1948 Buick adventure

Another big Buick adventure is about to start. I'm leaving Texas on Friday morning, with empty trailer in tow, bound for the southeastern tip of South Dakota to purchase, pick up, and resurrect a 1948 Super 2-door fastback, model 56-S. It has been stored in this barn for many years, and if all goes well, will see the light of day sometime Saturday afternoon. I'll try to post updates and photos. It's a pretty maroon car with standard shift, 55,000 actual miles, not running due to long storage, and of course will need some work. I've only seen it in photos, but it looks very solid and straight. I'm psyched for the trip. I think I heard about the car on Craig's List. Can't wait to see it in person.

Pete Phillips, BCA #7338

Leonard, Texas

Looking forward to seeing the Buick!

Looking forward to seeing the Buick!

Me too.

Me three,

Good ole South Dakota, move to Indy in 1973 from South Dakota.

When it snows out there the snow also comes up out of the ground, BELIEVE ME, we know. Nice folks there though.

Dale in Indy

P.S. I have been installing a new main windshield set of rubber seals in my modified Limited, and WHAT A PAIN. I am for sure a hands on guy, and this process has given me fits. I learned last night that the center chrome trim bar when in place was approx. 1/4" from touching the main center rubber piece.

I thought possibly the reveal pinch seal had slipped and was holding the windshield back, so took the complete package back out. WHAT A DIRTY MESS, with all the bedding compound on such. Everything looked ok, so confused.

I have a call in to Steele Rubber to discuss what might be my problem.

Pray for me, LOL, NO, really

Dale in Indy

Congrats Pete! Cannot wait to see the car.

Sounds very exciting Pete. Potentially one of those adventures of a lifetime. A true barn find indeed. Most importantly drive careful and have a safe trip.

Can't wait to see some pictures...fastback 48's are so cool!

Made it to Lincoln, Nebraska today, about 625 miles from Leonard, Texas. Afraid I can't say much that is nice about Lincoln, though. Took two hours of driving all over the town just to find a motel--not a motel with a vacant room--just a MOTEL, period. Have never seen anything like this--225,000 people and there are no motels on the major highways or thoroughfares on the south, east, northeast, or southwest sides of the city. Nothing on U.S. Rte. 77; nothing on U.S. Rte. 6, nothing on U.S. Rte. 34 east from in town to the vacant fields on the way to Omaha. They must hide them from visitors. Finally found one on the northwest side of town, after going to three different exits and interchanges on Interstate 80 and still finding none. Tomorrow will be a better day. Should be there to see the '48 by noontime.

The only old Buick I saw today was along U.S. Rte. 81 near Minneapolis, Kansas--a '58 station wagon, pushed down a creekbed years ago, and still hanging on above the water--sad.

Pete Phillips

First photos... Just got it loaded--turning lots of heads as I tow it down the highway. 59,000 miles, all original, two owners since new. I LOVE IT.

I just came in from the garage and found this; makin' my little heart thump. Same age as me. I'd be up late putting a shine on that one tonight!

Bernie

Pete, so very happy for YOU, and the BUICK.

We know it's in good hands.

Dale in Indy

nice find pete,wish i had more room and money for more buicks,4 bufords fom ct

Looks good.

Very nice. It should clean up really easily.

I wish I could have found something like that.

Fender skirts are in the trunk. I think the left rear tire is one of the car's original tires: wide whitewall, U.S. Royal, 7.60 by 15. Got another day of driving today before I get home with this gem. Thanks for the encouragement!

Pete

Boy OH Boy, the (potential) is so glaring.

I don't think there is a person in the world that doesn't like the Sedanet.

Great color, Great find, going to a Great home, Congrats.....

Dale in Indy

Pete, it's a real beauty! Also, something you won't be meeting many of when you're going down the road!!!!

Fantastic, Pete! Great photos and great Buick! I love it.

I doubt there's one of us who wouldn't love to have been part of this great adventure with you.

Wow. Great find Pete. A '48 sedanet is on my "Buicks To Own" list! Looking forward to seeing your work on this one. Keep us updated and have fun!

Pretty darned handsome barn, too.

So, Pete, what is this? By my count, about Buick number 58 purchased since I started following you on these forums. Maybe I exaggerate but not much. I suppose you've got a bit of land, like, a Texas-sized bit of land?

Got to love the long swooping fenders down the side. These make the nose loooooong. Nice find. Enjoy!

Pic coming out of barn is a classic! hope you made it home safely. Car looks really straight. I am patiently waiting to see what this baby looks like after washing and a polish.

after washing and a polish

Actually, cleaning of a barn find is no longer allowed. Please see http://forums.aaca.org/f117/sale-1965-buick-riviera-gran-sport-350723.html

Fender skirts are in the trunk. I think the left rear tire is one of the car's original tires: wide whitewall, U.S. Royal, 7.60 by 15. Got another day of driving today before I get home with this gem. Thanks for the encouragement!

Pete

Fantastic, Pete.

Now if you still had the '48 Roadmaster.

Ben

Made it home. Here it is after four hours of waxing and compounding the driver's side of the car.

Does anyone have a pair of moldings for the center of the fender skirts? Both of these are side-swiped and put back on with screws.

When my 47 got wrecked I was able to find the chrome I needed at the Buick Farm....

Nice looking car.. Good find and you saved it from someone like me who would love to put a big Nailhead in it.

Pete,

What a wonderful Buick you have found! I am green with envy!

Now, after the before and after pics..... what are your intentions

for this beauty...? Drive as is ? or, ?....?

This is the very car I've coveted for a LONG time!!!

Have fun with it!

Mike

What a sweet car. Nice find Pete.

Pete,

Looks like you have found a really excellent car there. I'm sure the "revival" process will be enjoyable with such a nice car to begin with. Looking forward to seeing more pictures of your progress. Have fun.

Thats a killer color! Amazing how some parts of it still shine. I saw the guys on the show Fast and Loud take a car with similar paint and just clear coat it to maintain the original patina.

Made it home. Here it is after four hours of waxing and compounding the driver's side of the car.

Does anyone have a pair of moldings for the center of the fender skirts? Both of these are side-swiped and put back on with screws.

WOW!

Hooked up a battery and got the engine to turn over today--spins nicely. Took off the valve cover and the valve train is amazingly clean and free of sludge. Here are a few photos. I have not cleaned anything yet in the engine or interior or trunk. The original upholstery is underneath the seat covers. Notice the ivory-colored steering wheel, which I thought was not used after 1947.

This is an amazingly clean car.

When Dad was the service manager in the late 40's-early 50's I recall they installed a ton of those seat covers. Sure brought back good memories.

I love the car, you are one lucky guy, but deserving I would bet.

Dale in Indy

How nice !!! another Super car! Love-n it.

What a beauty, Pete. I'm looking forward to seeing it in person. Don't you just love those tail lights set in the rear fenders?

I cleaned up the trunk and look at the decal that is still in place on the base of the bumper jack...

That is so cool. No doubting that came with the 48

Enjoying the trip, Pete?

What a Trip the first drive!!

Looking GOOD.

Ben

Pete, great find. And, a very rare color, never seen one that color. Is all the plastic, or whatever you call it, ivory colored ? Is the engine a side mount or front mount ? '47 was the last front motor mount car. Paul