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O.K. GUYS TIME TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE


Guest AlK

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I was out to today roaming the by-ways when I spotted this truck hauling a 1955 Buick Century. I immediately executed a Ulysses and chased him down.

He was hauling this car to the CRUSHER. I have not been in the trunk yet, so what I see missing may very well be in there. This is a 4dr HARdTOP not a sedan. It has A/C though have not seen a compressor(trunk?) it is missing 2 pieces of chrome on the psngr side doors(trunk?). It has P/W P/S PS PB, a continental rear, I was told the engine was running, but they just lost interest. All of the bumpers are there as well as the taillight, but need to be chromed. Most of the glass is o.k. except the one of the front doors. I do not have them yet, I am on the way to take pictures and will post them as soon as I get back. I need to get this sold before the wife gets home or you can label me 'DEAD MAN WALKING'. O.K. I will post a few pictures and for the rest send me an e-mail address and I will send you the rest. More info: The A/C compessor IS in the trunk and the A/C blower is mounted in the proper place and looks brand new. Unfortunately there appears to be no gas tank.

Edited by AlK
to update info (see edit history)
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Here are the pictures. I would have liked to put them in the orginal post but the "manage attachments" button does not seem to come up in edit mode

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I will be here all day. phn = 334-298-8052 cell 706-341-2501. Pictures have just been posted. If you are still interested then bring cash and trailer, I don't think you will be sorry. I don't know what way you plan on coming but the best way to where the car is, is to come down I-85 and take the exit for I-185 to Columbus. follow I-185 to the exit that says Phenix City, follow that to the end. take a left and you will find a shopping center with a K-mart in it on the right. pull in there and call me. It will take me about 10-15 minutes to get there and the car is 10 minutes from there. You could also call me when you take the Phenix City exit and if I leave then we should get to the K-mart at about the same time. I'll be driving a gold pt cruiser convertible.

Alk

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AIK, you should be congratulated for taking the initiative and saving that '55 Century. I cannot believe what some people would haul off to be crushed. Do they have an I.Q. of 2? How can anyone live in the 21st century and not know that something like that is worth saving, even if they aren't a car person? There must be $1000 worth of parts on that car, or certainly a lot more than what a crusher would pay.

Holy cow, I just took a closer look at the interior photo, and that thing has a power seat, and power windows in addition to the factory A/C, power steering, & power brakes. Wow! It's more loaded than most Roadmasters of that era.

Pete Phillips, BCA #7338

Sherman, Texas

Edited by Pete Phillips (see edit history)
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I think this warrants a BUICKMAN AWARD ! Again, you are my hero.

I am not 100% sure what it is about 55 Century 4 door hardtops but I love them. Old tanks was the first one I saw that I was jonesn' for, in Rochester when they pulled in for the National meet.

Spotted this one last week and I have called on it, no response to date.

1955 BUICK CENTURY (PROJECT) SOLID CAR

So let's save these cars.

Edited by BJM (see edit history)
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AIK, you should be congratulated for taking the initiative and saving that '55 Century.

Holy cow, I just took a closer look at the interior photo, and that thing has a power seat, and power windows in addition to the factory A/C, power steering, & power brakes. Wow! It's more loaded than most Roadmasters of that era.

Pete Phillips, BCA #7338

Sherman, Texas

Correct. 55 was such a large production year that whatever Buick put out there people purchased. I have seen several 55 Roadmaster 4 door sedans and many are pedestrian. No power accessories inside, just PS and PB.

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Pete:

You are so right. It should be legal to do away with people like this. The story I got was they bought it to restore it and then lost interest. So that tells me that in some way they were car people of some sort. Don't forget in addition to the other things it also has a continental kit on it. Granted it does not have the tire cover but I am sure that can be gotten. At least it has all of the hardware. If it were not for the Packards and the latest Clipperrod project, I would take a stab at restoring it myself. It does not look like it would be a difficult restoration. At least no major parts hunting. Your right I could most likely make more money parting it out than selling it, but for this car, parting it out would be almost the same as junking it. It's just too complete to part out. I have not really crawl underneath it, but judging from the rear quarters and the rockers, this car does not appear to have musch in the way of rot. Oh well someone is going to get one hell of a project car for a real good price.

