Nice Original 55 Century

I was lookiing at a website for a car dealer near me that dabbles in classic cars and saw they

had gotten a nice original 55 Century. I had to go and look at it, the colors are identical to

the car my mom and dad owned when they were married in 1955, only their car was a Special. Dad loved the car and always talks about it. That was why I purchased the 55 Special we have. The one we have is not in near as good condition as this Century and it waa repainted before we got it with a bright red paint and in the wrong combination for the year. (red top, white center, red bottom) This car is an 83,000 mile original that looks like it is mostly unmolested. The bottom white was repainted by the dealer because they said it was very bad but the rest of the paint looks original and is showing its age (patena). Interior is very nice and looks like the headliner was redone. I found it odd that it has power brakes but no power steering. I was under it and is looks very good with very little rust. I asked the guy what he wants for it and he doesn't know yet. This kind of irritates me, he knows what he paid for it, and what a decent and resonable profit would be but he wants to see if he can double or triple his money. He more or less told me this when he said he was working on finding out what it is worth. I am interested and would think that this car would be something you could purchase resonably but you never know. My dad is also interested in looking at it but sometimes this dealer just gets ridiculous. I was even thinking about trading him the Riviera for it if he would give me a decent trade. Just can't warm up to the Riviera and I had a guy from New York that was going to buy it, but I was going to loose money on it so and was messing with shipping so I backed out. Guess if I could get into this and not loose too much I would. I have much more interest in a 50's car that is drivable that any of the 60's cars. Either that or a 70-72 Skylark with A/C. Any thoughts out there. If you go to this web site and click on classic cars you can browse and see the 55.

http://www.frankmanmotor.com/show.aspx?vid=730652

Here another picture, and I should mention that just spending some time walking around the car I did notice the headlight ring on the passenger side had about 30-40% of the chrome missing. I could not get into the trunk or glove box and the started was not set to work properly. You nearly had to have the foot feet all the way to the floor in order for it to start to turn over. I am sure there are other cosmetic issues and I was looking at it inside an unlit garage but if looks like with a little work it could be a very good original driver.

I looked at the web site, I hate these guys that want you to call for the price, <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />it usually means "how much can I BLEED you" <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />. The problem with those All original cars is that although they are in really good condition they are in need of everything and tend to "wear" considerably when put to everyday use. Heck everything is 51 years old!!! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> The best way to preserve an all original car is to store it in a climate controlled garage and only drive it occasionaly. I would think that it may be worth <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> (I'm going out on a limb here) about 5 to 7grand <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />, I know thats a wide range but it takes a seller AND a buyer!! I'm betting he wants more than 10 grand though! GOOD LUCK!!!!!! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Sintid, my parents 55 Century they bought new had power brakes and no power steering...............it was a bear in tight spots.

I went and checked Collector Car and Truck and Manheim and I think you're going to be looking at a price more in the $15,000 range. This appears to be a #3 easily and that's over $10 and $13 respectively, and then you are talking with a dealer so.......

You mentioned you weren't getting into the Riviera. You don't have one listed in your signature. Why not get rid of it and use towards this one?

I bought the Riviera this spring and evidently paid too much for it because i can get no one interested it. If I look at the same guide you did my car is worth $15,000 and I would sell it for $6700 at the drop of a hat. I also looked at 4 different price guides for old cars and they range from $8000 to $15,000 for a 1955 Century in #3 condition which is what this car is. So much for price guides.

I think if you look at that web site you can guess the price range of the 55. Big Bucks.

One of the members in the Upstate NY Chapter wants to market his 55 Special as seen in the picture. HE advertised an asking price of 11K in our newsletter. It is a sweet car.

John D

I think if you look at that web site you can guess the price range of the 55. Big Bucks.

One of the members in the Upstate NY Chapter wants to market his 55 Special as seen in the picture. HE advertised an asking price of 11K in our newsletter. It is a sweet car.

That looks like a very nice 55, much cleaner than the one that I am talking about. I would think that the one you sent pictures for would easily bring $11,000, unless it is not as nice as it looks. If it is as nice as if looks then the one I looked at should be worth at the minimum $4,000 to $5,000 less just because of condition. Just a few things I remember from looking a the car the other day. Chrome peeling of some areas, truck key did not work and could not get it open, glove box would not open, accelorator pump is bad in the carb, Red paint very thin in spots and there is a small dent in the right front fender. I think that the paint could be lived with as would the small dent which might be a candidate for paintless dent removal. Everything else could easily be repaired but it would not anything more that a middle #3 car no without extensive work or restoration. If the car could be bought for the right amount of money you could do what needed to be done to make a very decent driver. If you paid much more than 6,000 for it I think you could find a better driver for the 11,000.

Yeah, that is exactly what I told you in my last post. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> 5 to 7 grand is about right for a car that needs everything, you may as well keep your 55 and restore it!!! Did the jerk ever give you a price? If it's reasonable <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />(I doubt) you could buy it and sell your 55 and riv to do a completec restore! If that silver 55 posted in above posts were a little closer to me I would probably grab some cash and go take a look!! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> SHE IS NICE!!!!!

Sid,

I always hate to see this type of car at a dealer but love it when I find them with the original owner. One statement you made would steer me away from this one though and that is "The bottom white was repainted by the dealer because they said it was very bad but the rest of the paint looks original and is showing its age (patena).

I think 6-7,000 for an unmolested, solid body, clear windows, good mechanical condition car would be right on. Red Newhauser in Georgia has an ad in the Dixie Chapter Newsletter for a 1955 Buick Special 46R 2 door Riviera. New tires, fuel pump, carb, Rebuilt brakes and booster. Has PB, PS, an original car 96,000 miles, daily driver Asking $7,500. 770-671-0834

Well this ebay seller seems to think they're worth a little more than we do.

55 Buick on eBay

This car ran on ebay last week and got up to $6,300. What makes people think that they can ask $20,000 reserve not met and Buy it now $30,000, when it only got bid up to $6,300????????

Here's $6,300 Auction

Although there was a blue and white one that was a low mile original with wire wheels about a month ago that sold for $30,000 on ebay, but it was a very nice car and looked sharp.

Well that should be the answer in what a car is worth, <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> if you can only get a $6,300 bid then you can ASK all ya want <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />!!!! That price falls right in the ball park!!! I saw that blue/white one too but I thougt it was a COMPLETELY RESTORED low mile car! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What makes people think that they can ask $20,000 reserve not met and Buy it now $30,000 </div></div>

Here's a hint....it starts with a B and ends with an N and most of the time alcohol is involved <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Sid - I hope everything works out as you wish, but I won't hold my breath. Lately I've found too many projects where people want an arm and a leg for. From personal experience, I know restoration can be very costly. I guess I need to get to a point where I can do more of the work myself.

At least if these '55s are $20k+, then I ought to be able to sell my '56 Special...that eBay link you guys put up would have me doing some mental math...headliner, bumper rechroming, proper carb with rebuild, etc., engine compartment detailing to say the least, a paint job (soon if chips are getting surface rust and some peeling is taking place), etc. Heck, if you are going to do all that, why not start with my '56...you'll get a lot lower starting price <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The auction / "collectors" / speculator markets drive me insane whenever I think about it. It would be nice if the hobby could get back to hobbyists. I don't know how many times my body guy has said how happy he is that I am driving the Wildcat.

Sigh.