Mudbone Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 There is an estate auction this Saturday. A 1955 Buick Century four door hardtop is one of two vehicles to be sold. Is anyone familiar with this car? It is only about an hour from me so I think I will check it out and report back. http://toddwillsauctioneering.com/page1.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted September 17, 2015 Author Share Posted September 17, 2015 Would anyone know what this car is valued at if it is as good as it looks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Would anyone know what this car is valued at if it is as good as it looks?Various value guides out there. Pick a value and deduct what it would take to get to that condition. I see that the interior is worn and tattered. And it depends on if it is running or not (not=deduct price of at least one drivetrain component). Kinda like the BCA judging: all start with 400 before deducts.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted September 18, 2015 Author Share Posted September 18, 2015 Various value guides out there. Pick a value and deduct what it would take to get to that condition. I see that the interior is worn and tattered. And it depends on if it is running or not (not=deduct price of at least one drivetrain component). Kinda like the BCA judging: all start with 400 before deducts....Ok, I will report back on what I find out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 I thought the title was Square Butt auction which would include SpongeBob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 I would take $5000 cash and if not worth that much give the excess to the wife to hold. At a small auction like that there may be a bunch of bidders that bid it to $20k or no bidders at all. If you get it you will have something to drive and enjoy for the next 10 years while you finish the restoration on the 66R Willie 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleach Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 I thought the title was Square Butt auction which would include SpongeBob. For whatever reason, I still keep seeing that way too even after I know it's Squire. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted September 19, 2015 Author Share Posted September 19, 2015 I would take $5000 cash and if not worth that much give the excess to the wife to hold. At a small auction like that there may be a bunch of bidders that bid it to $20k or no bidders at all. If you get it you will have something to drive and enjoy for the next 10 years while you finish the restoration on the 66R WillieThat would suit me just fine. Then maybe my family will get off my back about not getting the car done. (Some of them are getting older and may not see it finished at the rate I am going!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted September 19, 2015 Author Share Posted September 19, 2015 I thought the title was Square Butt auction which would include SpongeBob.I wonder if his wife's name is Bertha? You know, one of the Butt sisters............ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 Pick up the pace on that restoration Mike.Oh wait a minute...Pick up the pace on that restoration Ken. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted September 19, 2015 Author Share Posted September 19, 2015 Pick up the pace on that restoration Mike.Oh wait a minute...Pick up the pace on that restoration Ken.True story. My dad had a feed route that served local farmers. One of his customers last name was Butts. Guess what his first name was? (Seymour) No kidding!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 Yea Seymour Butts,the author of "Under the Grandstands" Good luck at the auction Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Conley Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 No, no, no...you got the sister's names all wrong. They were Ugh and Lee. :-) . Oh and Lamar, the proper spelling of Mr. Butts' first name was SeyMORE. LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted September 20, 2015 Author Share Posted September 20, 2015 I placed one bid on the car. It is now in my driveway. Now what the (BLANK) do I do with it? I have no storage for it. After I have time to evaluate the car I will give you the price. (Willie was real close) I don't have time today as I have the Model T loaded on the trailer for a trip in to see my brother. They are having a church picnic and mini car show today. Later, Mud 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 Drive it.Congrats Mud. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 Congrats. When you have time: details and pictures. If it was a good deal, that's the way to buy....and worry about what and where later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arland Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 I much prefer the novel by his long time competitor: Tiger's Revenge by Claude Balls 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Careful Mud. Just like first there was one, and now there are two, soon it may be, then there were two and now there are three! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Careful Mud. Just like first there was one, and now there are two, soon it may be, then there were two and now there are three!I resemble that remark :-(Looking forward to hearing more Mud 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 (edited) Nice to see a '50's four-door hardtop!They have beautiful lines and are seldom seen. I'd say that, today, your car is scarcer than all the1958 Limited convertibles or 1953 Skylarks. Edited September 21, 2015 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted September 22, 2015 Author Share Posted September 22, 2015 I hope to have more info by the end of the week. Mud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Nice to see a '50's four-door hardtop!They have beautiful lines and are seldom seen. I'd say that, today, your car is scarcer than all the1958 Limited convertibles or 1953 Skylarks.Not that rare (I have 2 55 century 63's), but not appreciated.Mud --- while you are contemplating an update, look closely at the interior. Maybe because it is the first year of the 63, it rivals any Roadmaster! Even my 66C is dowdy compared to the 63. