Projects 1959 buick coupe build up.

so i newly acquired a 59 buick lesabre coupe. i traded my 64 cadilac for it(photos in profile). turns out the buick is a total rust bucket non runner. im still pretty happy whit it (insert your reallys and how in the blanks here). anyways this is the thread that shows the build on this thing. im calling it the rusty bullet. here are some kind of bad before pictures. im going to take progress pictures tomorrow after i shave a few things and what not.

let me know what you think.

 

59-60 Buicks rock, looks like a good car to start with.

 

The Caddy looked nice, but I'd rather have the '59 Buick, even if it's not running yet. A personal favorite.

 

Nice car, rare!!

 

Rusty?? That thing's pristine by Pennsylvania standards.

Looks like the start of a nice ride, it's a great body style for sure.

 

That thing meets and exceeds Northwest standards also. Nice find Jesse.

Do you have any close ups of the the panel paint job on the roof?

Looking forward to seeing some progress on this one. It is good to see another Buick build.

 

I love those angled headlights on the '59 models.

 

Rusty??? You and I apparently have some different ideas on the definition of that word, LOL. The ´59 has to be one of the prettiest Buicks ever, so well done right there. Looks fine just the way it sits down to the color, but just for the hell of it, check out the green "Super Sonic" ´59 David Guymon built for Lars Hellgren some 10-15 yrs ago. Good luck.

 

Ghhhhhheeeyyyyyyy!!!!!!!! No actually Im really jealous that you got one before me. *******! Im coming to see it this weekend... This thing is really going to look good when its done.

 

thanks guys. the 59 buick is a personal favorite of mine to which is why i did the trade. the pictures i took dont show any of the rust i will take close up pictures now and post them in a bit. but im sure there are far worse off cars than mine.

 

that 59 looks pissed off!!!
good luck with the build.

 

factory custom. Definatley gonna be my next ride. What are your plans?

 

mild custom build. only shave the handles and a few emblems to clean it up. i don't want to mess with the look to much. the interior basically stock re-do. the engine i don't know yet. however i am thinking manual trans and bucket seats. its already bagged but i think I'm going to re-do it all so i can convert it to open drive line. white walls of course. not sure on the color yet but I'm thinking something that pops.

 

yeah the rust is not as bad as i have seen on some cars

 

update. i got the car running some what good last night. it still seams to be overheating. im going to try a good coolant flush on it to day to break up any rust, then replace the coolant. the electric fuel bump thats on it is **** so im going to change it back to stock cause mechanical pumps just work better. shaved a few things, hood emblem, rear buick script, and the antenna. going to start throwing away the trash on the interior and see just how bad the floors are.

 

love the car. keep the updates coming.

 

Thats about the shape mine was in when i started, just keep at it. DAMN I miss that 364 nailhead!!! Heres some before and after shots of the one i did.

 

this is more or less just an update on my life. no more work has taken place on the 59 buick. i got both of the buicks(64 riv in avatar and the 59) registered and on the road. also moving on step closer to moving into the new shop an making things all legit on paper. found the building i will be renting its a great deal 6000sqft for 1800 bucks. i might be a little hit or miss on future updates but tomorrow is floors i think.

 

I will be excited to see the direction of the car! Please keep us updated!

 

i finally got working on the buick again. started and finished the metal work for the taillight treatment. heres some pictures let me know what you think.

heres how it started

l
ight removed



new mounting not cleaned up yet





the metal to sink them into the car



the flat metal roled up and held in place for welding

 

the new buckets and len fitted inside

it all fitted in and redy for finish work i.e. welds grinding cleaning painting.

and another

and a fare awayish shot





and the reminder shot

 

awesome, and subtle.

 

some cool night shots just finished took all day but looks cool.

 

You're right, it's a little rough around the edges, but it's still a really cool car. When I was 14 years old (1959) my Dad was the body shop manager at Morris Buick in northwest Detroit. He surprised my Mother by buying her a new, black Electra 225 convertible. I think 1959 was, and still is, a great year for all General Motors vehicles. I recently bought a '59 Chev El Camino that I've been trying to buy from a buddy for 25 years. He finally gave up and said yes. Hopefully, you'll keep the updates coming. Nice move.....Mike

 

thanks for the comments guys i have to buy some raw steel t support the car when i do the rockers and floors. update soon.

 

started the rocker replacement. found a whole **** load more rust. so much in fact i don't know if the car is even worth building anymore. basically from the side trim down is nothing but rust cancer rust too. the drivers rear quarter is packed full of bondo, newspaper, and rivets but not on thing holding it to the car i can literally lift up the rear quarter and peak my head inside. i tried to take a photo of this but it was to dark.

here are the photos i did take, the rocker is just tacked in place

 

Very Kool!! Great Ideas!

 

thats what i love about the west coast people,they see a little rust on something and they want part it out then cut the thing up into little pieces.come on guys get a grip,living in ga i would love to find a car in that shape.

 

Good thing you have seen the car in person. Maybe try reading all of the post before you make comments like that.

O and by the way the car did come from the east coast. I also lived in NC for year and know what rust is.

 

here are some decent shots of the car out side. drivers side rocker and fender repair, no body work done.