The Buick Century was Buick’s upscale performance model, and it has appeared and disappeared three times during the make’s history. This example hails from the second appearance of the Century, which was manufactured between 1954 and 1958. This example is a stunning looking car, and the new owner is going to possess a nicely restored vehicle. You will find this Century listed for sale here on eBay. It is located in Laredo, Texas, and is being offered for sale with a clear title. At the time of writing, bidding has reached $5,100, but the reserve has not been met.
This Buick has all of the hallmarks of a car that is loved and pampered. The seller appears to have owned it for about 25 years and has really looked after it. In 2000 the car underwent a full restoration, and since then it has been kept in a climate controlled garage. The seller states that the car has a couple of dents, but these are so minor that they would probably only be noticeable to a perfectionist. The thing that I love about cars of this era isn’t the fins or the wrap-around glass. It’s the chrome trim. I look at some of the chrome trim from cars of this era and I think that it belongs in a museum of modern art. It isn’t just a case of slapping a chrome strip on these cars but applying what are complex chrome sculptures.
The TLC that has been lavished on this Buick during its restoration isn’t solely reserved for the panels and paint. The interior has also received the wave of the magic wand, and once again, the result is something quite special. The interior is completely stock and is almost perfect. It took me a while, but I did find a fault. The steering wheel is showing some crazing in the finish, but that’s hardly a deal-breaker, is it?
If the front seat looked good, then the back is even better. Once again it is pretty close to perfect. There are a couple of other things that amaze me about cars of this era. The first is the amount of leg-room that the rear passengers receive. You’d be hard-pressed to find a family sedan today that offers that sort of space. The second thing is how upright the seating position is. People always sat more upright in older cars than they do today, but it was never uncomfortable. Maybe there’s a message in there for modern manufacturers.
Even the trunk has received the lavish treatment, and it looks all the better for it. The mats that are fitted in the trunk could be ordered in a number of colors, but I’m pretty sure that they weren’t available in this shade of green. Still, I won’t knock the owner for choosing them, because they look really nice and add a nice detail touch to the trunk.
The Century wasn’t all about the show, it had some go to consider, and that is why it was Buick’s performance model. When this generation of Century was introduced in 1954, the most powerful Buick engine was the 322ci V8 which produced 200 hp. Power from this engine was increased each year, and in 1957 the engine’s capacity was increased to 364ci, as fitted to this car. The increase in engine capacity had an impact on power, and from 200 hp in 1954, by the time our car hit the street, power had hit 300 hp. The 364 is backed by an automatic transmission. The seller states that the car runs well and that he has just performed a full service and tune-up on it. The seller says that he has only driven the car around the block three times in the last two years, so I guess that’s probably why he’s selling it.
In case you hadn’t guessed, I really like this Buick. I think that it showcases how well a quality restoration can hold up after nearly 20 years. While I am always interested in project cars, there is something to be said for buying a car like this if you don’t have the time, patience or skill to take on a project. The person who buys this Buick is going to own a car that they can drive and enjoy today.
Do you have a beautiful classic that needs a new home? Please consider listing your vehicle here on Barn Finds!
That grille is impressive can you imagine how long it would take to clean and polish it. This is why I like fifties cars they the era of bling and styling not matched since there time. The current price seems like a bargain for such a car. I sure hope the next owner treats it as well as the current one. It would be a shame to let it back slide into disrepair.
The chrome strip across the hood doesn’t line up with the strips on the fenders.
You’re right! Send it to the scrap yard immediately!
Easy adjustment!
Easy 10 minute adjustment….and if thats the worst flaw on this car , you are WAY to picky!!!..quality control was NOT high on the importance ladder in 1958!!!
When I was eight dad worked for a Buick dealership and I remember him driving a 58 Buick home one week and riding in it, I thought this is the finest car on the road. The next year the 1959 wide track pontiac came out they got one and he drove that for a week but I still liked the Buick better.
You could buy a car like that and have a powerful, comfortable and reliable daily driver that would far more interesting and classy than a new Hyundai, and for less money. I am tempted to give it a shot.
I completely agree! I assume you’ve regularly driven a 50’s American car and know what “powerful, comfortable, and reliable” mean for that period, because it isn’t the same as today’s offerings, for better and worse.
It is a completely different experience, but not necessarily a worse one.
Agreed. Some people just come with different expectations. It’s an experience I can enjoy daily, though.
If you look carefully there’s a KIA Rio stuck under the left front wheel well.
@ Martin & Jeff: I just returned from a trip to the Dr, Walgreens, small errands in my own 55 year old car.
