I've been involved with a small time restoration shop for 23 years now and am presently doing my last restoration which is a '57 Buick Special Riviera 2 Dr. Hdtp 46R. I think this will be my 11th rotisserie resto but is a somewhat difficult project and some of the Buick guys tell me it is one of the rare '50's Buicks. It has certainly been a different build in several ways. It will be mostly stock except for color, interior, AC, and probably wire wheels (if my customer ever makes up his mind). Anyway, I'll have a couple of links to start with and include some interesting pictures as soon as they'll let me post the links.
I'll be most interested to watch the progress of your restoration. 57 Buicks with Kelsey-Hayes ww look good.
Well, until they'll let me post some links on here, go to my profile and click on my web site to see some progress pictures on the Riviera. It will be just a few pictures down from the Chevys. Thanks for your interest.
I don't think they are THAT rare, are they? I have one, its a basket case but I don't care. I think years ago when I was researching it seemed that it was the most produced Buick in 57. I think... I'm gonna try to check out your photos now...
I just got done looking at the pictures of the progress so far... holy crap... That is by far the finest example I have ever seen of a 57. Words cannot really describe what is happening to that car... The power brake addition and the A/C upgrade are both flawless as well. You are truly a master of your craft. Bravo!!
From Buick.net; <table border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td>1957 Buick Production Figures </td> </tr> <tr> <td>SPECIAL SERIES 250 hp Model 41-Four-Door Sedan......................................59,739 Model 43-Four-Door Riviera....................................50,563 Model 46C-Convertible Coupe....................................8,505 Model 46R-Two-Door Riviera....................................64,425 Model 48-Two-Door Sedan.......................................23,180 Model 49-Estate Wagon..........................................7,0 13 Model 49D-Four-Door Riviera Estate Wagon.......................6,817 Model 411-Stripped Chassis.......................................144 Model 413-Stripped Chassis.......................................360 </td> </tr> <tr> <td>SUPER SERIES 300 hp!!! Model 53-Four-Door Riviera....................................41,665 Model 56C-Convertible Coupe....................................2,056 Model 56R-Two-Door Riviera....................................26,529 Model 530-Stripped Chassis.........................................1 Model 531-Stripped Chassis.......................................384 </td> </tr> <tr> <td>CENTURY SERIES300 hp!!! Model 61-Four-Door Sedan.......................................8,075 Model 63-Four-Door Riviera....................................26,589 Model 66C-Convertible Coupe....................................4,085 Model 66R-Two-Door Riviera....................................17,029 Model 68-Two-Door Sedan............................................2 Model 69-Four-Door Riviera Estate Wagon.......................10,186 </td> </tr> <tr> <td>ROADMASTER SERIES300 hp!!! Model 73-Four-Door Riviera.....................................11,401 Model 73A-Four-Door Riviera....................................10,526 Model 75-Four-Door Riviera.....................................12,250 Model 75R-Two-Door Riviera......................................2,404 Model 76C-Convertible Coupe.....................................4,363 Model 76R-Two Door Riviera......................................3,826 Model 76A-Two Door Riviera......................................2,812 Model 731-Stripped Chassis.........................................96 Model 750-Stripped Chassis..........................................1 Model 751-Stripped Chassis.........................................72 </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <center>Total Production...............................405,098</center>
As I remember, the guy who spoke about this was not referring to how many were produced making it rare, but the fact that it was a completely new design, first year for the 364, commonality of parts now, etc., and, of course, how many were left. . No big deal, I'm not a Buick expert.
He is correct. Not many left. And, not many parts from 54-56 carry over to 57. Nor, do many parts from 57 carry over to later years.
Whilst there were over 60,000 Buick Special 2 dr hardtops made in 1957, it should be noted that in the same year, Chevrolet made over 160,000 Belair 2 dr hardtops. The 57 Chevy has always remained popular over the years, whereas the Buicks seemed to be discarded and scrapped. There are not as many of these beautiful classic 50's chrome and fin cars left in good working order. To 50sBuicks..... I love your work. Great resto job you are undertaking. Just another point to mention. Your car is also quite unique in that not very many 57 Specials were fitted with factory air conditioning. :TU: I showed my car at a local US classics cruise on Saturday night for the first time here in my home town Adelaide, Australia. I was not prepared for the amount of interest it generated. There are only a few 50's Buicks in Australia, and amongst the 300 cars that were on show at the car park on Saturday, there were roughly 25 55~57 Chevs, but only 3 50's Buicks. A nicely restored original 55 4 door Century in Red on Black, an exceptional customised Orange on White 2 door Super, and my Dover White 57 Special 2 door Riviera. Judging from the chatter amongst the onlookers, I'd say there will be a few more Ausies looking for some good ol' Buicks. tom :beer
Really appreciate all the kind remarks from all you Buick guys and the informative remarks. I too think it will be a nice car when finished and since it's my last one, I'm certainly being sure to do my best. Since I started on this rebuild, the owner told me I had to live long enough to finish this car....(be 76 in a couple of weeks), he's 71 and I told him he had to live long enough to pay me....so I would be just as concerned as he is....We both laughed. I've got several detailed picture trails on this build and a couple of procedure (how to) things, but it's going to take a while for me to get up to 10 posts. If anyone is still interested by then, I'll post a couple of them or just send a private message or email. The car has an interesting history (sat untouched under a carport for 32 years) and made a good prospect for the resto. That's one of the reasons I took it on plus I've known the owner a long time. He told me I had 'one more' left in me, so I was vain enough to go along... I just got the rear bumper back together now and it'll be going back on the car when he gets back from Barret-Jackson next week. He wants to help install it and I'm going to let him. That thing is heavy. I might add that we put a Powermaster alternator on it and it's one of those that looks like and bolts up like, a stock generator. The AC compressor is a Frigidare, circa late '60s muscle cars like the Corvette and Camaros. The OEM stock compressor that came on the car must of weighed 50 lbs. Well, I've talked enough and probably bored you guys to tears by now. Besides, it's 2 AM here.
Thanks Bob, and Roger I'll pass it on to him, although I think he's settled in on the true spoke wheels.
Thanks. I bought it to use for my daughter's wedding in April. well, that's the excuse I used on the missus I've organised a couple of white 57 Chev Belairs to complement the Buick for the bridesmaids and groomsmen too. I couldn't find any other all-white Buicks anywhere in Australia. Like I said, there ain't too many of these cars around.
