Quintessential Old Car? 1953 Buick Special
Years ago when the concept of an “old car” came up it was often one that looked like this 1953 Buick Special. And I guess that’s because years ago, there were a lot of old, similar cars sitting in fields, unused at the backend of a driveway, or maybe marking time in a barn or garage. Well, apparently there are still some around, at least in Torrance, California (I was there in October and there are a lot of old cars there) where this not-so-special Special calls home. The quintessential old car? I’m not sure, let’s see. It’s available, here on craigslist for $3,500. Thanks go to T.J. for this tip!
Being a Special, puts this Buick at the bottom of the ’53 pecking order, behind the Super, Roadmaster, and the highly styled, limited edition Skylark. Buick had a big year in ’53, coming in fourth place with a total output of 488K units, and 100K of those were Special four-door sedans.
Our subject car has been off the road since ’86 and stored for some amount of time indoors, according to the seller. Visual evidence tells us that it has seen a lot of outside time too, based on all of the surface rust and fade. And some of that rust has turned out to be the invasive type as the driver’s side fender leg is showing the result. Even the heavily chromed bumpers and grille have given it up too. The stainless trim, however, appears to still be in place and doesn’t look half bad. The seller mentions, “NEW TIRES – SAND BLASTED & POWDER COATED ALL FOUR RIMS”. Seems like an odd thing to do on a car in this condition.
And it is especially odd considering that this Buick’s 125 HP, 263 CI, “Fireball” in-line, eight-cylinder engine hasn’t turned a lick in years. It looks like it’s all there, and original, but operating is probably the furthest thing from its mind at this point. No Dynaflow here, this one has a three-speed manual gearbox. Buick’s venerable straight-eight engine marked off for the last time this year, it was gone from the ’54 lineup.
The interior of this sedan is in fair shape. The seating upholstery has held up well but the door panels are showing signs of discoloration and disintegration. The rubber floor mat is coming apart too but the magnificent dash and instrument panel with all of its chrome effects still shines and makes an artistic statement. Based on images of the back seat floor mat, it appears that there may have been some water intrusion at some point – it may be a good idea to check the solidity of the floors.
So, the quintessential old car? I’d say sure, this example is as good as any and pretty well lines up with my vision. It’s complete, original, and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Can it be reasonably returned to operating status? I can’t say with certainty but I bet the answer is yes, wouldn’t you agree?
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Comments
It’s cheap enough but is it worth the money it will cost to restore? It’s a somewhat less desirable 4-door and restoring the chrome along with bodywork and a paint job will cost a fair bit. Then you have to figure in the cost of whatever the interior needs plus more dollars to get it up and running. Probably a good project for a guy with the right skills as paying someone to do all that will get you well beyond what it will be worth done. Still, it’s a cool old car and should be saved.
Family lore has it that my father, a born salesman, was selling Fuller Brush door-to-door all through college. He graduated from OSU in 1951, and continued to sell Fuller Brush, and landed a large account with OSU.
Evidently he has amassed quite a bank account, and in 1953 walked into a Buick dealer with $3000 in cash and bought one of these, brand new. Not bad for a guy 25 years old.
Well, that’s a good question. Since fewer by the day have any real connection to a ’53 Buick, it is “just an old car” and most “old cars” that have no real appeal, are supposed to look like this, for some stupid reason. With that, I’d get it running and driving, and play the part. Not sure, as is the seller, but I believe this car has overdrive. The T lever next to the steering column may be O/D, if any road travel is actually in store for this grand old lady. Yes sir, in 1953, you rolled up in this, made quite a statement. A definite step up from the old Chevy they traded in. Today,,it’s just an old car.
The T lever handle is the hood release. Overdrive not available.
JamesHGF, you are right and if I remember correctly there was one on the passenger side as well since it was a dual release hood that flipped up on either lleft side or right side depending on which side was released.
Lance, the ’53 introduced the alligator hood on Buicks, that opened from the front. 1952 was the last year for the side opening hoods.
