Guest denny_W121 Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 I'm debating on restoring one of a few Buicks my friend has sitting behind the barn. and I would like to pull the car that is the unique or maybe options that we're not common. How can I determine this information? I've got VIN's, style, body, trim, paint #'s is there anything else I need to determine what information I'm hoping to get? Also how can I go about deciphering these numbers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 (edited) Out of the cars you have pictured, the 55 would be the most desirable as it is a Century 4 door hardtop - the Century was Buicks "hotrod" so to speak, it had the bigger engine in the smaller body. The 57 is a Special 4 door hardtop, the 54 appears to be a Special 4 door sedan (it could be a Century but I don't see the Century or Special name on the side), the first one appears to be a 51 Super.Hopefully you are wanting to restore one of these because you love the style, or are passionate about owning an old Buick or one of these particular models. There is not one of them that will be worth more than you put into them for restoration.That said, again, my vote would be the 55 Century Edited October 25, 2013 by my3buicks (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Gotta agree with Keith. 55's are HOT right now. So are 57's. Being unsure the location of the cars, either or both may be in need of floor/trunk/frame repair. It will be a challenge.BTW, I notice that in front of the 57 is a Cadillac, and then two cars to the left of the Caddy appears to be a roof line for a 54-56 GM Full sized car, either Buick or Cadillac. Do you know what that car might be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michel88 Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 I like the 55 Century, but it would be best to pick the one with the least amount of rust especially the floor. Check the engines and see which ones will turn and are not locked up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest denny_W121 Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 John they are cadillacs. There is roughly 30-40 cars out there.Woody I like the century. The floors will need to be replaced but the frames are in good shape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMicheletti Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Amen to "my3buicks" . Go for one of them if you want years of frustration and have a deep pocketbook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest denny_W121 Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Don, the love of cars is the reason we all deal with the years of frustration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retirednow Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 *LIKE*Don, the love of cars is the reason we all deal with the years of frustration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMicheletti Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 Denny, Restoring several old cars since 1965 has shown me that there is plenty of "love" and "frustration" even if you start with a car that is in good shape. And it takes less money too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thriller Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 There are a number of considerations to look at. First, which do you prefer? There is some variety of styling there. If you like them all approximately equally, which is in the best condition? Beyond that, the '51 is a straight eight engine - with a side opening hood - there is some cool factor there and the straight eights run very smoothly. 1957 has some one year only parts (front suspension if I recall) that can be difficult to obtain. Generally speaking, as noted earlier, you aren't going to be able to sell if for what it costs to restore it (depending on how much you do and whether or not you put a dollar figure to your time, so it has to be about a passion for the car rather than about money.All are 1950s cars, so there is some element of attractiveness. Good luck coming to a decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 I would like to pull the car that is the unique or maybe options that we're not common. How can I determine this information? I've got VIN's, style, body, trim, If the 50's Buicks are anything like the 60's that I'm familiar with, the only options shown on a data plate are for things that Fisher Body needed to do to a basic body to accommodate the options. Anything that could be dropped in on the assembly line that did not require a hole here or a tab there does not appear on the data plate. For example: On my '63 Riviera there are codes for a/c (holes for duct work in the firewall,) seat belts (holes in the floor,) radio (tapped holes for speaker screws and tabs for wire hold downs.) There are no codes for the tilt wheel, cornering lights, guidematic, twilight sentinel, four note horn, or which wheel cover / tire combo came on the car. All of the latter items could be "bolted on" without additional body modifications. At this point, you'd need to ascertain what options were available and see how each car is equipped. The data plate isn't going to reveal the really rare options.Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 Short of maybe A/C I can't think of any option on any of those models which would make any true difference in value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhambulldog Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 For '55 ; power windows show as 'X' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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