Buick resurrected the Special nameplate in 1961 and applied it to their new “senior” compact. It was joined elsewhere within GM by the Pontiac Tempest and Oldsmobile F-85 (Chevy was peddling the air-cooled Corvair). Separating the Buick from the pack was its aluminum block V8 engine that displaced 215 cubic inches and produced 115 hp. The seller has a 2-seat ’61 wagon that he/she towed across country 23 years ago, with minimal work done in the meantime. Calling Bellville, Ohio, home (for now), this mostly solid project is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $3,200. Our gratitude extends to Barn Finder “Ted” for this cool tip!
Once a full-size car, the Special was a compact for three years. The cars were redesigned as intermediates in 1964, and the Special was promoted along with the Tempest and F-85. But for this 1961 wagon, it used GM’s new unibody Y platform and employed a Dual Path transmission with power steering. The upscale Skylark soon followed as a fancy Special, but it was not offered as a wagon in those days. Buick built three models of the Special station wagon, racking up a headcount of 18,600 units. The seller’s car is probably the Estate 2-seater and saw 6,100 copies.
As the story goes, the seller fetched this Special from California to Ohio in 2002. It still has its CA “black plates,” which indicate the vehicle was last registered in 1978. It still sports the original selling dealer’s emblem after 64 years. We suspect the Seafoam Green paint is original, patina and all, but the tailgate is blue as it was replaced for some reason. The odometer may have flipped over, indicating that north of 100,000 miles was traveled (the driveshaft may have been disconnected for the long trip east in 02).
Rust does not appear to be a big issue, so we’re guessing the seller kept the wagon inside after arriving in Ohio. The engine will turn over, but the seller has never attempted to get the Buick running. The seats and carpeting have been removed, and we assume the seats are elsewhere and will come with the sale. Some of the tires will only hold air long enough to be loaded on your trailer. Somehow, paperwork from the 20th Century has managed to survive. Who wants to make a run to the Buckeye State?
This one brings back memories, our first of 5 family trucksters. I believe ours was a 62 pewter type color with a white top. I remember being disappointed due to no 3rd row seat. I rode in the back regardless due to 2 older sisters abuse. This is the car we had when we started camping on weekends. My mom had the first of my 2 younger brothers in 63…Time to step up to a full size 64 Impala wagon after that.
There’s worse cars out there wanting restoration. And no ‘body rot’, just a heap of weathering. If somebody didn’t mind going upside down, this could be a whole lot of fun, and in a size that fits into today’s mix of car sizes.
I really like this car. The body size, the style and no roof rack really speak to me. If situations were different, I would he draging this home to perform a very mild resto-mod. (More horsepower, and upgraded brakes and suspension) The original color is perfect. (At least it was) I only see these when I can’t do anything about my desire.
Now this is a great project for the winter. It needs EVERTHING but still it would be fun to work on. Yes you would be underwater just changing the oil, but sometimes projects are just for your personal enjoyment and dare I say… fun.
I could have a whole lot of fun with this.
I think the 215 was rated 155hp for the 2bbl and 185hp for the 4bbl. Not an easy platform to modify compared to the ’64 up models but they are nice little cars stock.
The 215 V8 in two-barrel form produced considerably more than just 115 horsepower. I believe it’s more like 155 h.p. with the standard two-barrel carb. in these.
It’s curious that the seller went all the way out to California and back to bring this car home, then evidently didn’t do anything to it for 23 years.
Hi, all – I’m the Seller of the Wagon
I lived in Cali for about 5 years and ended up getting laid off in ’02
Went down to Ryder to rent a box truck to move back and they said it would be $2600 one way without a car dolley – I said no way.
Instead fixed up a hitch and ended up flat towing 3 Cars home using them as moving Vans (61 Wagon, 61 4dr Sedan, 62 Special Post. If you go the facebook post, last pic shows me towing the wagon with my 90 Ranger 4.0 V6 – Auto, Cost was about 500 bucks round trip/sleeping in the truck. In-large pic and you will notice Doors/Fenders in the back of wagon, 1/4 panels and floor pan in bed of Ranger of a 4th Car I cut up (62 Skylark)
Got home, got married, had kids and life moved on…
For what it’s worth, in the fb ad the seller says he flat towed back to Ohio when he ‘moved back’. So guessing he had been in California for a period of time, before moving back.
Now if someone would would send (Russ Dixon) the guy that wrote for Barn Finds – that I also have C/Altered or D/Altered Chassis/car from the late 60’s or early 70’s for sale – that would be great. Came out of an old warehouse.
that’s patina. would cool to redo but you would be upside down. there is 1 of these about 8 miles from me. moves from time to time but i never saw it drive though
i thought the Tempest had this alloy bent8 too? Along w/the trans axel, ‘rope’ drive shaft, flat floor, a 4 cyl that was 1/2 an 8, and may B the 1st uni-body or monocoque (no frame) for cheb?
If here too – that 215 got around more than I thought (B4 headin to ‘england’).
Yes the 215 was available but I don’t recall ever seeing one. There was an Oldsmobile version which used a different head design. But I believe Buick sold more with the 215 than Olds, and certainly more than Pontiac.
All the Olds’ had their version of the 215. Buick also had an iron V6 based on the 215 architecture starting in 62 that persisted into modern times. 215 was available in the Pontiac in 61-2 but very few were made. I have a 62 Tempest wagon with one, the only one I’ve ever seen and I’ve heard tell of only a few others
Tempest had the “slat 4″(1/2 of a 389) and the 326. A Tempest with its 4 wheel independent suspension AND the 215 V8 would have been very cool! But the 4 cylinder 4 barrel and 4 speed was no slouch! It wasn’t a GTO ,which came later, but still with the 4 cylinder and the gear box in the rear. It was a very well balanced car.
The 4 with the 4 barrel was strong enough that most people wouldn’t pay extra for the 215 although it is a lot smoother, plus it probably helped Pontiacs books if they didn’t have to source the engine from a different division so it may be something that wasn’t on dealer lots unless it was special ordered
The description calls this a 2- seat wagon. On a 4-door? Odd configuration in my view. Does anyone know why Buick did this?
Two seats: front seat, back seat.
And… it’s gone. Seller updated FB page said it sold.
Mom had a ’61 Special sedan when we were growing up, otherwise similarly equipped with the two-barrel 215 “Rover” V8 and two-speed “Dual Path Turbine Drive” automatic. Edelbrock makes a four-barrel intake manifold for these, so with some judicious machine work on the heads, a fresh cam, and a free-flowing exhaust, these can make considerably more power than stock.