want to buy WTB - Seeking 56 Buick car

[56 Buick]

Hi all, I am new to the Forum. I am seeking to buy my long time love being a 56 Buick. I have been looking for sometime and I recently came across this Site and Forum. I am glad I did noting the abundance of knowledge here. Anyway, I thought it would be a good idea to use this post to further my endeavour. I am preferably looking for a 2 door Hardtop which is in good running condition hopefully somewhere in the price range of $10k - $15k. If anyone knows of anything then please let me know. Thanks

 

 

 

 

[suchan]

In addition to watching these ads, join BCA, check the ads in their magazine, and try to attend some Buick chapter events in your area. Lots of great cars change hands without ever being advertised. I picked up a car that way.

[John_S_in_Penna]

Mr. Buick, I would say impartially that, while this forum

and the club magazine, The Buick Bugle, are fine, overall

they will offer far fewer 1956 Buicks than other sites:

Hemmings Motor News and the various car-for-sale sites

on the internet, including Ebay.

 

To find just what you want at a fair price, be patient, and

keep up a diligent search.  It may pay off in a week or in a year.

Searching is half the fun!

[56 Buick]

Hi Suchan and John, many thanks for the info.

Is there any guidance on price as it seems to me some cars I have seen for sale appear overpriced but of course I could be wrong. There was a white/black 56 Special (it was listed as a Century) at Streetwide Classics for $22,995. That car had a custom cloth interior but it did not appear to require any work to be done on the car. It recently sold but there are photos still up on the site. Is that a reasonable price for that condition car? I in no way want to rubbish that seller as they have a lot of great cars and clearly someone bought the car at that price point but it would be helpful to hear any views.

Thanks again

 

Drew

[JohnO]

You can also check the major auctions such as Mecum, Barrett-Jackson, and Auctions America. I've registered as a bidder and attended both Mecum and Auctions America auctions.  The downside to buying at an auction is you cannot test drive the car. However, you can sit inside, check the underneath, and watch the car being started and driven to the staging area at the auction.  Yes, there are some bad cars, but some good ones also.

[John_S_in_Penna]

6 hours ago, 56 Buick said:

Is there any guidance on price, as it seems to me some cars I have seen for sale appear overpriced but of course I could be wrong.

 

Drew, you are exactly right, and perceptive:

Many cars for sale are overpriced, some vastly overpriced.

It's not uncommon for collector-car dealers to ASK double

a car's value--and double what they likely just paid for the car.

I much prefer knowledgeable, honest private sellers for that reason,

though their expectations can be optimistic too.

If a hobbyist has a car you like but it's priced too high,

be courteous and patient, save the ad, and several months later his

price will be more flexible.  Dealers, on the other hand, try to hang on

to their high advertised prices forever, hoping that someone will come along.

I have called about a car, advertised by a hobbyist in Hemmings Motor News

a year prior, and it was still for sale!

 

A widely used price guide is Old Cars Report Price Guide,

which is available on newsstands every 2 months.  They produce

an excellent and comprehensive annual book, the "2018

Collector Car Price Guide," which I think is a must-have reference:

 

https://www.krausebooks.com/2018-collector-car-price-guide

 

On the internet, antique-car insurer Hagerty lists values

at www.hagerty.com.  There is also www.nada.com, whose

listed values are higher than others', but their book says their

values are for all-original cars. 

 

Have fun searching, and within reason, be selective.  You'll probably

have the car for many years, so get a car you will want to live with

for that time span.

[John_S_in_Penna]

6 hours ago, 56 Buick said:

...clearly someone bought the car at that price point...

 

Don't believe that the car necessarily sold for anywhere near the asking price.

Some places like to advertise high asking prices.

[michel88]

You can check Ebay for 56 Buick's that have sold.  Search Sold for accurate prices.

[Elpad]

I know you are looking for a 56 but this 55 just came out on this mag. Perhaps it gives you an idea of price 

[Elpad]

Just read continental kit, nice

[NC-car-guy]

9 minutes ago, Elpad said:

I know you are looking for a 56 but this 55 just came out on this mag. Perhaps it gives you an idea of price 

 

OOOOHHHH  MMMYYYYYY

[Airy Cat]

I have a 1956 Buick Century Model 63 and it's a great car.  It only has 58,000 original miles. I drive it like a stole it and it keeps on going. But it's not for sale.

