Sonomatic Posted November 9, 2022 Share Posted November 9, 2022 I want to send a big "THANKS" out to avgwarhawk for coordinationg the purchase of this car with me and the owner. avgwarhawk posted a couple of pictures of this car on this forum and suggested that someone buy this, get it straightened out mechanically, and DRIVE IT! I plan to do just that. Here it is, on the trailer, ready to come home. Just a note for anyone doing this: I planned 3 hours, 1 to drive down, 1 to load, 1 to drive back. It took twice that, because, everyone loves an old car and they want to talk, look, and touch. So, make an allowance for "spectator enthusiasm". As you can see, the body is straight with no rust holes, rockers too. Front floors are rotted out because door seals, windows, or something allowed water inside and rotted the floors, but, it doesn't smell like a basement. Runs, but a lifter or two is tapping, dynaflow works but leaks, no brakes, but emergency brake is fine. It drove up on the trailer, so, she goes. Plan to dig into the brakes first, then, I can tag it and go on a shake down run and make a list. I think I figured out why the paint is always worn off of these old Buicks. When you stand next to them, you can't help but trace the curves with you hands, and that's everyone that stands next to it. Okay, here we go! 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porsche 68 Posted November 9, 2022 Share Posted November 9, 2022 That’s awesome that you are going to daily drive it ! My 1934 Dodge coupe sat since 1967 I had to re ring it new rods and main bearings brakes hoses wheel cylinders and other things Been daily driving since August What a blast ! I love it almost time to put it away for winter goods luck with your Buick! John 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted November 9, 2022 Share Posted November 9, 2022 (edited) Great score! Just like mine except for transmission. I'll bet a bit of wet sanding with 600 grit will make that ol girl look good. You might drop on down to the Buick forums to Me and My Buick and start a thread. A lot of the Buick folk there. Ben Edited November 9, 2022 by Ben Bruce aka First Born (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usnavystgc Posted November 9, 2022 Share Posted November 9, 2022 Love the car. Congratulations!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1lark Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 Looking forward to more posts on this great old car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 Looking forward to the adventure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elpad Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 I remember my 50 "Toby" refurbishing days. This one 3X times in better condition. You can look it up on "Meet Toby, my 1950 model 51" on the "Me and my Buick" thread. Thanks Chris and Sonomatic for saving another Buick and keeping the heritage going. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Heaps Posted November 11, 2022 Share Posted November 11, 2022 (edited) Front floor pans also had a lot of help rotting away due to wet shoes on rainy days. Our old cars were once all daily drivers. You’ve got a good start to a fine automobile. Edited November 11, 2022 by Rusty Heaps (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonomatic Posted November 13, 2022 Author Share Posted November 13, 2022 Thank you for all of your replies. I really enjoyed Toby's thread. Like avgwarhawk suggested, I'm going to make it mechanically sound and drive it. It needs brakes, the muffler is rusted out, the Dynaflow leaks, a lifter or two are tapping. Trunk looks good, even the spare tire well is solid. rear seat looks good. Front seat less so, also illustraits the problem inside, the cloth is rotted and fragile. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonomatic Posted November 13, 2022 Author Share Posted November 13, 2022 When I brought this car home, a friend suggested that I scrub her down real good, treat the surface rust with Permatex rust converter and clear coat the car to perserve the patina. In my head I thought, "yeah, kinda cool on some cars, but not really by cup of tea." Then it rained yesterday and I saw this: All of a sudden I'm not as opposed. Quick, easy and cheap, and sticks with the "driver" idea. Bodywise, all this sweet little Special needs is front floor pans. I forgot to add to my previous post, that the car came with those 50's/60's style seat covers that install with hog rings. Not the clear plastic, dealer type, the type you use to see all the time on old cars. Floor pans, seat covers and I'm ready to go. The headliner is intact, the door panels look really good, it would be a pleasure to drive and could go to the grocery store and not worry about my ten thousand dollar paint job. I'm not throwing rocks, I love to see those perfect cars, but, I've owned a couple of garage queens and I'm looking for something fun, and this girl fits the bill. In the meantime, I can doll up the engine compartment, because, it's a straight eight and they are something to look at, and maybe down the road, prep the body and do a Maaco paint job so she looks great from 20 feet. These old Buicks are grand! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted November 13, 2022 Share Posted November 13, 2022 Give it a good WD-40 rub down! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porsche 68 Posted November 13, 2022 Share Posted November 13, 2022 (edited) That’s awesome that you are going to daily drive it ! My 1934 Dodge coupe sat since 1967 I had to re ring it new rods and main bearings brakes hoses wheel cylinders and other things Been daily driving since August What a blast ! I love it almost time to put it away for winter goods luck with your Buick! John Edited November 13, 2022 by Porsche 68 Already posted (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porsche 68 Posted November 13, 2022 Share Posted November 13, 2022 Give it a CLR bath Rustwill come out paint Friend did that on a 65 Pontiac looks great Sorry for the repost John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porsche 68 Posted November 13, 2022 Share Posted November 13, 2022 Also 000 steel wool and PB blaster works wonders on chrome ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy J Posted November 13, 2022 Share Posted November 13, 2022 I know it would cost a bundle,but I would have to bring this beauty back to show room condition.A solid car like that deserves it. I'm not a fan of patina. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericmac Posted November 13, 2022 Share Posted November 13, 2022 I like your car (I like the Dodge too), and I like your plan. Among my favorite cars I ever owned was a '50 Buick Special Jetback. It was a blast to drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike "Hubbie" Stearns Posted November 13, 2022 Share Posted November 13, 2022 32 minutes ago, Andy J said: I know it would cost a bundle,but I would have to bring this beauty back to show room condition.A solid car like that deserves it. I'm not a fan of patina. I’ll agree. IMHO it’s like throwing time and money. Paint or clear aren’t cheep. Every time I see a vehicle that is done that way, I think of all the time and money waisted. It’s only a mater of time till your clear starts to peel and you will be back to square one. Fix the floor pans then blast the rust and do a proper paint job. You’ll be better off in the long run. Mike 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Heaps Posted November 13, 2022 Share Posted November 13, 2022 I’m not a fan of clear coat either! Make it mechanically safe and reliable and drive it. Then perhaps paint and body work later, or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonomatic Posted November 18, 2022 Author Share Posted November 18, 2022 Thank you everyone for your thoughts, opinions and ideas. Everyone made a case for every thought that I had. I will mull them over while I get this old gal ready to drive and see what's what. I've started on the brakes, rebuilt the master cylinder the other night. I regret not taking pictures of what came out of it. The car came with a master cylinder rebuild kit and wheel cylinder kits, so, I[m going to try that first. After reinstallign the master cylinder, I pulled the drums to see what surprises hid under them. All of the drums look like they were turned a thousand miles ago. Shoes look new, with the exception of the the left rear, the lining came off partially on the rear shoe. Ordered a set of rear shoes from Kanter, $83 free shipping. Because of what I found in the master cylinder, I plan to rebuild all of the wheel cylinders. I really don't understand how the shoes and drums look so fantastic and the hydraulic system looks like muddy water was used for brake fluid. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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