The Special was typically Buick’s lowest-priced car and represented a sizeable portion of their sales in the 1950s. This 1957 Special (aka Series 40-48) is a 2-door sedan with a V8 engine, likely a 364 cubic inch Nailhead. The seller says it drives and runs but needs help stopping and has its share of cosmetic issues. Located in Los Angeles, California, this Buick is available here on craigslist for $6,500. Once again, local_sheriff finds an interesting car for us!
Buick’s Special would fill several voids in the line-up from its launch as a full-size car in 1936. Later it became a mid-size and yet again a compact in the 1960s. Specials built between 1949-57 had the three famous “VentiPorts” on each front fender while more senior Buicks usually had four. Even though it was their entry-level car in ’57, the Special supported the company’s motto, “Long, low–Loves to go”. Buick would build 405,100 cars in 1957 and 23,180 of them would be the Special 2-door sedan.
This car looks to have left the factory with Belmont Green paint, having some aqua-like coloring in the mix. It could be wearing its original finish or an older repaint. Lots of surface rust is present, and if there is any break-through corrosion, it might be in the lower right quarter and rocker panels. The rear bumper is rusty, the front one is missing, and the grille is damaged. The interior is a bit of a mess, with the upholstery, door panels, and headliner all showing their 64 years of use.
We’re not told much about this car by the seller. It’s a runner, which may mean you could drive it while restoring it once you got the brakes fixed. The title is clean and it was registered in California as recently as 2020. The stated mileage is 80,000 which could very well be original, or it could be 180,000. This car has never spent any time as someone’s garage queen. When restored, this could be a $20-30,000 automobile, but the cost of getting there won’t be cheap.
This is what I call a survivor ! – worn ,ugly and tired , but still hanging in there on the road 64 years later .
Would make a nice mild custom.
It’s FAR from worth asking so I hope for the seller he’s flexible. I just think a ’57 Buick with its über-cool 3piece backlight, Nailhead AND manual would make an unusual build if one can do most work at home. I know my boss is on the lookout for one but I fear this one is too rough even for him… hoping someone will save it though, IMHO Buicks and Oldses of any body styles were the best GM designs of ’57
I have one of these with new paint and interior with 34777 miles ready to go if your boss is interested. located in Chicago. I’m asking $1 per mile.
Keep asking. I’ll just move on with no regrets.
Just like Chicago, everything is overpriced.
The engine may have seen some rather recent freshening-notice the replacement aluminum radiator. And it looks dry under the hood too. Looks like most of the work (and there will be a lot) will be cosmetics.
IMHO this is a unicorn… I’ve only seen four examples of a stick-shift ’57 Buick (and three ’57 Olds) coupe since they were new car models – and two each of those sightings were California Highway Patrol versions. I don’t recognize the chrome extension behind the rear wheel wells belonging on an entry-level coupe = they may be covering up a rust problem.
If I still lived in SoCal, I’d be on this one at least for a much closer look at a (mostly) rust-free example of a genuine rarity. (BTW, the phone number (area code 714) sez Orange County, not L.A.), but a looky-loo trip in these times from Virginia is no longer part of the equation..
The chrome lower 1/4 panel was on ALL 57 Buicks, regardless of model.
I still think it’s hiding rust though.
There’s no sheetmetal under that. The 1/4 stops where the chrome molding attaches. I owned one for nearly 40 years.
A dual reservoir master cylinder, on a car this age? Suppose the “mechanic” just forgot to bench bleed it? I’m with you, local_sheriff, on the looks of these.
People, you gotta keep in mind that back in the 50s and 60s there were no interstates or freeways. They were being built in the 60s. People did not travel as much back then. Jobs were close to home, as were the supermarkets and pharmacies. Speculating an 80,000 mile car from the 50s to possibly have 180,000 is a stretch for me. People used their cars much less back then and would retire them around 40-50,000 miles. Not like today where we put over 200,000 on them.
But imagine you are the front seat passenger in this car, on a long trip, with that gigantic dash mounted clock in your face for the whole time.
I’d probably be looking out for the next Stuckeys and ask Mom & Dad if we could stop for a pecan log roll ;~)
I road in one, much like this one, from Tennessee to Florida. No a/c, unless you call it a/c with the windows down. Mom, later gave it to me. That thing would walk the dog, no, run the dog. I wish I still had it. It rode as good as a new Mercedes. And that is saying a lot I know.
Nice car.
Nailhead Buick. Would love a closer look. Mid East coast would be worth the trip.
The rear window, door posts and standard transmission all work in its favor. And as mentioned above upgraded radiator and brake master cylinder.
Always seem to be in southern California.