1953 Buick Super 8 Convertible

[BillMadden]

In 1956 I purchased a 1953 Buick Super convertible. This car was Osage Cream with red leather interior, black top, and Selectronic radio with the foot switch on the floor. This was the car that brought me to the San Diego area in December of 1956.
In May, 2006, while dreaming of a 1953 Skylark, and browsing eBay, I discovered a 1953 Buick Super convertible for sale. This was a one family owned car that had been driven by the father, passed down to his son, and ultimately kept in a car museum near Johnstown, PA. There was a major event that affected the condition of this car. Due to more than usual snowfall, the roof of the museum had collapsed onto about 60 cars including the Buick. The owner had become disenchanted with trying to get it restored and decided to sell it. Since the ad for the car featured only one picture of it before the accident, and they referred to it as a possible 'parts car', no one bid on it. After considerable investigation I decided to purchase it. When it arrived in Alpine I was pleasantly surprised to find it to be a very complete and restorable car.

Although I had restored a couple vintage Corvettes, I really had no idea what I was getting in to. The car had never been fully restored. It had received new paint at one time but otherwise simply maintained. And with the snow having melted in and on the car from the cave in, there was considerable surface rust everywhere. "Surface rust but NO rust through".

The project has sort of 'evolved'. As I disassembled and restored each part I began to envision a higher and higher quality of end result. And as more money is invested, more is demanded. Anyway, now I am in the reassembly phase and really having even more fun than I had during the early stages.

Here are some pictures of my unfinished (2008) 1953 Buick Super 8, Osage Cream with red leather, convertible.....

[my3buicks]

Bill, It's looking great!!! As I have told you before, I useed to see this car at the Clearfield, PA AACA Chapters car show each year, circa 1981 and up until it's sad demise. I loved this car. One year my 53 Super (not mine yet then) and it sat side by side at that show. I am so happy to see it being brought back to life.

[Liliana]

Hey Dad, the Buick is looking awesome. You rock!

[imported_JohnD1956]

You are so lucky to have this convertible. It is really coming out beautiful. I loved the pictures without the rear fender though. How nice is that to be able to put it together like that.

Good luck, and please update the pics as you go along. That is so much fun to watch.

JD

[53Nailhead]

Very, Very Nice, Bill. As always a pleasure talking with you. After seeing your work I'm thinking I'm going to have to start some serious work to get mine 'up to par'
Les

[alex ligotti]

spectacular for me !!! the buick of this year is magic!!!

53NAILHEAD DO YOU HAVE 53???BUICK???

[BillMadden]

Adding a photo of dash

[BillMadden]

A little more progress.......

[imported_MrEarl]

I am always in awe of your progress and how neatly you do the work. Hope to see meet you and see the car in person someday.

[BillMadden]

Lamar, you sweet-talker you. You really know how to give a guy a boost. Thanks alot!
Bill

[serb]

Bill,

Everytime you post the pictures of your progress I want one just like it!

Keep up the great work.

Stevo

[BillMadden]

Dash back in car. Can hardly wait to hook up all those wires!!

[BillMadden]

After a summer of congestive heart failure I am just now getting back to the Buick!!

[imported_JohnD1956]

Whew! Hot hot hot!!! That is looking so good. And glad to hear you're feeling better too. Planning to take it to Colorado next summer?

[imported_MrEarl]

Lovin that chromed out Nailhead. Glad to see you jumped back on with both feet it looks like. I knew you would. Keep up the good work.

[Smartin]

Bill,

Great progress photos!! It makes people like me have a goal to work toward.

Question: Where did you get the material/piece that attaches directly onto the interior side of the firewall? It's like a thick fabric type material...I have no idea what it is called, or where to find a new one. I need to get one for my 58. (eventually)

[BillMadden]

Adam,

They are called 'firewall insulators'. I purchased mine at:

http://www.quietride.com/firewalls.html

You can expect something over $200.00

[gomuncy]

Hello Bill,
I am delighted to see your restoration of the 53 buick. My first car was a 53 Buick Super convertible, in 1959 I was 16 years old, and the Buick Super convertible was the color you are painting your Buick, Cream with Red leather seats.

It brings back many memories.!

Your quality of work is astounding, Please stay healthy and finish your beautyful car, Thanks for the memories.

Gary

[imported_MrEarl]

Bill, just lookin at that buickful engine again. Every once in awhile on eBay there will be aluminum thermostat covers. Though meant to be painted, they look pretty good when highly polished.

[BillMadden]

Still feel poorly, but have made progress, with the help of my buddies Tim Brown and Dick Ponce. Hoping it won't be long before the 'new engine/tranny' are tested.

[53Nailhead]

Bill, Thanks for the "53 Buick Fix". I've said it before, that's a Real Beauty! Makes me happy just looking at her!! Another 7" of the white stuff tomorrow in Ottawa, gonna be awhile before I get mine out of storage [img]<>/cry.gif[/img]

[BillMadden]

Here is a later pix, still on lift and engine not fired up yet, but a little more progress.....

[imported_MrEarl]

Ohhhh yeaaaaaaa, been wonderin how that beauty is coming along. Look at them spokes!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lookin good Bill!!! thanks for the update

[buickconvert53]

I just got my 53 Buick Roadmaster Convertible home. It needs a complete restoration but its all there and has very little rust. It has 4 ports on the side rather than 3 like the pics above. I am new to the Buick line, have done Pontiac and old trucks in the past. Looking forward to this new project. Hope it turns out as well as the one above.

[serb]

Welcome to the forum, start posting pictures because we all like to drool a bit as cars take shape and end up looking better than when they were produced.



Stevo