Hi all, let me quickly (re-)intruduce myself. I'm Matt and writing to this forum from good ole Germany. I used to read and write (more reading to be honest) here some time ago when I owned a 1987 LeSabre Estate Wagon and a 72 Boattail. Now after a long Buick abstinence I'm pretty impressed by a 1958 Buick Century I found. The old boy is in a stunning shape for it's 53 years. However it's much older than the oldest I ever had so I'm lacking experience with it's pecularities... Anything special I need to look at on this car? Body looks good, paint is very good. Interior like new. No bad smell or major blemishes just a nice patina. Guess it's been restored a while ago. Has been in Germany for at least 14 years and taken very good care of. Engine runs smooth and silky and has good performance. Tranny does a good job too. Brakes are an issue, there is a good piece of wobble when braking. Seller says it's broken wheel cylinders. But to me it feels like bent/distorted drums... Any common issue here? How is the availability of standard tech parts in the US for that car? Here it's rather poor yet not too bad. But also in the states e.g. I could not find brake drums... What's the nasty bits and pieces of that car? Also the speedometer is broken. Reading is very inacurate and more or less jumpings around. It's the "bar type" one . How hard is to repair this? For a specialist... Thanks you very much for your support so far. Will decide upon buying very soon and this babe would be a diamond in my garage!!! Cheers Matt
hello speedometer can be fixed..had mine fixed on the 58 roadmaster..cost about 250 dollars..2007 regards stig
Try removing and properly lubricating thr drive cable inside of the casing. Can the drums be turned and still remain within factory specifications?
Don't know. Haven't bought the old boy, yet. But I'm hoping that this is the case... Just want to know my downside in worst case. What do you think may such a car cost in the US? As I said shape is great shape with bright and shiny paint (not original I guess), fully restored-to-original interior, nicely working drivetrain (don't know wether numbers match...) and near to perfect glass. Chrome is okay but could be redone one day. Only front brakes and weatherstripping need immediate action. Car is a four door century in light blue with white roof. Don't know what the factory options were but there is neither power windows nor power seats, central locks or AC. It has vinyl seating, power steering, working factory clock and radio. What do you think might be a reasonable price in the US for a car like that? Can't post linke but go to ebay an look for item #270814419515 as this one might be comparable - but 21k?? Was it the perfect day for the seller or is this a realistic price? Thanks Matthias
It shows 90 miles whilst standing still Will check the drums as soon as I bought the car. Currently negotiating... Another question: does it have a 12 or 6 volt on bord system? Also I read about the "air poise suspension". Think "my" car has this but it looses air (seller calls it "high jackers" but I think he means the factory air ride). Can this thing ever be repaired if broken?? I'm not a friend of detaching broken original equipment and replace it by boring stuff And what was the "hirarchy"? Riviera over Centurion over Super? Thanks Matt
12 volt... There is a small series and a large series in the 58's. Small: Special Century Large: Super Roadmaster Limited The Riviera in 1958 referred to the hardtop body style, it was not a separate model like in later years. So, you could have a Super Riviera or Limited Riviera, etc.
How can I distinct a Riviera hardtop sedan from the normal 4 door sedan? I mean by the lloks - I don't have any car data currently available... Matt
When you roll down all 4 windows, there is no post in between the windows on a Riviera...same on a 2 door. A "Sedan" will have a post between the windows.
