Not new to cars, just Buicks.

Discussion in 'Wet behind the ears??' started by Skiroule69, Jul 22, 2017.

  1. Skiroule69

    Skiroule69 New Member

    I like weird stuff. That sounds strange when taken out of context. What I mean to say was I've been a car guy my whole life, mostly GM stuff with a smattering of Jeep tossed in. I was in the market for a '50s or '60s pickup for a project when I found a '57 Buick Special two-door sedan on Craigslist. The ones in the magazines were always hardtops with the occasional wagon. I'd never seen one as a post sedan before. The mention of a factory manual transmission intrigued me enough to go see it. What a mess! Rat's nest interior, entire top end of the engine missing, locked up lower, three flat tires and an inch of moss growing on it. Still, it had that clutch pedal and I'd never owned a column-shifted stick before. $800 and it was mine.

    I'm a couple months in so far. Gutted the interior, removed the engine and trans, went through a drum of WD-40 to get everything moving again, and am currently handling lower body rust repair. Got four new pans from C2C fabrication and am making everything else unavailable repro (including the trunk floor) out of 18ga. Unfortunately she's got roof rust too, so as soon as the bottom half is solid I get to cut that open. It's all fun though. I get enjoyment out of saving something that I'm pretty sure would have been junk had I not intervened.

    I'm too poor to do a full restoration, so she's going back together as a 95% stock, Roadkill-type driver. Some radial tires, a fresh 364 V-8, new brakes and leave the original Garnet Red/Ivory patina. She'll make a fun cruiser that I won't be afraid to take down a dirt road or two.

    Can't wait until she's ready to drive. Awesome site for Buick nuts!
     
  2. BYoung

    BYoung Stage me

    Welcome from Georgia. Share some pics of the beast.
     
  3. gsfred

    gsfred Founders Club Member

    Welcome from NY. Sounds like you have a great project. Always liked the 57's.
     
  4. JayZee88

    JayZee88 Well-Known Member

    I have a fully rebuilt 364 out of one of my 59s lesabres if your interested. Even dynoed it. It is still sitting in storage on the engine stand. I has a 401 cam installed and 59 401 4 barrel. I had everything gone through. I will sell it at a reasonable price. I just dont have a use for it anymore and it's taking up space.
     

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