John_S_in_Penna

Looking at the happy side: These items weren't junked, and they likely went to old-car owners who will use them, resell them to Buick owners, or store them for the future.

Does anyone have a Riviera emblem? I want to put it on my keychain to identify the car, so the emblem doesn't have to be perfect. Maybe something out of your junk box or accumulation? This way, I can identify the keychain at a glance and show my Buick enthusiasm. Ideally, the emblem would be for a 1973, in which the "R" is slanted a bit. The studs for attachment can even be broken, since I'll file them off to make the emblem flat. Here's a picture of the C-pillar emblem from the internet--and just for interest, a picture of my car. Thanks!

The seller appears to be reducing the price by $1000 a month. It's now at $17,995. I think at this rate, he might actually sell the car sometime this coming autumn. He'd better not wait until winter!

I like the car. So many are convertibles, and 2-door hardtops aren't seen as often. The color isn't the usual red, black, or putty, so to me it stands out a bit. What is this car really worth? Surely not $29,000.

Can headliners like that be cleaned to look new, or closer to new? The seats appear to have seat covers.

I don't know whether the price is realistic, but that is a beautiful car. DeSotos of 1955 and 1956 have excellent styling, and the color combination of this car is very good. I wish it were more affordably priced. If someone was looking for a car in such a price range, this truly rare car would definitely be one to consider. I wonder whether the factory manual transmission would appeal to buyers. Thanks again, Fin Seeker, for your excellent finds!

If the seller is the John McCarthy I know of, he is very reliable, and a true Lincoln enthusiast. I even reprinted one of his articles in our AACA regional newsletter. He has been on this forum and is active in the AACA. I think he'll find, though, that the price--even for a car with the rare glass roof--needs to come down. But I wish him well!

Hmm... The car has higher mileage (73,000 miles). The car has some obvious needs. Town Coupes (except with the glass roofs) are readily available. No one bought it at $4500. Why does he feel the price needs to go up? Did he perhaps do some significant work recently?

I like the styling of the 1964 Mercuries, though I don't know much about all the intricacies. This car would look beautiful if someone would restore it. Maybe just a good cleaning and detailing, and a new top, would suffice cosmetically. As it stands, the dust doesn't make it look like a $15,000 car or help its sale.

No. The "4100" refers to cubic centimeters, and is therefore 4.1 liters. I think it's 252 cubic inches. That 4.1-liter engine began for Cadillac in 1982. If this car had GM's 401 cubic inch engine, that would be great, and render the car much more desirable!

If you tell us what your project is, knowledgeable people might give hints of what vendors might be there, or whether the Charlotte event even has much for that type of car. All the best to you in your search! It's fun to be around other car fans, rather than merely shop through ads.

is this sedan maybe a $15,000 car? It might be interesting to watch the price of this handsome Olds, to see how long it takes to reach a realistic number and actually sell.

Are Metropolitans mainly for around-town driving? I assume they wouldn't have much power for highways. What is a comfortable top speed? What is the driving experience like? They're nice looking little cars. We can all learn from others' knowledge.

This driving experience, by Doug DeMuro on Youtube, might help to satisfy your curiosity, Gearhead. It might also extinguish anyone's desire for such a small car!

Lew, note your spelling. I don't know this company, but I checked www.secondchancegarage (spelled "chance," not "change") and it still didn't come up. Can you tell us a bit more of what they had, or had on their site? Were they an antique-car repair facility? Thanks.

The seller advertises "a chance to own a rare car..." But 1953 Skylarks are not rare in the least. Because they are stylish and attractive, they have been preserved and restored in quantity. They are likely the most COMMON model of 1953 Buick on the market, and there are many for sale every day of every week of every year. There are currently SEVEN for sale just on the Hemmings Motor News website at this moment.

Was there no "Park" position in the automatic transmission? I know Chryslers had no Park, even in my '61 Imperial, and that the driver merely put the transmission in Neutral and applied the parking brake. Is that the case with this Oldsmobile Hydramatic? Didn't Buick's early Dynaflows have a Park position, though?

I agree that brown interior is very common for that time period. However, the maroon paint would have been very unusual with that interior, not a manufacturer's "recommended" combination. That makes me think that the paint color has been changed. It's not a problem at all; it's just a case of a later-period combination put on the car. Go for it! The car will have a good home with you.

I like the color, which is distinctive--especially for a 4-door car--without being too loud.

I agree with 7th Son and would wait for a better sedan. But a collector may have to search for a while to find a nice one realistically priced. In contrast, one can look any day and find a dozen or more convertibles for sale.

You're exactly right, Steve: 1961-69 Lincoln sedans are now scarce, while convertibles are common. When new, there were 10 sedans for every convertible. Once, when writing for our AACA newsletter, I surveyed ads for sale on one website. There were 10 sedans (typically rougher and needing work) and 36 convertibles (typically very nice). If the original ratio had held up, the 10 sedans for sale would be accompanied by just ONE convertible, not 36! That's a 36-fold distortion of the original production, because collectors prefer convertibles and restore them. Cars that we think are ordinary are often difficult to find.

I really like the way the taillights are faired into the upper trunk surface. That's unusual and good looking, too. If I were looking for another car, I'd consider this and take care of the paint issues. Thanks, Fin Seeker!

I like this very scarce car. It has excellent styling. Centurion 2-door hardtops such as this are very infrequently seen. The 1973 convertibles have received the attention and are much more common. The seller says this is a "daily driver." I hope the next owner preserves it well, and it finds a home with an appreciative Buick fan.

People who have long experience are very valuable to anyone who appreciates history. Those people have experienced things first-hand which we have only read about. I have learned many interesting facts from knowing such people.

Newcomers to the forum cannot respond by Private Message. It's for security, so spammers can't join and cause disruptions. I don't know whether Mr. Stainless can receive the messages, though. You might give him your phone number so he can call you.