Fans of the classic “Highway Patrol” 50’s TV show know that the show’s star, Chief Dan Matthews (played by the gruff, fast-talking, fedora-wearing Broderick Crawford), drove many cars in its five-year run. But his ’55 black and white Buick two-door sedan was the quintessential wheels for “Mr. 21-50 to headquarters” in my book. And if there was a Mrs. Matthews and she was anything like her husband, this would’ve been the appropriate car for her based on its “dog dish” hubcaps and no-nonsense options package alone. Located in Jacksonville, NC, this low mileage 1955 Buick is for sale here on eBay with a Buy It Now price of $22,000 or Make An Offer. The first four words in the seller’s description is all caps and reads NO REASONABLE OFFER REFUSED. Another thank you to TJ for sending this turquoise tip our way.
The seller, who bought the Buick a year ago, doesn’t share any history or this car’s unique story and claims he has documentation on the authenticity of the 46,810 original miles put on the Buick the past 67 years. We’re not sure what documentation he has, but there’s paperwork showing that a Ruth Flemming from Princeton, IL bought the car new. Doesn’t this car look like it would belong to a lady named Ruth? The Special was the entry level of Buick’s four lines in 1955 and this one is still wearing its original paint, which I believe is Gulf Turquoise, patina and all, with a Dover White top. I hope the next owner likes patina because this Buick has had clearcoat added to keep its “erosion of time frozen in time.” Other than some surface rust in the paint, the rest of the Buick is described as “100% rot free” and all the brightwork looks to be there and the glass looks good based on the photos.
The interior of this base-level Buick looks inviting with it’s shiny black dash with all those gauges (which we’re told work perfectly) and classic three-spoke big steering wheel. I’m not spotting power windows or seat and it’s also radio-delete. I guess Ruth wasn’t a fan of that new loud music called rock n’ roll. The reupholstered front seats are showing wear and tear, but the passenger door panel looks very good. No photos of the rear seat or headliner were supplied.
There are two dark photos of some of the engine bay. The seller says it’s the original Buick Nailhead 264 cubic inch V8, but nothing is shared on whether it’s been rebuilt or not. Ruth also didn’t mind shifting gears as it features Buick’s 3-speed column shifting manual transmission. The seller also shares a list of repairs and maintenance performed and has all the receipts that includes: “All engine gaskets replaced and rear main seal (no leaks), new clutch disc and pressure plate assembly, new fuel pump and front shocks, complete tune up: plugs, points, condenser, cap, rotor and ignition wires, fan belt and all exhaust gaskets, replaced Torque Tube seals and gaskets, all new brakes, including wheel cylinders and rebuilt Master Cylinder, oil change and filter, 3-speed transmission gear oil replaced, differential gear oil replaced, new wiper blades and arms, gas tank cleaned out and gas filter replaced.”
Although there’s not a photo of the Buick’s rear end, you do get to see its original looking trunk, which looks kinda cool. Buick had a banner year in 1955 with 738,894 redesigned cars produced, 61,879 of which were Super Two-Door Sedans like this one. Would you like to own this low-mileage example? It bet it’s a fun one to drive on the highway. 10-4?
It was during the second season of Highway Patrol, one episode showed Dan Mathews at home getting ready for work. He wasn’t married but instead had a roommate, an interior decorator named Chaz. Seems Chaz was about to tell Matthews that…. oh wait, I think I may have dreamt all of that that.
Sorry.
Think that this might be a 54 Buick
These days someone named Ruth more likely as not drives a Cozy Coupe.
It looks as though this Ruth had very definite ideas of how she wanted to spend her money. A Buick, yes, rather than one of the Low-Priced Three, but a base model with no options other than the two-tone; just on the roof, though, let’s not go crazy.
LS swap, upgrade the brakes and suspension for safety purposes, and then leave it as is
uh or not.
I believe the engine would be a 322c.i nailhead. My ’54 RoadMaster had the 322. I really loved that ‘ol Buick. Prices have really gone well beyond this old mans means. Bought my ’54 in 1972 or 1973 for $50. Those days are gone forever.
The Special had a smaller engine than the Roadmaster.
