First let me say hello to the forum and why I am here. I am considering buying a 1960 Invicta wagon that needs total restoration. I am here to ask everyone what to look for and what I need to make sure is present that may be too rare for me to find later. From the pics I have seen of the car it still has the drivetrain in it less radiator. The interior is there but ripped. The car has been sitting for a few years also. Can anyone tell me what to look for when I go look at it this weekend? What motor should be in it and should I write down any codes or VIN plate numbers? Thank you in advance.
"new2buick": Please put your name in your signature, we're all here on a friendly first name base :TU: That's a pretty rare wagon, only 5,076 were built for model year 1960: 1,605 8-seats wagons 3,471 6-seats wagons Engine info wasn't added to the VIN until model year 1972, but this wagon came from the factory with the 401 CI Nailhead engine. (ignition at the rear of the engine) On the Body Number Plate in the engine bay you can find these numbers for the 2 or 3 seats wagon: Style 60 4635 = 2 seats Estate Wagon Style 60 4645 = 3 seats Estate Wagon I think that the trim at the rear of those Estate Wagons is very hardy to find when it's missing, not the same as on the other models. < Click thumbnail :Comp:
Welcome aboard! That rad is going to be tough. It was a one-year only mount. Physically the rad itself is the same up until '62, but the '60 version had two tabs welded to the sides where it bolted to the rad support. If the car hasn't run in a while the dynaflow will be sticky, and will require manual shifting. The toughest parts to find on that car (at least when I had one) was the muffler, shocks, and any front-end stuff. I think most of that is being made aftermarket nowadays though, but any kind of trim will be difficult, and body panels are non-existant. Nice car though!
Hopefully here are two pics of the car. I am hoping the radiator is inside the car. The guy doesn't know if it's a three seat wagon or not but he thinks so.
It looks straight enough, any idea how long it's been in the ground? If it's been years, you're looking at doing floors and rockers. If it's been sitting on its drums you're going to have some fun finding some good replacement front drums. They're made from aluminum, and were used from 1958-1960, and used bolts instead of lug-studs and nuts. A good candidate for a builder, it looks straight and reasonably solid. It'll be a nice car when finished!
I agree with everything that's been said so far. More and more parts are coming about in the aftermarket but pickings are still pretty slim. Be prepared to scour eBay and other used parts sources. One thing I will mention; if your more inclined to do a "resto-mod" or a resto that isn't 100% correct, your project WILL be much easier. I'm not trying to steer you away from doing a stock resto, I'm just giving you my experience while working on my '62. Good luck!
Drove three hours today to go look at the wagon. I still am undecided about buying. It had all of the trim except the very front pass side spear. All the glass is good and its even got the electric rear window. I couldn't look under it as it is sitting un the ground in front and flat tires in the rear. It is sitting on a rocky base though and after looking at what part of the front frame I did see was in perfect shape. Looking under the rear I couldnt see any rust thrus even in the inner rear quarters. It does need all four floor pans and maybe more because I couldnt see under the carpet. All of the door panels are shot which is sad because they are really cool with the emblems and all. The only thing missing is the radio and I think the clock. So can anyone tell me if any of the interior is available or if I decide to buy it will I have to make everything inside? The guy is asking a grand but may take less. I have no idea if he is too high or not. I do figure the trim on the car may be worth something.
The car is rare; - and the interior parts are even more rare. Radios were 1960 only; - the earlier one won't fit and the 61 had black buttons, and the clock and speedo cluster was shared between 60 and 61. Door panels are 60 only, and Invicta was different from the more common LeSabre. Same goes for the seats. Basically most of the interior stuff could be hauled out of a 4 door sedan; - I believe they were the same as the wagon was. The ignition switch was gas-pedal activated and had an electrical connection on the carb, so make sure that's still there. If not, it'll be tough to find and you'll have to rewire the ignition to accept a conventional lock like they used starting in 1961. $1000 seems like quite a bit for a car with no floors and a potentially shaled out frame. If that car has been in the dirt for a long time and the floors are gone as a result, there's a good possibility that the frame will be soft, or shaled out. This is not easily fixable, - it would require a new frame before it can be driven. I don't remember what size that frame is, or whether it interchanges with anything. Chances are it will not; - 1960 used its own derivative of the 1959 frame, (subtle but important differences) and was totally different than the 1961. I'd really proceed with caution on this one, and if I were you I'd make them lift it up so that the underside can be inspected carefully before I laid out any money for the thing. There are better cars out there, so if you're not prepared to take on a unique and rare car with next to no support for body and frame parts, I'd look for a 60 in better condition. I used to have a 60 Invicta, so that's how I know about them; - I found out the hard way just how unique they are. Still a sucker for punishment, I'm currently looking for a 59 Invicta. That's what makes the '60 Buick so unique and why there aren't many of them around anymore, they were a one-off year, and a transition year to boot. GM abandoned the torque tube, floor start, and the older style tie-rods and control arms after they built that model year. I hate being the bearer of bad news, but I always believe 'fore-warned is fore-armed". Hope this helps.
I say go for it! That car looks damn straight and solid. If you want to fix up and sell it it's probably not worth it but to fix it up and keep it, I say go for it! It's a Buick so no matter what it will be hard to restore to original. I would build it how you want to. If the price is right I'd grab it!
Thanks for all your input guys. I appreciate all your thoughts. The outside of the car is too nice not to at least consider buying it. Here is the tag if anyones interested.
Style 4635 4 = Buick 6 = Invicta 35 = Estate Wagon 2 seats Trim 645 = Maroon cloth interior Paint AA = Sable black lower and upper body colour
why are those yard cars always missing the air cleaner assembly? unbelievable. They leave the engine open on all ends. I could cry when I see pics like that.
Because people are idiots, they start work on the car, discover that the problem is way beyond them, go for a few beers, and forget about it. Pretty soon it's all seized up and doesn't matter anymore. You'd be surprised at how many nice vintage Buick engines I've looked at in yards that were absolutely ruined because some idiot took off the cleaner just to look at an engine he's never seen before. The biggest heart-breaker was a low mile 425 with a Q-jet assembly that had the aircleaner off for at least 25 years. I wanted to take that motor, but it's seized solid. Besides the aircleaner, some idiot took off the valve covers and took the hood off. I managed to rescue the intake and carb, had them completely rebuilt, and now it's going on my Electra once I get the proper manifold to carb gasket made up.
Also, all '60 Buick Wagons were built by Ionia, not Fisher. Just a little interesting fact. And for the accesory codes; B: Heater/Defroster I7: Tinted Windshield P2: Chrome Drip & Door Frame Mouldings Z: Luggage Locker (I think)
