For Sale O.K. GUYS TIME TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE

[AlK]

I was out to today roaming the by-ways when I spotted this truck hauling a 1955 Buick Century. I immediately executed a Ulysses and chased him down.
He was hauling this car to the CRUSHER. I have not been in the trunk yet, so what I see missing may very well be in there. This is a 4dr HARdTOP not a sedan. It has A/C though have not seen a compressor(trunk?) it is missing 2 pieces of chrome on the psngr side doors(trunk?). It has P/W P/S PS PB, a continental rear, I was told the engine was running, but they just lost interest. All of the bumpers are there as well as the taillight, but need to be chromed. Most of the glass is o.k. except the one of the front doors. I do not have them yet, I am on the way to take pictures and will post them as soon as I get back. I need to get this sold before the wife gets home or you can label me 'DEAD MAN WALKING'. O.K. I will post a few pictures and for the rest send me an e-mail address and I will send you the rest. More info: The A/C compessor IS in the trunk and the A/C blower is mounted in the proper place and looks brand new. Unfortunately there appears to be no gas tank.

[MrEarl]

I'll email you but I'd like to ride down and look at it this weekend if you're where I think you are, just over the GA state line?

[AlK]

Here are the pictures. I would have liked to put them in the orginal post but the "manage attachments" button does not seem to come up in edit mode

[AlK]

I will be here all day. phn = 334-298-8052 cell 706-341-2501. Pictures have just been posted. If you are still interested then bring cash and trailer, I don't think you will be sorry. I don't know what way you plan on coming but the best way to where the car is, is to come down I-85 and take the exit for I-185 to Columbus. follow I-185 to the exit that says Phenix City, follow that to the end. take a left and you will find a shopping center with a K-mart in it on the right. pull in there and call me. It will take me about 10-15 minutes to get there and the car is 10 minutes from there. You could also call me when you take the Phenix City exit and if I leave then we should get to the K-mart at about the same time. I'll be driving a gold pt cruiser convertible.

Alk

[MrEarl]

For future info, click on "GO ADVANCED" to get the manage attachments to come up in edit mode.

[MrEarl]

Did you get my email. I'll call you tonight, I'm at work.

[Pete Phillips]

AIK, you should be congratulated for taking the initiative and saving that '55 Century. I cannot believe what some people would haul off to be crushed. Do they have an I.Q. of 2? How can anyone live in the 21st century and not know that something like that is worth saving, even if they aren't a car person? There must be $1000 worth of parts on that car, or certainly a lot more than what a crusher would pay.

Holy cow, I just took a closer look at the interior photo, and that thing has a power seat, and power windows in addition to the factory A/C, power steering, & power brakes. Wow! It's more loaded than most Roadmasters of that era.
Pete Phillips, BCA #7338
Sherman, Texas

[BJM]

I think this warrants a BUICKMAN AWARD ! Again, you are my hero.

I am not 100% sure what it is about 55 Century 4 door hardtops but I love them. Old tanks was the first one I saw that I was jonesn' for, in Rochester when they pulled in for the National meet.

Spotted this one last week and I have called on it, no response to date.

1955 BUICK CENTURY (PROJECT) SOLID CAR

So let's save these cars.

[BJM]

AIK, you should be congratulated for taking the initiative and saving that '55 Century.
Holy cow, I just took a closer look at the interior photo, and that thing has a power seat, and power windows in addition to the factory A/C, power steering, & power brakes. Wow! It's more loaded than most Roadmasters of that era.
Pete Phillips, BCA #7338
Sherman, Texas

Correct. 55 was such a large production year that whatever Buick put out there people purchased. I have seen several 55 Roadmaster 4 door sedans and many are pedestrian. No power accessories inside, just PS and PB.

[AlK]

Pete:

You are so right. It should be legal to do away with people like this. The story I got was they bought it to restore it and then lost interest. So that tells me that in some way they were car people of some sort. Don't forget in addition to the other things it also has a continental kit on it. Granted it does not have the tire cover but I am sure that can be gotten. At least it has all of the hardware. If it were not for the Packards and the latest Clipperrod project, I would take a stab at restoring it myself. It does not look like it would be a difficult restoration. At least no major parts hunting. Your right I could most likely make more money parting it out than selling it, but for this car, parting it out would be almost the same as junking it. It's just too complete to part out. I have not really crawl underneath it, but judging from the rear quarters and the rockers, this car does not appear to have musch in the way of rot. Oh well someone is going to get one hell of a project car for a real good price.

