Have you ever owned a classic and wondered what happened to it years after you let it go? Such is the story behind this 1960 Buick Show Car. It is a cool custom that disappeared around 1966, only to reappear decades later. It requires a complete restoration, but it is a rock-solid candidate begging for someone to return it to its former glory. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder JDC for spotting this amazing vehicle listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Columbus, Ohio. The seller set their price at $12,000 for this amazing discovery.
This one has an interesting backstory. The listing seems to suggest that it was created by the seller’s father, seeing regular show action before disappearing around 1966. It emerged from hiding in 2001 and was purchased by the seller in 2018. They planned to return the car to its former glory, but this hasn’t happened. What makes this car genuinely astonishing is its construction. It appears to ride on a custom steel frame, with a Pontiac rear end and mono-leaf front suspension. There’s nothing earth-shattering so far, but the body isn’t fiberglass. The builder created the panels from scratch in steel, and the compound curves and the overall fit confirm that he knew what he was doing. It wore Blue Metallic paint, and as can be seen in the period photos, it looked stunning. The panels show signs of surface corrosion, but no penetrating rust. There are no windshield or headlamps, but I suspect that the builder utilized those components from a C1 Corvette. Admittedly, this car needs a lot of work, but with the seller including considerable information and documentation in the deal, it will have a story to tell once complete.
As can be seen in this shot, the interior continued the custom theme, trimmed in pleated White vinyl. In essence, there is nothing left inside this classic, but if the seller has period interior images, recreating the look should be possible. However, this unique classic was more than a pretty face. It derived its Buick name from the 401ci “Nailhead” V8 that powered it. The car also featured a manual transmission, but the type and number of ratios are unclear. The Nailhead was a potent motor, and this car’s streamlined shape would have made it a genuinely fast car in its prime. The seller states that they retain many of this car’s original parts, although it is unclear whether the collection includes the V8. If not, locating another Nailhead shouldn’t be difficult.
In an ideal world, the seller would have restored this find, recapturing the looks and spirit of a custom vehicle created by their father. Sadly, the world isn’t ideal, meaning that the task will fall to the new owner. It could be worth the effort, because it would be undeniably unique once completed. It will take deep dedication, but doing so will recapture a slice of that era’s custom car scene. Preserving our history is vital, and the automotive world is no exception. Are you tempted to accept the challenge? We would love progress reports if you do, and I’m sure that everyone relishes the prospect of this Custom returning to its rightful place on our roads.
Wow!! This is really something else. It was stunning when it was built. I zoomed in on the photos and I’m pretty sure its the same rear tires on the car today. I really hope this gets restored to exactly how it was built. Those panels being formed by hand is an a absolute work of art, and that shade of blue looks great on it too. A tip of the hat AND a firm hardy handshake to JDC for finding this very special car. And of course to Adam too for the time and research writing this up. ( I can tell….. he wants it…. he’s just trying to explain how it mysteriously appeared in his garage. ) 🤣 Thanks Adam.
That’s my pleasure, Driveinstile. I want it, and I have the workshop space. However, I’m sure my wife has other ideas. Perhaps I should subscribe to the theory that it’s better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.
I’ll bet more than a few of us would make room in a good garage should you get it and need a place to store it over here while you work on it, Adam. That is one very cool show piece and absolutely needs preserving!
I reaaaaaly like this but unfortunately the lack of doors makes it a much younger person’s car. When I was in my 20s or 30s (or even in my 50s) I would have been all over this one. Alas, mid 70s means just drooling.
You and me both, Dave! My back and knees say, “no way, sorry”. Coming up on 66, and I’m no kid any more! (heavy, regretful sigh)
And it gets no better at 75 with a left (clutching) hip replacement … just something we have to live with (yes, heavy sigh) …
And as an elder man once confessed to me….. “All I can do now is lay down with it, pat it, and wish it well”……
Well, I’m 69 years old, and I am sure I could get in it. Now, getting out is a different story…
Yeah, Tim – getting in isn’t the problem … it’s getting out – I have to “haul” myself out … and if I’m on an incline, the door wants to shut before I can get enough of myself out before the door shuts … my wife won’t even ride in the Z any more – last time I had to literally pull her out … but I’m not giving up on it – as an old acquaintance of mine says, “It ain’t nothing but a thang” … getting out IS an achievement, but I’m gonna keep at it – the reward of wind in the hair, hearing the tone of the exhaust at 6600rpm, and the instant attitude adjustment that brings, is worth the ins and outs …
Come on Dave, I’m about the same age as you but on the other side of the world, if you had that mate you’d be youthful again and would spring over those doors like a startled Gazelle :) :)
Sad that it wasn’t kept as a garage queen. Would have got a bucket of money in original form. Nice find.
What a beauty she was and will be again
What an important piece of automotive History
The blue is just luscious
Thanks for sharing
for someone of the epstein class, this would be a real opportunity, albeit expensive. what an addition to the 20 car garage.
this is a good score. hope somebody brings it back to life. would be nice if there was some kind of paper trail with it.
Where is that black 59 Bonneville now?!!!
This would be a gorgeous car when finished but I couldn’t take my eyes off that beautiful’59 Pontiac Bonneville convertible that was pictured at that time.
Restore it with some modern underpinnings and go from there!!
Wow. I’ve never heard of this car before. Cool shape and style. GM wanted to get all the mileage it could out of the early Corvette platform. Years later it would be guarded in every way imaginable.
Just the fact that this isn’t a fiber glass body amazes me I can’t even imagine the skill and time it must of taken. It’s definitely a one of.
It seems like if someone could get it back to its original condition it may be worth a good penny. I’d love to own it but at my age even if I could afford to buy it, chances are it would end up sitting in storage again until someone else found it.
The color, the headrest, that panel in the back all mean to me it was heavily influenced by the Corvette SS.
I’m 81, but I’d like to try and get in it.
So cool!!