Sometimes a classic vehicle will land on our desks here at Barn Finds, and it is difficult to determine how to categorize it. Such is the case with this 1929 Buick Speedster. It is a custom build completed in 2015, and it presents superbly. It is by no means a family vehicle and would suit an enthusiast who isn’t keen on taking passengers along for a ride. It probably wouldn’t make a practical daily driver but would suit somebody who fancies a rapid wind in the hair motoring experience. Located in Cobbs Creek, Virginia, you will find the Buick listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set the auction to open at $20,000, but he has received no bids. For those who wish to avoid the auction scene, he also offers a BIN of $26,000.
Initially built in 2015, the owner refinished this classic Buick in its current shade of Silver in 2020. At that point, he also added the leather hood straps and aero windshield. Below the surface hides a 1929 Buick chassis, but the panel work is all custom-made. The owner goes to great lengths to emphasize that there is no fiberglass in this vehicle and that everything is handmade from steel. That makes its overall presentation and the fit and finish of its panels all the more impressive. There is no evidence of ripples or defects in the panels while the paint shines beautifully. The addition of number decals and other stickers adds to this gem’s classic race car feel, as do the exposed American Racing wheels. This is not an all-weather classic but is a summer tourer.
If you are an enthusiast who craves solitude, this Speedster could be your dream car. It is a vehicle designed to seat one person, so you don’t have to dream up any excuses for not taking unwanted passengers on any journey. Trimmed in brown vinyl, it is hard to find fault with this interior. There are a few ripples along the upholstered outer edges of the cockpit, but these are acceptable in a vehicle of this type. The large banjo-style steering wheel is in keeping with the vehicle’s character, as is the machine-turned dash. It houses a cluster of period-correct gauges, and to the driver’s right is a Lokar shifter. For a pampered enthusiast looking for power assistance or luxury items, they have come to the wrong place. This classic doesn’t even feature a radio, although, at road speed with the wind in your hair, you would be lucky to hear a radio anyway. Overall, it is designed for somebody who desires a pure driving experience.
The lack of luxury appointments and the minimalist body means this Speedster will not be a heavy vehicle. That suggests that the 1963-vintage 401ci “Nailhead” V8 under the hood should make this car go like a rocket. Depending on its specifications, it should be pumping out around 325hp, which finds its way to the Winters Quick-Change rear end via a TH400 automatic transmission. The inclusion of power steering will make for an effortless driving experience, while the four-wheel disc brakes should see this Buick stop like it hit a brick wall. The owner has fitted the Winters rear end with a 3.50 gearset, making it a practical open road cruiser. However, if the buyer seeks more brutal acceleration, swapping the gearset for something shorter is an easy and quick modification that they can complete in a home workshop. Mechanically, the Speedster does feature some practical components. These include an aluminum radiator with an electric fan to prevent an expensive meltdown in hot weather or heavy traffic. The seller describes the driving experience as nice and says this classic turns heads. Both are claims that I find easy to believe.
Owning a classic muscle or sports car comes with many advantages, including performance potential that would satisfy most enthusiasts. However, sometimes there are alternatives worth considering. That is the case with this 1929 Buick Speedster. It is a distinctly different vehicle, and the V8 under the hood should allow it to get up and going when the right pedal is pressed to the metal. It probably isn’t a vehicle that needs to be taken seriously, but one suited to a person looking for sheer motoring fun. If that sounds like you, maybe your new classic car sits right here in front of you.
Where’s the speedometer? Am I missing it?
I don’t see a speedo either. And what is that crank device coming out of the dash?
speedo to left of column? That crank device is the steering.
@ Tony Henderson:
You might be right about the speedo being to the left of the steering column. I originally thought it looked more like a tachometer, but after blowing up the picture now think it is the speedo.
The crank device I refer to is between the steering column and the set of 4 gauges to the right of the steering column.
You turn the crank. When the music stops, the clown pops up! (Or maybe a grease monkey)
Looks like a quality build but is also completely worthless. My lady is a car girl and would not be thrilled to drive this by herself or not be able to ride with me. Designs like this are why so many drivers of race cars in the ’30s through the ’50s got killed. Sorry for negative review but that’s my take on this one.
Uhhhh, can anyone here say “Rollbar?” Potential deathtrap otherwise.
to 370zzp: Roll bar? Ya know when I built the RaTT roadster I studied that issue. It’s a “bucket” type hot rod and those seldom have a roll bar. Reading about the pros and cons I learned this: A roll bar is good if you roll the car. For any other accident it can be dangerous. Smacked from the rear or the rear quarters or even from the front through whip lash, the roll bar can bash your head in even with a thin padding. Unless you are going to wear a helmet at all times or mount it so far back your head can’t collide with it a roll bar can be a hazard. So pick your poison. :-) Terry J
Saw a vintage video of a ‘pre-rollbar’ race where the car rolled with it landing on its wheels. Driver looked very dead. Sorry but w/o a functioning rollbar …
it is tight but 2 can fit and has 2 seatbelts
I’m sure it would be a blast to drive, but it would be no fun without being able to share the experience with a passenger.
Lack of a manual transmission is an even bigger letdown than the lack of a passenger seat. There were no automatic transmissions in the era that this car was built to replicate.
Seats two and has two seatbelts
Why is this site not providing contact info or ask a question? I dont know how you make an original comment? Some of their posted vehicles are no longer available. Not a site im interested in being spammed from
Well Arnold . . .
Most listings on this site are reposts from other sources. There will be a link in the first paragraph which will take you to the original source. If that doesn’t work for you, then by all means unsubscribe or block this site. No need to whine about it though…
I like it! And for 26k, almost reasonably priced!
