Sometimes we see some sad sights here on Barn Finds. Sad to the level of the Humane Society commercials you see on late-night TV. One of the saddest occurrences is when we run across a spectacular car for sale that has been stored in hopes that the time and funds would allow for a full restoration. This 1953 Buick Super convertible for sale on eBay in Charleston, South Carolina seems to have been stored under a cover waiting for a chance to shine again. The good news is that it appears help will come just in time for this red beauty. Bidding is currently at $6,900 with 16 bids so far. Can this car be restored and given a second chance?
The sad story on this Buick is an all too familiar one. The seller seems to have spent a long time collecting parts for a big restoration of this spectacular red Buick. Parts were purchased and stacked up. Some of those were rare new old stock chrome pieces, bumpers, a grille, and various other necessities. As time went on and parts stacked up, the seller began to realize that this project would never get off the ground. At 82, the decision has been made to move on and sell this spectacular convertible. You have to feel for the seller, for this is the kind of car one would and should sacrifice for. A 1953 Buick is a wonderful automobile.
In Buick’s hierarchy in 1953, there were three trim levels. The Special was on the lower end, the Super was in the middle, and the Roadmaster was the high-end model. Buick also had a tradition of mixing around bodies, chassis, and engines to get their desired sales price. 1953 brought a new V-8 engine for Buick to replace the silky smooth but dated inline eight-cylinder engine. This engine was found only on the Super and the Roadmaster, with the Super sharing the same 121-inch wheelbase but using an older engine. Another difference was that the Super boasted three “VentiPorts in each front fender. The more expensive Roadmaster was equipped with four of them. The combination of VentiPorts and a cross-hair hood ornament was meant to make the Buick driver feel as if they were piloting a fighter plane. This was even though piston engine fighters were on the way out at this time.
Buick also offered air conditioning for the first time in 1953. Full, one-piece hubcaps also made their appearance that year without extra charge. If you purchased a Super convertible, you were treated to power windows, power seats, and a power top as standard equipment. Customers were additionally given a DynaFlow automatic transmission to help the driver smoothly cruise on down the road. While the big news for Buick was the limited production Skylark convertible to celebrate 50 years in business, the Super convertible certainly was a desirable, and much more inexpensive, car as well.
Despite the general wear and tear on this car, it looks to be very restorable. One must take into account the slower, more insidious damage done by Charleston’s humid climate. This car is likely is to the point a simple clean-up may not suffice due to the effects of that oppressive coastal moisture. The ad shows numerous pictures of boxes that are filled with the parts the seller has collected. Perhaps a thorough inventory of those parts would be a helpful starting point for the eventual buyer. A lot of the expenses may already be handled. Bigger chrome pieces such as the previously mentioned NOS bumpers and grille would save thousands in re-chroming expenses alone.
The car is said to run and drive, but the no brakes part might make the test drive a bit exciting. It has been treated to a new battery and the hydraulic lines all appear to be good at first glance. There is a leak coming from the transmission, but it should be an easy fix once removed. Chances are the new owner would have it rebuilt regardless. As for the rest of the bits and pieces, all we are told is that the top is ratty, but it looks like all of the bows, framework, and power mechanism is still there. All told, this could be a fantastic buy for someone who has the time and mechanical aptitude to restore this very beautiful car. Or, depending on the scruples of the buyer, this could end up being in hundreds of pieces on eBay next month. The lure of a lot of NOS parts is strong with some of the more unsavory who swim amongst us. Hopefully, this car will get a second chance on life and the seller gets to see it go to a good home. What would you do with this drop-top Buick? Let us know in the comments.
Well, as far as “sad to the level of humane society ads”, not being a pet advocate, NOTHING is more sad than those sick children ads, gol dang, the heck with the pets, sorry, I’ve been in those parents shoes, you can get another dog,,anyway,,the “ACB” ( air cleaner bandit) strikes agin,,where have all the air cleaners gone? While the story is sad and familiar, get used to it, and this car has a lot going for it. Price right, red ragtop, easily fixed, automatic and most important, it’s a Buick. Few will remember a Hudson, Packard or Kaiser, but a Buick,,now yer talkin’. I see no trouble selling this car. My only hope and the old guys too,( I assume it’s a guy) it goes to someone that will enjoy it, not flip it. Great find.
You mean you deigned not to send $20 a month to feed all those starving kids in Africa?
