We’ve covered gassers here on Barn Finds before, you know, the usual suspects like ’55 Chevrolets, Henry Js, and Ford Anglias. But here’s an old-skool twist, a 1955 Buick Special and it’s running Buick power no less! We gotta check this one out. This Special is located in Idaho Falls, Idaho and is available, here on Facebook Marketplace for $8,950.
This Buick certainly has the right gasser attitude, or perhaps I should refer to it as the right “altitude” with its nose high stance thanks to its solid front axle that has been supplied by Speedway Motors. I didn’t know that one could purchase such a thing as I assumed it had to be hand fabricated. This Buick has the right look with its rusty primer finish, flip-up front end, radiused rear wheel openings, and American Torque Thrust wheels – it’s right out of dragster central casting. The seller claims this Buick to be 99.5% rust-free (don’t know about that 0.5% part) and has been the benefactor of new floors. The fact that it’s a two-door post sedan continues to support the visual vibe and probably helps with rigidity on hard launches.
So, how hard a launch? Well, with a Buick 455 CI modded V8, connected to a Turbo 400 automatic transmission and spinning a Mopar 4.89 differential, probably pretty hard. The seller adds that the 455 has, “430 heads, lumpy cam, Holley 750 that’s jetted for 5,000 (ish) elevation, aluminum intake“. It also has electric cutouts for the exhaust, “for when the boys in blue are around“. The powertrain has only experienced 800 miles of use and its operation is summed up as, “Very fun and nostalgic car to drive, a real conversation starter”. I bet!
The interior shows some signs of originality with its ornamented instrument panel and original tiller but auxiliary gauges have been attached across the top of the dash, a sizable tach is perched on the steering column and a new wiring harness is in place. It’s not possible to get a broad view of the interior but what is visible looks OK. The seller mentions that the seats are from a late model Chevrolet pickup truck and the door cards have been finished off to match the seat upholstery’s grey color. The red dash may give some insight into this Special’s original exterior hue, not that it matters much at this point. Finally, it appears that this Buick was a “no radio” car as there isn’t any evidence of a dash opening for one.
I’ve seen very few Buick anythings on the drag strip in the past, with the exception of early ’70s GS/Stage 1s but that was in the early ’70s and I have followed drag racing for a very long time. This car, to me, is a completely unique twist on what was, at one time, a commonly encountered dragster class. And for that reason, I give this Special, and its builder, two thumbs up! I have to ask, has anyone ever come across anything similar to this Buick or do you think this is a one-and-done example?
Put some linseed oil on the body and get some extra rear tires because there’s gonna be lots and lots of burnouts
New Gasser builds like this aren’t being built to go to the track, they are built to go to cruises and shows. Other than some nostalgia races, this style of car is rarely if ever are seen in a staging lane.
Steve R
True. I’m horrible with names but there is a shop in west Michigan that builds mostly gassers. I’ve seen one make a run. 11.8 if memory serves. Always thought a gasser on drag week would be fun….
2 gasser classes at drag week. Most run high 9’s – low 10’s. Fun to watch.
Rear wheel wells aren’t radiused- that’s factree.
Well mostly, but those have definitely seen some cutting.
JO
Nice retro build.Needs painted though.A nice two tone would look good.
Nice, I like it.
Bob
Quite a comparison to today’s aerodynamic drag cars. Probably would add a couple of seconds to the ET with the nose on the ground.
This is pretty cool, an unlikely make for a gasser. Since they obviously went to great lengths, it’s not going to ever be competitive, so why not cherry out the body and make a cool cruiser? Auntie Ethyl’s Buick never looked like this.
what is gasser?
“Gasser” is a class division in drag racing that is not allowed to use nitromethane as fuel. The term has become slang in many circles meaning it has the old (60′ / 70’s) nose up stance, typically using a solid axle in front… i.e.; a nostalgic looking faux race car.
Good question, I just assume everyone knows what a gasser is. Johhny got it, usually it’s a nostalgic appearing car, but has a Pro Stock motor, and are wildly unpredictable. Aside from fuel dragsters, which are becoming awful boring, gassers are my favorite.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwP9QUs30Lc
I like it just the way it is.
You have to love the concept! A great cars ‘n coffee cruiser. Those faded out graphics in the sides (Junkyard Dog) indicate a former home in San Antone, Texas (maybe some genuine history there?). Too much metal for a real competitive gasser (B gas at a minimum) bur maybe a cool ‘Run whatcha brung’ entry. Street legal may be possible to do evening cruises, , but you’d have to seriously lower the headlight beams…
Itlooks so much like a 1955 chevy
Do you have a title?
Is it street legal?
I love this idea of Buick race cars I wish they had used the old Nailhead style engine hooked to an Olds hyromatic trans. I guess you use what you got. This is my Buick race car,,401,d ual quads factory 4 speed–one of 17 in a 63 Lesabre, radio delete, factory tach. Sure would like this gasser. Maybe , ??????
Broderick Crawford would love this one.10-4
Buick and drag racing unknown to you? Well you need to study the career of drag racer impresario/ actor “TV Tommy” Ivo!