Mr Earl LOOK what I Found 1954 Buick

[FireballV8]

Hey Lamar

I have found a 1954 Super 2 door hardtop with factory A/C. It is an interesting car in that it has power steering, air conditioning, ez-eye glass and heater, but it has a rubber floor mat in the front and not carpeting. I thought this was a bit odd. Anyways it seems like a neat car to own, but it does need work. It still has its complete original interior in fairly decent shape and is a southern california car. What do you think? Is it worth a restoration?

[Gene Brink]

Rubber mat was standard on the Super. Bit odd that someone would pay for the A/C but stick with rubber in the front (carpet was standard in the back) but... Guessing a typical CA car with little (or no) rust should not be too bad to fix up. Lamar will probably want to buy it for himself so take his answer with the proverbial "grain of salt" and do it yourself.

Good luck!

[FireballV8]

Gene

I thought that it was weird as well that someone would spring for the A/C which cost a few hundred dollars, but wouldn't pay for carpet in the front. Then again I had a 55 Special four door hardtop which had factor air and a clock delete. I can just see the customer saying we'll take the air, but no clock. Unfortunately the Super has front floor rust due to water being trapped between the mat and the floor board, but there is no other rust anywhere else in the car. It is a North Hollywood car still wearing its black plates, which are registered to it. I am on the fence about this one. What would you do?

thx

Steve

[JohnD1956]

If the price is right, jump on it. Supers are just that, Super.

JD

[Guest ewing]

Does it look anything like this?

[/image]

Today my sister produced this neat 54 Buick, its a display piece used in a local promotional deal. She kept her eye on it and convinced her manager to give it to her when the promotion was done. She really didn't know it was a Buick, but she knew I would want it.

Turns out its a 54 Buick 2 dr ht.... now I think I need a car to go with it, since I now have a neat display piece for it.

Is that Super white over red by any chance?

Go for it , it sounds like a great car, and a nice body style.

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

Steve I have seen more "odd" combinations and options on Supers than on any other 54. I think Gene is right about the front mats being typically rubber like the Special. I have seen one Super convertible with mats with carpet inserts in the front and carpet in the back. I got a Super parts car from Ken at Wheatbelt with AC that has some very unique plaid seat upholstery. I think they typically have power windows in the front only. It's very rare to find a 54 where at least the front floor boards aren't rusted. This was due to the front door leaking. They fixed this later by offering a L shaped rubber gasket for mounting onto the door frame just under the curved windshield. One of the oddest thing I have seen on three 54 Supers are ornaments mounted on the front fender just behind the headlight similar to the 56 Roadmaster. The owners claimed they were original.

If the car is in original condition, the glass is good and not foggy, and the AC is all there I'd say go for it.An AC 54 is rare in any model. I have seen several Supers with it. I bet the rear clear conductor tubes aren't hooked up to the roof air ducts are they. Service techs typically unhooked them to allow more air to flow that would flow through the cardboard airducts leading to the vents in the roof headliner

I've been watching and wondering when you were gonna ever fall for a 54. I'd love to see pictures and hear more about it. Email me with any detailed questions if you have any. I'm just glad of one thing...it's on the opposite side of the continent.

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

John I hope for Steves sake it doesn't look like that. Aside from your being a Special/Century, that color scheme, white over red over white, although seemingly very popular as a repaint is not correct. I've seen them win awards at shows and seem to be the most popular for promo advertising such as the one you have. BTW I have one just like your that I bought at Plano. It can be hung in a window and it looks cooler from the rear than the front because all you see is the chrome color with light coming through.

Steve you've got me excited about this car. Hopefully you will go for it. I love to see these 54's in good appreciative hands.

[Guest ewing]

I hadn't thought about hanging it in a window. Great idea, I'm going to hang it in the living room window... I'll let you know how long it takes for me to get hit over the head with the frying pan. On second thought, Carol does appreciate this old car stuff, but maybe I'll start by hanging it in the garage window.

[Gene Brink]

Steve,

I'm barely into Glendale (five blocks from Burbank) and if I was in the market I'd be over to NH in a flash to check out myself. First car, after getting my license, was a '54 Buick (parents sold it after I was drafted in '66) two-door hardtop that I still dream about. Even with some rust I'd be surprised it it would not clean up okay since we get so little rain out here so would say go for it - especially if it is complete, glass is good, etc. Where in NH ( grew up near Vineland/Victory intersection)? Are you in the area?

[FireballV8]

Gene

It is complete, missing minor stuff if any. Its just that I don't need another project. I have my 58 Caballero, two 56 Continental Mark II's that are waiting for complete restorations and I am about 70% done restoring my 55 Century 2 dr hdtp and Super convert (both frame off restorations). But on the other hand I figure if I don't get this, I won't find another one with factory A/C. When I woke up this morning I decided to go and buy it, so I'll call him and see what he says.

I figured that it is a long weekend and its a good time to buy it and put it in storage.

Gene do you have a green 51 Ford two door? Also weren't you up in Agua Dulce?

I am in Calabasas, so still in the valley.

I'll keep you guys posted on what happens.

Steve

[Guest ewing]

Steve,

Good luck with the aquisition of the 54 and keep us posted!

A little off topic, but you mentioned you have a 58 Caballero. I also have a 58 Caballero. I'd like to hear more about that car, and see some pictures?

Cheers,

John

[FireballV8]

John

We discussed my wagon and yours in detail about a month ago. I emailed you some pics of my car.

Steve

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

SUPERMAN

What's the word ??!! I'm really excited can you tell.

Here's two of the three Super's I've seen with the front fender ornaments. Not that I am convinced that they came from the factory as such but it's certainly a strange coincidence that they are on Supers and not RM or Century's.

[Guest ewing]

Oh you're Steve!. I'm a little slow , eh? I guess I didn't make the connection to your board name. That's my excuse this time. Next time, I'm not sure what excuse I can use...

Yes, I still have the pictures of your car...

I haven't had any calls on my 58, so I guess the rust is scaring guys away.

In the mean time I've been cleaning up my spare 60, 401 and I think I'll put it in the Caballero to see if I can make some noise around the neighbourhood with the car, while I decide what to do with the original engine.

[Gene Brink]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Gene do you have a green 51 Ford two door? Also weren't you up in Agua Dulce?</div></div> Steve,

Not my Ford (although I did have a green 4 door '50 44 years or so ago [ouch <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />]. Was not at Agua Dulce either. My brother had a '58 Caballero years ago. Neat wagon. You certainly have your hands full. Good luck with the new acquisition (assuming you do get it).

[MrEarl]

Gene

It is complete, missing minor stuff if any. Its just that I don't need another project. I have my 58 Caballero, two 56 Continental Mark II's that are waiting for complete restorations and I am about 70% done restoring my 55 Century 2 dr hdtp and Super convert (both frame off restorations). But on the other hand I figure if I don't get this, I won't find another one with factory A/C. When I woke up this morning I decided to go and buy it, so I'll call him and see what he says.

I figured that it is a long weekend and its a good time to buy it and put it in storage.

Gene do you have a green 51 Ford two door? Also weren't you up in Agua Dulce?

I am in Calabasas, so still in the valley.

I'll keep you guys posted on what happens.

Steve

So Steve, did you ever buy this car?