When Buick reintroduced and updated its Century line-up for a second generation starting in 1954, the company used its lighter-weight Special body but kept engine sizes up, leading to the nickname “banker’s hot rod”. Buick’s flirtation with wagons began in 1940, but certain of these lapsed now and again depending on whether the platform was a Super or a Special. In 1957, Buick introduced two premium wagons; the “Century” version, in a luxury configuration with lots of optional accessories, was called the Caballero. Buick highlighted the Caballero’s comfort for up to eight passengers while the cargo area could stretch to eight feet – a “double duty beauty“. Only 10,186 were made over two years. Its elaborate hardtop roof line, exuberant trim, and definitive fins make for a stand-out appearance, even when we’re viewing a ratty project such as this 1957 Buick Caballero listed here on eBay. Bidding has reached $7000, reserve not met. The new owner will need a trailer to haul her home from Eden, Utah.
The 83-year-old seller is upfront about his car’s foibles. He says that the engine will run on an external gas can, and he’s added transmission fluid to the gearbox reservoir and found that it will shift into drive and reverse. This is a 364 CID OHV V8 good for 300 hp, backed by Buick’s two-speed DynaFlow automatic transmission (though leaky if not used regularly, the DynaFlow is tough as nails: I once ran one nearly out of fluid and she kept on tickin’). There’s a radiator fan in the cargo area, and the seller notes that the brakes need attention.
The interior has been damaged by long storage and little attention. The seller indicates that when the car was field-parked years ago, kids threw rocks at its windshield and doors, shattering the glass. Argh. The seller did locate a windshield but it’s unclear if that piece is included in the sale. He does have a selection of NOS parts that do go with the car. The floor pan near the spare tire is rusted through and will need repair. Other than that, most of the car’s rust is minor.
The famous “VentiPorts” are still in place – four for the swankiest Buicks, three for the proletariat models. The seller notes that all the sheet metal fits well: the doors, hood, and hatch close properly. The photos leave much to be desired, as we can’t see the underside, nor even one shot of the entire car. But this Caballero does seem unmolested and in restoration-ready condition. The occasional Caballero will break six figures, but driver-quality cars can be had for much less. With the cost of restoration surging lately, I’d be hesitant to pay much more than the current quote; what do you think?
Nice write-up Michelle, as usual. Now, is that bar across the back seat some early type of passenger restraint, like some carnival ride of the era? It’s amazing any of us boomers survived.
@ Rex: you asked , “Now, is that bar across the back seat some early type of passenger restraint, like some carnival ride of the era?”
It is not, it levels the rear seat bottom when it is folded down to make a flat loading area for the trips to the lumberyard or the drive-in …
Clearly you can’t sit in the rear seat like that. Was it removed and stored when the rear seat was in use?
Kim, looks like the bar would normally be flipped around to stow under the back seat bottom.
While 57 Buick styling was definitely good, this one looks Like a Caballero has ridden it long and hard! 😮 Guess I’ll cut it off at the Pass! 😉
Well written as usual, Michelle. This is truly a classic IMO not only because of the few made but also as a representative of the genre in upscale station wagons of the time.
These draw a crowd of the knowledgeable car aficionado everywhere they’re seen.
Hopefully the new owner rebuilds it to originality.
Used to see one of the actors on the Rescue 8 TV show driving one of these. It was a sharp car then and this one could be that again with patience and a lot of time and cash.
But before you come at me with torches and pitchforks, if anything else, this old gal would make a very
cool restorod. Just drop in, say a 400
or 455 big block Buick, a T400 tranny
and a 12 bolt posi rear from a Buick
wagon and you’ll have a great old car
you can drive every day. Just my thoughts on it though. And Rex, you’re right. It’s a wonder we boomers did survive all that dangerous stuff we played with, things we ate, and things we did. Ya
know what, I’d do ’em all again too.
Kids today have no idea of what a good time is.
I had a ’57 Special 2dr post, and in 1973, a buddy and I were traveling down a bumpy 2 lane road. I went to pass him, in his new ’73 Mustang, and my thoughts were, this not the place to race. I put my foot flat on the floor and left him setting like he was going in reverse! I didn’t know I had 300 horses at my beck and call. He wondered what I had in my old Buick. I do know that thing would fly! If I were younger and in good health, I would love to get another ’57 Buick. IMHO, they were the best looking cars of the ’50’s. This car would be a great car to restore. Forget about restoroding. So few built, originals are very hard to come by. The cost to upgrade to a new power plant, transmission, and rear end is money wasted on a car with an enclosed drive shaft.
These are very special cars but also very expensive. Expensive to buy in any condition from pristine to project. This would be a difficult restoration and the cost could be higher than its worth, and it is a given, it could be worth a lot.
Wow! My first car! Mine was pale yellow, purchased by my dad from my neighbor who worked for the railroad and was a die-hard Buick guy. I remember ‘Harry’ saying it had a 1 ton rear end (?), before my dad gave it to me it was our camping trailer puller for several years, and always did so admirably. I always thought the foot starter was cool; I’d sit there in the parking lot with my hands folded behind my head and start it…and watch kids stare. Hated the vacuum wipers…lots of hills in Seattle, and they would practically come to a stop, always at the worst time. Got about 10mpg doing the Friday night cruise thing, and it required Premium! Of course, at 26 cents per gallon…
Six decades ago when I was a lad, with 3 brothers, our parents drove us in one of these accross the country from Albuquerque to New York City – Rockaway precisely. We were on our way to France with the army. Ours was pale yellow over gray, if I remember right. We had it shipped to France, my dad expecting some young GI wrencher to be able to work on it when necessary. No such could be found, so they sold it, and bought a new abandoned Rambler 660 wagon off the pier in Belgium. They drove us all over Europe in that Rambler.
Beautiful Buick! But for the fact that the price of entry feels a tad high for the work that remains + my wife has laid down the law on wagons (she is under the impression they are an even bigger money pit than my other projects… boy do I have bad news for her), I’d take a chance on this old girl. Why have a deep garage if you are not going to stuff it with boatmobiles?!
Find a 55’ Caballero finished and enjoy
Wonder it would cost to bring back its beauty???
Thinking about the cost it may be less than some nice ones on the market?????