The 1958 model year was not kind to the U.S. automobile industry. Due to an economic recession, about the only cars to see an increase in sales were the “new” compacts. Buick was especially hard hit, falling from a peak of 700,000 vehicles to just over 240,000 in 1958. The ’58 Buicks were laden with chrome, including the entry-level Special like the seller’s post coupe. Though it looks quite good overall, the seller only gives it credit for being in “fair” condition. Needing some work, this “special” Buick is in Portland, Oregon, and is available here on craigslist for $7,500.

Next to “Custom,” which was used by almost everybody as a nameplate back in the day, the Special had a place in the Buick lineup for several decades. Besides having chrome that was practically applied by a roller, the most noticeable features of the 1958 Buicks were the industry switch to quad headlights. And the rear fins were beginning their reach up to the skies. All Specials came with a 364 cubic inch V8, and Buick produced 11,566 2-door post coupes like this one.

We don’t know the history of this Buick, and the photos show a pretty decent car that the seller describes as a project. The Buick has an automatic transmission, which is stuck in gear (does that mean it won’t move, and you would have to drag it onto a trailer?). How much of the car is original is unknown, but we’re guessing the paint and interior have been redone, at a minimum, and the odometer is said to have turned over.

Hopefully, none of the chrome needs to be redone, as that could be one of the costlier parts of turning this into a show car, if that’s your goal. Perhaps you’re only looking for a weekender for Cars & Coffee, so maybe just fixing the transmission problem is the only thing of immediate concern. The seller says he/she is “ready to move,” so it sounds like the seller needs it to get gone soon. Kudos to “Curvette for the tip.