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 (edited) Not that rare (I have 2 55 century 63's), but not appreciated. I didn't want to use the term "rare," since that wordis so overused today. But I'll say it's several timesscarcer than the '58 Limited convertibles and'53 Skylarks, which appear in every major auction.After decades of restoration, production numberssometimes don't tell the entire story, and Skylarksaren't even close to rare these days. As car fans and historians, we are here to preservehistory, yet many of the formerly common modelsare seldom seen simply because they aren't "popular." Are your Centuries both in nice condition? Edited September 23, 2015 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted September 23, 2015 Author Share Posted September 23, 2015 I still have not had time to pull the cover off and take a closer look. I just uploaded some raw video from the auction. Feature film to follow..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG9-V-x4zDI 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 (edited) You stole that ride, Mud!As has been said so many ones before, buy the best you can afford. Edited September 23, 2015 by buick5563 (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted September 24, 2015 Author Share Posted September 24, 2015 I finally had time to pull the cover off tonight and take a closer look. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHdDKrC778g 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Now you have two "drivers".A lot of good stuff been done to it. That isn't a bad thing. Totally worth what you paid. That is a Tanks Inc. gas tank. Just move the electric pump back and get a new rear metal fuel line (Inline will sell just that separately). Clear the crud out of the drain holes, that should prevent further rocker damage. The tires will work for now. I can't tell on the seats. The door panels look good to me. I say again...you scores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick840 Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Wow!...........Who could ask for more.A great driver that you can enjoy while continuing on the restoration of the 2 door.Drive the hell out of it and by all means clean it up but I would not get too distracted with major repairs right away..........invest the time in the 2 door.You're always going to get you money back on this one plus more. Jealous I am 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted September 24, 2015 Author Share Posted September 24, 2015 I started it up last night. It fired right up. It took about 45 seconds to stay running and then it died. Then the battery was dead. So I will put in a new battery and check to see if there is any gas in it and try again. (I had it running for about a half an hour when I loaded it) I did not have the electric fuel pump running so I am not sure if it has to be on or it is just a booster for hot weather. Mud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 I agree with Mike. And if and when you determine repairs are necessary, do as little as possible. I would not try for a show car. I would do as little as possible and ENJOY. Reliability stuff, as needed, ONLY. Ben 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steanson Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Ken, the car looks great as is. I know you can't help it, but too much striving for perfection in every detail can rob you of a whole lot of pleasure. Just put friends in that car and drive it every chance you get. Stean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 ...and another thing...We all know why you are good as a home inspector. Holy cow, that was a thorough inspection of the car.Carry on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steanson Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 PS -- you do not suck at the video business. Please keep filming and sharing.Stean 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Mud, it looks like a mostly original survivor other than the things you noted: trunk, door panels and seats especially. Links to 2 of mine for comparision:http://buickrestorer.com/centurys/b63/http://buickrestorer.com/centurys/t63/ The turquoise/white one is a 25k mile original; the blue/white one you have seen and was restored to BCA standards. When I was restoring my convertible all of the NORS replacement rockers were "caps" like the one used on yours...a quick and dirty way to repair. I have a model 63 parts cars that is rust free...some disassembly required. As suggested, check and fix to make it safe and dependable and drive it. Allentown sounds like a good shakedown cruise! Willie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted September 25, 2015 Author Share Posted September 25, 2015 I brought home a new battery for it tonight. Who would have thought that a Bobcat battery is the same size as a 55 Buick battery? Anyway the fuel gauge reads 1/2 full, by tapping on the tank it says empty. I put in four gallons and now it reads full! Turned on the electric pump but it would not fire. I ended up taking the fuel filter nut off the back of the carb and then turning on the electric pump. A bunch air came out and then finally fuel. She fired right up. After putting it back together it was too dark for a video. However we did get a video of my wife opening the glove box for the first time. Video to follow... Mud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 A very nice purchase!!! I really love the colors! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 Nice, Mud! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 (edited) I watched your entire video. Much of the car does appear original as you believe it is. The rust issues around the rockers appears minor to me as the overall condition is quite good. Shame the repair on the front corner was not done very well. The interior does appear to be original. Overall a great buy from what I see. Nice car to cruise in with family. Perhaps this vehicle will be great as a reference for the 55 you are working on now. Somehow I suspect you are growing a liking to it and will use it as a daily fun driver. The reason I say this your current restoration, that no doubt will be top notch, will be used occasionally and for shows only. Handled with much care. Where as the new purchase can be fun to run no matter where you are going. Just a guess on my part. Edited September 25, 2015 by avgwarhawk (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted September 27, 2015 Author Share Posted September 27, 2015 Here is the auction video. Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy1rlZFKgGw 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 Best video yet.The texts are so accurate. They are funny to me. Maybe because I have had that same conversation. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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