Yohdda Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 Hello, I just recently bought a 1957 Buick Special Convertible that is in pieces, and after doing an inventory I have noticed that I am missing a few pieces, there probably is more, but this is a glaring missing piece. I have one half of the trim that goes around the area where the convertible top meets the rear trunk lid. It is a stainless piece that has snaps on it and I believe it goes all the way around from the drivers side door to the passenger side door. I believe they call it a pinchweld with snaps? The one half that I have, I believe is the drivers side. but it's tough to tell. I have attached an image of a Chevy example as I couldn't find one of a Buick on the internet. Also, this car was missing the dash completely, and I have a donor dash from a non-convertible. So I would need the convertible switch and knob for it as well. Please PM me if you have any of the pieces, or know where I can look for them. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coupekid Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 (edited) theres a seller on Ebay that sometimes lists one for around $399 for both pieces for 57 buick ..you will need to check in ebay daily to see when it gets relisted ...im pretty sure it was listed last week !! anyways , I believe the 1957 oldsmobile conv rear trim is same .. & also some other GM too ...theres a pontiac set going for $899 atm & that chevy GM trim you got pictured looks to be listed for $1300 .. ..oi vai .. heres some others you can find & that look very similar http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=convertible+molding&_sac=1&_sop=1&_vxp=mtr&_osacat=6028&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xconvertible+boot+molding.TRS1&_nkw=convertible+boot+molding&_sacat=6028 RPM has a dash frame going for $58 on ebay atm...you would be better off to find a wreck & get the complete dash ...if you need a good parts car to complete your project .. check out http://www.yakaz.com/results.php?what=1957+buick&cc=US&gbin=&zm=&v=txt&gid=QAjP&from=form&match=msg#lo=4&docid=000cpp48lfcdtl9c Edited September 15, 2016 by coupekid (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yohdda Posted September 15, 2016 Author Share Posted September 15, 2016 Thanks for the headsup on the one on ebay, I will keep my eyes open for one. As for the dash, I have one that I can get from a guy that has 5 spare dashes! It's just, I've never seen where the switch is for the convertible top, or what it looks like, and google images are not coming up with anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coupekid Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 I do have a 57 special convertible which i restored last year & a 57 Buick Hardtop i restored 22 yrs ago ....the switch is exactly like a headlight switch or like your blower switch,,or your chrome pull air vent switch ,radio dial/volume switch, chrome cigarette lighter handle etc ..basically a round chrome button head ...you pull out to get the top down ..push in to get top up ...the only difference with the convertible top round button switch is ..it has a small arrow head on the face of the knob ..pointing upwards .. (when i mean an arrow head i mean like on the play button on a home stereo) ... all you need is a button from any another buick if you have the activating switch mechanism. The convertible top switch is located next to the foot brake warning light or in place of it ( or next to where drivers side air vent pull knob is located or where it states accessories on left side of steering wheel ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yohdda Posted September 17, 2016 Author Share Posted September 17, 2016 Hey thank for the info coupekid! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 (edited) Not 100% sure, but when I did my 63 Wildcat it had the same exact stainless trim (and weatherstrip) as an Impala. You could possibly expand your search to GM B body cars. Edited September 20, 2016 by buick5563 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yohdda Posted September 20, 2016 Author Share Posted September 20, 2016 I do believe the the olds share the same trim, but I am not sure about the pontiac. From what I can tell, the Chevy is a different trim piece. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yohdda Posted December 12, 2016 Author Share Posted December 12, 2016 So I found a rear boot pinchweld off a olds 98. The pictures look good but I am not sure if it will be interchangeable with a 57 Buick special. Does anyone know if the pinch weld are interchangeable between the Buick Special <--> Roadmaster and from a Olds 88 or 98. The 98 is a longer car, but did they stretch out the pinch weld to get that length, or is it the same between an Olds 88 and 98? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-g-g0 Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 My guess is the 88/98 is the same plus the same as Buick Special/Century. I have parted at least one of of these cars and most everything is common. Never parted a convertible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 See Ebay item 302162976738 if you haven't already... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yohdda Posted December 12, 2016 Author Share Posted December 12, 2016 Hello g g g0, The wheel base is longer in the 98, but I don't know if on the convertible if the stretch is done in the back seat area where the pinch weld is. Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yohdda Posted December 12, 2016 Author Share Posted December 12, 2016 Lancemb, That is the item that I am looking at. He says it is off a 98, but I cannot find out if the part will fit a 88. Does anyone have a parts book that will show if the part number on the Buick pinch weld is the same between the special/century and the roadmaster? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-g-g0 Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 8 hours ago, Yohdda said: Hello g g g0, The wheel base is longer in the 98, but I don't know if on the convertible if the stretch is done in the back seat area where the pinch weld is. Jason I believe the extended length of the 98 is all in the rear quarter, behind the seat and glass. Rear glass and quarter glass and roof panels are the same as an 88. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 8 hours ago, Yohdda said: Lancemb, That is the item that I am looking at. He says it is off a 98, but I cannot find out if the part will fit a 88. Does anyone have a parts book that will show if the part number on the Buick pinch weld is the same between the special/century and the roadmaster? Thanks! I think the question is whether or not 88 and 98 are same, which they should be as Gary pointed out since they have same roofline. This roofline is also shared by the Special and Century, so the trim should be same. The Special/Century does NOT have same roofline as Super/Roadmaster though so I would not expect those to be same. However, that shouldn't be a concern for you, so I would be pretty sure you'd be okay with these pieces on Ebay (as long as they are what seller says they are). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 (edited) Find the part number and interchange ( group 12.116 4719372 rh; 4719373 lh). 58 Buick/Olds maybe the same. Maybe even 54-56. Edited December 12, 2016 by old-tank (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yohdda Posted December 19, 2016 Author Share Posted December 19, 2016 Hello, So that pinch weld on ebay didn't pan out (http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1957-Convertible-Pinch-Well-Surround-1958-Oldsmobile-buick-LOOK-at-last-pic-RARE-/291976079975?hash=item43fb216a67:g:kTwAAOSwqBJXXYqH&vxp=mtr) I was dealing with the guy and he originally listed it for $295 plus shipping then after I asked him a couple of question about it he jacked it up to $795 plus shipping, I just found that very underhanded of the guy. It's unfortunate that I could not work out a deal with him, but oh well, I will keep on searching for one, so I am still in the market... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-g-g0 Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 Sad!!!! Unfortunately there are some pretty greedy folks out there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yohdda Posted December 19, 2016 Author Share Posted December 19, 2016 (edited) Unfortunately there are some people that are like that in the hobby that we love to enjoy. Edited December 20, 2016 by Yohdda (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yohdda Posted December 20, 2016 Author Share Posted December 20, 2016 11 hours ago, g-g-g0 said: and g-g-g0, I love what you are doing with yours! I have been following your project for some time! Good work! This spring I will be pulling mine out and take some better photos of my project to show the custom frame, suspension, etc. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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