When you find one look it over and drive it. 

You'll like it.

 

[56 Buick]

Hi all, big thanks to everyone for the helpful advice and info! Drew

 

And yes the continental kits are nice.

[Guest sherbert]

I have a 56 Special 2 door hardtop for sale that is actually the cover of the Buick Bugle 50th anniversary you can look it up on that forum and see it, runs great but my husband passed away and I am regretfully selling

[56 Buick]

Hi, firstly I am sorry for your loss. I don't have a copy of the Bugle handy with me right now but I am interested in the car and perhaps it's best I send you a message with my contact details and email address and we go from there. Thanks, Drew.

[Guest sherbert]

That would be great, I. Just got on this website today and do not know how to private message on it

 

[Guest sherbert]

The car also has a trophy for the Easter concours d'Elegance XXXIX

[Guest sherbert]

first place

[Elpad]

Sorry to hear about your loss. I’m pretty sure the car will be honored and it’s legacy will continue within good hands on this Forum and Buick Club. Would someone please post a copy of that Bugle edition?

[RivNut]

3 hours ago, sherbert said:

That would be great, I. Just got on this website today and do not know how to private message on it

 

Click the username of the person to whom you want to send the personal message.   By clicking his name, you'll be taken to a different page. That page belongs to the user.  On that page, you'll see an icon of an envelope.  Click on the envelope and you'll get a new screen where you can type and send your message. Good luck.

 

[56 Buick]

Hi Sherbert, I have sent you a personal message or PM with my contact details. At the top of your page there should be a link to your messages (is a small 'letter' like image next to a 'bell' image) and if you follow that link then you will find my message to you. If your having trouble finding the link then let me know and we will work it out. Don't stress too much as it wouldn't be the first time I could not work out a Forum web page! Thanks, Drew.

[Guest sherbert]

The car is the cover of the June 2006 Buick Bugle and there are also pictures of it inside the license plate reads Shrbert

 

[rowan782]

I sent you a message

[Guest sherbert]

where?

 

[NC-car-guy]

scroll to the top of your screen.  In the upper right there should be a bell and an envelope.  if you click the envelope icon you should get to your messages.

[RivNut]

Sherbert,

 

I've found that the icons we're talking about are really hard to find if you're viewing this forum on a tablet or iPad.  Much easier on a full sized monitor.

 

Ed

[56 Buick]

Hi all, just to advise Sherbert has replied to my PM but it definitely can be confusing when navigating around a new forum. It certainly took me some time! Thanks all. Drew

[56 Buick]

Hi all, just updating my original post. I am still looking for a good 2 door Hardtop Special or Century. Any leads then please let me know.

 

Unfortunately, no success so far. I was seriously looking at a nice 2 door HT Special in bittersweet and white. Located in Missouri, the car has only some 26000 original miles and the top of the car is in very good condition but after having a vehicle inspection completed, for me there is too much rust and corrosion on the undercarriage. Having said that it may well suit someone who can do the work themselves.

 

Thanks

 

Drew

 

[Elpad]

Visit the Facebook page of "1954-1958 Buick Worldwide". I seen some interesting for sale posts there.

[Beemon]

14 hours ago, 56 Buick said:

Hi all, just updating my original post. I am still looking for a good 2 door Hardtop Special or Century. Any leads then please let me know.

 

Unfortunately, no success so far. I was seriously looking at a nice 2 door HT Special in bittersweet and white. Located in Missouri, the car has only some 26000 original miles and the top of the car is in very good condition but after having a vehicle inspection completed, for me there is too much rust and corrosion on the undercarriage. Having said that it may well suit someone who can do the work themselves.

 

Thanks

 

Drew

 

 

Sounds like a 126000 original mile car. 

[56 Buick]

Miles were documented. I think it was just a victim of the snow - salt early in life.