55 Century Convertible project

[rick60]

Have you decided what color you will paint it? I think the original combination is impressive. I look at the pictures of it old and tired and can visualize it brand new in the showroom. Great car!

[buick5563]

Thanks Rick.
Still haven't decided on the color yet. So many options, I am trying to think about what I would have ordered in 1955. I'm still diggin' the Miami Beach pastel color scheme. Also trying to find out different interior options. I think I have only seen red or blue leather color on these cars. I really want to see pics of what it would look like with white dash/ steering wheel with White or turquoise seats. Does anybody have any interior pics of CORRECT interiors in a small series 55 that isn't red? Y'all DO know I'm gonna end up with red, don't you?

[ewing]

blue with red leather interior... classic Buick colors of the post war era.
my 47 Roadmaster convert was factory light blue with red leather seat tops and bolsters and red leather accent door panels, looking red leather interior from passers by, ( but with tan bedford cord seat panels you see when you get inside).

I know I don't get a vote, but I'd stick with the factory colors on this car, light blue with red leather interior. Nothing better. I get a lot of oohs and aaws from people looking at my blue with red interior 47.

[Thriller]

Was that photo taken staging for the Cruze-In Downtown a couple years ago? That looks like my Century in the background, but I've never parked it there...it was at that show when the MCAAC was the feature club...we had the '47 and my '41 parked together, but I didn't do the parade.

[ewing]

you are correct, that was the staging area for the DT cruz. and it is your future 54 Century. I had a good look at it then and talked to the owner some.
And you are right it is the year we had the our MCAAC ( club) as feature club.

[cardinal905]

Nice car/trailer/boy Mike, good luck on the resto.

[buick5563]

Thanks Cardinal.
John, I hear ya in regards to the blue with red interior. I'm still mulling it over.

Last night I was doing a bit of spot welding and paint grinding. I think I have a couple more spots to fill, but I still am amazed at the straight body panels. I also noticed that when they use the hardtop floor, they missed installing two body mount bolts that are used exclusively on the convertible. No Biggie. Sorry, no pics today.

[JohnD1956]

Glad to see you're making progress Mike. No matter the color choice I'm sure that car will be stunning.

[buick5563]

I got around to pulling the windshield. No other progress. Little League, helping with school, work, etc.

I'm feeling Adam's pain re: money for the project, but I can't get motorvated to work on the car with all of the other things in my life going on right now.

I'm not complaining, just letting y'all know why the pics aren't coming fast and furious...

[Smartin]

I guess we'll both be unveiling our cars at the 2020 event then

[buick5563]

You got it Slim

[MrEarl]

and maybe if it's held in Atlanta, I'll join ya's with DoraB the 76R. Won't have the money to travel any further than that though.

[buick5563]

So do any of you guys under 40 know who was on the half-dollar before Kennedy? I am 42. In other words, I never thought of the fact that there WAS a pre-Kennedy...

I found this in one of the defroster vents when I was disassembling the dash:

[buick5563]

I picked up a bunch of parts from Willie last weekend and was going to try to start restoring them, but my cheap-a$$ (but expensive) compressor had a blown reed, so no blasting. I also picked up a gallon of epoxy primer yesterday so I can prime once I blast the body.

UPDATE:
I am about to be a stay at home dad, so I will have much more time, but much less money to work on this project. So, most likely you guys will be seeing good project pics, that don't cost anything soon!!!

[Thriller]

Good luck Mike...I tried the Mr. Mom thing, but the children were young then and I had difficulty with the lack of adult conversation. I hope it goes well with you.

So, who is that on the coin? I don't know the images of the presidents well enough to be able to make it out.

[buick5563]

It is Benjamin Franklin. I wonder if he was on the hundred dollar bill at the same time. Seems kinda greedy for a dude who wasn't a president, although maybe it was due to a lack of bipartisan bickering.

Part of the Mr. Mom thing is just because I was getting too old to continue the ranch hand duties I have been doing for the past few years. I am just fortunate that Mrs. 5563 works at Apple (not a bad gig right now). She has been VERY clear that I am NOT retired.

[Packard32]

Yes, Ben was on the 50 cent and hundred at the same time.... and if you'll read about him, he did much more than many of our presidents.

[buick5563]

Yes, Ben was on the 50 cent and hundred at the same time

Interesting, thanks B.

.... and if you'll read about him

Benjamin Franklin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

he did much more than many of our presidents.

Agreed. Bar has been lowered considerably over the past decade.


My "greedy" comment above was meant as a joke for my Canadian friend, Thriller, who asked the identity of the President on the coin. I couldn't tell you squat aboot Canadian politicians. You would truly see my ignorance shine then.

[Thriller]

Ask me about politicians and greed and history in Ames...we have to do it with drink in hand otherwise it will not be pretty...not that it would be pretty with drinks, but it will be less ugly.

[buick5563]

"Wouldn't you really rather talk about a Buick?"


First day of stay at home status (family in Maryland), so pulling steering wheel, more dash parts. Can't get column off for some reason. Gonna have lunch and then try later tonight.
More later, hopefully

[buick5563]

Without the family around, I got a bunch of stuff done in the last few days.

I got the car completely gutted and ready to be removed from the frame...

...and am currently storing everything on the trailer. I'll be doing a bunch of ladder climbing today since my storage is in the upstairs of my garage. THAT should be fun! At least we have had rain for the last four days (very rare in central Texas in July) due to being on the outskirts of hurricane Alex that hit Mexico. It should be cooler than normal for my future aerobic workout.

I need to go buy a decent primer gun due to immediate flash rust in the humid garage.

I also need to figure out the body mount issue since the only bolts currently on the car are in the outriggers. That could explain why the body wanted to bend in half when I put it up in the air initially. I talked to the paint guys and they said they weren't there, just the shims. I believe them.

[buick5563]

Yeeeee Hawwww!!!!


The easy way! Unless you forget to disconnect the exhaust pipes from the body.

[old-tank]

Yeeeee Hawwww!!!!


The easy way! Unless you forget to disconnect the exhaust pipes from the body.

There's not supposed to be any exhaust pipes attached to the body...more of that previous owner fabrication?

[buick5563]

Most likely. I got all of the body bolts out then slowly hoisted the car with my lift. Pop! Then the exhaust pipe came loose. I lifted it up just to see, but I need to do some arranging in the garage before I can pull the frame from under the body.
I almost have the trailer cleaned off. Need more boxes!

[old-tank]

How to restore a 55 Century CVT:
(went to visit Mike today to see progress on his project...doing a great job, but could not explain the 'to do list' on the wall)



(hard to see unless you enlarge, but what do you expect with a sneak pic from a cell phone)

Maybe someone has an explanation...

Willie