[My57spcl]

I have my first project going on right now a 1957 Buick Special 2 door sedan. Looked at a couple different models before getting this car, I fell in love with the side profile and the big chrome font end. Do not see to many in my area (Delaware) example went to annaul, car show at the Hagley Museum, DuPonts owned it, now a historical destination. Cars show up form steam era up to 80s, classic originals, street rods and some foreign, out of 650+/- cars this year not one 57 Buick of any model. Not a highly desirable car, but different enough. Doing it original.
Body is hanging from the raffters in my dads shop, frame is out side waiting to get powerwashed so I can blast it and paint, engine is about to be redone Dec/Jan by local shop. Hope to have a rolling chassis by end of summer 2008 (wife gets new kitchen in FEb.) it will slow my process but she's a great cook and the budget director, so it goes... happy wife happy life.

Trace Burris
BCA #43237
My dad owns a 1929 model a 5 window coupe

[My57spcl]

Update
Motor is at shop and I'am awaiting news of parts needed internal or external, then I will be doing some shopping, radiator is at local shop in same process(my dad took it there) may already be done, he keeps telling me the guy is working on it. Then it will just show up at the shop done and I won't know the cost and he won't let me pay for it. You got to love'em even though it's frustrating. He is just getting me back. When he was doing his car I told him if a 100 spot showed up on the car some where it was the resto fairy. He is a great man. Speedo and radio are off to Mr. Kriss he restores them and is a BCA member.
The frame I am hoping to get started on after Christmas.
That's all for now.

Trace Burris
BCA #4327

[smithy]

any pics sir?

[My57spcl]

Not yet, still leaning my way around this site but hope to in a few weeks.

Thanks
Trace
BCA #43237

[BillP]

My Dad had a '57 Special 2 door hardtop, light/dark green. He had it for seven years from new 'til he got a '64 Chrysler Newport.

I remember the Buick was a pretty fast ruster, the bumper ends going through from the inside. He had to put an exhaust system on it at some point and I remember 2 things about that. He really griped about how many pipes and mufflers it had so it was a real drill to get everything off. He figured it would take a day to do but it went into the next so the Buick sat in our agency overnight. The next morning, I found, or invented a reason to run the car outside to make room for the day's work. Jeez, the roar when it lit off inside the building was terrific. At that time, a 364 was a pretty big motor, and barking out of open manifolds it really made some great noise. I think it probably took me 45 minutes to back it out and park it in the lot outside. Had to warm it up, you know.

The other thing was the speedometer. As you accelerated, a thin red stripe crawled across the face of the speedo. No dial! It also had an early nanny state feature in the form of a settable alarm where you dialed in the speed you didn't want to exceed and the little internal buzzer would wail at you until your speed dropped under the threshold. Dad quickly pronounced it an "invention of the devil" and set it up to 120. Naturally, my brother and I then made repeated but as I recall fruitless attempts to ring the bell. All tests conducted in a professional manner on a closed course, or course. I think the name of the venue was I-81, south of Binghamton (not Binghampton), NY.

[My57spcl]

Hi BillP,
I was told about the speedomter by another person at a local car show. At this point it is still a ways away before I get to see it operate. Looking foward to it, and always looking learn. Did not know about the buzzer, I will however put it up to 120 upon your advice. Then when I get the opportunity I might have to see if I can get it to buzz on a closed course and in a professional manner of course. I will have to leave my eight year old daughter home because as it stands now from her vantage point in the back of my crewcab pickup in her booster seat while listening to Hanna Montana cd's I hear... Daddy your speeding. At this point of my 45 year old life I have never had a car upto 120, 90 about all. Came home one time in my mother and fathers car (a chevy 4 door caprice) slighly under the influence and under age and my father (a great man) proceeded to politely and sternly tell me don't you ever come home like this again. So I was responsible most of the time. I can also relate warming up part and the rumble as like to hear my harley rumble (Hooker straight Pipes) I am not obnoxious withit and can sneak out of the development without pissing off the neighbors a 6:00 am.

Updare Update...... not on the car(sigh) but the kitchen everythings is ripped out and we are basically cooking out on the porch (like camping) ... did I mentioned my wife does not camp. So it goes... She's working the bugs out.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts
My57spcl
Trace Burris
BCA #43237

[serb]

Trace,

My wife's idea of camping out is a Red Roof Inn. Why? Because it does not have a bar or restaurant. That is really roughing it.



Stevo

[My57spcl]

Thanks Stevo for your comment.

How about an update you ask?
Well the kitchen has been done for about 2 months and the wife LOVES it, oh oh the car you ask not the kitchen. Still the preceding statement stands and I like it to.
Now for the real story, I have sandblasted the frame and now have 3 coats of primer on it, motor is still at local shop and probably sitting do to the fact the shop builds race motors and racing season has started. I understood this going in to the agreement. Starter, generator and radiator are all done, heater core is being checked out by the same person who did the radiator, and as I mentioned above my dad said he would split the cost with me I told him no but it’s like talking to a wall…( hmm I have heard that before). Old tires are removed from wheels and are about to be sandblasted. I was the person who bought the 2 wheels from JohnD1956. They are much better than 2 of the wheels I have even if they wobble slightly, I will be checking them out shortly.
John is a nice person to do business with so if he has something you need don’t hesitate.
My father has been messing with the floor boards on the car and is starting to piece it together but we are still along way off on that part. Trying to buy a rotisserie with part of the economic stimulus check we are supposed to get… my wife said it’s going to pay for the new air conditioning unit (she hates to be hot) and a new washer and dryer which all are eighteen years old (washer died) air unit was on its last legs both definitely needed, nothing wrong with the dryer but I guess there is some unwritten rule that they have to match. Who knew, so it goes… happy wife happy life. So the rotisserie may get put on hold or I will have to hit up my stash saved for the motor.
I also will be sandblasting the front end pieces and drive train next three weekends hopefully.
Radio and speedometer are still at Mr. Kriss’s, but I am not in a hurry at all on those.
Still no pictures yet, I am going to get my uncle to help he is much more computer savvy than I am, so please be patient and I will get some posted sooner or later.
That’s all for now.

Trace Burris
My57spcl
BCA #43237

[imported_JohnD1956]

Thanks for the kind comment Trace. I do hope those wheels work out for ya.

[57wagon]

You will have a very beautiful car when you are done. I now wish I had done the frame off on my '57 Special 4-door wagon. but the body is pretty solid, and it only needed the floors replaced. I have had it a year and I should be driving it by the end of the week! Keep us posted on your progress, and we would love to see photos of the ordeal when you get the chance! Congrats on great body style that will turn lots of heads when done!