I’d like a Buick straight eight under the hood, and a three speed & overdrive trans. Just for more of a vintage feel.
Most folks drive to work, the store, the post office – everywhere – solo. Say your daily driver is a pick-up truck with a forever empty bed, a station wagon, a sedan, a muscle car and no one bats an eye. But suggest that this light-weight, efficient machine is your daily or you got it as transportation for your significant other and you reap the whirlwind. People here are funny…
Aesthetically nice but pointless with an automatic trans. Like vinyl siding on a historic landmark house.
Ahhhh…I can imagine the seller’s thoughts as he looks at this “car” now. I’m sure it goes something like this: “What on earth was I thinking? I’ll never be able to sell this thing.”
I think the crank you are looking at is the top of the gear shift right below. The two big problems with this is the auto trans and any old racers had a second seat for the mechinic. Also they never had roll bars or seat belts. Racing later approved seat belts if they had a quick release so you could jump out in case of an accident. Usually the body behind the seat was a little higher and braced and you would wear a helmet.
It seats 2 and has 2 seatbelts
Nicely done, however…. Respectfully, with all the effort to create a “period” car, abstracting its powertrain and wheels is a take away. Perhaps a set of period wire wheels, and powertrain, appropriately juiced with period speed parts would have been a better example and more interesting. In so doing, $26K would appear more attractive in the opinion of this writer.
I just took a look at pictures on Ebay, now I see the crank. That crank could be to adjust the rearview mirror
Seems like a great price, very cool.
Not really an attempt to recreate a “period” car, more like a restomod. The crank is intriguing, but with no photos of the engine compartment, not easy to identify.
As a retired safety guy I would add a nice sturdy roll bar and 4 point belt even though this will likely just be driven for parade scenarios. If I could tear down my neighbor’s house and put in garages it might be a consideration since it is unique.
I believe that it is not a crank but a turn signal lever.
Nice to see the article on the car, it is a modern take on an Indy style big speedster. Its meant to be fun not taken too seriously but it is seriously quick. It was built to be useable and a comfortable (relatively) highway driver. Hence the wider wheels and tires. The crank is brake bias to adjust brake feel and there are two seatbelts for cosy side by side drives. Really just used for fun spring summer and autumn drives. Thanks for your comments good to know that most people enjoy it, but I already knew that by the comments and thumbs up I get on the road.
I messaged the owner, and here is what he said about the crank lever:
brake bias, it also seats two and there are two seatbelts
Ok, I will ask the stupid question: if he didn’t receive a bid at $20k, why is he boosting the price to $26k. Excuse me, but I’m one of those country boys, and we only swap Moonshine, and our strategy, when trading, works a little different when no one buys our product.
No questions are stupid, just some people do not understand how ebay and car selling in general works and that’s ok. A seller can sell his property at whatever price he wants to. It sometimes takes multiple listings to get seen by the people who wish to purchase the item. Enjoy the shine
Thinking back to my amateurish racing career in the mid 1970s, involving budget dirt track racing in central Germany, we had fashioned a brake bias tool to partially close off the back brakes when going into a turn. Our ball valve simply closed off access to the back brake hydraulics as the valve was moved to restrict flow as needed.
I suspect this lever is attached to a similar valve, but in this case having the ability to move the lever on the outside of the lever’s outer radius allows for a more refined percentage movement of the valve in a fast-paced situation. IE — trying to control the small lever I had while in a race was difficult to regulate, while the swing arc of the handle in this car might allow for finer control during a tight race.
Thank you Bill , excellent explanation.
The workmanship looked very good, I roll loop maybe but with that said this car is not a realistic every day driver nor was it ever imagined to be this is its own little adventure every time you get in it and fire the engine. It beautiful in its own different very original FUN way! If someone drops 50k on this car all I have to say to them is congratulations it looks like a ton of fun enjoy! We are still allowed to have pure enjoyment and fun in our lives!
Looks like a load of fun and cool
The comments about safety and roll bars are interesting to me. I have driven this car at speed and have felt safer in it than on my motorcycle that also has no roll bar and two fewer wheels.
Do you live in Cobbs Creek, Virginia, perhaps?
No I’m from Maine and drove this car when the previous owner had it. It’s a wild ride
Ahh, good.
I took your original post to be from the seller. Glad I was wrong and glad you enjoyed the drive.
Wheels are “wrong” …
Yeah I have skinny wire wheels for it but these wheels work for the road use. It’s not a jittery as cars like this with skinny wheels. This car can be driven for miles safely and comfortably without much effort. Of course if anyone who purchases it wants to change the wheels it’s an easy thing to do. This set up has worked well for me. Thanks for your valuable insight though.
Wheels are wrong, transmission is wrong, engine is wrong, seating is wrong, no roll bar ……etc. LOL. Yup not 1929 but wire wheels are usually narrow, can be a pain and aren’t well suited for radial tires. Automatic? I started building my RaTT with a period drive train, tranny, brakes and all, but soon concluded that I’m too dang old and my knees are too shot for crude manual systems. To each his own, but short of occasional rides with grand kids, 99% of the time I’m solo in my car. Mrs. thinks it’s rough, noisy, cold & windy. It is. I like it that way.
This is a truly MAGNIFICENT car and the builder is an engineer and an artist. Whoever buys it will drive around with his nose in the air, his shoulders back, and a smile on his face. I would. I do actually. :-) Terry J
hahahaha don’t be too hard on them, most of the comments are probably from the new generation of health and safety snowflake generation. If only they knew how much fun life used to be!!