year marked the first appearance of Cadillac tail fins. Cadillac had been using three-segment backlights since 1934, as I wrote here. So it was as much a brand-identifier than only a technical feature.
Much larger trunk than on the other cars.
Not a well-preserved car, but it's the best side-view I currently have of a car with the shortest C-body wheelbase.
The 98's longer wheelbase was accommodated forward of the cowling. Compare the distance from the forward cutline of the front door to the aft edge of the wheel opining. Abaft of the cowling the sheetmetal is almost identical. (I don't have a good side view of a 1948 98, so this '49 model will have to do.)
Wheelbase only an inch (25.4 mm) longer so little or no body adjustment for that. Fender portholes and chrome trim help make this Buick distinct from the Oldsmobile.
Chrome trim detail and the tail fin help to differentiate the Cadillac. But note that the passenger compartment greenhouses, doors, side window shapes, and basic fender shapes are the same on all these cars.
Significantly longer wheelbase. Greater length forward of the A-pillar. Also some lengthening in the vicinity of the C-pillar, though it's difficult to specify exactly where, based on these images. The greenhouse seems the same, but the rear axle line is closer to the backlight, and the rear fender leading edge is farther aft on the rear side door than on the other cars.
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