Projects My 53 Buick Super custom project

If it weren't for the frame showing through, i could fall right through it.

 

Now that I am going back to road crews, I'm going to buy some thicker plate 16 or 18 gauge, and make a new front, back and tranny tunnel. Those areas are a little too thin to weld properly.

 

Down here in cape coral florida, I've seen some pretty sweet rides so far. Thinking the juices are starting to flow again....thawed....time to hit it when I get home. Fix the brake leak out back, install the camino springs, then get back to bodywork.

 

Used the top of a beat up 57 Chevy fender to get the look I was after. Now to figure out how to recreate the busted mustache bar.

 

Some people might not like it, but the original headlights looked like a Mercedes....not very nice.

 

Located some lake pipes and a '53 donor car, picking them up this weekend.
I've got the inner rocker panels welded in, next will be the outers. Will post pics when I get home.

 

I could use the dash & radio knobs if you dont need them.

 

With the help of my son, we got the drivers side rockers installed as well as the front floor pan. Later we tackled the rear pan. He's just 14 and hungry for more welding work.

 

Nice job, there!

 

Having no luck finding replacement quarters for the 53, mine were mangled with an inch of bondo. I found a guy in Flint, MI that was selling a pair of 51 quarters for a $100.
They were in a storage room for 40 years, 1 small rust spot and they fit great.

 

Thanks, it was a pain, but now the other side will go quickly.

 

The dash was black and green, but the new color scheme turned out great. All of the window moulds are getting powder coated candy purple metallic.

 

I going with the monster flakes for my purple, and gold ice pearls in the alpine white

 

Sorry about the paint post, I get burned out and tend to bounce around until I get my groove back.

 

Here's the mock up of the front end of my Buick. The pot metal mustache bar is broke in several places, so I cut the bad sections out and will fan new curves.

 

Cool Buick, nice work! Check out my build 1952 Buick "Pearl" a factory custom. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/index.php?threads/1952-Buick-"Pearl"-a-factory-custom..967980/

 

Kool project, please keep posting pics, looking good

 

Thanks, with working on a road crew during the week, this is taking a while, but it's my special kind of therepy.

 

My wife and I went down to Grand Rapids, Michigan to get a rear axle for our Waggy and scored a Buick 455. Talk about true motivation for my Buick Super. I've got a line on a BOP400 and a friend who has a shaved 9" he wants to sell, so.....

 

This is where I am going with the headlights. The "tunneled" look gives her the pissed evil appearance. I'll keep the Buick look, but upgrading to LEDs.
Going to the exhaust shop tomorrow to have some pipe bent to the proper shape, then the sheet metal can be formed and welded.

 

Got the 455 cleaned and on a stand, waiting for this for next year.

 

Looks good so far. Keep the updates coming. Love these old buicks

 

Thanks

 

Lookin good, dig the lights. - Nick

 

While waiting for the seam sealer to show up, the wife and I decided to shoot color on the areas not getting modified.

 

The bullets and grill will get re-chromed. And we will be adding green flames to the body as well as metal flake and lace to the roof.

 

Cool project. You may be miles ahead, with that 455. Old motors are a small fortune to rebuild. OK, it's not quite "old school", but it's all Buick power. Better more modern engine and trans. So glad I opted to swap a TH400, into my '64 98. Will be worth every penny. Good friend, just spent $4900 to rebuild the Dynaflow, in his '57 Buick project. Quite sure you have less than that in the whole shebang.

JT

 

That was my thought, I was told to ship the dynaflow out to get rebuilt. And the motor while running good, is under powered.
And as for the $$, $900 for the car and $250 for the 455.

 

I got the kick panels cut and installed. After my daughter's wedding, it will be time to tackle the rear floor pans.

 

Great project! Keep your son involved.