Well, it’s old and I suppose it’s special, but a 1955 Buick Special four-door sedan isn’t exactly what springs to mind when I hear the term “rat rod” bandied about. Regardless, that’s one suggestion emanating from the seller of this two-tone sedan. I suppose it’s a direction worth considering, so let’s give it a review and make a determination. Millersville, Pennsylvania, is where you’ll find this Special-in-waiting, and it’s available here on craigslist for $1,000. Curvette gets a thumbs-up for this tip!
At one time, it seems like ’55 Buicks were everywhere, and that’s probably because it was the number three best-selling car in America in ’55 – 738K copies to be exact. As for the Special, it was the entry-level Buick, available in two-door sedan, hardtop, and convertible, along with a four-door sedan such as our subject. The total Special count reached 381K units, with four-door sedans comprising 84K of that total. Other ’55 Buicks included the Century, Super, and top drawer Roadmaster.
The seller tells us, “I bought it a few years ago as a restoration project, but ended up getting a different car and don’t have time for it anymore… The frame is solid, and it has all its glass.” The body, other than the obvious surface rust, looks solid – no rot-through is identified, but I’d be curious about the underside (and there’s no included image of the passenger side). The seller states that the frame is solid, but the floors aren’t, so that’s an indication that all may not be well in the structural department – especially when parked outside in the crubbage. The stainless trim looks like it’s all where it belongs, but if a rat rod was your goal, all of that would likely be removed – it depends on what you would want to do with this sedan.
The listing mentions that the 188 gross HP, 264 CI V8 engine, “Still turns over by hand, but I never had it running since I’ve had it.” I guess not, as it appears to be missing a bunch of parts (that are probably in the overloaded trunk). Then again, would one use a 264 CI V8 in a rat rod? Probably not. As is often found in Buicks of this era is a Dynaflow automatic transmission.
There’s not much info. on the interior, as it’s barely photographed. What can be noted is the rusted-through floor, totally trashed seating upholstery, and collapsing door panels. Again, does any of this matter if you’re going to take this Buick in a radically different direction?
I think the idea of a rat rod is just a throwaway suggestion. Let’s face it, the seller only wants $1,000 for this Special, which is probably twice its scrap value. A rat rod? I don’t see it; this car seems all wrong for that endeavor. OK then, how about a full restore? To a bottom-level four-door sedan? And not a rare one either – that doesn’t line up. I’m at a loss; I wouldn’t know what to do with this ’55 Buick. What’s your suggestion?
I’m with the author, this is not a clear definition of what a rat rod is or could be. I suppose to some, a rat rod could be any forlorn car in the weeds, but tis’ no rat rod. Rat rods generally don’t follow any specific make, a hodge podge of many things, including wash machines, but not this. If ambition ( and our budgets) hadn’t gone the way of the rotary dial phone, I could see a resto- mod, meaning, ( perhaps that’s what they meant) keep the body and update with modern mechanicals, but I just don’t see that happening today. I all but guarantee, nobody today cares about what a fantastic car this was, just its corny 50s charm, and needs more power ports,,,sadly, I think these types of cars will continue to be overlooked.
Maybe ought to leave this one for the rats.
Yes. Considering the asking prices for much nicer turn key 1950’s and early-1960’s 4 doors featured on this site, there really isn’t much reason to buy this car. The one caveat is it’s someone’s dream car, even then, they’d be wise to factor in what a nicer example would cost.
Steve R
Nice writeup. Thanks for having the location and the price.
Agree!!!
Looks like one of those folks that has several projects laying around that he probably isn’t ever going to get to.
On this one Steve, I disagree. The asking price alone can justify the purchase, if not only to part the car out, if necessary. True, Like the muscle car gendre, you can find turn key candidates, readily available, if you have thousands of dollars available, to lay down. What you are seeing now in most gendres is the very last vestige of a by gone Era, that most people can afford, and in this condition, looks like matching numbers, is where the gold resides. Don’t write it off just yet. Take care.
For $1,000? Why not? If it was in my neck of the woods, I’d buy for lawn art at a minimum. What’s not to like. I’m amazed that the rockers and quarters look clean.
Ian Roussel turned the Olds version of this body from a 4 door to a 2 door for a customer. He did a great job, but my question was always ‘why?’. I think that the customer’s name was Bill, and Ian did a big truck for him as well as a Jeep that went to Bill’s grandson.
1955 Buicks were very nice cars in their day, but that was a long time ago. My first car that I worked, saved and bought was a 55 Buick Super. I was 16 and that was in 1964. I was a great car, ran so quiet that when it was in for an oil change you couldn’t hear it run. Another customer took notice and offered to trade his 58 Chevy straight across. I liked the car to much and turned down his offer. What to do with this Special? I think it’s to good to be a parts car, but not good enough to restore. If a person was so inclined they might put it back together with existing parts and make it run and stop and just use it for weekend project.
God Bless America
I had a 55 Special like this back in the late 70’s before I got married. I had several cars that I sold before then. That was part of the hoard. My Special sedan ran fairly well, may have been a 3- condition, while this one might be a 5. Yes, for $1000 why not try to get it running and driving. Then, if nothing else it’s just parts.