1950 Buick Special Sedanette

[buick840]

I'm glad to know this, LOL. Sure wouldn't want to offend a 50's owner and call his car a Tourback.

Love this site, really, I do,

Dale in Indy

It' virtually impossible to offend Stuart (50 Jetback) believe me I have tried and tried

[Guest 1950_Buick]

It's been a while since posting, thought I'd throw some pics up of the history of this car...

The car was originally bought in NC I believe and brought to California, after 1 year the second owner purchased it and was in their family until I bought it last year from his daughter. By 1982 the car needed some TLC and he did some chrome plating and body work, here are some of the pics at that time.

[Guest 1950_Buick]

Here are some of his notes and invoices for that work...

[Guest 1950_Buick]

This car appeared in two movies.

The first movie this car was in was "Shadow of a Doubt" a made for TV movie released in 1991. Here are some of the articles on the movie...

[Guest 1950_Buick]

Previous Owners commission checks for using the Buick in the Shadow of a Doubt movie...

[Guest 1950_Buick]

Some pics of the car on "the set" of the movie "Shadow of a Doubt"

[Guest 1950_Buick]

The previous owner of the Buick with some pics of him and the lead actors from the movie "Shadow of a Doubt"

[Guest 1950_Buick]

The next movie the Buick appeared in is "Inventing the Abbotts" (1996)

[Guest 1950_Buick]

Letter to previous owner regarding the movie and the check stub for commission payment to use the car in the movie "Inventing the Abbotts"

[Guest 1950_Buick]

Pics of the Buick on the movie set of "Inventing the Abbotts" (1996)

[Buicknutty]

Very neat to have all that history of your car. Thanks for sharing.

Also, love that body style!

Keith

[Wheelnut]

Cool background history on the car!

Nothing against the car, but the plate would not have been period correct in the "Shadow of a Doubt" scene. A good set director should have spotted that.

[Guest 1950_Buick]

Cool background history on the car!

Nothing against the car, but the plate would not have been period correct in the "Shadow of a Doubt" scene. A good set director should have spotted that.

That's funny, as it clearly the plate the Shadow of a Doubt movie people put on it for the movie, removing the black Cali plate that the car has.

[Wheelnut]

OK. I was just going from the only picture that has the plate visible, which appears to be the California black plate. Pic must have been taken before they replaced it.

[Guest 1950_Buick]

OK. I was just going from the only picture that has the plate visible, which appears to be the California black plate. Pic must have been taken before they replaced it.

sorry, i was thinking the other movie pic, inventing the abbotts.

you may be right, seeing it was a made for tv movie, maybe their continuity people weren't that good!?

[Wheelnut]

Or maybe it's not noticeable in the take that was used. I worked in a film a few years ago, "Leatherheads", that was placed in 1925. The directors were fanatical about period correctness for most of the props and wardrobe. But there were scenes with a lot of '20s cars where some things on the cars themselves were incorrect. I think they count on most people not being able to spot those inconsistencies, or that the camera doesn't dwell on them long enough to pick them out.

Unfortunately my time in the film industry has ruined me for watching, as I can't help but pick every scene apart instead of just enjoying the film.

[Pat0366]

Did you change the master cylinder? If so, what type did you use? What was the bore size?

Pat

[Guest 1950_Buick]

Did you change the master cylinder? If so, what type did you use? What was the bore size?

Pat

No I didn't change the master cylinder.

[Guest 1950_Buick]

Here's one of the original pink slips for the Buick from the 50's

[Guest 1950_Buick]

The deconstruction begins...

[smithbrother]

Reviewing your Facebook photo's I noted the trestle in the background. It reminds me of this one I just completed.

Enjoying your build,

Dale in Indy

[Guest 1950_Buick]

driveline out and sold to a couple of great guys (SonOf2Buicks) who will be putting this into their 49 sedanette...

[Model56s]

I'm looking forward to this build - great thread!

Geoff

Missouri

[Guest 1950_Buick]

Frame off!

The frame is solid, no rust, just a little dirty.

[Guest Kevin Borich]

Hi Guys - Love the Buicks - I'm a new owner of a 1950 Special Sedanette - some say its a Jet or Fastback - Love the look of Dale's and what you're doing to it mate.

Mine needs some work - I'm looking for a rear Bumper Bar - Chrome - I think they're called Fenders in the U.S.A. - any Idea's where I can Get one.

