So I bought a Buick...

C

CameronGhost

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I bought this car about a year ago but I haven't really gotten to restoring it yet. It's a '53 Super 8. Buick's first V8 - 322.

I do know of a place in Durban who can import spares etc directly from the US. But what I want to know is if I will have problems registering it when its fully restored since it is a LHD. I do not have any papers at all.

But I have found out the the car originally belonged to an old lady in town's husband back in the 50's, 60's...

I have also seen that many of the trim is available on ebay, but due to the fact that I'm a novice on online shopping, I do not know if a South African can buy stuff on ebay?

Last question, are there any other Buick fans out there??

180820131458.jpg
180820131459.jpg
Photo0173.jpg
 
My BIL is working on Buick 58.

To start with:
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Progress:
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Engine: (49 Citroen TA in background)
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What he wants:
7128_158162183997_358776_n.jpg
 
Oh W~O~W~!

That is one of my all time favourite cars!!

There won't be a problem with the fact that it's a LHD, but it will be a mission getting paperwork sorted out, so sterkte on that side!!

Brilliant project car!! :D
 
Thanks guys. Its definitely a long term project. I love the 58's! I remember a friend of my grandad had one. Thanks for the pics. But there's a certain something in the 'pre-fin' cars though...

My grandad had a '54 Chrysler which I always loved. This is the closest I could get to that build and look.

Of course the convertibles and coupes are the most sought after, but they are unbelievably rare and pricey. So its basic 4doors for me :)
 
CameronGhost said:
Thanks guys. Its definitely a long term project. I love the 58's! I remember a friend of my grandad had one. But there is a certain something in the 'pre-fin' cars though...

Of course the convertibles and coupes are the most sought after, but they are unbelievably rare and pricey. So its basic 4doors for me :)
Click to expand...

Unless you are trying to create something that will be worth a fortune, there's nothing wrong with the 4 door at all. This car is a true classic, and will always be desirable.

Take your time on the restoration, and please don't get tempted into turning it into something that it is not.

It deserves to go back to its original state in every respect. I hate seeing beautiful old cars being messed up by people lowering the suspension and dropping in different motors and then doing ridiculous paint jobs to go with 19/20" Donk wheels!! :sick:
 
Fazda said:
Unless you are trying to create something that will be worth a fortune, there's nothing wrong with the 4 door at all. This car is a true classic, and will always be desirable.

Take your time on the restoration, and please don't get tempted into turning it into something that it is not.

It deserves to go back to its original state in every respect. I hate seeing beautiful old cars being messed up by people lowering the suspension and dropping in different motors and then doing ridiculous paint jobs to go with 19/20" Donk wheels!! :sick:
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more. More often than not people 'abuse' the car's integrity when they pimp it. That's not at all my intention. I plan to keep it as original as possible. She needs a new transmission, so someone suggested I put in a 4speed auto that would fit. I said no because I think it would ruin the car's 'feel'. The car originally came with 3speed manual, column shift. The auto box would have necessitated that I make her a floor shift. Don't think that'll be okay at all. The only thing I have considered was to change the color - see pics below.

100620131272.jpg - The car's original interior.

17375.jpg - The color I'd like to make it.

So in essence, the only non original stuff would be the exterior color and the Wheel Caps as both came out on the Roadmaster only as far as I know.
 
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That's great to hear! :D

I LOVE the Buick green, and she will look totally magic in that colour. I also agree on the gearbox story - keep it original.

Buick hubcaps are Buick hubcaps, so that's no big deal - great!

Now I am frantically trying to remember which car had a sideways opening bonnet - I'll have to do some digging! :p
 
Thanks :)

I know the older 20's and 30's cars had side open bonnets? Those long 12 and 16 cylinder engines...?
 
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