deac Posted December 12, 2023 Share Posted December 12, 2023 I just ran across this.. FOR SALE: 1957 Buick 4 Door Century Hard Top: powder coated inner fenders (Black Satin), all bolts have been cadmium plated silver color, new floor with18 gauge steel welded correctly, all chrome redone (triple coated and most replaced), all stainless on side's were removed from the car having the dents removed, the stainless was then polished and reinstalled onto the car, underside of car frame plus all underside painted black, all new brake shoes, power brake booster completely rebuilt by CH Topping in Long Beach, CA., all new side glass 6 pieces, new rubber gasket for front windshield purchased from Rubber The Right Way, painted 2 stage Red with Clear on the top, new interior panels complete red and white leather, new headliner has been installed, wheel covers newly polished have new Buick inserts, steering wheel completely rebuilt and horn assembly newly chromed with horn button, carpet color made for 1957 Buick 4 Dr. with jute padding and color red, transmission is rebuilt not yet installed (1 yr. warranty Dynaflow Transmission), the engine and transmission are not currently in car. https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/d/temecula-1957-buick-dr-century-hard-top/7696644054.html I do not own this vehicle and have absolutely no stake in the sale 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Wells Posted December 12, 2023 Share Posted December 12, 2023 I'm sure the seller has that much or more into it, but it will take that much or more to complete it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted December 12, 2023 Share Posted December 12, 2023 (edited) The seller states, "...new interior panels complete red and white leather," in his punctuationally-challenged description. I have the very same model (photo below). Mine has an original interior, and I have the Color and Upholstery album. Leather was not used on the seats: They should be vinyl (with a tiny stippled grain) with cloth inserts. The door panels have those same materials. His door panels, which one picture shows, are not right. If he's spending all the effort to restore the car, he should do it authentically. Edited December 12, 2023 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history) 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted December 12, 2023 Share Posted December 12, 2023 Im not a fan of most 4 door cars, but that is one I wouldnt mind having in my garage. Such great lines to it. John, that surely is a beautiful auto. The paint looks so much nicer than the red one, and the red one looks nice! 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walt G Posted December 12, 2023 Share Posted December 12, 2023 A 4 door hardtop is one of my favorite cars/body styles of the post war era but I just can't appreciate the color red especially on a car that has such sensational styling. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deac Posted December 12, 2023 Author Share Posted December 12, 2023 (edited) I spoke to the seller and found out he's a Buick guy! The guy has around 7 of them and I got feeling they were mostly post war cars. This over priced red one doesn't have a motor in it nor does it have an exhaust system. However he did say he has a freshly rebuilt Dynaflow trans. He said the original motor is being rebuilt but he has other motors for it. The seats have been re-upholstered but have not been installed. He also mentioned this is a factory A/C car but I couldn't get him to tell me exactly what state it's in. The car caught my interest for some reason to the point I'm going to take a run down there and see just what state it's in. But I have lots of reservations about it: Not so sure about the upholstery, motor issue, no so gone on fact that is not a 2 tone paint job, state of dash accessories and the wiring is unknown. He said the glass has been installed! Though I know a lot about old cars and have some mid-sized projects on them I don't want to take on a pricey long term project. Moreover I much prefer cars that drive! I will post findings here after my little adventure. Edited December 12, 2023 by deac (see edit history) 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted December 13, 2023 Share Posted December 13, 2023 If your going to take on someone elses project, this one looks to be a bit further along than most. It may not be a bad starting point. That is if it can be bought right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suchan Posted December 13, 2023 Share Posted December 13, 2023 Too much red. I can't recall seeing any one-color '57's back in the day, except maybe all white. Breaking it up with another color on the bottom (or top) would help. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted December 13, 2023 Share Posted December 13, 2023 The all-red color scheme is correct. In one of their 1957 ads, Buick even showed a Century in solid red. Maybe that's where the original buyer, or the later restorer, got the idea. Here's the illustration from that ad: 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted December 14, 2023 Share Posted December 14, 2023 I like the red on the car, the two tone looks super classy though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted December 15, 2023 Share Posted December 15, 2023 I'm Definitely a fan of two-tone on all 54-58 Buicks, but I guess I might be bias.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deac Posted December 15, 2023 Author Share Posted December 15, 2023 (edited) I decided not to go see the car based on the fact that it's a non-running project. But I do think there's a lot here for the money. I have been reading the comments about the monotone exterior red paint. Though it I do like the two tone paints of the 50's in my opinion it would not be the a deal killer to buy it and then in time add the accent color below the belt line and possibly the roof, You wouldn't be removing many stainless steel or chrome accents on the lower bodywork and there's no metal work to be done. So it's what I call a simple scuff and shoot; scuff up the paint and shoot it. Moreover metal work is what costs the big money. I think it 's a great starting point for some one wants a project. Edited December 15, 2023 by deac (see edit history) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted December 15, 2023 Share Posted December 15, 2023 (edited) 8 hours ago, deac said: ...buy it and then in time add the accent color below the belt line and possibly the roof. For 1957 Buick Specials and Centuries, the roof was always the same color as the upper body. The lower body (below the side trim) would be the only contrasting color on 2-tones. The earliest 1957 catalogue shows the color insert on the side molding always to be red (actually an orange-red). The later edition of the same catalogue also shows green and blue inserts in the side molding. I don't know if colors other than red, blue, or green could be had. Edited December 15, 2023 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7th Son Posted December 16, 2023 Share Posted December 16, 2023 On 12/13/2023 at 12:28 PM, John_S_in_Penna said: The all-red color scheme is correct. In one of their 1957 ads, Buick even showed a Century in solid red. Maybe that's where the original buyer, or the later restorer, got the idea. Here's the illustration from that ad: Why are they driving with the windows down in the snow? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted December 16, 2023 Share Posted December 16, 2023 3 minutes ago, 7th Son said: Why are they driving with the windows down in the snow? And the bridge has no guard rail, so you can see those sweeping, open hardtop lines! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusty Trucker Posted December 16, 2023 Share Posted December 16, 2023 Weren't the '57 Buicks somewhat notorious for transmission problems? My father had a friend back then who had his '57 in the shop a number of times for repairs. Later, Dad had a '59 Invicta with, I presume, nearly the same transmission as the '57 and it had to be replaced by the time the car was 3 years old. Coincidence? I don't know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted December 16, 2023 Share Posted December 16, 2023 I never heard of transmission problems in the '57 Buicks. All Dynaflows drip a little bit, I have been told. For 1958, Buick offered the Flight Pitch Dynaflow as standard in the larger Limited and Roadmaster series, and as an option on the Supers. (It wasn't available on the smaller Special and Century cars.) So there were two different Dynaflows in 1958. The Flight Pitch Dynaflow, I understand, was a bit problematic. I believe it was around in 1959, too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooklyn Beer Posted December 17, 2023 Share Posted December 17, 2023 On 12/15/2023 at 6:39 PM, John_S_in_Penna said: And the bridge has no guard rail, so you can see those sweeping, open hardtop lines! And they are going so fast they are leaving contrials. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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