TAKerry Posted May 30, 2023 Share Posted May 30, 2023 A fellow on a non car related forum posted this pic. He was out and about and saw it. I am not versed well enough on pre war to know where to begin with something like this. 2023-05-30_08-24-55 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr 2023-05-30_08-25-01 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arcticbuicks Posted May 30, 2023 Share Posted May 30, 2023 38 Buick 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted May 30, 2023 Share Posted May 30, 2023 It looks to be possibly a very very rare Century convertible sedan, that has been highly modified. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted May 30, 2023 Share Posted May 30, 2023 1 minute ago, West Peterson said: It looks to be possibly a very very rare Century convertible sedan, that has been highly modified. I disagree, I say it’s been ruined 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted May 30, 2023 Author Share Posted May 30, 2023 Thanks, I knew that wouldnt take long, LOL. What I found odd about this one is there were a couple of rear end shots. It did not look like there were any lines on the trunk, i.e. nothing to open from the outside. Is this normal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted May 30, 2023 Share Posted May 30, 2023 47 minutes ago, West Peterson said: It looks to be possibly a very very rare Century convertible sedan, that has been highly modified. I was gonna laugh at the wheels and then remembered I live in a glass house. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xander Wildeisen Posted May 30, 2023 Share Posted May 30, 2023 That’s a rough looking glass house to be living in. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Roth Posted May 30, 2023 Share Posted May 30, 2023 (edited) The wide tires and aftermarket wheels, as well as bucket seats in the rear, are the obvious takeaway. A fellow in (I think) Virginia was buying up Buicks, mostly 1934-1939 as I recall, and did modifications involving later Buick driveline, suspension, brakes, etc. I recall the note that he was keeping them all-Buick instead of using Chevy engines. This stuck in my mind because back around the mid-1990s when I was looking for a 1934-1935 60 or 90 Series Convertible Sedan, he was buying them up quickly and at higher prices, and then he seemed to shift to the 1937, 1938 models. I never got my 1934/1935 open model, but was lucky to be close with the late Dr. (and Mrs.) Mike Werckle of Rockford, IL. Mike was past-President of VMCCA, a physician specializing in geriatric patients, and a long-time friend. He helped me buy my unrestored 1937 Roadmaster Phaeton 80C (Convertible Sedan), initially bought by the CIty of New York as a Parade Car for Mayor Fiorello, LaGuardia, later in a museum, then a private collection, and never in private hands until coming to us in 2009 with just over 7,000 (mostly parade) miles showing. We still enjoy touring this Buick, now with nearly 15,xxx miles. Edited May 30, 2023 by Marty Roth (see edit history) 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zepher Posted May 30, 2023 Share Posted May 30, 2023 4 hours ago, alsancle said: I was gonna laugh at the wheels and then remembered I live in a glass house. Ed let you put those wheels on that car? I'm guessing he hasn't touched it since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted May 30, 2023 Share Posted May 30, 2023 1 hour ago, zepher said: Ed let you put those wheels on that car? I'm guessing he hasn't touched it since. They were installed before I was born........that's a family car since the 50's. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted May 30, 2023 Share Posted May 30, 2023 Wheels and seats aside { a big eugh in my books ! } it looks like a reasonably decent car. I know Ed has very high standards, but some of us must accept compromises if it helps affordability. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted May 30, 2023 Share Posted May 30, 2023 1 hour ago, JBP said: Not that badging means much of anything on a car that's been heavily modified, but the script on the hood operators seems (to my low-res eye) to look more like "Roadmaster" than "Century." Hard to see, but I think I agree. Still... a very rare car. Maybe a handful???? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted May 30, 2023 Author Share Posted May 30, 2023 Any comment on if this car had an opening trunk? There is a picture of the back and everything is smoothed over. After reading about the customization I am wondering? Was there a Pontiac and Cadillac somewhat version of this car? I saw something similar at show a couple of years ago, of course it may have been an Olds??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted May 30, 2023 Share Posted May 30, 2023 2 hours ago, edinmass said: They were installed before I was born........that's a family car since the 50's. Ed is correct. Those wheels have been on the car for over 60 years. I still don't like them but maybe blackwalls will tone things down. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFeeney Posted May 30, 2023 Share Posted May 30, 2023 I've always thought that GM had the best styling of the Big 3 in 1938. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
classic_cruiser Posted May 31, 2023 Share Posted May 31, 2023 (edited) 4 hours ago, TAKerry said: Any comment on if this car had an opening trunk? There is a picture of the back and everything is smoothed over. After reading about the customization I am wondering? … This one has a regular opening trunk: https://www.motorcarcompany.com/1938-buick-roadmaster-4dr-phaeton-convertible--model-80-c--for-sale-at-motor-car-company-in-san-diego-california-.html Edited May 31, 2023 by classic_cruiser Added photo (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted May 31, 2023 Author Share Posted May 31, 2023 10 hours ago, classic_cruiser said: This one has a regular opening trunk: https://www.motorcarcompany.com/1938-buick-roadmaster-4dr-phaeton-convertible--model-80-c--for-sale-at-motor-car-company-in-san-diego-california-.html OK, if you guys thought the mod's from the front were bad I will try to post a pic of the rear. It looks nothing like the above pic.There is a bustle back that looks odd to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted May 31, 2023 Author Share Posted May 31, 2023 2023-05-31_07-45-24 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Dobbin Posted May 31, 2023 Share Posted May 31, 2023 (edited) Modified or not, it's still an awesome looking Buick. I don't like the hump trunk either, but there must have been a reason it was done. Someone worked really hard making it into a presentable antique parade car. Probably spent a small fortune doing it too. Ended up with the most popular parade car in his town. Then along come the armchair experts and tell him he ruined it. I doubt he would be excited about joining this club. Edited June 1, 2023 by Paul Dobbin In defense of personal taste. (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Model56s Posted May 31, 2023 Share Posted May 31, 2023 I had no idea Mary K was active in the 30s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 (edited) That trunk area is just plain ugly ! Why can't some people leave things alone? Edited June 1, 2023 by 1912Staver (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
classic_cruiser Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 Where did they move the fuel filler to? I’d be curious if there is a way to get into the trunk space…perhaps from inside the rear seat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarNucopia Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 15 hours ago, TAKerry said: 2023-05-31_07-45-24 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr Sir Mix-A-Lot, your Buick is ready….. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 Looks like someone cut the roof off a Roadmaster sedan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 Sometimes you just have to define ruined. Many a "restorer" has sold a car like this to "some Hot Rodder" and a few years later called it ruined. "Wasn't good enough to restore." I missed buying that. And that is a funny story in itself. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryankazmer Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 2 hours ago, EmTee said: Looks like someone cut the roof off a Roadmaster sedan. and then leaded in the trunk. I don't see top bows. The more you look the worse this appears Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now