Although a bit of a derelict find, this fairly complete Buick Special needs some love but still holds some promise of life. With a fairly straight body, and some obvious rust, this Buick certainly has some possibilities. Still packing a Nailhead V8, this Buick is currently bid up to a mere $350.00. Be sure to take a look at it here on eBay out of Chillicothe, Missouri.
Complete but muddy, this Nailhead V8 seems worth the asking price alone. The other mechanicals are also muddy, and have likely gone untouched for quite a while. Although this isn’t a running or driving machine, I think this Buick could be a great custom hot rod/rat rod machine. A modern frame with modern suspension and power would be fun, or you could revive the original components and maintain the weathered appearance.
There is no denying that the interior needs some serious attention. At least the basics are still in place, where you can work your way up from there. I dare to say that a good cleaning and a light polishing would bring the dash to a nice yet weathered look. Obviously the seats and door panels need some major attention. The biggest question is after seeing the muddy engine and drums, what are the floors like in this Buick? Well I do not see any direct evidence, but I can almost guarantee that there is some rot to contend with. While a restoration would be beautiful and dignifying to this machine, it wouldn’t make financial sense to do so with this car. But so much of the car is left that someone somewhere has to get this Buick on the road again, no matter how they approach it.
Although this Buick has been left outdoors propped up on cinder blocks, there are some positive highlights to this machine. The body is fairly straight minus a bullet hole in the passenger quarter, and some rot along the lower body on the passenger side. Surprisingly the driver side is in better shape. Also the glass is broken, so that would be a chore finding what you need to make this Buick a car again. A couple of trim pieces are missing from the passenger side, but the remaining trim seems to be in very fair condition minus the arch of the grill. While I don’t think it would be a purist’s dream come true, I do think that this Buick still has some life to offer after some careful detailing, metal work, and mechanical work. Is this Buick Special worth restoring or reviving in your eyes?
Like you said, engine alone….
I had a blue one just like it about 15 years ago. Wish this one was closer to Maine.
The heat shields are even still there on the sides of the 322 nailhead !
Great car in the two door form.
Would be nice to see someone restore it, but they don’t seem to bring the big $$$.
The old Buicks can make some nice restomods.
My thoughts exactly, but its gotta be all Buick. Like a 455 from the GS era. But please no V6s from the GN or GNX days although theyd probably run circles around the Big Blocks. I went to The School of Theres No Replacement for DISPLACEMENT !!!!
Oh how I love me an old Buick. How many hours would it take someone to get this thing on the road again? Tough sourcing that curved rear window. Front window is there but looks broken, but probably provided some protection for the driver’s cabin. Side glass would all be flat so no biggie getting it replaced. Find some wheels for this thing and make a great cruiser. Hood slammed a little too hard on that top cast grill bar. Coupes with post beat a hardtop or 4dr and the entry price for this Buick seems fair. Like the “good ol’ days” of junk car shopping.
At least a good parts car, lots of goodies left on it and that Nailhead could find itself into a hot rod. Shame to see in this condition, for the asking price you could drag it home then decide if you want to take it on. Good luck!!
I love me some old Buicks but sadly, there is only a parts car here.
I bought this car which was a driver in 1974 for $25.00. Spent 3 years restoring it. Sold it at the Turkey Rod Run in 1994 for $8500. Right after that the prices skyrocketed. Never seen it again!!!
Calling Brodrick Crawford.
10 -4
I still got a 55 Buick four door hardtop down on the ranch, that I drove in college, the old man bought it for 150 bucks, still has the orginal engine and running gear, looks a lot better than that piece of scrap iron, and its been sitting out for a long time. Tranny started slipping.
Probably the front pump on the Dynaflow is shot. Been there…..
My favorite of the 54-57’s by far! Sadly, this one is two far gone. For what it would take to restore this car, you could have one already done that says Roadmaster on the side of it, with a magic button on the dash that folds the top into the trunk! Might even have a little money left over.
Just the chrome alone would send you broke! When I did my ’55 I found all NOS chrome at Hershey and Carlisle when prices were cheap.
Here’s one that is already (barely) in progress:
https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000264676553
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Not a bad car….i have seen worse. If you wanted a flip for profit,then not worth it. As for me i like working on castaways like this… The enjoyment of reviving something everyone else casts off as gone. The joy is not in the monetary gain but restoration and reviving. My current projects are 49 packard eight station sedan, 70 Cadillac deville conv. ,and two 49 Dodge coronets.Busy Busy!
This Buick is NOT “currently bid up to a mere $350.00.” That’s the starting bid minimum and with less than 9 hours left on the auction here on Sunday morning, it has received ZERO bids. Will be interesting to see if it even gets one.
Didn’t sell… so it’s baaaaaaaaaack! Now relisted on eBay with a slightly lower $325 minimum bid…
The nailhead is worth that all day long!
Mud on the engine tells me this was sitting in the flood of 1993.