I just bought this car Monday Dec 13th 2010. It's a literal barn car. Has been stored in a barn in Preston Idaho since 1972ish along with a 46 Buick Super Sedanette 2dr. This car is in wonderful shape for it's age. It's not missing a single thing, all the knobs, dials & bits & pieces are still intact. The guy I bought it from (Todd) had inherited it from his grandfather who was the 2nd owner. Todd's grandfather had received it used, as a gift from Todd's uncle who purchased it new. So it's been in the family it's entire life until now. Once coming out of storage the fluids were filled back up (drained and flushed before being stored) and the battery was replaced. The engine starts right up and the car goes down the road in the exact same condition it was in circa 1972. Naturally I'll need to start some triage on the rubber parts to get all the seals in good shape and tune up the engine. Body is great, other than some scuffs and nicks from road debris there are no problems. Rust is minimal, all seems superficial except for a small spot at the bottom of each rear door where water would often drain due to the curvature of the body panels and a bit on the driver's side floor pan. Chrome is all 100% in tact, could use a shine. Interior got a little moused while in the barn so there are a few chew holes in the head liner and the driver's side of the front seat is rather worn out. The plus side is there is an oem upholstery kit and carpet kit for the car that Todd's grandfather purchased just before storage. It even still has the swing out kleenex dispenser. Cause you weren't crap in the 50s if your car didn't have a kleenex dispenser. I'm excited to be starting a project with a car that's so complete and in such remarkable shape. I'll be looking for advice and updating progress on the car through this forum.
Congratulations on your purchase. I saw the car for sale and I was tempted but it was not the time for me. That is a nice car and I love the colors. I would enjoy it as is.
Congratulations on the buy! I have a '57 series 48 myself (2 DR Post), and absolutely love it! I'm curious about the paint job on yours, however. On the front of the car, where the top color meets the lower color on the fender, does it appear stock, or has the bottom possibly been through a repaint? The reason I ask, is on mine, and every other two-tone '57 I have seen, the top color continues down the recessed area of the fenderwell, to the bottom of the rocker. Here's a picture of mine taken a few years ago to show you what I mean: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2016/2047375229_58c4bcb4cf_b.jpg
I wondered that myself. Both tones appear to be as old as one another, and because there are no body repair plates on any of the posts I'm assuming the paint was added by the local dealership after it was delivered. That was something they would do from time to time if it was the difference between a sale or no sale. Both colors seem to be factory colors for that year but without seeing another example of a kelly green and mint example I can't be certain.
Nice find. Does the red ribbon style speedo still work? That would be a big plus also. You mentioned a tune up, check all those vacuum hoses under the hood going to the vacuum powered wiper motor. Also to and from the vacuum booster pump married to the fuel pump. Lots of places for vacuum leaks which will not let the engine run real good. Good luck.
Ribbon speedo is not currently working, nor are the wiper blades, they go up but not back down. I don't suppose anyone knows how to fix the ribbon speedo?
Found this on the AACA forum Post war Buick section; http://forums.aaca.org/f162/58-speedometer-285664.html
And, maybe this will help; http://forums.aaca.org/f162/56-special-windshield-wiper-cable-tension-283295.html New vacuum lines, and, check for vacuum leaks, are in order.
Those all look like helpful threads. I just ordered a chassis service manual today so once that arrives I'll use it as a guide along with tips in the forums to help me get to all those different parts.
Just for S&Gs should my speedo cluster need some refurbishing and I decide I just want to get a modern dash and retrofit it, is there a way to hook up an electronic controlled dash since mine is cable operated?
Here's a Photoshop mock up of what I'll want it to look like with new paint. I figured while I'm waiting on parts and stuck inside during the cold....I might as well do some photoshoppin. Left is current right is the mock up.
That's why I asked about the speedo, they are way more touchy than rotary type. Had to have one on my old 56 sent out for repair. They didn't really repair it, just replaced all the guts. Not cheap $350! So if you do take it out be very careful of the temp gauge and oil pressure gauge, they are not electric but tube type and any little extra bending of the tubes will ruin them too. Good luck. A little WD 40 squrted inside the vacuum wiper moor might free it up.
Regarding wipers Here is this; http://www.rowand.net/shop/cars/1958BuickSpecial/ElectricWiperConversion.htm
Ok, getting started on the tune up. Ordered a full gasket kit from e-bay, along with the chassis service manual. Just need to grab some hoses, plugs and spark plug wires and we should be looking at a much better running engine. P.S. does anyone know of a good aftermarket air filter that will fit my 2bbl carb?
If you have some metal skills; grind off the spot welds, from the inside, that hold the baffle to the lid of your original air cleaner. Keep the metal cool while grinding so not to warp the lid. Clean and repaint your air cleaner to your satisfaction. P.M. me with an email address and I will send you photos, a gasket, and a common air filter element part number that will finish the job. The following link is for a '58 Buick but will work. It is a paper element but the element is expensive at your neighborhood parts store. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BUIC...tZVintageQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories Dan '57 Roadmaster '57 Super
