Nuthin’ Fancy: Cheap 1963 Buick Special Project

In many respects, I’d suggest this 1963 Buick Special is what discovering old cars is all about. OK, it doesn’t look like much at first glance, but it’s old, it’s a product from an esteemed auto builder, it has two doors, rear wheel drive, and… it’s cheap! Now, if you’ve been weaned on high-dollar muscle cars and you’re looking for something pristine, this Special won’t be too special to you. But if you dig old cars and are looking for an inexpensive project, this may be one to consider. Piqua, Ohio, is calling, and here on craigslist is where you’ll find this $1,200 compact. Thanks are due to Tony P. for this tip!

Now in its third year, Buick’s Y-body Special was responsible for 142K units in ’63, including Specials and upscale Skylarks (two-door hardtops and convertibles). As for the two-door sedan, such as our subject, it’s one of 22K to leave assembly lines in Flint, Kansas City, or Southgate, CA in ’63. OK, to state the obvious, this one’s lookin’ a bit like a moldmobile, and that’s likely due to its eight-year status as a non-runner. There are no images of the rear or passenger side, which is a concern. What can be seen shows some traces of rust, and the immediate concern should be what can’t be seen. Unfortunately, the listing is very light on details, so an inquiry would need to be made – assuming someone’s interested enough to ask.

While a “Fireball” V8 engine would be the powerplant of choice, this Buick is less special with its 135 gross HP, 198 CI V6 engine – a feature that Buick proudly proclaimed as, “It’s the only V6 in any American car, and one of the greatest engine developments in years.” Backed up by a “Dual Path Turbine Drive” automatic transmission, this Special “will need hauled” as the seller states due to its eight years of dormancy. From what can be seen, the engine room and its occupant appear to be complete.

Worn is one way to describe the interior. It’s a bare-bones environment, especially for a Buick, but this Special was a budget-friendly compact in Buick’s lineup, so its overall bearing is really no surprise. The cloth upholstery has clearly seen better days, but the included images aren’t thorough enough to develop a clearer assessment. That said, what can be seen seems like a fair enough start.

So, am I off the mark here? Is this Buick Special too much of an “Oh, whatever,” or is there some on-the-cheap project potential here that can be enjoyed?