From Buick.net http://www.buicks.net/years/58.shtml 1958 Buick Production Figures SPECIAL SERIES Model 41-Four-Door Sedan......................................48,238 Model 43-Four-Door Riviera....................................31,921 Model 46C-Convertible Coupe....................................5,502 Model 46R-Two-Door Riviera....................................34,903 Model 48-Two-Door Sedan.......................................11,566 Model 49-Estate Wagon..........................................3,663 Model 49D-Four-Door Riviera Estate Wagon.......................3,420 Model 411-Stripped Chassis.......................................648 Model 431-Stripped Chassis.......................................360 SUPER SERIES Model 53-Four-Door Riviera....................................28,460 Model 56R-Two-Door Riviera....................................13,928 Model 530-Stripped Chassis.........................................1 Model 531-Stripped Chassis.......................................168 CENTURY SERIES Model 61-Four-Door Sedan.......................................7,241 Model 63-Four-Door Riviera....................................15,171 Model 66C-Convertible Coupe....................................2,588 Model 66R-Two-Door Riviera.....................................8,110 Model 68-Two-Door Sedan............................................2 Model 69-Four-Door Riviera Estate Wagon........................4,456 ROADMASTER SERIES Model 75-Four-Door Riviera.....................................10,505 Model 75C-Convertible Coupe.....................................1,181 Model 75R-Two Door Riviera......................................2,368 LIMITED SERIES Model 701-Stripped Chassis.........................................72 Model 750-Four-Door Riviera.....................................5,571 Model 756-Convertible Coupe.......................................839 Model 755-Two-Door Riviera......................................1,026 Total Production...............................241,908
The CENTURY was the hot rod of the buicks back then. They had the smaller, lighter body, but the BIG engine. That 364 engine was 300HP, 400TQ with 4 barrel carb and dual exhaust. Make sure the heatriser is OPEN (not stuck) so all the power can get out the exhaust. Then make sure the power pistons in the carb are not stuck. Just be sure these are included on your initial tune up list. It will be a great ride, believe it !!!!
Sounds goooood ! 400TQ is the tranny, right? Carb is new with original one in the trunk. So should work well. Test drive was very positive!!! I read about the tranny which is said to be problem prone. Is it really? Also thanks for the figures. Not really a rare one. I heared from a friend that many of those Buicks burnt down because of the open starter switch that's attached to the carb. Also not many 1958 Buicks can be found on the market. Are they that rare today? Ah, by the way - there is a "switch" on the left hand side directly below the windshield. Big two piece chrome thing placed where more modern cars have the mirror adjustment levers. What is it for?? Could be choke but has no effect on the installed carb on this car... Have a pic but can't post it. Matt
400tq is 400 torque (or foot pounds of torque). The transminion is a Dynaflow and is reliable if properly serviced. Never predict an old tranny. The switches and linkage function are extreemly important to the operation of a Dynaflow since they activate the variable pitch of the stator. I didn't know the linkage switch was a fire hazzard. One way to help that situation is to forcefully squirt Fluid Film all inside it. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?field-keywords=fluid+film&url=search-alias=aps
We've had ours 40 years. We rebuilt the Dynaflow about ten years ago. Never had problems with it before or after the rebuild. we rebuilt just as a preventative. When you have it rebuilt be sure they know Dynaflows. That goes with the nailhead engine, too. Never heard of problem with the accelerator start switcho No:
Well I don't know how far his experiences are. He used to have a 1957 Century and it cost him 2 leather jackets to prevent the car from burning down. Having this tranny properly rebuilt in germany might become a bit more a challange than in the US however I think there are some well experienced guys here as well. But So far the car worked very well so I don't think there is immediate response neede on the drivetrain. Just wanted to know about you exeriences to better estimate my risk. Knowing about highly possible sources for defects simply means to schedule more money for repairs 400 pound feet is somewhat around 550 newton meters. Wow... My 1972 boattail was rated somthing linke that, too. It was nasty!! Matt
All I'm saying saying, is I don't know of an inherent defect in the starting system of the Buick. I don't know of any inherent defects in Ford starting system either. That didn't keep my Mom's Lincoln from catching fire. I didn't use a leather jacket. I had an extinguisher in the Buick. Probably saved both cars as they were parked next to one another. just saying.................
I've had a couple of cars with the floor start, and never experienced this sort of thing. They never changed the basic design in all the years they ran it, which I believe was from about 1935 to 1960. Sure, the ball gets sticky sometimes, but usually the battery will run down before it causes a problem, and usually a quick sharp rap with a screwdriver fixes it. Something else was going on there...