It IS a different experience. And always a treat.
One way to handle the shortcomings of 50s cars in the modern condition is to upgrade to EFI and HEI, and maybe get a modern radiator and A/C unit. The resto-mod guys are building some incredible, stock-appearing, drive-all-day cars that get great mileage and saving the original parts is no sweat. That’s my plan with my next Cutlass.
You still have to deal with today’s crappy gas, but with fewer vulnerable parts that’s no big…
Martin – Not cheaper. In 1858 it would of cost you $3,234 adjusted for inflation = $28,545. I love the car but, I also loved driving my sons $23,000 Hyundai Veloster Turbo, last summer. Looking to upgrade to a used G70 soon.
My first car in 1974 was a 1951 Ford with V8, 3 on the tree. I loved driving it all over Southern California, would I want one today, hell no. I now drive a 2006 VW Jetta GLI Turbo. I will take it and many other cars built over the last 15 years way before I would go backwards to the 50s sleds.
I’ve been to hundreds of car shows, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of these. It’s definitely not “my kind” of car, but it’s beautiful. I don’t think I can even guess at what the reserve might be. Whatever it is, it’s probably worth it.
It will never bring anywhere near the cost to restore it. If someone wants an affordable entry into classic car ownership without all the work, this is it. You could probably have a near perfect car after a bit of paintless dent removal.
Here again, the phrase, “fully restored” gets misused. Exterior looks fine, but the interior is NOTHING “restored”. “Refurbished” maybe, but not factory correct, which IMHO, is “restored”. A nice car; I don’t want to slam the car itself, but people throw words around they THINK they know how to use, but they don’t. Oh well; hope the seller gets close to what he’s wanting for it.
I was thinking the same thing. I dont think the fabric is correct and I dont think the ashtray should be white lol. Minor nits but your point is well taken
I was never a big fan of 1958 Buicks and Oldsmobiles, but this is a beauty
Ever see the HIGHWAY PATROL episodes from ’58 that used new Buick coupes as patrol cars? I doubt they sold many…
I have. Broderick Crawford in a few episodes drove a `58 Special 2dr. post with dog-dishes. In others, he drove a `58 Coronet 2dr. post. That show in particular wasn’t brand-loyal. In `55 he drove a `55 Special 2dr. post as well. Most episodes are now on YouTube for us car-spotters to relish!
Car companies were begging the ZIV syndicated shows to use their cars, and most manufacturers had LA plants back then so shiny new iron was a phone call away. That show had lots of fans in Law enforcement, though Broderick himself had no fans in the CHP after his DUI arrest. The show reflected a generic agency instead of CHP after that little tiff.
I always thought it was funny that all those parolees, robbers, miscreants and prison escapees drove around in BRAND NEW CARS, some of them quite unique. The car companies were all for it! Early product placement was also a reality with the DESILU series U S Marshal, all MoPars
Crawford himself made out okay as an investor in the series but it was a serious career comedown after he’d been an Acadamy Award winner a little over a decade before. I met his son a coupla decades ago at the Petersen Museum, he was a great guy, a fierce and proud defender of his dad, later felled by the same alcohol abuse.
Bob C
.
IMO they were ugly then and ugly now. The 57 was a much better looking car
Yes, it is as ugly as a bucket of worms, but the condition is phenomenal.
A restored car does not have dents.
Also the car has no inspection stickers on the windshield so where has the car been for the past 25 years?
A restored car can, however, get dents in the years that follow. And some states don’t have inspection stickers.
Where have you been?
Rick, the title of this says Restored and Ready To Go.
The car was restored 18 years ago and is just regular car at this point.
If you know anything about Texas, where the car has been for the last 25 years, they do have inspection stickers on the windshield as they no longer have stickers for the license plates.
Has this car been off the road for the last 18 years? If so why.
True enough.
Lots of old cars lose their charm in everyday use, but are preserved out of fondness or whatever. Moderate preservation as an alternative to parking it in the woods is ‘restoration’ to most people not present here.
‘Ready to go’ is usually in the eye of the beholder.
As for the dents, it happens. A friend’s 3 y.o. grandson took a ball-peen hammer to the front fender of grampa’s fresh ’70 340 ‘Cuda ‘vert, wanting to help ‘fix it’. Yikes. Sweet kid though.
As a kid I counted those squares in the grille and it was 110 to my memory.
This car is a true monster of cars.
