The owner of this 1953 Buick Special describes it as a great survivor. When you look at its overall condition, it would seem that this is a fair description. The next owner might choose to treat the vehicle to some restoration work, although it is ready to be driven and enjoyed as it currently stands. The Buick is located in Lake City, Pennsylvania, and has been listed for sale here on Barn Finds classifieds. All you need to do is hand the owner $8,000, and you could drive this beauty home.
The owner originally purchased the Buick in Texas, where it was found in storage. The vehicle hadn’t moved in 36-years, but it has now been returned to a roadworthy state. A life spent in a drier climate has its benefits because, as you can see, there is little more than a coating of surface corrosion on the vehicle’s underside. The panels are free from any rust issues, and appear to be extremely straight. At some point in the past, the Special has been treated to a repaint in Verde Green. It looks great in the photos, but the owner does admit that it is at its best from about 15-feet away. A perfectionist might consider another repaint at some point in the future, but I can’t see any real reason why it couldn’t be enjoyed as-is. Examining the vehicle further, the trim and chrome appear to be in impressive condition for an essentially unrestored survivor, while there are no obvious problems with the glass.
Lifting the hood of the Buick reveals a 263ci straight-eight engine, which is backed by a 3-speed manual transmission. The “Fireball” Eight found its way into the Special from the 1951 model year, and with 125hp at its disposal, it made the Buick quite a sprightly performer. A ¼ mile ET of 20.3 seconds might not sound that impressive, but for a 3,675lb vehicle that was capable of seating six people, that was in no way shabby in 1953. Even today, this is a car that should be capable of holding its own in city traffic and should cruise along quite happily on the open road. After 36-years in hibernation, the Buick did require some work to return it to a roadworthy state. The owner states that there have been many new parts fitted to the vehicle, and I can definitely spot a shiny new exhaust. He also says that it drives as it should and that he would take it anywhere. It sounds like this would be a great classic for tackling a relaxing extended road trip.
After sitting for more than three decades, you might expect that the Buick’s interior would require plenty of work to return it to a decent state. However, it is quite serviceable, and there are no issues that would require immediate attention. The upholstery on the seats looks quite good, while the headliner appears to be free from rips and tears. There is a small tear in the rear trim, but I suspect that a competent upholsterer could address this with a blind patch. The reality with survivors of this age is that you will almost always find issues that require attention. This Buick is no exception to that rule, but if the next owner wanted to use the car as it stands to preserve its status as a survivor, that is definitely feasible.
The next owner of this 1953 Buick Special will be faced with a choice. There is little doubt that it would make a great foundation for a restoration project, and this would appear to be a straightforward process. For me, this is a car that is loaded with character, and it could be driven and enjoyed as it currently stands for many years to come. If I were to purchase it, I would probably address the upholstery tear that I have mentioned, and then get out on the road and enjoy this classic. Regardless of which option the next owner chooses, it is a car that is guaranteed to attract plenty of attention wherever it goes.
I know that Buick came out with the V8 in 1953 but I didn’t realise that they carried on with the straight 8 after 1952. I still learn something new every day.
In ’53 the V8 went into the large body cars (Skylark, Super and Roadmaster), straight 8 only in the smaller Special. By ’54 the V8 is used in all.
Thanks for the update Mayor.
What a nice old car, and another one that I think is priced fairly. I don’t believe the seat upholstery is original, but I might be wrong. Either way, it presents well. Good luck to the seller and buyer!
60 years ago, my parents’ only car was a 52 4 door sedan. Dad spent too many nights replacing clutches and/or transmissions but seeing this car brought back a ton of memories from when I was five years old.
My Dad had a ’53.Bought it new.It was originally
light blue,but he later had it painted Volkswagen orange,
with long air horns on each side of the hood.
We have pictures from when we drove it to Arizona,
with no A/C.
What an american beauty! The best of luck to the buyer and congrats to the present owner.
Had a 51 in High School, then a 55 in 84. Great to take to drive_ins
Dad had one back in the ’80’s. The roof had rust around the antennae placed center above the windshield. fixed that and painted the top white, a little cooler in summer, lol.
Knee shocks needed rebuilt, expensive even back then. He sold it on for a father/son project.
I think the upholstery is original, stainless trim looks good, chrome seems serviceable, overall fair deal for someone. and the motor is forced oil/w shells too!
Happy fourth to every one!
That was my 1st old car i bought when i moved to east TN 23 years ago.She was a good running car.Bruce.
My uncle bought a 2 door hardtop in 53. He had it till 62. He wanted to give it to me but dad said no. The following year I bought a 53 Studebaker coupe. The Buick drove a lot better but I did not think it looked as good as the Studebaker. I still drive Studebaker today.
The side chrome on this Buick was used in many custom 49-51 Mercurys. Nice to see it where it belongs. This car is really nice as-is. I wouldn’t change a thing. Perfection ain’t all it’s cracked up to be.
If only it was closer to ca.
And you can drive these at 70-75 mph on the interstates, especially with the overdrive unit, but you might want to put radial tires on it if you are going to do this. Next door neighbor had a ’52 with this engine, silent, vibration free, and great on the “turnpikes” of 1957, where 70 was the reigning speed. (Now close to 80 – amazing what the least expensive cars will do now!)
It IS amazing what the least expensive cars can do now. On the other hand, this car can still do it 67 years later!
What a beauty. And it’s only an hour & a half north, of me, off Lake Erie.
Waddaya think it would cost, to convert this to an automatic?
Be kind….. I’m 76 & my stick shift days are far behind me. My total left knee replacement, doesn’t need any more stress. Although, it feels great.
Really great car!!! If I had the cash on hand and new the outcome of the other auction I would get this car!!
This is exactly like the car that my older brother bought when he was in the Army. I believe it was in 1959 or ’60. I remember it well. It was the first car I drove with a manual transmission. It served him well. If memory serves, he made at least 3 trips across the U.S. and sold it to a cousin when he was transferred to Germany. I lost track of it after that, but one one thing that I remember about it: except for replacing a clutch, it was trouble-free. I also remember that it wasn’t easy to drive with no power steering and a not-very-forgiving clutch, ( there’s that word again)which was a bit of a problem driving on the hills around Pittsburgh.
I live an hour north of Pittsburgh. I drove chartered motor coach, in Pittsburgh. Glad when the coaches switched to automatics.