ALK

[AlK]

BJM

That craigslist car looks like a pretty good deal as well. Hope you land it. I was quite amazed at the options on this car, especially considering that it is the second from the bottom in the price line, with only the special being lower. Also according to the OLD CARS Price Guide, and the car does not have a script for it, it is a Riviera. The price guide lists the Riviera as the only 4dr hardtop in the Century line.

ALK

[ewing]

That continental rear end is so well done!
With the side view the rear fenders extend to make the back look like factory. Would this be an after factory modification with the trunk retracted towards the rear window, or, the rear fenders extended?
Oh I wish I could get this project to my place...but I don't see that happening.

[AlK]

good news/bad news

Good news - I found that it has another option on it, it has a wonderbar
radio.

Bad news - The front floors are shot, the rears do not seem soft but the
fronts are covered in sheet metal. Also the 2 missing chrome
strips are not in the trunk.

[BJM]

as Mr. Earl can attest to - virtually all 54-56 dog legged a pillar Buicks are soft in the front floors, this had to be expected.

On the plus side is the nearly 800,000 55 Buicks made and over 2 million 54-56 Buicks made to support replacing those pans with another Buick pan from a yard.

[Smartin]

That continental rear end is so well done!
With the side view the rear fenders extend to make the back look like factory. Would this be an after factory modification with the trunk retracted towards the rear window, or, the rear fenders extended?
Oh I wish I could get this project to my place...but I don't see that happening.

I was also wondering about the construction of the continental kit. It looks like they spliced in metal and extended the quarters. I like that look better than the standard extended bumpers that look out of place on most other continental kits I see.

[F&J]

I was also wondering about the construction of the continental kit. It looks like they spliced in metal and extended the quarters. I like that look better than the standard extended bumpers that look out of place on most other continental kits I see.

I think you are right. and I also like the look. That's a classy car.

I'd have a hard time passing that car up. I like the 55-57 GM 4dr ht's anyways, but with those options...wow. Looks like EZI tinted glass too?




somebody go fetch it


I'd like to see it with the spare tire and cover. It's got to be really slick looking like that.

[Pete Phillips]

Reproduction front and rear floor pan sections are made for these Buicks. CARS, Inc. sells them, among others. So it might need $300-$500 of floor welding--so what? That's nothing, compared to what this loaded gem is worth when all done or even partly done. If I were closer, it would be in my garage by now. Time to put up or shut up, guys. SOMEONE who is close, get over there and buy this!
Pete Phillips
Sherman, Texas

[BJM]

SOMEONE who is close, get over there and buy this!
Pete Phillips
Sherman, Texas

That seems to be the issue. I'm in Iowa and others of interest who are posting here are equally as far away. Only Mr. Earl is fairly close.

What's the price or did I miss it ?

[AlK]

Hey Pete

You ain't that far away. I have a truck and trailer and arrangements can be made for transport either all the way for expenses or at least half way and we meet in the middle say Vicksburg. The wife is going to the casino in Shorter Al.
so if while she is gone I get rid of this car she can't complain anymore.

ALK

[AlK]

Hey Pete:

You ain't that far away. I have my truck and trailer and arrangements can be made for either transport all the way for expenses or we meet in the middle say around Vicksburg. The wife is going to the casino in Shorter Ala. so if I am gone for the weekend she will never notice.

ALK

[MrEarl]

Well, not knowing the true condition of the car, my main interest in it was initially all the parts I could use on a couple of my 54's. Al offered it at a very fair price, but given as how everyone thinks the car is worth restoring I will back up away from the plate and let someone more appreciative of 55's and with a few more years of time and $$ to restore the car than me take a swing.

After all, if I bought and restored it I'd be swapping the front clip and rear fenders out to 54's.

Thanks Al, I enjoyed talking to you. And you are to be commended for chasing down and saving this baby. Keep your eyes open for a 54!!!!

[MrEarl]

Wow I think we're all typing at the same time. I agree, I think this is a car for Pete.

[AlK]

O.K. Guys the cat's out of the bag. Iowa IS a bit further but not that much further, halfway would be around Paducah KY. As I said transport for expenses can be arranged. Of course meeting half way is an option if you have transportation available to you. Only the Buick gods know what someone from E-bay might do with it, make a lead sled out of it, or one of those bop up-n-down crankmobiles. There is a thought to go to bed with tonight. However the reality fairy has spoken and by Monday morning the car will have to go to E-bay.

[MrEarl]

If someone here buys it, I'm pretty sure I have the 3 chrome sweep spear pieces I'll give as a car warming present.

[MrEarl]

As I said transport for expenses can be arranged.

Jeeez, now that's a deal. I always required a steak dinner be included.