Guest Buick Bonery Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 One of my customers was good enough to stop by the yard with his beautiful 58 Limited convertible with a continental kit. It was his grandmother's car. Air poise does not work, but that is his next project. Pete, if you think there is a story for the Bugle, he is open to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 I wonder whether the car wore this continental kit when his grandmother drove it. I first saw this unusual continental kit style at the Buick 75th anniversary meet in Flint in 1978 (on a black '58 Super 2-door), and there are online photos of one of these on a '58 Limited in Sweden. So, the manufacturer for these '58 kits sold at least a few of them. It's hard to imagine that '58 Limited owners did not consider their cars to be sufficiently gargantuan in size before adding the continental kit!Cool car. I'd love to hear more about it in the Bugle -- or here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serb Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Brian, like you said, gargantuan. I think you need to park where the semi's park or look for a double space somewhere.I have to say that the 1958 Buicks are my favorites.stevo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Yes, that is a rare car and we need to do an article about it. Looks like the upholstery has been redone. Any car that has been in the same family for 51 years has a good story behind it. Ask the owner if he will send me some photos and an article about the car and its history, and I will find the room for it in the magazine.Pete Phillipspphillips922@earthlink.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 60electra225 Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 They certainly didn't spend too much time styling the continental kit did they ? Really looks out of place to my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Buick Bonery Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Pete, the original interior color was yellow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Buick Bonery,Have watched (DROOLED) over this post long enough that I can now comment. First, WoW, WoW, WoW! Have I stated my preference (bias) clearly? Owning two Limited two doors most of my driving life have met many opinions of 'love them or hate them' but for me the convert is the prized possession. Looked at a yellow convert with yellow interior near here back in the 90's that had been put in a dirt floor barn with a leaky roof and the top down (floors completely gone) and politely turned it down when the fellow asked 12,000 for it knowing what the chrome plating would cost let alone the extensive bodywork and panel fabrication and other work required. This black beauty while having a few owner personalization's is what I dream of. I have seen pictures of 58's with the continental kits and while I would have to extend the garage in order to get it in prefer the style pictured versus the full bumper extension kit offered by Continental Kits in BC. IMHO there are some cars that can wear a full bumper extension but the Buick looks better with this one. Buick offered this one style but is extremely rare to find today. One note (not meant to be criticism) the emblem mounted near the top of the spare tire cover is the one that mounts on the trunk hence the personalization. At least it is Buick model year appropriate. To me that is what makes this hobby fun, to see how someone else enjoys their car. Question, do you know if this car was ordered with this kit or was it a Dealer installed option? Thanks for posting pics of this rare car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Buick Bonery Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 I don't know if it was factory or dealer installed. He is in Reno at Hot August Nights right now. I'm sure I'll be talking to him next week when he gets back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 This type conti kit was also avialble on the 57's - I had a flier on this set-up when I had my 57's, but no longer have that collection of literature. The 57 version was a little more rounded/ arched and actuallt did not add that much lenght to the car as it replaced the rear bumper and the tailights stuck out further than the bumper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 Yes, Keith, I have seen that '57 style continental kit that you described -- once. There was a light blue or white Roadmaster 4-door at the 1988 BCA National in Flint, wearing just such a continental kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reatta Man Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 Pete, If you don't have the time to do the story, send the details to me and I'll write it for you. Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest scottmello1 Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 This car was my Dads, he passed away in 2010 and ive inherited the car.My dad was really excited when he brought the car out to the Bonery, and im trying to figure out what im going to do with it now (other than cruise around every weekend and enjoy the hell out of it). It needs some things done to it, but im not exactly any good at that sort thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Scott, being the fourth generation to own such a car is great. I don't believe it ever showed up in the Bugle{ if it did I missed it} so a history of it would be great. Sorry about the loss of your Dad. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caballero2 Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 (edited) I believe this continental kit on a Super was at the Kansas City National.There was also one at the Phoenix National.I have added an aftermarket kit advert that I encountered in the early 1990s.And finally, the '58 shown is in the Cussler Collection and is a Limited with minor mods to the rear fenders.Dan Edited December 23, 2011 by Caballero2 Correct "Cussler" from "Custler" (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Oh, if only I'd had a Granny with that much style...Neither of my grandmothers even drove, as far as I know. My dad's father owned just one car, an Orillia, Ontario-built Tudhope, for only two years - 1912 and 1913. He was financially wiped out in a real estate crash in 1913 and never owned another car.In the 'Teens, '20s and '30s, my mom's father drove a REO, a Whippet, and a Hudson Terraplane, among many others no doubt. His last one was a rather plain '56 Pontiac sedan, which he gave to my parents in about 1962. Nice colours though, turquoise and white.i love continental kits - but only on 1939 to 1948 Lincoln Continentals. But hey, if my family had treasured and kept a magnificent car like this, I'd be very happy to build a bump-out on my garage to accommodate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lrlforfun Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 OK Scott: Pretty sharp and VERY valuable. My suggestion, look around for a mechanic that knows these cars. If you find a person you trust that will do a good job at a reasonable price you've hit pay dirt. Ask some of the people in the Sac. chapter where they go and you might get a lead too. If anybody knows, I do, and that is when they are mechanically solid they are fun to drive and can be very reliable.....which translates into enjoyment. Good luck, Mitch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 That is a very sweet car. Keep it and enjoy it if you can. I love ragtops! Dandy Dave! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sintid58 Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 I am sorry to all the fans of any continental kits but the first thing I would do with any that was on a car I bought would be to remove it and sell it. I just don't like the looks of them on any car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexRiv_63 Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 I am sorry to all the fans of any continental kits but the first thing I would do with any that was on a car I bought would be to remove it and sell it. I just don't like the looks of them on any car.I completely agree! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest scottmello1 Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 OK Scott: Pretty sharp and VERY valuable. My suggestion, look around for a mechanic that knows these cars. If you find a person you trust that will do a good job at a reasonable price you've hit pay dirt. Ask some of the people in the Sac. chapter where they go and you might get a lead too. If anybody knows, I do, and that is when they are mechanically solid they are fun to drive and can be very reliable.....which translates into enjoyment. Good luck, Mitch. actually im living in Hayward now (noticed thats where you were also)....so if you have any suggestions.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest scottmello1 Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Scott, being the fourth generation to own such a car is great. I don't believe it ever showed up in the Bugle{ if it did I missed it} so a history of it would be great. Sorry about the loss of your Dad. BenThanks Ben,Ill have to sit down and look through everything so I can fill in some of my gaps....the car is quite a bit older than I am. So much of the history is what I remember being told....my memory of it starts when it showed up at our house on a flatbed truck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhclark Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Didn't one of these style Continental kits go across the Auction Block at B-J recently? I didn't watch much, but I seem to remember a Buick with Continental kit (that I wasn't crazy about) crossing the block. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lrlforfun Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 OK Scott: I may have a mechanic for you. Give me a call and I can give you the skinny. Mitch 510-688-1626 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Continental Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Between the fins and the bumper, how much does the kit really extend the car? Truly a beautiful car. 1958 Buicks are some of my favorites.Why couldn't I have a family car this cool. Granted there are a couple with some potential, but they really need some customizing in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithbrother Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 We all know IT'S TRUE, (we all have our ideas, and opinions), and such makes the hobby so much fun, FUN IS GOOD!Hey, I cut up a 41 Limited, I love it, and I DON'T have a single regret for building it my way. I have never been a fan of kits hanging on the back, but if the owner likes it, then I happy for him.Dale in Indy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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