ALK

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BJM

That craigslist car looks like a pretty good deal as well. Hope you land it. I was quite amazed at the options on this car, especially considering that it is the second from the bottom in the price line, with only the special being lower. Also according to the OLD CARS Price Guide, and the car does not have a script for it, it is a Riviera. The price guide lists the Riviera as the only 4dr hardtop in the Century line.

ALK

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That continental rear end is so well done!

With the side view the rear fenders extend to make the back look like factory. Would this be an after factory modification with the trunk retracted towards the rear window, or, the rear fenders extended?

Oh I wish I could get this project to my place...but I don't see that happening.

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good news/bad news

Good news - I found that it has another option on it, it has a wonderbar

radio.

Bad news - The front floors are shot, the rears do not seem soft but the

fronts are covered in sheet metal. Also the 2 missing chrome

strips are not in the trunk.

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as Mr. Earl can attest to - virtually all 54-56 dog legged a pillar Buicks are soft in the front floors, this had to be expected.

On the plus side is the nearly 800,000 55 Buicks made and over 2 million 54-56 Buicks made to support replacing those pans with another Buick pan from a yard.

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That continental rear end is so well done!

With the side view the rear fenders extend to make the back look like factory. Would this be an after factory modification with the trunk retracted towards the rear window, or, the rear fenders extended?

Oh I wish I could get this project to my place...but I don't see that happening.

I was also wondering about the construction of the continental kit. It looks like they spliced in metal and extended the quarters. I like that look better than the standard extended bumpers that look out of place on most other continental kits I see.

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I was also wondering about the construction of the continental kit. It looks like they spliced in metal and extended the quarters. I like that look better than the standard extended bumpers that look out of place on most other continental kits I see.

I think you are right. and I also like the look. That's a classy car.

I'd have a hard time passing that car up. I like the 55-57 GM 4dr ht's anyways, but with those options...wow. Looks like EZI tinted glass too?

somebody go fetch it :)

I'd like to see it with the spare tire and cover. It's got to be really slick looking like that.

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Reproduction front and rear floor pan sections are made for these Buicks. CARS, Inc. sells them, among others. So it might need $300-$500 of floor welding--so what? That's nothing, compared to what this loaded gem is worth when all done or even partly done. If I were closer, it would be in my garage by now. Time to put up or shut up, guys. SOMEONE who is close, get over there and buy this!

Pete Phillips

Sherman, Texas

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SOMEONE who is close, get over there and buy this!

Pete Phillips

Sherman, Texas

That seems to be the issue. I'm in Iowa and others of interest who are posting here are equally as far away. Only Mr. Earl is fairly close.

What's the price or did I miss it ?

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Hey Pete

You ain't that far away. I have a truck and trailer and arrangements can be made for transport either all the way for expenses or at least half way and we meet in the middle say Vicksburg. The wife is going to the casino in Shorter Al.

so if while she is gone I get rid of this car she can't complain anymore.

ALK

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Hey Pete:

You ain't that far away. I have my truck and trailer and arrangements can be made for either transport all the way for expenses or we meet in the middle say around Vicksburg. The wife is going to the casino in Shorter Ala. so if I am gone for the weekend she will never notice.

ALK

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Well, not knowing the true condition of the car, my main interest in it was initially all the parts I could use on a couple of my 54's. Al offered it at a very fair price, but given as how everyone thinks the car is worth restoring I will back up away from the plate and let someone more appreciative of 55's and with a few more years of time and $$ to restore the car than me take a swing.

After all, if I bought and restored it I'd be swapping the front clip and rear fenders out to 54's. ;)

Thanks Al, I enjoyed talking to you. And you are to be commended for chasing down and saving this baby. Keep your eyes open for a 54!!!!:D

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O.K. Guys the cat's out of the bag. Iowa IS a bit further but not that much further, halfway would be around Paducah KY. As I said transport for expenses can be arranged. Of course meeting half way is an option if you have transportation available to you. Only the Buick gods know what someone from E-bay might do with it, make a lead sled out of it, or one of those bop up-n-down crankmobiles. There is a thought to go to bed with tonight. However the reality fairy has spoken and by Monday morning the car will have to go to E-bay.

