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Roadworthy Project: 1958 Buick Century

The owner of this 1958 Buick Century admits that it isn’t perfect, but it is still a running classic that can be driven and enjoyed immediately. It appears to be the sort of vehicle where the next owner can undertake any restoration work as time and circumstances allow, which is a prospect that many potential owners find to be an attractive proposition. The Buick is located in Lafayette, Colorado, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding on the Century has now reached $7,000, but the reserve hasn’t been met. I have to say thank you to Barn Finder local_sheriff for referring the Buick through to us.

Finished in Light Turquoise with a Glacier White top, the Buick received a repaint back in 2010. This seems to have held up quite well, with the paint having a nice shine to it. All of the glass looks to be in good condition, whilst the same would appear to be true of the majority of the external trim and chrome. The Century isn’t perfect, but it would seem to be the sort of vehicle that would make a great weekend driver in its current state. However, I must sound a note of caution here, because while the owner makes no mention of any rust issues with the Buick, I’m a bit concerned by the dark area inside the rear wheel housing that can be seen in the photo above. It could be nothing, but it does have the appearance of a rust problem, which would motivate me to give the car a thorough inspection. If it is rust then it would potentially be repairable. For my own peace of mind, I would just want to clarify exactly what it is. If it does turn out to be rust, I would then want to establish whether it was an isolated occurrence, or whether there is more that will need to be addressed.

As with the rest of the car, the Century’s interior is tidy, but it isn’t perfect. The car has recently been fitted with both new carpet and new seat covers. These really help to make the interior shine, while the dash is original, and is in good condition. The door trims are all showing some wrinkling, but I think that this could be addressed by a good upholsterer with some judicious stretching. However, the rear armrests are showing some wear and tear, and will probably require either restoration or replacement. The front kick panels are missing, and replacements will need to be sourced. This isn’t a huge problem, because not only are they quite easy to locate, but at less than $40 per pair, they are surprisingly cheap. The factory radio is still present in the dash, and along with the power antenna, heater, and all lights, is said to work perfectly.

There are no engine photos supplied by the seller, but we do know that what occupies the engine bay is a 364ci “Nailhead” V8, while the Century also features a 2-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. With 300hp on tap, performance is quite reasonable for a car that tips the scales at 4,450lbs. A ¼ mile ET of 18 seconds isn’t in muscle car territory, but for a 1958 6-seater, it’s nothing to be sneezed at. The vehicle has recently received a new fuel pump and new whitewall tires. The owner says that it runs and drives well and that it would make a great weekend driver.

It isn’t perfect, but this 1958 Buick Century is a car that shows a lot of promise. If the question mark that hangs over potential rust issues can be clarified, then it has the potential to be a car that can be driven and enjoyed immediately. If the Buick is solid, then I would expect that the bidding could run as high as $10,000. Given how little work the car may need to really stand out, is it a classic that you would consider?

Comments

  1. Avatar Rex Kahrs Member

    Super cool.

    Like 5
  2. Avatar Howard A Member

    The ultimate in glitz. A shame that grill is damaged, they didn’t show much of that. It was called, Buick’s “Fashion-Aire Dynastar Grille” and was made up of 160 individual beveled squares. Good luck finding any today. If I may correct the author, I read, ’58 was the last year for the Dynaflow Flight Pitch trans. It had no shifting, per se. A friends dad had a car like this, and it was odd, no gear shifts.Neat car, for sure, and nice enough to save.

    Like 5
    • Avatar Ralph

      1963 was the last year for Dynaflow in Buicks.

      Like 1
      • Avatar Howard Kerr

        I used to think these were kind of ugly, now I just think they are WAAAAY over-decorated. If I didn’t care about originality, I would remove that huge flash on the back half of the car, and some of the extraneous bits at the front. Shoot me, but I might even add fender skirts.
        I don’t know Buicks, especially vintage Buicks, so I ask: is the upholstery supposed to be this…mix and match of blue and turquoise green?

