- Seller: Ivan H
- Location: Scappoose, Oregon
- Mileage: 999999 Shown
- Chassis #: 6D2012279
- Title Status: Missing
- Engine: 364 Cui Nailhead V8
- Transmission: Automatic
If you are a fan of the Tri-Five Chevy, but want something a bit more unique and rare, look no further than a Buick Caballero Estate Wagon. It has all the charm of a ’57 Chevy, but with its own style and a more powerful V8. One problem, though: these station wagons are hard to come by. Buick only offered the Caballero for ’57 and ’58, with just a little over 10k being built. This example is a project and a big one at that, but it looks like all the hard to find parts are present and it even comes with some spares to help with the restoration. If you’re ready to rescue this rare wagon, it’s being offered here as a BF Exclusive!
The Caballero was part of the Century line and was based on the Oldsmobile 88 Fiesta Wagon. Buick revised some of the styling to give it a unique look, with fins similar to the Bel Airs but a grille that’s all Buick. Even with all the parts sharing between GM products at the time, the Caballero stands out from its corporate siblings.
It appears someone started restoring it, but didn’t get very far. The seats and other soft bits are missing. There’s rust in the floors that will need to be fixed, but the seller has provided photos of the issues and they don’t appear to be small at this point. Finding all the parts to restore the interior correctly will take some work, but thankfully, there was a lot of parts sharing between Buick, Chevrolet, and Oldsmobile. A part’s interchange manual will be your best friend with this one. The seller notes some damage to the tailgate that will need to be repaired, but they are including a spare tailgate and rear window. Plus, they have a parts car that is included that may provide much of what this one needs.
Buick might have borrowed heavily from the GM parts bin, but the engine was their own design. The 364 cui Nailhead V8 produced a healthy 300 horsepower and was paired to Buick’s super smooth Dynaflow automatic transmission. The seller notes that the engine doesn’t run but does turn over by hand, so there’s some hope that it can be coaxed back to life. Given that a full restoration is in order, rebuilding the engine probably isn’t a huge concern, but something to consider when putting the restoration budget together
These Caballero Wagons are incredibly cool. While this one is going to be a big project, it looks like a decent starting point. And they certainly aren’t building more of them. What do you think, is this a project you’d take on? If so, make the seller an offer!
That 18/20 gauge metal body held up pretty good. Can’t say the same for all those little metal and soft parts… Go retro on the interior.
Really cool ! …….I love it ! …….
Unquestionably cool, but I have to ask…. was it underwater? stored outdoors in damp salt air? The outer roof panel looks decent, but the inner panel is very rusty and full of holes. How does that even happen?
Looks like the holes are for the roof rack ? Wish it had a title.
Title is coming.
Biggest part of the restoration on this car is finding out what is under that primer other than a bent nose. Also hope that metal wasn’t sanded and the trim didn’t get scratched. Rare car but not worth the asking price in this condition.
It should have a 4-barrel carburetor, not a 2-barrel which is on it now.
The carb is on the other car, as well as other parts. There are 2 cars that come with this sale.
It should have a 4-barrel carburetor, not a 2-barrel which is on it now.
Are there 2 Buicks? One pic shows a blue dashboard and then there’s another that is an A/C dashboard, The pic of the engine bay has no A/C components.
There are 2 Buicks. One is the Caballero and the other is a parts car for the Caballero. You could even restore both cars if you wanted.
A very rare Buick indeed, but no telling what parts the seller has–the interior is a shell needing alot of metal work. I can only hope he has the dash pad, and door cards as well as door handles, cranks or p/window hardware needed. It just looks like the seller got in over his head on this and needs to unload it. Always a tough judgement call when considering the purchase of someone else’s problems.
The headliner, door cards, dash and especially seat frames, if he doesn’t have them, not to mention rewelding floorpans and carpet, is too much work, not just money, so its a big pass for me. And that’s also not knowing if engine needs rebuilding as well. Nope and nope.
I didn’t get in over my head. It’s a straight forward job. My dad is dying. I am selling all of my cars so I can renovate part of my house to accommodate him. Family comes first.
These Buick wagons don’t come up very often. Love the 364 Nailheads lots of power for late 50s cars. Man that interior will cost a fortune to do back original. Does the other parts car have any seat frames at least? Price is definitely high given its condition. If seller had it running, maybe. This project will keep someone busy for a few years.
The interior seats shouldn’t cost any more then any other vehicle. I have looked around the web. I admit some things are expensive, but most things should be about the same as other vehicles.
Yes all the seat frames for this 4 door Buick wagon will be very costly if you don’t have them. Maybe they come in the other donor car. Who knows?
Every view at every angle is “ouch!” But, dipping into Fort Knox and restoring this Caballero to original would guarantee a trail of lookers at any event.
Kind of a neat old car but the asking price is much to high given what it will take to make something out of it.
You are getting 2 cars for that. Given the fact that finding a Caballero at all, it is on the cheap side.
very rare wagon indeed. i knew of 1 that was sitting for years about 50 miles from me. a lot of work to finish and not cheap to do but worth a bit when finished
WOW had to be a looker when it was much newer, but alas here it is. This is going to be a nightmare, or dream with unlimited resources. Nice find.
Wanted one of these badly but too much work, On to the Grand Wagoneer.
That house is in as bad of shape as the car.
That house is getting prepped to be painted, but thanks! Had to stop everything due to my dad dying. Family first.
Sorry for your loss and, and if it is any consolation l thought that the house comment was completely uncalled for no matter what the circumstances.
How can one ask for over $10K, yet have a ‘lost title’?
For that price some work needs to be done by the seller on the paperwork, beautiful and cool as this car is.
Trust, but verify.
Title is coming soon. I have never had a problem getting the title from any car i bought that was missing a title.
One quick question. How in the world does a 364 cu. in. motor from 1957 produce 300 HP with a 2 barrel carburetor?
I’m guessing it didn’t, but the parts car has the 4 barrel on it.
My first car!! Great memories…my dad bought it from my neighbor…pale yellow, 2 tone leather interior, awesome car. The neighbor used to brag (or complain) that the car had a 1 ton rear end…being a Mopar guy I’m not sure how true that is, but dad used it to pull a 20 foot Kit trailer over a mountain pass and into the hills to go hunting. Total gas hog, drank lots of premium… but at 24.9 a gallon it wasn’t that big of a deal. I remember one Friday night ‘cruise’ I went through a whole tank of gas…never left my little section of Seattle. Hated the vacuum wipers that would essentially quit going up a hill, but loved the foot starter. Miss that car…
Whoever buys it, I have all the parts you should ever need. Had several ’57 Buick’s and been collecting parts for years. I had 2 Caballeros too.
Never seen one, side view is amazing, from the front it looks like Robbie the Robot.
Monster from the ‘Blue Lagoon’ worthwhile resto !
Based on the center vent hole in the dash pad, it appears to have come with factory air conditioning. That’s a big plus, but the overall condition of the car makes this look like an overwhelming project. I’m still dealing with an unfinished restoration of a factory air conditioned ’55 DeSoto.
Yes this car came with factory a/c. The parts car that comes with this has a/c on it.
Are all Caballeros 4 drs
They are. That’s not to say that it wouldn’t be cool as hell as a 2 door.
Always thought 1955-57 Buicks were cool, but didn’t they come with a torque tube drivetrain? Pull the back axle to drop the transmission. I think Rambler was the same.
Hey, disappointed to see so many haters posting here. Please either pass or make an offer if you are interested but feel that it’s overpriced. Part of the appeal of this site is that it’s typically less toxic than other sites