Projects 53 Buick Special that's been "modified"

Hi. I recently (2 days ago) bought a 1953 Buick Special Model 41D (4 door). I was told it has a Vette 350 motor with only 500 miles on it and only 500 miles on transmission that was also put in it at time of motor... They knew nothing about anything except for that. No paperwork on work done to car or who did the work. The guy owned an RV place and took it in on trade. (He still could have asked for some basic information though, at least in my opinion). But I got a decent deal on it and thought it looked super clean. (Plus wifey didn't want me to get a new toy but she thought it was nice and approved so I jumped at the chance) . I was able to get pictures of the numbers on back of motor drivers side ....
41 GM (and underneath that) 3970010
And then I got the numbers on front of motor passenger side behind AC compressor
.....
V0607CLA (and underneath that)
17S438718
I tried to get the numbers on the back of motor on passenger side but with engine in car it's really hard to get to. But it looks like
Ehh... Maybe 73571 but I don't know. It's really hard to see.. ...
And on the bottom of transmission pan it states 350 turbo printed into the pan. So I'm gonna guess that's what transmission is in it...
It also has 4 wheel disc brakes on it. The suspension is really bouncy bouncy, so I'm not sure if that is stock or how to tell what was done to it for them to be able to have made it 4 wheel disc brakes. I know it wasn't factory. It also has power brakes, power steering and air conditioning. I'm not sure if the power brakes is factory, because I read that was an option...
The only factory number I could find was on the drivers door piller. There weren't any tags in trunk and firewall has sound deadening (mat) material on it.

Also is there a good place to find/buy parts like tail light lenses or knobs or aftermarket replacement parts for these cars?


I'll attach pictures if I'm able to of numbers I could get pictures of.

 

Vogue Tires. Not cheap. "Mayonnaise and Mustard"!

 

There's no way to hook a TH350 up to the stock "torque-tube" rearend, and swapping out the rearend in one of these means building some kind of different rear suspension, so you can be sure that stuff has all been replaced/modified in some way. The bouncy suspension might be a product of that, who knows what was used and how well it was done. Get some pictures up underneath of the rear suspension and we'll be able to tell how it was done, and what it might need to ride better.

The "0010" engine block was used for a lot of years in many vehicles, it most likely is a 350 (I guess a few late '68 327's were also made with that casting number) but that's not enough to tell if it was from a Corvette or not. Those other numbers might but I'm not the right guy to decode those. However, it's almost a cliche to say every small block Chevy is a "Vette motor", and at this point, it doesn't really matter anyway. Being out of a Corvette doesn't necessarily make this engine any different.

Those modern wheels make the car off-topic for the main board, so don't freak out if this gets moved to the off-topic forum. That's just part of the rules.

 

Suffix code does come back to a Corvette. 73-77. Would need date code

 

Buick parts at: bobsautomobilia.com That's where I got tail light lenses, rubber parts, etc. for my '47 Super.

 

The CLA on the block stamping indicates a 350 from a vette. L48 73/77 ish. With auto.

gotta post more pics. The booster, the suspension
The rear end

 

L78!

 

Fixed it

 

maybe you can find some wheel covers that might fit those rims to give it more of a hamb friendly look... that's what I do when I run my later 15-in wheels on my 41 Cadillac.

 

OT wheels?
Looks like regular 5 spokes ya see here regularly

 

I'm not the wheel police but those elongated spokes and rubber band tires say seventeens or bigger.

 

Somebody spent a lot of money on that. It's a good deal if it's to your taste. Enjoy it while you have it, because the resale ain't gonna be much. There's a reason it was traded on an RV.

A less garish paint job and some lowering and you might have a decent cruiser.

 

Dang, Denny, Ya need new glasses? Look to be at least 225/ . Maybe 235/

Ben

 

Looks pretty good so far Kurt.
If the wife says good, then you are 95 percent there!
Get us some pictures of the rear suspension, as has been said,
the Buick had a torque tube and coil springs originally...
let's have a look.

 

Thank you for the information. I am new to this site and will figure out the rules and correct places to post. I do appreciate all your information. You are right. It doesn't really matter if it came out of a Vette or a Z28 or Camaro. Lol. I am really just trying to figure out what everything is. I know it sucks that the guy I bought it from was clueless about any of the aftermarket parts that were put on it.
But now It's left to me to live with. I will get pictures of the suspension and everything I can soon, hopefully that will help with figuring things out.
Thank you again

 

I will get pictures soon of the front and rear suspension.
I'm disabled from a hit and run motorcycle wreck a little over 6 years ago (left me with a paralyzed left leg and paralyzed vocal chords, only 30% airway and lots of nerve damage and other painful things). They never caught the jerk that ran us (me and wifey) over....
So I'm going to hopefully start enjoying car events, like I used to do with motorcycle rallies.
Sorry, I told you that because it may take a few days for me to get those pictures.
I really appreciate the help from you and the people on this forum. Thank you very much

 

I'll get some pictures within a few days. Thank you very much

 

The paint job is pretty much why my wife "let" me buy it
But thank you for the response. I definitely plan on doing something with the suspension as soon as I know what is there now. I know it's hot 4 wheel disc brakes and a 350 engine and 350 transmission... And I have been told on here that the rear end had to have been changed also . So I won't know about the suspension (or anything really) until I get pictures of it and put them on here for the smarter guys to help me with.
Thank you again

 

Where would I get the date code from? Is that the number on the back of motor on passenger side on top? Because I can't really get to it to see it. But if that is the one, I'll try again...

 

That's great information. Thank you very much

 

I will get some pictures of the rear end and suspension with in a few days...
The brakes are 4 wheel disc and I'll put a picture of power brake booster. If that is the booster you mean

 

"If the wife ain't happy, no ones happy". Don't pay any attention to my suggestions; I'm at least three generations removed from what's popular these days..

Seriously, it seems like everything was done, and done right. Solving the rear suspension was a major accomplishment, and probably cost more than you paid for the whole rig. Even at my advanced age, I'm not really into cruisers, but I think you have a good 'un there.

 

The Xmas miracle. A claimed vette motor that is indeed a vette motor.

 

I love Vogue Tires, but maybe not on this car, or on those wheels. Since we're all adding our .02, I'd lower that thing all around and add wide whites & some full wheel covers.

 

Sorry to hear about that happening to you both, Kurt...but, it sounds as if you have the right attitude and will keep on doing what it takes to enjoy your life.... 4 wheels or 2.. just keep on keepin' on brother !
I like the Buick, now make it yours.

 

Not to mention if some idiot hits a fifties Buick they'll probably feel it more than you would

 

LOL.
Now that is funny right there, Pete.

Ben

 

Me too. I actually like the paintjob on it, I feel like with a few tweaks this thing has the potential to be really great. Clearly a lot of money has already been spent on it by whoever put it together. Dial it in a little further, it'll be great.

 

Got close to buying two different '53 Buicks at different times, they just hit me as cool cruisers.

 

17Sxxxxxx partial VIN on the engine tells us the engine is from a 1977 Corvette (the only cars built at the St Louis plant).