Gene Brink

Oddly enough images I've found online show the chrome Dynaflow script being on the front fender (probably where yours is) when present. When not there the rear trunk ornament (may have turn sign signals or lights in it???) has Dyna Flow as part of the red plastic in each half respectively (when a manual transmission this is Buick Eight). Sounds like yours is as it should be. 1949 shows the Dynaflow script on the read fender only with Buick Eight in the trunk ornament.

If the radials are "non-directional" (meaning they can roll in either direction) you can "X" pattern your rotation. If the radials are directional (meaning they can roll in ONE direction only - sidewall will have an arrow so indicating) they should be rotated front to rear on the same side. Been this way for a number of years... Read more about it here (or any other tire manufacturer website) - https://www.bridgestoneamericas.com/en/company/safety/maintaining-tires/tire-rotation

No idea where the video is, Ben, but the Olds horsepower was 185 (4 barrel carb) while the Buick was 236 which certainly would help the Buick overcome the dynaflow sluggishness I'd bet.

Amen to everything Doug said. I learned my lesson on a '54 Super and after replacing 4 dynaflows (that did NOT like me planting my foot to the floorboard all the time - both in drive and low) I finally picked up a '55 transmission and linkage at the junkyard. Problem solved and rarely felt the need to use low any longer. It sounds to me that you will not like the performance in a '53 but if you purchase the car be patient and the dynaflow will last for years.

Also posted in For Sale but as there is more activity in this forum am also posting here. Not mine but saw when searching Craigslist. Unless color in pictures is way off it isn't Buick green and as the entire engine is painted (not recently based on appearance) it may have been rebuilt (?). OBO so may be able to get at a good price. https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/pts/d/wilmington-1964-buick-electra-motor/7707039926.html

Not mine but saw when searching Craigslist. Unless color in pictures is way off it isn't Buick green and as the entire engine is painted (not recently based on appearance) it may have been rebuilt (?). OBO so may be able to get at a good price. https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/pts/d/wilmington-1964-buick-electra-motor/7707039926.html

Had a '64 Chevy pickup with a 283 that did the same thing. Turned out to be crossfire because of carbon tracking in the distributor cap. Cleaned everything up and cured the problem. Good luck solving your mystery.

Doubt you will be able find a style match for your original left side mirror BUT you can find period correct appearing mirrors here - https://classicautoparts.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?limit=96&q=right+side+rearview+mirror. Guessing old parts catalogs for other marques may have something that better matches what you are looking for. Good luck.

Amen to that, Brian! Especially the awful noise...

'52 windshield appears to be full height while the '53 was cut down a bit. Makes no difference to me but some think it makes the car appear much sleeker. Agree that the '52 appears to be artwork rather than an actual picture.

Just to add regarding upholstery check out https://smsautofabrics.com/collections/1955-buick?page=4. They may well have an exact match for your original cloth shown in your pictures (although they do not have an image - the link I've given shows all of the 1955 Buick material images so you can get an idea). SMS will provide you a sample (snipped a tiny piece from both a '65 Rambler and '58 Chevy Apache and mailed to them to match and they had exact weaves to match both). SMS isn't cheap and you may well be able to find something that is quite suitable someplace like https://www.kovifabrics.com/ or https://www.discounteddesignerfabrics.com/ or https://palazzofabrics.com/. All will also provide samples when requested and the cost is less than SMS.

Believe Old Tank, and others, nailed what is causing the problem. Wheel flex. Based on my experience with a '68 Pontiac Tempest with the same problem I know for certain the front wheels ONLY flexed with repeated instances of the right front hubcap dismounting during left hand (only) turns. Rotating tires did NOT make any difference still the right front only dismounted during turns. Front left hubcap did rotate eventually bending the valve stem enough so it was no longer accessible without removing the hubcap. Guessing this is the result of more weight on the front than the rear. This condition was present with two sets of radials over several years. You could hear the hubcaps creaking and popping when turning. Only lost hubcaps when driving on surface streets - never on the highway and was always able to find the hubcap after stopping (although a bit beat up - at least never run over by another driver). Tried duct tape and RTV without success. When I got the car it had bias ply belted tires and did not have this problem at all (stuck with the radials as the car drove better with them). Good luck finding a solution.

Such sad news and a loss for all Buick lovers. My best to Dee and the family.

John, God bless and keep you and the family.

Don't know where you are located, Paul, or if you prefer 4 door, convertible, etc. but check out this one that showed up on Craigslist today. https://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant/cto/d/los-angeles-1967-buick-electra/7446559883.html