The problem that naturally occurs with the Rough Start finds is that in order to meet certain criteria (running, driving and basically functional), the general range for hunting gets limited to 1970 to realistically, about 2000-ish, depending on the car. That’s a pretty broad spectrum of vehicles to hunt, but there are those out there who don’t appreciate those cars. They are too new. They have no soul. They are too cookie-cutter. I won’t say that every person out there hunting down a cheap project car who thinks like that is wearing skinny jeans and has a mustache shaped like the guy off of the Pringles can, but there are only a few old-timers left who look at a 1971 Camaro and think, “too new”.
But that’s ok, because if you really take the time to hunt, you might get lucky. Finding a running, driving project car from 1953? That’s luck, alright, and even better that it isn’t sporting a small-block V8 swap or, horrifyingly, an LS transplant. This 1953 Buick…Super? Special? Roadmaster? I don’t know cars before 1960 very well, so bear with me!…is out in Topeka, and has two things going for it that trump all of the roughness of the car: It runs, and it drives. And just in case that didn’t fire you up: “straight eight”. Yes, folks, the original Fireball Eight is present and still runs.
Regardless of what model Buick this is, the looks of the early 1950s cars is classic: big, toothy grin up front, portholes and the sweepspear chrome trim on the side, and the overall pleasing small-fin shape of the new-for-1949 body are all here. Paint is long gone except in small areas underhood (mint green, maybe?) and the only interior shots are up-close takes of the dash. With the floors needing repair, that’s probably for the better.
Be honest: this isn’t going to be a quick slap-together and go cruise kind of ride. You’ll need to do some work to make this Buick shine. Or maybe you just want a solid-enough car to fulfill your twisted project car ideas. It’d be kind of a shame to hack up a 63-year-old somewhat-survivor, but your dollars, your car. And speaking of dollars: Out the door with the slip, you’re looking at $2,700. On a five thousand dollar budget, that’ll get you some new tires (and possibly wheels), some metal polish for all of the chrome, and repair work that is immediate and needed. Do you have the vision, or do you need to move on to something a little more recent?
Craigslist Link: 1953 Buick two-door
I would jump at this car were it here in UK, these era cars have an air about them that ‘later stuff’ just doesn’t have.
On the list:
Mini Tub – check
Weld RT’s – check
High winding Small Block – check
5 Speed Manual – check
Paint – Cool as it is – check
Good to go!
Special, Super, Roadmaster. It’s a size-difference. That’s a Special, 263 ci of straight 8, 700 lb goodness. Fun fact, I was given one of those a couple decades ago, it’s grill is on one wall, it’s tail is a couch, the middle part is 3 Kias.
I’d weld in new floor pans, fix the carb and the tires, some Indian blanket upholstery if the seats are all gone, and fix the water leaks. Then use it as a cruiser while saving up for decent paint.
Black metalflake paint with ghost flames, black snakeskin interior, airbag suspension, louvered metal sunvisor. Leave the straight 8 but fit some custom stainless steel headers and 4 Stromberg 97s with Thickstun air cleaners.
And to top it all off – a 4inch roof chop – custom heaven indeed!