SBRMD Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 I know of one languishing in a parking lot....two-tone green, all there, decent, working (even radio) only things amiss are incorrect (but not fugly) upholstery and carpet. Apparently low mileage. STICK! Any hip-shootin' guesses? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Depends on how much floor rust there is. I assume it does not run. Stick shift on a '53 Special is desireable but not extremely rare. I have run across 3 or 4 stick shift '53 Specials in the past year. Would be a very satisfying car to drive with the 263 and the stick shift, and a pretty good performer. Things to look for are: floor rust; cracked upper grille bar; stuck valves if it has been sitting a long time; missing rocker panel moldings; inner rocker panel rust. $1500? Hard to put a value on something with no photos.Pete Phillips, BCA #7338Leonard, TX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBRMD Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 Thanks Pete, your opinion is gold. There are some big pluses: it runs; all molding are intact; no cracks in the grille; absolutely no body rust showing except at bottom rear of the rear door sills, only visible when doors are open, and those are minor spots (but perforated). Haven't crawled under it. Car is out of Oklahoma judging by license and service receipts in the glove compartment. I have some photos on my cell but I haven't yet figured out how to e-mail them to myself and hence to post here. It's a decent car. Stay tuned..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBRMD Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 Pics: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Well, that's just real decent looking, not what I was picturing in my mind. Straighten the license plate and a set of wheelcovers and you are good to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBRMD Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 Full set of correct sombreros in the trunk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 ....not what I was picturing in my mind. Me either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvelde Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 If you don't make an offer I would sure consider one - too bad you didn't show close up of phone number! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZRIV Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 (edited) Analyzing the pic with for sale sign closer almost looks like a price of $5300??? If correct it would seem right in the ballpark. The car does have nice curb appeal. Edited March 26, 2015 by JZRIV for sale sign clarification (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Yes, I would have to change my suggestion of $1500 since I did that without the benefit of photos, and assumed the car did not run. That appears to be the original upholstery on the front seat, which helps to verify the low miles on the car. This just goes to show me (and everyone else) how foolish it is to price a car without seeing photos first. I learned my lesson and made myself look foolish to everyone else.Pete Phillips Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjp69 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 There is a 55 three speed for sale on TeamBuick for $3500.http://www.teambuick.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=7362&title=1955-4-door-buick-special&cat=3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBRMD Posted March 26, 2015 Author Share Posted March 26, 2015 Thanks for observations guys.Pete, I think your opinion was completely reasonable, don't fall on your sword! In related developments: I met with the seller who tried to get the car started....and couldn't. He had told me it ran; what I witnessed was a lack of fuel delivery; it would catch for a few seconds with gas poured down the carb but immediately quit. He then told me that the gas in the tank is likely >5 years old. Also, the carb leaked like a sieve with the gas poured in. So, at the very least, it needs a carb rebuild, fuel filter, tank cleaned out, and the fuel pump is a question mark. The seating surfaces have indeed been reupholstered, but just those: under the butt and behind the back. All the rest of the surfaces on the seats appear to be original. The carpet is incorrect in appearance and feel, not to mention color. The finish is a repaint of about 2007 vintage, and not a bad one. some minr bubbling is now noticed at bottom of driver's rear fender. The seller said he'd try to get it running and call me when it was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Yes, I would have to change my suggestion of $1500 since I did that without the benefit of photos, and assumed the car did not run. That appears to be the original upholstery on the front seat, which helps to verify the low miles on the car. This just goes to show me (and everyone else) how foolish it is to price a car without seeing photos first. I learned my lesson and made myself look foolish to everyone else.Pete PhillipsNot at all Pete, I don't think there was one of us that didn't have the same picture in our heads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 I could be wrong but I don't believe the Special even had the carpet originally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBRMD Posted March 26, 2015 Author Share Posted March 26, 2015 I read in The Standard Catalogue of American Cars that all Specials in '53 were of "Deluxe" trim level, including for example external moldings; don't know whther carpet was included. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Supers didn't have carpet in the front but did have in the back, so I highly doubt Specials did Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 Yes, I would have to change my suggestion of $1500 since I did that without the benefit of photos, and assumed the car did not run. That appears to be the original upholstery on the front seat, which helps to verify the low miles on the car. This just goes to show me (and everyone else) how foolish it is to price a car without seeing photos first. I learned my lesson and made myself look foolish to everyone else.Pete PhillipsAh , Pete, don't be so hard on yourself. You qualified your estimate with things that MIGHT be wrong. And you were right on as far as that goes. Different situation now. Nice car, by the way. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5219 Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 I had a 1954 Special (also stick) with carpet in back and a rubber mat in front. Probably 1953 was the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 My 55 Special was rubber front, carpet back...to continue this line of questioning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 My 55 Special was rubber front, carpet back...to continue this line of questioning. Morning Mikey. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 My 55 Special was rubber front, carpet back...to continue this line of questioning.Morning Mikey. Benmornin Ben, mornin Mikey, and to continue this line of questioning even further... my '54 Century still has the original rubber front and carpet back....as did all '54 series except Roadmaster unless ordered w/custom interior or with carpet front. or somethin like thatoh, and nice '53, someone should be making an offer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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