Cheers to All from me - kev in QLD Australia

[Guest Kevin Borich]

Hi Dale - I need a rear Bumper like what's on that beauty - any Ideas - cheers kev

[Guest 1950_Buick]

frame is now sandblasted...

[Guest 1950_Buick]

24 oz of WD40 later...

[ATTACH=CONFIG]295781[/ATTACH]

[Guest 1950_Buick]

Ford 9" sandblasted before and after...

Edited February 24, 2015 by 1950_Buick (see edit history)

[Guest Kevin Borich]

Hi Dale - I'm a "Down Here" guy -> Queensland Australia - I was salivating over

your Buick and in awe of your restoration as I was in search mode for rear Bumper

and overiders on my Fastback that's in need of some restoration. Trolly around

I saw your Facebook page with extensive photo coverage of all your amazing refits

V8 etc - I don't have the capacity to go that far - just would like it to drive

smother = steering- maybe brakes -- was that your facebook page? tried to have another

look the next day but it wouldn't come up - have you taken it down?

Kev in Queensland Australia

[Guest 1950_Buick]

Thanks for the compliments. Probably was my Facebook page and it's still up. (see my signature line at the bottom of my posts)

There are some cheaper ways to do steering and brakes - if you check ebay there are some kits you can get. A high quality hub to hub mustang ifs is from jw rod garage at the best price out there that is US made (not chinese crap). Go to http://jwrodgarage.com/speciality.html - the 1939-51 GM, "B" as in Buick, P (pontiac) and O (Oldsmobile) for $1,795 and you can upgrade the steering rack to power steering for $100 more.

It's a great option.

They also give you the instructions on installing it - http://jwrodgarage.com/tech/38-53%20Buick%20JWRG%20M2%20Instruction%20Sheet.pdf

Obviously it will cost more than the $50 for shipping to Aussie... but they are great guys to work with and I'm guessing they will probably help you out.

Edited February 24, 2015 by 1950_Buick (see edit history)

[Guest Kevin Borich]

Mighty nice of you for taking time to word me up about on those kits. - I may knock on your experience for info from time to time.

I'm a pro Musician down here, so mechanical talent isn't my game, but have the love for that Fastback - to have it so its

not such an effort to drive is my intention - All the Best. kevin Borich

[Guest 1950_Buick]

Testing the travel on the Bags with the angle of the driveshaft (Slam Specialities Bags SSF6, 8" bags)

 

 

 

[Guest 1950_Buick]

Pic from the back with the 4 link in place

 

 

 

[Guest 1950_Buick]

A pic from the front...

 

 

 

[Guest 1950_Buick]

Had to rework the plates for the bags... wasn't happy as I noticed some flex, out with the old in with the new.

 

 

[Guest 1950_Buick]

Ford 9" is in with 4-link, custom driveshaft hoop has been added that'll work with the airbag system, and first part of the frame is boxed now to start on the front end.

 

 

[Guest 1950_Buick]

Some more work in progress shots...

 

 

[Wilf Sedanet]

Cool car!

There are pro's using the Scarebird vs Wilwood: Refurbish costs. They're off the shelf, as where Wilwood is more expensive. Furthermore, Wilwood makes great racing brakes but not all are good on the road (omitted dust seals). Why did you choose to swap the L8? Probably power & efficiency, right?  

[Guest 1950_Buick]

Cool car!

There are pro's using the Scarebird vs Wilwood: Refurbish costs. They're off the shelf, as where Wilwood is more expensive. Furthermore, Wilwood makes great racing brakes but not all are good on the road (omitted dust seals). Why did you choose to swap the L8? Probably power & efficiency, right?

 

 

Thanks!

 

I hear ya on the tradeoffs i.e. scarebird vs wilwood.

 

As for why I chose to swap the engine as well as upgrade suspension, is while I appreciate the value of keeping a car original, and respect those views of those who adhere to that, my dad being one of them, my view is a little different. I love the styling and look of the 1950 sedanette and want to maintain the integrity of the look, both interior and exterior, however, I want this as my daily driver. The car's performance was designed for road and driving conditions of 60+ years ago and not today. Therefore, that is what I want and I figure, hell if you are going to upgrade the engine, you might as well make it a serious upgrade! So in essence, I want to keep this car a long time and therefore want the driveline/suspension to be fit for today and tomorrows demands I will put on the vehicle.

Edited August 11, 2015 by 1950_Buick (see edit history)