Hey whats happening. Been a while since Ive been around. Too painful haha. Might remember my 1950 Truck build thread, see profile pic. I sold it in 2017 after saying I'd never sell it, but during build had three kids and it just didnt fit the family at the time so It went on down the road. I always knew one day Id have to get something else, and said I wanted a 62 Bel Air Bubble 409 but knew that prob wasnt happening. Had to have something the family could enjoy together and figured a 4 door would be the ticket back into the hobby. My wife is into 50's cars so I knew it had to be in that era, and figured a tri five GM would be best due to the availability. I have showed her countless cars Ive come across, too new, too old, to small, to expensive, too much work, ugly color and so on. To be fair I was looking for me and not her. Had to adjust my sights a bit. Last Saturday while having our morning coffee I opened up marketplace and the first ad was for this beauty. I read a long list of stuff the flipper had done and the price was right. Long ass drive of course, nothing is ever close, and when I showed the wife, I fully expected a brush off. But this one made her eyes go wide. We were off, and a few hours later we had made a deal. They even delivered it to me at my shop a few days later as we needed time to get the funds together. Super good guys trying to make a living buying and selling old cars. Drove the car home in 100 degree weather about 30 miles with no ac and didnt have any trouble. Thing drives fantastic for an all original "barn find". Not a single piece of trim missing, everything works on the dash, seats in great shape for the age, headliner a little ugly but all in all a great start. 322 with the dynaflow. Have taken kids out a few times close to house and looks like its gonna be a fun ride once we make it safe. Def keeping with the traditional style, and I know is a four door but has such a nice look to it, I think with a little lowering and a better wheel/tire set up with dual exhaust itll look just right. Gotta get seat belts in it at least for some marginally better safety, then its just pick at things here and there as time and money allow. No way I can sink the kind of time and money I did on the 50, just not possible with my family situation currently. But since it runs and drive great I can take my time I think. As long as nothing serious hits the fan haha! Ill post up as I make changes if anyones interested, see yall around!
I like the wheels and the small hubcaps. most everybody sprung for the full wheel covers, makes the small ones rare. I like the body color on the wheels too. Don't paint them black just because it's the fad.
Let’s see, wife’s approval, check, build plan, check, seatbelts, double check, kids approval, check, insanity defense in case it all goes wrong, check. Carry on.
I do too, don't know if the whites are too thin or the tires to narrow, something just isnt quite right. The caps are supposed to be from a 40s buick, dig those. Ill figure it out.
Exactly haha. My oldest was like meh, but she's coming around. My mother in law whose in her 60s, said her dad had a 2 dr Belair when she was in elementary school, she remembers being so embarrassed having him pick her up in it. Unreal, almost don't believe her but I guess kids have a harder time appreciating things like that.
Welcome back and what a cool Buick! I can see lots of great family memories coming soon! The main reason I hang on to my 56 is all the road trip memories with kids.
Had a 55 2dht. Fabulous cars, like driving a couch. Now that I'm a little older, I don't turn up my nose at all the 4 doors. Congratulations on the car and getting the kids involved.
So first up was getting rid of all the clunking in the front end. Took care of that with new shocks with bushings, sway bar bushings and end links with new rubber. Nice and quiet on the rough country roads. Took a few cruises with the kiddos around the area, but still no seat belts yet so no roads with traffic. Wife and I took it out for dinner two nights in a row, first night did about 30 mile round trip cruise, all good. Next night into the next town over for dinner, about 50 miles and ran perfect.
Today was time for first personal touch. Back dash falling apart. Took a drive to hobby lobby looking for material, we found a cool Tommy Bahama patter that matches just right. Old school Hawaiian shirt vibes. Bought some thin plywood and traced and cut it out. Wrapped it in headliner material as a backing Then positioned and cut material, using spray adhesive and an iron to get it smoothed out. Came out great, gotta do a little cleaning in car before I install it but really hot out. More to come later.
Hey @shadams That is a great automobile ! "Money has no value, unless it's spent" You have spent your money very well ! Don't let anyone here or anywhere else give you crap about it being a 4 door, there is nothing wrong with that, and its practical for those 3 kids as well. Great color as well. That is a keeper for sure. It will be interesting to see the evolution of how those kids relate to it, and if any of them really want it for themselves in the future ! Your results may vary! Thanks from Dennis for posting the story and the pictures !
Ordered coil springs from coil spring specialties. 2.5 drop and 20% firmer. I stall went smoothly for once. Monroe front shocks and Napa brand rear shocks. Rides great still
This is the perfect car, I would not change the looks one bit. I have new MOOG springs for my very late '64 Belair (actually a '66...). I may just whack one coil before I install them. That gets me a tad lower and will firm up the ride. Of course I am replacing most FE parts as I go.
Not a whole lot of action lately. Been cold here and there and busy with kid stuff. Pulled the carpet to do seat belts and cleaned and lined the floor, painted the wheels black, was not sure that I liked the body colored wheels, they were a little off color. Developed a coolant leak, found freeze plugs have been replaced with expandable plugs on the side of the block. Ordered a freeze plug set and gonna takle that mess soon. Otherwise just take it for a cruise when its nice.
Hey those are good updates! Plus I can see your co pilot approves so that's all that matters The black wheels are a nice touch as well!
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