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1950 Buick Super Estate Wagon *SOLD*


Matt Harwood

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*SOLD*

 

I know many of you will recognize this car, but I'm going to ask you to please refrain from naming the owner. Yes, he's a friend of ours and well-known here on these boards, but sometimes people use my services because they like their anonymity, so please don't name names even if you know who the seller is. Thank you!

 

OK, that said, you also know that this car has enjoyed a long, lengthy, high-quality restoration and it shows. The car is absolutely gorgeous! All the critical things in a woody have been done and done right, with most of the wood having been replaced and the bodywork beautifully refinished in the original medium green (called, I believe, Geneva Green). The wood is correctly done using proper materials and the contrast between the light oak (I believe) framing and the mahogany panels is quite striking. I like the details like the contrasting groove milled into the wood right in line with the door handles and the little step in the rear pillars that frame the tailgate. And speaking of the tailgate, all the hardware there is restored, so it opens and closes easily without a wrestling match like on some older woodies. The chrome was lavishly (and expensively) restored and all of it remains in near show condition save for a scrape on the rear bumper just above one of the mounting bolt heads. It's a small nit to pick, but on a car this nice, nits are all you're going to get.

 

The interior was completely refinished in proper green leather using the right patterns (or lack thereof, as the case may be). The carpets, door panels, and headliner were likewise replaced and look like new. There's some very light wear on the leather seating surfaces, as you'd expect, but with only 389 miles on the restoration, it's pretty minor. The gauges are all fully functional and look great, the Sonomatic AM radio pulls in stations loud and clear, and all the lights and signals work properly. You can tell they were sweating the small stuff, too, because the windows all open and close effortlessly, the steering wheel is beautifully cast, and all the little handles and knobs have proper markings. There's so much in this car that you just want to touch. The back seat is spacious and the cargo bay is positively cavernous, with a utility compartment underneath holding a matching fifth wheel and spare tire.

 

The 263 cubic inch straight-8 is NOT just a larger version of the 248 but rather a mostly new engine that provides a lot of innovative features and that incomparable Buick smoothness. It's rebuilt and dressed properly in corporate turquoise engine enamel and reproduction decals and still inhales through the original oil bath air cleaner. It starts easily using the accelerator pedal-mounted system and idles so smoothly you might double-check to be sure it's still spinning. Things like the wiring harness, oil filter, and horns are all correct, giving the engine bay a very finished look. It's not detailed for show at this point, but a weekend would remedy that. The Dynaflow transmission is a joy to operate, and while it's not fast, it's definitely smooth. I like this car because it will just creep along at less than a walking pace, which makes moving it around the shop a snap and it does go down the road rather well once it has some momentum. I believe the rear gears have been swapped for a set of 3.90s for a more highway-friendly demeanor and the chassis is in excellent condition with firm brakes and light steering, even at low speeds. Correct 7.60-15 BFGoodrich wide whites have been fitted to the original wheels with beautiful full wheel covers.

 

The price is $59,900 and you know it's worth it. Wood is still hot and a Buick station wagon is still the finest family hauler you can buy at any price. You couldn't duplicate this car at twice the price and it's turn-key, ready to enjoy at almost any level. If you've admired it from afar, this is your chance to own it. Thank you for looking!

 

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Edited by Matt Harwood (see edit history)
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It's a 6-volt Optima red top. I prefer these in my own cars, and while it doesn't look correct, it spins the engine over effortlessly, hot or cold. This car does include the original battery shield if you want to put a long, thin original-style battery in it for show purposes. It is still 6 volts with a generator. This is purely a change to help make the car easier to use on a regular basis. Not correct-looking, but you can't see it from behind the wheel where you'll appreciate it most.

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Beautiful car, Matt, and one of my wife's favorites, but as you may note from my new ad for the '34 Buick, we are out of space and cutting back.  --- Maybe someday....

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I have Optimas in all of my cars even the modern ones. I feel like it is a necessity in Texas, where the heat just kills em all in less than three years. I have a big Delco for shows. The 12v Optima in my Special is probably seven years old.

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