The “Fashion-Aire Dynastar Grille” contained 160 beveled squares. I’d lose the driving lights. It hides some of them and looks out of place.
http://www.kingoftheroad.net/buick/source/buick_169.html
Not original Not restored make up your minds you guys the seller did say that it’s a year 2000 restoration so in 18 years you think it’s possible that it’s got a few dings and scratches. This is a nice car who cares if the upholstery is not correct. Maybe you can’t get it any more, or maybe it’s ugly and the OWNER chose somthing else, in my mind it’s still restored no matter what you want to nit pic it down to. Back in 2000 someone put a ton of effort into this car and it still looks it.
Thank you.
Haven’t read the knee jerk “too many doors” yet.
Whats wrong with you people!!!..4 DOORS RULE!!!!!!
Try taking your friends/ family out to dinner with a 2 door!!!!
4 doors are more affordable….2 doors are EXPENSIVE!!!!!
once heard that the 58 Buick had the most chrome of any vehicle ? don’t know but it sure looks it …
Chrome xylophone on each side.
There are HIGHWAY PATROL eps in 58 that used a new Buick Century post coupe, mostly a promo car. I can’t imagine that being a big seller.
I saw one of these for sale in a car show last year. It got my interest up on the Buicks. I kind of like the 57’s Special better. They to me are way cooler than 57 Chevy’s.
The interior is nicely done, but don’t mislead people and call it “completely stock” which it is not. Yes, the owner has the right to do what he wants, but the colors, pattern, and material are not “stock” for a ’58 Century. And yes, some folks like me who are into authenticity do care about stuff like that.
Not far off here Pete. Check this out:
http://oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Buick/1958_Buick/1958_Buick_Brochure/1958%20Buick-18.html
The pleats are vertical here as opposed to the brochure examples horizontal
Has 1956 Buick wheel covers, too.
The interior looks quite nice, but like some of you, I suspect the upholstery choice is not identical to that which left the factory. To some, it’s a non-issue, and to others….well, to each his own. I believe cars should be enjoyed, therefore I’m not a fanatic by any stretch. But, personally, if I’m going to the trouble to bring a car back to its “original” state, I am going to take every reasonable effort to make sure the obvious items look, indeed, “original,” including and especially the highly-visible items like interior materials. Most are being reproduced today, and they ARE expensive!
wow ! up to almost $13,000 already.
Magnificent !!! How much and can I contact the seller !!!
$15,000 and counting! The vehicle is simply spectacular !!! A masterpiece when if was first produced and a Museum quality vehicle now !!! Breathtaking!
I refurbished a similar 58 Buick a few years back and used almost the exact same upholstery scheme as was done on this car. The seat upholstery is not stock at all but has been done nicer than stock in my opinion. The door panels have the stock layout and chrome trim, but with upgraded material. Very nice all around. I would buy it for the condition it is in. I sold mine for $8500 but think this one is worth 10 or 12K.
If rich people buy this car for me I will say nice things about rich people for exactly one year.
What a car, and I despise four door cars but this car is cool.
Bob
DESPISE!!!!
” Whats the matter witch you boy???”- Mick Jagger..
Cool car
Lord, have mercy! What an ugly beast! How could they have had the glorious 55-56-57’s, and then this? Overloaded with chrome, and unnecessary doodads.
Harley Earl loved chrome. GM’s 58 line is proof!
As long as everyone is not picking the parking lights are incorect
They should be clear
Amber parking / turn lights came out mid 60’s
dad’ 59 Ford were clear
1963 Pontiacs had amber for the 1st time iirc.
Some might say it has too many doors, but boy are the gorgeous doors!
The front makes me think of the family truckster.
The front make me think of the family truckster.
I once read that the 58 Buick was a jukebox on wheels and I love those old jukeboxes from the 50’s.
I once read that the 58 Buick was a jukebox on wheels and I love those old jukeboxes from the 50’s. IMHO, GM came out with a great lineup in 58.
I say yes
This was 1 of my 1st cars I saved from the scrap yard .I got it running again and repainted it. It was a very comfy car. Bruce.
I had one and loved it. My seats were cloth brocade. The size and chrome made the car awesome.
The more I see this car the more I want it. But first I’d have to sell one of the land cruisers, or the commodores, the statesman, the torana , the old falcon or maybe the woppie… what a magnificent beast
In some cases the styling of a car lends itself well to being a 4 door and other cases a 4 door is just plain ugly this could also be said about 2 door cars. I’ve seen cars that just look odd in 2 door form but look great as 4 door cars. I think the problem is people regard 4 door cars as family haulers so there not cool there not a young mans car. So I ask this when we poo poo a 4 door is it because we want to recapture our youth?