I have always had a long love for buicks... I am now on my 3rd, 1st was a 54 4dr super. That was a creampuff of a car. But my mind and finances needed to sell it to build another car that took front stage. Fast forward 12 years. Bought a 51 Buick 2dr. Was a very good looking car but had some major rust holes hidden. I sold that car but regretted it that same day. Flipped some more iron here and there and found this 53 2dr special. Not a bad car. Has a little rust here and there but all in all pretty dang 95%solid Image from when I bought it.. Cleaned some flat black off to show the exterior a bit better. Interior is sparce but ok. I got the straight 8 running decently car drove well, but she made some noise when warm, (Bottom End). I liked the car, but didn't love it. I tried to sell it as it was. no luck... So woke up one morning and said screw it. Time to make a real deal Buick and do all the **** I have wanted to do to one. Make a real ROAD CAR. Yeah the straight 8 could have been saved, I did sell all the parts out of the existing driveline to save other cars. Even the stock coils went to a good home. So, some here may have a fit. I am putting it on air suspension(I have never had a 50s car on air and always wanted one). I had a SBC core motor with 327 heads laying around, so I am building that and had a T5 I had bought for the 36 project that I sold so I have driveline covered. Locally sourced a G body 10 bolt rear end for her, and some 68 c10 truck arms. The idea is a car that can be driven anywhere with ease of parts, but Low as we can get. Stay tuned for more....
Ben, you beat me to the punchline. Good project car, you’re off to a better start than I. This is where I’m at after some intense work.
I echo @Bangingoldtin. Would be great with a nailhead but I get it. Build it like you want it. Just build it!
So the mount for the truck arm pivot is bolt in. This is to fine tune alignment if needed on a rack. Then will weld in. here is all the stuff going in. And first time on the ground with new rear suspension installed.
Looks like it's going to be in the weeds. @anthony myrick would be proud. I have a similar idea for the truck arms in my ride.
I have a mostly 1953 Buick I bought 52 years ago. You guys are making me want another one. There are a lot of things on the car I've never really touched which still work fine.
Little Sunday update while I wait on parts. Dropped the steering arms while I wait for the dropped uprights from Downright Fab. Decided to get some rebuilt shocks for the front as these were very worn out.
Had to buy a new rosebud FYI the map gas torch just can't get hot enough. #6 Oxy Acy rosebud, this thing is EPIC. I have never had a rosebud, now I see why people have em.
Got the front stuff starting to roll in. Decided to make these bag cups. Funny. I looked back at an inspirational from someone on here bagged a 50 Buick. His bag cup height and mine were exactly the same for the tubing needed. 2.875”. So I guess I’m doing something right.
No happy with first holes I drilled for the air line to p*** through. So will chuck it up and drill new ones lower to make getting air line installed tons easier.
Little update. Found a worn out eccentric, so waiting on a NOS one to come in so I can put the driver's side together. Made some short sway bar end links to work with the new travel. But here is a shot of the p***enger side together. I am looking forward to seeing her on the ground for the first time. The Downright fab uprights are very nice quality. The lower bushing was super tight to get back in was my only complaint. Drivers side upper eccentric is held in by a wrench but this gives the overview of the complete setup. My test end link before getting the new bushings. And now time for the money shots.
Thanks man. And I am actually. No real sense in ditching them, they are completely rebuilt anyways. I don’t mind drums. I may upgrade to disc later when these shoes wear out.
Ah man, I was excited when I found this thread. I was hoping it'd be longer! I guess I'll have to wait and see how it turns out. Maybe you'll motivate me to drag my '55 Roadmaster out of the yard. The Special looks great so far--I really like that year. So what are these truck arms you speak of? Is this a common solution borrowed from a commonly available application?
Were still in the build phase, and yeah man, there is nothing quite like a buick. The truck arms are the 1960s c10 pickup rear trailing arms. There are 2 main ways to convert these from torque tube, one is the truck arm suspension with a piviot added, or a 4 link system. The Truck arm suspension gives you a long piviot point and allows decent articulation so thats why I went that direction. Ill try to get some more content on here soon. Thanks for the motivation!
I have test fit motor and trans in the car, waiting for 1 bearing to finish the t5 to v8 swap with the jeep shaft. I got my grandfathers chain hoist, hooked it up in the attic, have been using that for the up and down there. The issue with these Buicks is the front end is so long that the regular engine hoist doesn't have enough room to swing it in. Used a Trans Adapt cross member to get some additional structure and make the engine mounts easier. The trans mount is not done yet so there is a smidge of slop left and right but is dang near perfect alignment sitting like it is. Here is the proof of concept. And, kick back and take in the view after it all came back out again.
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