Nothing says “High School” more than a car wearing a boatload of stick-on accessories, stripes, hood scoops, and stickers. If you trust your young driver with a 5000 lb ’50s hot-rod, or wish to relive your Glory Days, this may be the ride for you. This solid-looking 1954 Buick Special here on Charlotte, North Carolina craigslist features a later 350 V8 and a nicely updated interior courtesy of an un-named donor car. Far less automobile has been offered for far more money than this Buick’s $7100 asking price. Thanks to reader Ian C. for spotting this modified Special.
Each $1000 of your $7100 buys about one word in the listing, but two of those words are “runs” and “drives.” This first-year Buick body strikes stylish lines similar to the iconic Tri-Five Chevrolets. The reverse rake is not the ideal stance, but the Cragar S/S wheels and traction bars go along with the go-fast stickers to set the Way-Back Dial to the ’70s or early ’80s.
You might consider this car “done” and enjoy it as it sits. The right door and a few other places show some structural rust, and you’d have to inspect the undercarriage and double-check safety items like brakes and fuel lines, but why not drive it? With no evidence of power steering and this $20 K-Mart steering wheel, the new owner may need Popeye forearms to negotiate a set of “S” curves.
While the listing’s engine details end at “350,” it looks like a ubiquitous small-block Chevrolet. Lacking other knowledge I would consider it a smog-restricted mid-’70s version making no more than 180 HP. Personally I’d prefer the original 150 HP Nailhead” V8. Spark plug cable routing might compete with discarding the ridiculous aero hood-scoop as a project to be completed before the ink dries on the title, unless you believe the smell of burning rubber should come from the engine compartment instead of the wheel wells. What’s your top dollar for this Southern-friend Special?
As a purist this car does nothing for me.
The price does even less for a junkyard special.
I would want the car with a Buick nailhead and a standard tranny. I had a 54 Century, and I liked the torque the Buick engines develop.
I think the asking price is a little high, but that could probably be worked out.
Bob
No thanks. The fuel cell isn’t even bolted in.
It has all of the earmarks of a car that was pieced together by someone who bought whatever they found for cheap at the swapmeet. It doesn’t even have enough charm to be considered funny.
Steve R
Even the dog is giving his opinion.
If you bought this you’de have been “done” up like a kipper
Love it !! But I l would have to remove the drag car scoop an drop in a straight axle
Great idea, but good luck finding a replacement hood, so you’re talking welding the hole up and making it match.
There is no picture showing if there is a hole cut in the hood under the scoop. They may have gone full poseur and just bolted the scoop on, after all, they couldn’t even be bothered to bolt in the fuel cell.
Steve R
Not to worry about the fuel cell, it is not hooked up in any way. Just sitting there. Wouldn’t be a good idea to bolt it to that floor anyway, it doesn’t look much more solid than cardboard.
I’m wondering what “runs and drives” means, when the fuel system isn’t connected? Maybe pulling from a jug strapped to the front fender? Maybe that’s what’s hiding up in that big fake scoop…. A gravity-flow fuel container!
I have a one word description for this car. UGLY
Stick on scoup needs to get tossed prior
to loading on the truck …yuck
Mild mods like interior and engine and the right wheels to fit tasteful only.
This must of been driven to a HS of the impaired 🤡😫
I was surprised when you mentioned the original nail head only had 150 horsepower. But, you were right, 143 for the manual and 150 for the Dynaflow. The numbers got higher for the larger 322.
Just in time for my 50th reunion. One of my classmates used a modified oil pan for a scoop, thus inventing the first pro stock scoop in 1964. Too bad he’s gone. Really kool guy.
Just the car to up-stage my uppity rich classmates and their 150K cars that are maintained by their indentured servants.
NO! Just NO!
One weekend of disassembly and then start over..could be cool eventually…gotta have a nailhead. $2500
Ditch the scoop, drop a 425 Nailhead with six-deuces on a log manifold (contact me on how to set the unit up), add a manual trans and an open driveshaft rear end with some useable cogs, and you might have the basis for a fun street/strip toy.
AAAAARRRGGGG!!! My EYES. the Pain, THE PAIN.
I had a 53 Buick with the straight 8 in I loved it, but I think the 54 were just plain ugly, just sayin.Bruce.
I agree with the straight axle. Budget minded hot rod. Looks are an acquired taste. big thing I see going for it is its DIFFERENT!! Hope somebody runs with it, Nothing on there that cant be fixed or finished.
Good luck to the new owner. I see a lot of beauty there!!!
If you’re gonna go around armed with a hood scoop like that it better have more bones to back it up.
Really just another fun type of car based on something different than the usual ’55-’57 Chevy’s we never get tired of seeing. Appears more like a street rod from the ’70’s early eighties than anything from the fifties.
Maybe a built 455 would do this Buick more justice, and replace the new interior with something that’s got more attitude. Those seats look out of place here.
Just don’t look good with the scoop on it! That should definitely go! I would never trust a kid any kid driving with their view obstructed! Just my personal thoughts tho!
I am a Buick guy but this one takes the cake .
I lived in Charlotte from 73 to 2004, I ran up and down those roads and I do not recall ever seeing this heap. As I probably would have tried to race him in whatever I was driving. Then again he could have been a regular at the amature drag strip up Hwy 16 just north of Charlotte. Probably had to trailer it up there cause the cops would have been all over him in that ride much after 1980. LOL. Probably still some fun to be had in that car if you can get it safe enough to drive around.
CLASSIC ghetto cruiser.