Nice car! That almost looks ready to wash and drive. The straight 8 in that car is a 263, best of the straight 8's built, and was supposedly destined for a lot more improvements, until V8 fever hit GM and production of the straight 8's ended the next year. They do respond well to traditional hop-up items like induction and headers, cams can be reground with a more aggressive profile. Two things get in the way of making the 263 a real screamer, the head configuration and the long crankshaft, which is a 5-main bearing forging. Because of the length of the crank, they do have some pretty severe torsional deflection at high rpm's and power levels. All that unsolicited crap said, these cars run and drive beautifully, you don't need high RPM's and horsepower when you have the torque that a straight 8 delivers. Enjoy that car!!
This is Voodoo Jims Buick since this picture he has changed his back bumper. Great example of a tasteful Kustom. Ok I told you that ya didnt have to chop it and Im right. If you do, this is what you should shoot for. This bad boy was kruzin around at Salina. It was one that everyone was talking about. A chop top would not look too bad . Happy Trails, Mick
Thanks Mick, I am diggin' both of those. I do have a pic of the one that was at Dewey and I LOVE the headlight treatment! Any idea what it's from? On the bumper bullets, I was thinking of removing them completely and finishing out the grille with more bars to match the rest, kinda like some of the other Buicks with just a big open grille with bars. The taillights need something for sure. Actually, I am wanting to maybe do some quarter extensions with different taillights totaly, just not sure what. It seems that the Packards are just overplayed IMO. The "chop".............well, I am wanting a REAL CUSTOM for once, but I just don't know if I got it in me! So, that is the scary part! I think a chop like Hines' would do where he lowers the whole back trunk area of the car would be the bomb! That way I could possibly keep the glass and not look too stupid. ??? But these are all just ideas rolling around in my head at this point! Heck whoknows! It may be sitting there a year from now! LOL! The engine, I do like the idea of a straight 8, just for the uniqueness, but if they are undependable or it's going to cost me a fortune to redo it, that is another story. Any idea on the trannys? Good? Junk? Will a TH350 bolt up? Anything else I am missing? Thanks again guys! Keep em coming!
Hey, "IF", you deside a chop on this is for you, get your glassman onboard early! Unlike an earlier model, where most of the glass is flat, your's has both curved front & rear glass. As you chop one of these, the A & C posts will not only have too come down, but inboard, as well. It takes some good skill to pull this off, well, get it wrong, and all you have is a POS! The streets of Southern California are littered with fucked -up, chopped cars, these days. I sure hope that isn't in this vehicles' future! Swankey Devils C.C. "Spending A Nation Into Generational Debt Is Not An Act Of Compassion!"
Here's a pic of my '53-your absolutly right pimpin paint-it was difficult but i learned a hell of alot doin it!
When I was doing my Buick I became very zen/religious with it and studied every single line and angle there possibly was with it. Came up with a couple of things. 1. The staight eight although very dependable made the hood/nose too long and the Special suffers as the trunk area is very short and looks like an after thought. Very noticeable on UNchopped 51-52-53 Specials. So the hole top of the car sits too far back when viewed from the side. 2.Great idea to sink rear window and chop away as it looks wonderful and takes care of the "cab backward" problem. Just remember to watch the rake as it is very easy to pancake the roof and that does not look desireable on these cars at all. 3.Great idea also to extend rear fenders, but I love the rear Merc look they have without the superfulous(sp) chrome molding on the top ridge of the the rear fenders themselves. 4.Remember it's a Special, not the wider Supers and Roadmasters! WOW hows that for my opinion!!!!
Nice find for sure. Stoked for you. I recently picked up a buick myself and these guys really botched the chop on this one. I'm currently working to fix it and get it right. So if you do go to chop. study up ask everyone you can find who has chopped a buick and find the windows that work and where to make your cuts. So you don't run into any issues. Mine is completly solid car outside of the top issues. Soon that will all be taken care of. Here are a few pictures of mine. I feel when its done the chop will look good.
I agree with ZMAN - Chopping the top on that car is a major operation.Like you said you have never cut a car up before= YIKES! If you do ,have someone at your side that has been there done that.Looks like a nice car .Good luck.
Gonmad, I agree with the above comments that your car doesn't NEED a chop. In fact, I would say that I've seen so many cars that were chopped badly lately, that I've almost been turned against chopping anything. There's a thread on here right now about chopping a Buick similar to yours. You should check it out for that inspiration and probably afew pointers about what works and what doesn't. Looks like a great project...
Nice car! Odd for me to say, but if that is the original paint, nice patina. Those cars are proportioned well. I think a chop would take away the classy look. I would agree with freshening it up and lowering it. Then drive the heck out of it. Congratulations on picking up a nice car though! Hope you enjoy it!
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