1958 Limited Four Door Riviera

[Smartin]

I had to grab this one...I'll scratch it off my "dream car" list [img]<>/cool.gif[/img]

Factory AC, Air Poise suspension (was converted to regular shocks), 4 note horns, power windows, brakes, steering, and some other stuff I'm sure I don't understand yet.

What a project car!! [img]<>/laugh.gif[/img]

I could hardly sleep last night...












Those are NOS drums there...






It is actually supposed to be a Silver Mist car...it has had one repaint in a slightly darker color. The underside of the trunk lid has the original paint on it:

[Centurion]

Adam, congratulations on this find!

This model is most certainly one of the great 1950's era "dream machines", and I'm thrilled that you picked this one up.

I look forward to your updates during the months and years ahead, as you enjoy this spectacular Buick!

[Smartin]

Thanks Brian...

I just remembered - it has a Wonder Bar radio, too.

I, myself, look forward to digging in and learning about these cars. I know very little about the available options, temperments, and other issues with the 58's.

[Centurion]

Adam, I'll be interested to learn whether this car retains its original Flight Pitch transmission or has been converted to the regular Dynaflow.

[Smartin]

Yes, and I neglected to ask the question. But I'm sure I will find out quickly when I actually obtain the beast.


Now here's a question: I was looking through Kris Trexler's site, and noticed the underside of the trunk lids are different:

[Centurion]

Very interesting, Adam. Trexler's trunk lid looks almost like it was an extended Roadmaster or Super trunklid. I wonder if the date of manufacture or the assembly plant dictated the difference. It would be interesting to contact other owners of the 4-door Rivieras to see what you can learn.

[Centurion]

Adam, Matt Menges in Wichita ("Electra" on the buick-59 forum) has both 2-door and 4-door '58 Limiteds. I'm sure that he would be happy to check his cars when he returns from Flint.

[imported_JohnD1956]

Wow! Looks like you'll be scratching spare money off your dream list too. Don't get me wrong, that car looks like it would be awesome refinished. And we've seen the quality of your work and know you can do it. But it does look like an intensive project. Good luck. Looking forward to seeing the pics as you go along.

By the way, I noticed it was your birthday recently ( courtesy of the v8 board) and would like to say Happy B day! This is a fine present you bought yourself...

[imported_Thriller]

Congratulations Adam. That looks like a very solid car, not to mention the fact of what it is model-wise.

I'm looking forward to reading about your adventures with the car.

[Rob Gray]

Very sharp car there. Congrats!

[Smartin]

I understood the money issue when I was told about this car. I had actually seen this particular car 2 years ago when I was looking at another one in the same building. My friend Hank Deglman was with me when I saw it, and we checked it out for a few minutes. He told me, "You're not ready for a 58, yet." He then proceeded to tell me how much his chrome and stainless bill was for his 58 Roadmaster convertible.

Well, I don't plan on handing over the entire pile of chrome to the shop at once, so I won't be sweating that all at one time.

I need a project like this. I need a challenge! This fits the bill nicely [img]<>/smile.gif[/img]

[serb]

Wagons Ho, full speed ahead.

Congratulations.


Stevo

[old-tank]

Adam
Nice find!

Quote:

Now here's a question: I was looking through Kris Trexler's site, and noticed the underside of the trunk lids are different:

Possibly if the 58's are like 55's the trunk of a 2dr is longer than a 4dr.
Willie

[Smartin]

Willie, I got confirmation that is true on the buick-59 site.

Thanks!

Are you at/on your way to Flint?

[wk's_olds]

WOW! Those are monsterous cars! They were a foot longer than a Cadillac of the same year! I had one back in the 60's; it was silver mist, too. Now the bad news.......not that I wish to be the bearer of such, but I discovered that the '58 Limiteds were somewhat of an experimental car. The original suspensions were rubber air bags that didn't last long, and soon, the car would become a "lowboy." The automatic transmission was the Flight Pitch type which also didn't pan out. There were a couple more issues which slip my memory just now, but beware, unless those issues have been remedied befor you purchased it. I DID love the looks of it, and it had room galore inside, and it was comfy, too.

[Smartin]

Yep, the air poise suspension was replaced with coil springs. I am still unsure about the transmission, though. I'll have to wait and find out about that.

[4-Speed]

Adam, you may already know this, but if not, when you look under the car at the transmission pan, if it is a perfect square, that is the Flite-Pitch. If the trans was changed in the past, sometimes they also changed the gear indicator on the dash to the Dynaflow indicator, but I've seen several where they left the Flite-Pitch indicator in and just had to use memory as to where the gears were.

Flite-Pitches can be a pain, but when they work, they are great. If the LTD still has it, and it needs work, there are a couple people I know that specialize in rebuilding them, so there'll be no need to go the Dynaflow route.

Sweet machine, Adam!

Matt

[BJM]

Adam,
You already have an excellent restored driver in your formal coupe, so taking on a long term project such as this is not so disheartening. You can always hop in the Centurion and take a break from the Limited.

[Smartin]

BJM - I think that's the only way I can justify having two cars [img]<>/laugh.gif[/img]

[Smartin]

Picking it up today!

I hope I'm not the only one who loses sleep over this stuff.

[Smartin]

Got the car home..

It is a dynaflow - not a triple turbine.

The brakes work...sometimes. I had to keep one foot on the E-brake when I moved it around. It was like driving a stick [img]<>/laugh.gif[/img]

Interior is absolutely rotten. I ripped the carpet out (what was left of it) and vacuumed out the rust and nut shells. [img]<>/sick.gif[/img]

It runs well, though!

[serb]

Adam,

All the best of luck in your current endeavor. Keep the progress photos coming.

Stevo

[imported_Thriller]

Right on...again, congrats and good luck.

[ZondaC12]

Wow from the pictures she don't look half bad!!!! I'd sure as hell cruise around town in that with a huge smile on my face as it sits!

Love the picture of it next to the centurion. Wow what a boat. I'm sorry I just love the BIG ass-end and the chrome and stainless everywhere. Gaudy? Perrrrrrhaps. Still looks good? I think so.

Let us know how the A/C is when you get it working. Anyone chime in on how good '50s era A/C was? The closest example I know of first hand is circa 1970s.....a '71 Lincoln Mark III 2dr at a cruise last summer the owner was letting me check out and sit in and move the steering wheel with my LITTLE finger. The A/C in that car was dreadfully freezing LOL.

[Smartin]

My vacuum weighs at least 30 lbs heavier now, from all the crud and dirt/rust that came out of the floor of the interior and trunk!! Yuck!

It's fun working in the garage when it's 98* outside.