I always wonder why the guy with the camera can’t feed them. I mean, he’s right there…
Or how about the 90 yr old holocaust survivor lady that lives in the woods somewhere in Israel? Anyhow there’s a lot to like about this Buick, but it’s gonna take a lot of time and money to bring it back to life.
I come from a 65 year upbringing in Africa and very few of those starving/blind/deaf/crippled kids see any of that money in any shape or form as most of it goes to the people that run the charity. After they have scooped off as much as they can in salary there isn’t much left for those that need the help’
If you choose to donate to these charities it is not difficult to vet them. One of the enjoyable tasks at my last employer was participating on the company’s donations, giving away other people’s money. I vetted potential recipients that our colleagues suggested, looking at salaries, admin costs, etc: where the money went. I continue to see adverts from “charities” with high admin or other expenses, including salaries.
Or the lady who fell and couldn’t get up………
Yeah, the old Santa looking guy asking for money for poor little Maria. Well, poor little Maria is now a mother of 4-5 more poor little Marias and probably a grandmother of a dozen more. Ol’ Santa is still living large as the administrator of his non-profit.
Did they send you that adorable blanket?
And, people will always remember Hudson. Thanks to Hollywood.
O.K. Jeff you got me confused. The Super and Roadmaster got the same 121″ wheelbase and the new V-8, and the special was shorter and had the old straight 8 or am I still mixed up? Are the power windows seats and top hydraulic on this? if so new owner would be wise to replace all of those lines. A friends father had a ’53 Cadillac conv., one of the window lines blew out, never could get the smell out of the car. Looks like quite a project but one thing for sure you won’t see yourself coming the other way.
The Special had the shorter wheelbase and was the only Buick to still use the straight 8, that year.
I can’t seem to find it, but, was there not a Century in ’53?
My mom had identical car. It was her first car. She told me double red. But she was going to paint it white. She sold it up in Montreal
The 1953 Supers, Roadmasters and the Skylark all used the 322 “nailhead” V8. The Special had the 263 Straight Eight, with the HP upped to 130.
All of the models used the same 121.5″ wheelbase chassis, except for the Super and Roadmaster Riviera sedans, which used a 125.5″ wheelbase.
The power top and windows were hydraulic.
Cool car. I’d love to own this tank. Gonna need a lot of $ though but I think the reward will outweigh the risk in the end if she’s solid underneath.I’d get it stopping and the usual to get it safe and dependable new tires and do everything else little by little.glwts.
Dang! I’m only 45 minutes from the seller and would love to restore this car, but ya killed me when you said the seller was 82 and needed to sell it. If I bought it, and restored it, I would be on the 100 side of 82, so ….. I guess I will have to pass. Dang!
I always liked this model, and I hope someone who truly appreciates it fixes it up some and enjoys driving it.
As far as dogs are concerned, I’ve owned dogs for 60 years, the last 3 were rescues (Great Danes) and the last one was 14 before we had to put her down. I miss those dogs. I also have 2 daughters and they are also dog lovers. I’ll adopt a dog, but I don’t send money to those “charities”
I bought a 1954 super 2 dr. Hard top. It was a 40 year barn find last year. Motor was fast took apart got running good . then trans didn’t work took a part planetary gears were broke.I replaced planetary -clutchs – bands
Labor of love.drive it alot.
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Beautiful Buick……Always loved all the chrome on the dash. As for Howard, I think we need to take him to a dog park & do lunch….at our expense of course y’all.
According to the paint code this was originally White with a red interior. Nicer looking in Red but probably hurts value being repainted a different color??
I would likevto Restore it to Pristine Condition .My Father has been A Buick Man since I was a Boy .Grandfather .In Memory of My Father I would Restore and Then someday Drive to VA Cemetary Visit his Grave .As I do often .Out of Respect to Seller fulfill his Dream also …Regards Eric J Sais
“Robert L Roberge
Jun 1, 2023 at 10:44am
I can’t seem to find it, but, was there not a Century in ’53?”
No Centurys were built in 1953 model year. Centurys came back in 1954.
Removed my comment,,,BOOOOOO!
Would love to have it but, already got a 53 Special hardtop project started.
Interesting that a quick search shows that this same car was in fact already on Barn Finds 11/6/2021 where it was listed on EBay. All that appears to have changed are wheel covers that have been added.