buick840 Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 With a bit of detective work and the internet, I now know it`s history.So Lets Have the news..............good or bad? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 Don't be so secerative, Bob. Let us know, we won't tell.:p Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUICK RACER Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 Let's hear it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 I know what it is, I know what it is. But I'm not tellin, na na na na na Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthbob Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 FGS!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 Can't do it. I don't want to die. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthbob Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 You just don't want to lose visitation rights to Lady landau....we know , we know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 You just don't want to lose visitation rights to Lady landau....we know , we know.and that too, in fact that would be worse than death:o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Did you happen to see the web sites from Sargent Major on the Intoroduce yourself thread? The 55 Wildcat III had a figerglass body too. I just thought that was significant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89REATTAJIM Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Did you happen to see the web sites from Sargent Major on the Intoroduce yourself thread? The 55 Wildcat III had a figerglass body too. I just thought that was significant.Weren't there several GM "Dream Cars" around that period based somewhat on the Corvette body?.... Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
progoofoff Posted February 14, 2011 Author Share Posted February 14, 2011 1955 Buick Century Fiberglas storyGoing thru the contents from the glove box for the 3rd time,I found a 1973 tag receipt. The tile was dated Nov. 1955. The name on the title was Thomas O Benson, Flint MI. He had traded a 1954 Buick in on it.However, the tag receipt showed an address of Rte 2 Carr Rd, Posen, MI.I googled Carr Rd, Posen, MI and a local government web site came up with all residents`s addresses and phone numbers on Carr Rd.Going thru the list, I find a Mr Gerald Carr. Now, I`m thinking, if his name is Carr and he lives on Carr Rd, he`s been there a long time and going to have known ole Tom.I had heard he had expired in the late 70s or early 80s.So, I call him and he gives me the story. I got lucky...Ole Tom had bought the farm next to him and moved to Posen from Flint in the sixties.Tom was a TV technician and as I suspected, a bachelor.Gerald tells the story of how Tom had taken the car apart one panel at a time and made the fiberglas castings.I asked if he was aware of the engine / transmission change. He was aware and could still see the blue`59 still sitting in the woods from his back porch.This confirms not only the engine change but the blue front bench seat.I think I know the reason for the extra gas tank but I asked anyway. Gerald laughed and before he could answer, I said to take advantage of cheap gas when there were gas wars.He finally stopped laughing and said....you got it.Gerald gave me the telephone of Tom`s cousin.I talked with him and not much more was learned other than Tom had built a helicopter but never got it in the air. Also, has a sister who inherited the farm and is still alive and he would talk to her and see if she had any pictures of the car.Ole Tom must have been a Cod.Conclusion:Sorta like buying a lottery ticket and hoping to win but the majority of the time, you don`t.It`s still one of a kind and would make a very unique car.Anyone have an interest? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthbob Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Well regardless of its outcome that was a neat story. The work it must have taken to replicate all the panels and work them into fiberglass is an awesome feat. He must have been quite good with his hands and surely a unique individual....Thanks for letting us know....eventually So what are your plans...you seem to indicate that you are willing to part ways with this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 That was some pretty good detective work there "cod". and a great story this whole thing has been. I'm still not understanding why exactly he fiberglassed it though. Did anyone you spoke with mention that he ever intended to race it. That was my first thoughts on the car, that it was a dragster or race car of some sort. If it wasn't it should be. Sure would like to know how much less than a standard Century it weighs. Do you have any truck scales near you that we could load it up and take to have it weighed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957buickjim Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 It is quite the story, that's for sure! Pretty amazing the trouble this guy went through to get better gas mileage, like remaking his car! I am more partial to the "corn likker" carrier tank theory..The guy must have been a wizard with fiberglass, since it sounds like it was pretty much carbon copy of an steel body 55. Pretty crazy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest South_paw Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 Weird, so he went through all this trouble to save weight but then installs a second gas tank. If it's a twenty gallon tank and he filled it thats roughly an extra 200 lb. he would be carrying around. Counterproductive don't ya think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Conley Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 Well, my guess is the old guy was looking to combat rust and not save weight by going to fiberglass. Just a guess, but given he was living in Michigan... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billbuickgs Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 Whats going on with this 55, I see its on Ebay less engine tran and seat.Different owner??????Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
progoofoff Posted July 2, 2012 Author Share Posted July 2, 2012 Whats going on with this 55, I see its on Ebay less engine tran and seat.Different owner??????BillYEP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 Whats going on with this 55, I see its on Ebay less engine tran and seat.Different owner??????BillYEPYEP, but since I'm out of room in BACK of the barn, she's gotta go. soon.Buick : Century 2 door hard top Buick : Century 2 door hard top | eBay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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