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If someone here buys it, I'm pretty sure I have the 3 chrome sweep spear pieces I'll give as a car warming present. :)

How much, I'll take them now and make it more complete.

As for a steak dinner, I am more of a Prime Rib and a bottle of Dom Perignon/63 kind of guy.

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This thread is killing me!!!

When you live in the remotest capital city in the world ( Perth, Western Australia, google it and see how far we are from ANYWHERE ) you get used to factoring in transport costs for anything you purchase.

With the very generous transport help offered someone really does need to grab this car before it goes on ebay and sits in another yard for a few years more ( or worse ).

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alk. Let me say thanks for the next owner of that Buick. I am very glad you saved her. It shows that you are a very good car lover at heart. A dozen roses for what you did that car will get a better life thank's to you thank you

Have a Great Buick day

Frank

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That continental rear end is so well done!

With the side view the rear fenders extend to make the back look like factory. Would this be an after factory modification with the trunk retracted towards the rear window, or, the rear fenders extended?

Oh I wish I could get this project to my place...but I don't see that happening.

John - go for it. Get MrEarl to store it at Buick Gardens for you. When you have freed up space so SHE WHO MUST BE OBEYED won't be too upset, we'll make a road trip with the H&H.

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Stuart:

I'm sorry but I have to draw the line on transport somewhere and anything west of the shipping docks of San Pedro, Calif is that line. Man I wish I could get the car to you.

ALK

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John - go for it. Get MrEarl to store it at Buick Gardens for you. When you have freed up space so SHE WHO MUST BE OBEYED won't be too upset, we'll make a road trip with the H&H.

Wait a minute "SHE, WHO MUST BE OBEYED" I thought I was married to her..........

If the agreed upon price is right John and if Mr. Earl is willing to store it for you until you can come and get it. I'll haul it up to Mr Earls on my dime. He is only a couple hours north of me anyway.

This gets curioser and curioser!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Wait a minute "SHE, WHO MUST BE OBEYED" I thought I was married to her..........

If the agreed upon price is right John and if Mr. Earl is willing to store it for you until you can come and get it. I'll haul it up to Mr Earls on my dime. He is only a couple hours north of me anyway.

QUOTE]

I believe there is a sisterhood out there, but we can always use our secret weapon....xmas is coming and bright shiney stones can buy a lot of forgiveness.

Well, it wouldn't be the first time I bought a project and it didn't come home for over a year ( more like 3). What kind of bail $$ do you need to release the 55? Feel free to PM me or whatever works for you.

So Derek .... road trip? Mr Earl, can you hide this.. for how long ....hmmmm.

I think the 58 wagon is still in wpg. Mr Earl, were you waiting for it to come to you, as middle man on that other deal? Maybe we can get a shared ttravel cost arrangement with a car going each way...

Starting to sound like that episode of MASH... or am I dating myself?

Edited by ewing (see edit history)
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Any idea what those pieces are mounted on the top of the rear fenders, just behind the rear window? They look a lot like AC intake ducts I believe I have seen on an early 50's Cadillac.

Have you been able to get the info from the serial /vin plate?, Does the car have the body # plate in the door post as well? Do you have that #?

Questions, questions...

Edited by ewing (see edit history)
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Any idea what those pieces are mounted on the top of the rear fenders, just behind the rear window? They look a lot like AC intake ducts I believe I have seen on an early 50's Cadillac.

Those are the fresh air inlets for the trunk mounted a/c. A/C was not switched to front until 57? maybe 56.

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John

I will PM you. If Mr Earl cannot accomodate, I will be ready with an alternative proposal, as suggested by my "SHE, WHO MUST BE OBEYED".

ALK

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Gentlemen,

I have been following this thread and without any doubt, this ranks up there with the best of them. It sure looks like this forlorn Buick is about to be adopted and renovated. Once the final adoption has been settled, we will need to see an ongoing picture story of the rebirth.

Congrtulations and all the best to all that are involved in this project.

Also, Merry Christmas to Everybody!

stevo

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