George Bitcon Posted November 14, 2019 Share Posted November 14, 2019 Hello to all. I'm new to this forum (any forum!), so doing the intro thing. My name is George and I live in Australia. I have a 1955 Buicck Special Convertible in advanced stages of being dismantled, pending reassembly when all the required innards are where they need to be in the condition they need to be in. I have this photo of my car when it was in New Jersey in probably the late 80s or early 90s. I intend restoring it back to it's original colours as I think they look fantastic. This is not a common car here, although I have seen a handful of hardtops and coupes, but no other convertibles - I like having something unique. A few parts are still missing for the car, but I have had some luck with eBay and the Buick club newsletter and my contacts have been very friendly. Pity about the exchange rate between the $US and $AU. I still have time up my sleeve to find the parts I need, although will welcome any offers if they come up! I love classic cars and have a 1965 Mustang convertible and also my first car, a 1968 Holden Kingswood. Looking forward to learning more and being part of this forum. Cheers, George 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted November 14, 2019 Share Posted November 14, 2019 Welcome to the group. Are you going to change it over to right hand drive during your restoration? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Bitcon Posted November 14, 2019 Author Share Posted November 14, 2019 Thanks Larry! No, will be keeping it left hand drive. No need to swap to right hand drive here if the car is over 25 years old and the Buick definitely qualifies! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Roth Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 Welcome to the Buick Forum 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 The BCA (Buick Club of America) is also a good source of information and parts. In our latest Roster there are 54 people in Australia that belong to the BCA and another 29 living in New Zealand. We often have one or two of them attend the BCA National meet in the US......looking for cars and parts. Mike Hanning in New Zealand is a regular attendee 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted January 17, 2020 Share Posted January 17, 2020 Welcome! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Bitcon Posted January 23, 2020 Author Share Posted January 23, 2020 On 1/13/2020 at 3:13 AM, Barney Eaton said: The BCA (Buick Club of America) is also a good source of information and parts. In our latest Roster there are 54 people in Australia that belong to the BCA and another 29 living in New Zealand. We often have one or two of them attend the BCA National meet in the US......looking for cars and parts. Mike Hanning in New Zealand is a regular attendee Thanks Barney. I joined the BCA last year and have already made several contacts for info and parts - they have been very helpful, as have my contacts through this forum. Would very much like to attend a meet in the US, but this will have to be a long term wish, as any overseas trip right now is not on my radar. Maybe when the kids move out and are on their own! Cheers, George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodneybeauchamp Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 Hi George, welcome to Buick ownership in Australia. That convertible looks like it will be a real winner when done. The guys on the Buick forums are very helpful and forthcoming with information and what they have done ( both good and bad) so really worth the time spent here! Enjoy 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀 just my two bobs worth Rodney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Bitcon Posted April 3, 2020 Author Share Posted April 3, 2020 11 hours ago, rodneybeauchamp said: Hi George, welcome to Buick ownership in Australia. That convertible looks like it will be a real winner when done. The guys on the Buick forums are very helpful and forthcoming with information and what they have done ( both good and bad) so really worth the time spent here! Enjoy 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀 just my two bobs worth Rodney G'day Rodney Many thanks, I am enjoying the ride. Have a bit of a hold on the resto at the moment, given the even lousier exchange rate, but will get back into it soon when I find a little more time. I have redone the engine with the help of parts from several contacts in the US - they have been great. I'll have to attack something that doesn't need parts from the US next - I'm thinking some body prep might be the go. Cheers, George 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodneybeauchamp Posted April 4, 2020 Share Posted April 4, 2020 Hi George, looking good! I found All American Auto Parts in Victoria had a reasonable range of Buick bits in stock. Given the exchange rate and over the top postage, they are often worth a try. good luck on your project! cheers Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
50jetback Posted April 28, 2020 Share Posted April 28, 2020 G'day George, Belated welcome to the Forum, lots of good information and help to be found here. Where in Australia are you? I'm in Perth and have a 1955 Buick Super convertible. There are a number of 55's around but you are right about convertibles being a bit thin on the ground. Give us a yell if you are having trouble sourcing anything in particular for your project. Attached photo was taken at Echuca a couple of years ago at the Buick Club of Australia ( Victoria ) 50th anniversary meet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Bitcon Posted May 5, 2020 Author Share Posted May 5, 2020 On 4/4/2020 at 9:33 PM, rodneybeauchamp said: Hi George, looking good! I found All American Auto Parts in Victoria had a reasonable range of Buick bits in stock. Given the exchange rate and over the top postage, they are often worth a try. good luck on your project! cheers Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀 Thanks Rodney, I'll add some more pics when there's something worth posting. HAve a shed project on the go at te moment so the car is on hold. Cheers, George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Bitcon Posted May 5, 2020 Author Share Posted May 5, 2020 G'day Stuart Wow, looks magnificent! I'm in Shepparton, Victoria, so a bit away from all the action. I've seen about 3 55s pass through here, although there is a 55 Century 2 door about 1km up the road from me in a shed - the owner says he is going to turn it into a rat-rod, but I'm trying to persuade him not to. No motor, but the car seems complete and fairly rust free, although there is a bullet hole in the rear side window, at least that's what he says it is. Thanks for the offer - I have sourced several parts already from other forum members in the US and they have been great, but I'm sure I will need more at the project progresses. One thing: my car came with a piece of side trim for the left door that is the right length, but not the correct width - it is thinner that the corresponding piece it butts into. I've sourced a replacement, but now have this left over and would like to pass it on - is this a model difference (Super vs Special) or a year difference (55 vs say 54 or 56?) - its the one on the right in the attached photo. Cheers, George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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