        Like 0
  3. Avatar FordGuy1972 Member

    Buick really had that 1950s excess that is so appealing today. Overall, a nice car but some freshening up is needed to make it look it’s best. I’d want to see a good picture of the front of the car before placing a bid. It seems the seller deliberately avoided showing the front end which I don’t like. The center section of the rear bumper is in rough shape but apart from that and the unknown condition of the front end chrome bits, the trim looks pretty good. The seller isn’t giving up a lot of info in the auction text, either. I’d be careful with this one and would recommend checking this car out in person.

    Like 3
  4. Avatar Will Fox

    The one thing this `58 Century has going for it being a 4 door, is that it’s a hardtop with no B-pillars. Not as glitzy as the Roadmaster Limited, but still plenty of chrome to catch the eye. Glad the new seat covers appear to be done in the factory pattern & colors. That and the carpet go a long way in making this driveable.

    Like 4
  5. Avatar jimmy the orphan

    This guy likes to show off his new seat covers but that’s about it. No engine bay or trunk shots ? He’s just mum on the e-bay site. I’m with Ford guy on this one, checkout in person. These sellers seem to think that buy holding back info. it will help sales when 99% of would be buyers when faced with little or no info. like this will just click to the next ad and move on. Even if a few of us were looking for a car just like this for some reason, not many would fly to Colorado in the dead of winter just to get a peak at the engine. Later……………………………..JIMMY

    Like 8
  6. Avatar Johnny

    About a year ago a friend offered to give me one. It was white and in pretty nice shape. I didn,t have any place to put it. It sure has alot of sparkle,but a little pricey for not much information. I wonder what the floors look like under the new carpet. Nice or rotted out. A guy tried to dump a 65 mustang off on me.Buy putting in a new carpet. As I looked under the chassy—-their was none.All ate out buy rust. Its was all shiney too. Buyer beware

    Like 1
  7. Avatar Bob McK

    Nice Colorado car, where they didn’t cover the roads with salt.

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Del

    Jimmy is right. But contact the owner and get the pics.

    I really like this car. Color is perfect 50s.

    If it needs a new front bumper there should be a few around in bone yards.

    Price not bad

    Like 1
  9. Avatar Chuck

    As a “kid” I thought the 58 Buick chrome excesses were big Japanise toy cars. As an old “fart” I still do. I was an Edsel fan in 58 & own a 58 Pacer Convertible. Let the Edsel “haters” vent—I’m not offended. If I were religious I would pray for those poor unfortunates that did not see the coolness in that 58 Edsel grill.

    Like 2
  10. Avatar Ken

    No.

    Far and away the ugliest car Buick ever built.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Gary Gdovin Member

      Not saying it’s the best looking car Buick ever built but it looks a lot better than the crap they build today

      Like 4
  11. Avatar DN

    Yes.

    Far and away the prettiest car Buick ever built.

    Like 10
  12. Avatar Bryan

    The only year Buick made a good looking car. I have a black 2 door from CO with no rust. Just finished restoring it. I could help the buyer on the restoration homework.

    Like 3
  13. Avatar Rex Kahrs Member

    So you think that 1958 is the only year Buick made a good-looking car??? No disrespect intended, but, wow that’s dumb.

    Like 3
  14. Avatar Bob S

    I thought my 65 GS was a pretty good looking car, and my dad’s 65 deuce and a quarter convertible was pretty sharp too!

    Like 1
  15. Avatar Matthias Klemm

    Howdy from Germany.
    The best looking car Buick ever built was my white ’68 Electra 225 Four Door Hadtop Coupe! Oh Lord, how i miss it… Drove it at age of 18, i felt like King Pimp No.1. First time my ex-boss of BMW workshop saw me coming around in my Landyacht, his head became dark red! “Get the hell out of my property with this gypsy carriage!!” He was really conservative, had no idea about style, bohemian class, or how to pick up tons of horny chicks … Anyway… Now, at age of 49, my hair and all girls gone with the wind… So i’m a lone wolf cruising around in my blue ’63 Cad Series 62. True survivor, top cond. A Buick again?? Any time!! People of the United States – may God bless you all! Stay strong!

    Like 2

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