1950 76-R runs again after 35+ years

I have to share this. Today I got my 1950 Roadmaster 76-R running again, and the old straight 8 sounds wonderful. It just humms so contentedly. I bought the car last month as an abandoned project in Lubbock, Texas, and towed it home. I learned that the 2-dr. hardtop is scarcer than the convertible in 1950. When I first tried to start it, the engine sounded awful and I shut it off right away. Got new copper exhaust manifold gaskets from CARS, Inc., and installed them to fix the bad leak at the engine/manifold joint. Tried to crank it again--metallic clanking sound this time--not good. Pulled off the valve cover and found a bent pushrod and stuck valve on #1 cylinder. Straightened the pushrod, unstuck the valve with B-12 Chemtool, reassembled everything, rigged up a temporary gas can, and cranked again. Nothing! The fuel filter was so clogged that it would not let anything through. Cleaned up the ceramic filter and the screen, and gas came into the glass bowl.

Cranked it again. After one or two tries, the lifters got pumped up, stopped their clanking, and man, that old 320 just purred and hummed as good as a new one! Hooray! First time it has run in about 35 years, from what I can determine. The car only has 74,000 miles. No smoke, no leaks, no lifter noise.

I'll try to attach photos of the interior. The original green leather is soft as a glove. This big baby was kept indoors out of the Texas sun. It's in primer, with the rear fenders off, so I'll have to save up for a paint job and then I can reassemble the big green hardtop.

Pete Phillips, BCA #7338

Sherman, TX

Awesome job Pete. I can only imagine how you feel. Looks like a great car.

Wow!!! Look at the chrome on that baby. And power windows to boot.. That will make 40-65 A/C easier to come by.

Good luck

JD

Pete, don't you just love bringing these ol' Buicks back to life. I realize they're only old iron but everytime I crank one up that has been left sitting in a pasture or woods for years it just makes me feel great.

Again I am so envious of you. First the 54 Roadmaster you saved and restored and now this. I love the 50 Roadmaster Rivieras and in fact it is the only car that I ever considered selling my 54's in order to buy one of. Thankfully I came to my senses and passed on it but here is the one that almost got me.

Look forward to watching you transform this one back to it's glorious old self.

Good for you Pete! What an awsome find. Looking forward to seeing her completed. Best of Luck

Randy Johnson

BCA # 42817

"55 Century 66R Coming to Life"

It looks like an in depth article on the restoration of this beauty is in the making.

Good luck and keep us "in the loop",as they say (I hate those kinds of expressions).

Stevo

Pete,

Great story and a beautiful car, I want to see it when it's done! I wonder how many cars have been junked over the years for easily fixed problems like you described - I shudder to think...

Mr. Earl - Glad to see your alive and well. Hope the family is in good health. I still have that royal maroon Roadie down here in Florida. Took her out to a cruise-in last month and people really enjoyed her. They are superior cars and have a real high "cool factor" in my opinion.

Pete - I would try and find a Fulton visor if you can, they add a nice gangster look eh ! Good luck on the restoration, and contact me for any info or pics to reference if needed.

Merry Christmas to all Buiick lovers !!

Pete,

This project has not been reported on for a while now, how is it going? Is the '63 taking priority or are you bouncing back and forth?

Stevo

Pete:

To make the purists angry, adding a Pertronix to my 50 made a huge difference.

Great job!

Gary