My 55 Special Riviera Hard Top has a 264.
Wow! It just shows to go ya’, you never know what’s in those garages all across our country. I don’t ever remember seeing the show, but more accurately, this car was for the person who moved up from their “mailroom” Chevy, to a desk job with their own parking spot,, that almost demanded a fancier car. This Buick fit the bill. It’s not overly optioned, probably one of the least expensive Buicks, but by golly, it was a Buick, and the neighbors were mighty impressed in “Pressboard Estates”, I bet. Fantastic find, and while driving it would be a trip, I’d be worried some distracted driver make a mess out it, even though, not many modern cars would survive a tangle with this car, from a time when, big heavy steel cars were considered safer, and to a point, they were. How this car stayed like this has to be a story in itself. While this is probably the easiest stick shift to drive, I bet it’s that and not the price that’s holding back the sale.
Original paint with clear – but rivets on VIN tag are either sheered off (incorrect) as if the tag has been removed or replaced. Odd. Do your homework on body tags and serial numbers. Love the styling of this model – would be a good ride for car shows – don’t see ’55 Specials that often.
I believe to start this car one turned the key on and mashed the accelerator to the floor to engage the starter circuit. Which by the way was assembled on the carburetor linkage. Had one of these years ago and of course wish I still did.
Our 1950 Packard had that and helped coin the phrase, “Step on the starter”. It was a wonderful way to flood a hot motor,,,
Ruth, for anyone who may be interested.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/170194904/ruth-flemming
My only question is…are you Harold, or Maude?
So she was married and was in her early 50s when she bought this car . Its possible she had a family and they decided on buying a second car for Ruth to pick the kids up from school and go shopping , things like that dont rack up the mileage which may account for its condition. As for moving on up from a Chevy, its more like the husband was a Buick guy. Why buy a stripper Buick when you could have a loaded Chevy or a mid range Pontiac !
It seems that Ruth never married as the left side of the stone was blank. That’s rather sad to me and makes me wonder about her life. My wife’s mothers head stone is like that because she died and her husband got re-married after that. He is buried beside his second wife. This Buick to me seems appropriate for some like I picture her to be.
I envision round wire-rim glasses, silver-white hair in a tight bun, and a frumpy school-marm floor length dress. Like putty-tat Sylvester’s “mom” from the old WB cartoons.
No birth or death dates. I suppose you get charged by the letter/number. No frills car or burial.
My Aunt had one, nice car, manual everything but had the automatic. Was a nice car for an old (75) lady
This Buick checks all the boxes for me. I think it would be a fun driver and the more you did to it, would just be icing on the cake. I wouldn’t touch the running gear, unless I had too. If its not broke don’t try to fix it. Because of where I live, I would have to have A/C and just becauseI can, I would have to give the stance an atitude re-adjutment. Cool Car!
The Buicks that the CHP used (and the ones on the show were real CHP cars) were actually stripper Specials with the longer Century nose (with 4 portholes instead of 3) and the bigger Century 322 engine. The entire order of 270 units for the CHP that year were these factory, specially built cars.
https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2077521/1955-buick-century-broderick-crawford-special-and-lawman-growled-10-4/
Southern cars rust like this from sitting under a cover outside and not drying out. The bright work on the seats appears to be corroded from moisture. Makes me wonder how this car was stored. Perhaps in a damp basement garage. Too bad it was clear coated as the rust will continue. But hopefully the new owner will strip it and repair it properly. I wouldn’t talk about the price. That is between the buyer and seller.
One would be hard-pressed to find a new 1955 Buick with a cheaper MSRP. The 2 door Special had a MSRP of $2,233. This car has 2 options, Heater/defroster at $81, and 2-tone paint at $12. This Buick would have been for sale at a MSRP of $2,326.
The passenger door and quarter panel are a different shade than the rest of the car. Probably from a recent accident repair.
Overall nice car
Surprised no one else noticed the mismatch. Big turn off for me.
The paint on the front clip is darker than the rest, so I question the original paint claim. Would be a fun driver with the manual tranny.
I am glad to see I am not the only one who remember Highway Patrol with Broderick Crawford and his “10-4 10-4”