help please. I'm buying a 1958 buick century

[Guest tripingeorge3]

Its a rust bucket but I can see its potential. It runs and moves but no brakes. Right now my biggest concern is fix the front fenders around the headlights. I've been trying to source fenders but they are $375 and up not including shipping. All I really need is the curved part around the headlights. Do you think its possible to remake that part? Would like to save the cash.

[Luv2Wrench]

Congrats on your new Buick. It would be hard to give much advice without seeing the car and closeups of the areas that need work. Once we see what you are trying to fix, I'm sure you'll have several options to get it done.

[Guest tripingeorge3]

Here's some picks

[Rusty_OToole]

They used to make patch panels. Maybe you can find NOS ones somewhere. Fixing a badly rusted car never pays, it is always more work than it is worth and you always have a patched up rust bucket. I found this out by fixing a few. But if you don't have much dough and want to learn how to do bodywork this is a cheap way to learn.

Oh yeah, it is possible to make a piece to fit. If it is not perfect you can smooth it out with body filler.

Later.................. after looking at the pictures

That doesn't look so bad. $375 is cheap for a car like that. Hope the missing trim piece is inside. Don't forget to ask the seller for any trim, parts, owner's manual, spare key etc. May not be so hard to fix up after all.

Even later .......... Ha ha $375 was the price of the fender not the car. You don't need a new fender, that one can be welded .

Edited December 4, 2013 by Rusty_OToole (see edit history)

[Guest tripingeorge3]

Just want to see what I'm capable of. Not really a full restore. Just a cruiser to enjoy with family. Want to make it look nice. Problem was I couldn't find another one this cheap near me. I know I will be over paying but tried and tried to find another one with no luck. Found a way better condition 55 buick special which is a better/smarter buy but the character of this got to me. I can do body work and have a welder. Plan on getting more metal fab tools. I tend to take on huge projects and refuse to fail. Car addict here. Also plan on removing panels one at a time and finishing them and reinstall over winter. Atleast that's the plan. When I saw it it was a completely overwhelming project. Jumped in head first. I have to succeed.

Edited December 3, 2013 by tripingeorge3 (see edit history)

[Guest my3buicks]

Hey, it's a Century, the other is a Special - Century's are usually much more sought after than Specials.

You may be better off having this thread moved down to the Buick section.

[Guest tripingeorge3]

how do you tell the difference?they are both the same pictures

[Luv2Wrench]

Goto this page http://vimeo.com/greenehdtv/videos/page:4/sort:alphabetical/format:thumbnail

Search for Reality Rides. Watch all the episodes. They restore a 55 Buick. Should be pretty helpful for you. Take note of things like how to repair stainless trim, polishing glass, etc. Also note that they say you can't find the glass anymore and the trim is hard to find.

Another nice piece of advice they give is to find a donor car. In your case you may not want to buy the donor car, but at least find one at a junkyard near you.

If you can, take a close-up (high-res also) of the headlight area. It is hard to tell from you picture if the area is rusted through and if so, how much.

Good Luck!!

[Bhigdog]

I tend to take on huge projects and refuse to fail.

I like your attitude. The head lite patch panels shouldn't be too hard to fabricate. Rocker panels can also be fabricated if NORS ones can't be found. My guess is they can. Have fun with the car and patch it back together as time and funds permit. Almost any patch panel can be fabricated with minimum tooling. It's amazing what can be done by a dedicated person with just average abilities that refuses to fail..................Bob

[dei]

Its a rust bucket but I can see its potential. It runs and moves but no brakes. Right now my biggest concern is fix the front fenders around the headlights. I've been trying to source fenders but they are $375 and up not including shipping. All I really need is the curved part around the headlights. Do you think its possible to remake that part? Would like to save the cash.

Congrats with your '58 Buick ownership!

Here is what someone else did on the fenders before I bought my car (Roadmaster).

While they looked OK (?) as a driver, I removed them as the inner panels were rusted to the point the fenders actually flexed some. I have found good fenders that will eventually go back on (when I have the money & time - sigh).

You have nothing to lose by trying your efforts at a repair. All depends on your ability.

Good luck with your project. Keep us posted (with pictures naturally).

[Rusty_OToole]

Buick made a variety of models from the small low priced Special up to the big Cadillac like Roadmaster. In 1958 they had an even more luxurious model, the Roadmaster Limited.

The Century was the smaller Special with the big Roadmaster engine. They started making the Century in 1936 and gave it that name because it would do 100 miles per hour, a sensational speed in the 30s.

In 1958 all Buicks had a 364 cu in engine, 250HP in the Special, 300HP in the Century, Super, Roadmaster and Limited.

Small is a relative term. Your Century has a 122" wheelbase and weighs 4200 pounds, the Roadmaster and Limited have a 127.5" wheelbase and weigh 4700 pounds.

Edited December 4, 2013 by Rusty_OToole (see edit history)

[Hudsy Wudsy]

Seeing as replacement fenders can be bought, why not concentrate on the rest of the rust issues while watching for other fenders at a better price. If, in time, you are pleased with the results of your work, you won't mind parting with the money for fenders. If the fenders at $375 sell in the meantime, others will turn up. They always do.

[MCHinson]

tripingeorge3,

Welcome to the AACA Discussion Forum. I have moved this discussion to the Post War Buick section of the forum. I am sure someone here will be able to give you some good advice on your Buick restoration.

[dei]

Hey Rusty,

Not to pick bones here OK, The Limited was a stand alone model by itself as published by George H. Dammann's book Seventy Years of BUICK. Somehow the "Riviera" name came into play with all the other models but the Limited was not known as the 'Roadmaster Limited'. As noted it did indeed use the Roadmaster's chassis BUT was extended at the rear to accommodate the longer body. (No criticism intended just clarification)

By the way tripingeorge3,

Your Century stats per George's book:

Century Riviera Model 63 (which is more desirable than the sedan/post Model 61)

Production/sales: 15,171

Cost New: $3,436.00

Weight: 4,267lbs

[JohnD1956]

I would like to see close up's of the rusted areas by the headlights. This area is going to be critical what with headlight placement and stability being a major consideration. It may pay to try and get any 58 Buick fender just so you can disect it to see what parts make up the area and how they are put together.

[Guest tripingeorge3]

Will get pics soon. Wont be mine until the 13th

[Smartin]

I had a bunch of rust in my Limited there...(it's rare to have a 58 with no rust under the headlights). I was able to repair it with very little filler. It took me all day to repair both fenders, though.

[Guest tripingeorge3]

Thanks for pics. Thats going to help out a lot

[Guest tripingeorge3]

Was thinking about taking pictures of all rusted areas and applying por15 on those spots after I remove rust. Just as prevenative measure. Most I see rust in same areas. Never used por15 so I don't know how thick it lays or as smooth