First car w e had w hen I came along was a
’53 2 door that my Dad bought new,from the factory.It
was a light blue,but he later repainted it in Volkswagen-
Orange,& added long chrome air horns on the sides of
the hood.And,of course,no A/C in those days.
The ’53’s had that round emblem on the middle of
the bumper (& on the steering wheel hub) celebrating
50 years of Buick.
Could this be the car that Stephanie Plum (Bounty Hunter) used as a backup each time her Miata, Civic or whatever was blown up? If it is ‘The One’ it has been mentioned in many of Janet Evanovitch’s books. I’ve read up to about #13 of about 20 and so far Stephanie has always had to resort to her Dad’s inherited, indestructible blue ’53 Buick when her own car died a fiery death. Does this add value to this old girl?
It’s about as good as it gets, low priced, not crashed or dented all over. Get it running with whatever you like for a swap. De-sconge the interior and make it safe to drive. Restore? No way.
That front end reminds me of the Stephen King novel, “From a Buick Eight.”
Stabilize the body, get the engine and drivetrain in order , clean up the interior,
and drive it .
Beautiful as is.
Nothing wrong with a straight eight Buick. But, I would in it at $800.
1953. A great year! The first Cadillac Eldorado premiered. My father purchased a small 5 acre farm with a 13 room farmhouse, barns and lots of outbuildings. He also bought a brand new 1953 Chevrolet, black, gray interior, base model. And most importantly, The Diva was born!
Your dad must have been in pretty good shape financially in 1953
I don’t know about that, Gary. He was in the Navy during WWll. Had a bunch of kids between then and 1953. (I’m the baby). The farm was $8000 with a 30 year mortgage and the new Chevy was around $1100, maybe less.
I’m guessing I was the most expensive addition.
What is your ride Lady angel diva?
I have two Cadillacs and owned many more, But the two I own are d’elegance with button tufted seats to bring your
diva-ship anywhere in style 😊
Yes love the exterior as is!!!
$3K is a reasonable price it the engine would start, But with todays high cost of parts and or anything else offer a bit less. Maybe $1K as there is going to be some body & motor work necessary to really fix this one up.
It could be that the seller is willing to negotiate. If the underside is solid and the engine will turn over by hand then it would be possible to get the old gal back on the road and not spend too much money. As others have said you’d have to be able to do the work yourself. Years ago I was able but that was then not now. I also like that the transmission is manual. This is a $100.00 car twenty years ago. Considering today’s prices it’s probably priced about right if it passes the conditions I previously mentioned. I hope someone buys it and gets it back on the road.
Here’s my Buick story. One day at work a young girl started her first job with us. I asked one of the other staff how she went. He replied saying, “She had a smile on her face bigger than the grill of a 48 Buick”. I thought it so funny I have never forgotton it.
My Buick story. I bought my ’53 Super from a plumber who had bought it from the American Ambassador’s office in Durban, South Africa. The only trouble I had with it was after I had the wheels powder coated, the coating compressed, and the left rear wheel came off damaging the fender and trunk surround. My favourite of all the American cars I have owned. Especially liked the both sides opening hood and the accelerator activated starter motor.
’53’s had a one piece hood.I think that yours
was a different year.(Look at the first picture).
Solosolo, that side trim looks more like 1951. The 1953 Super had a V8, not a straight 8, engine. Plus, the hoods on ’53s opened from the front.
@AngliaGT and Gil Davis. My bad, of course it was a ’51, getting old isn’t for sissies! I read my comment about 5 times before posting it but still didn’t see the error.
Hi, my dad had in Germany in 1960 a used Buick, 4Door. That’s all what I know but 3 years ago I found my baby, 1953 Buick special, 2 door. Pretty much the same like in the story. I bought it and rebuilt the straight 8 with new Pistons, $50 each, and it was good to go. No ac, 3 on the tree but I love it. It’s hot in the Arizona sun but still fun. With all the Rost on the paint, she is a beauty. Juergen
I’m sure Scott @ cold war motors up in Alberta would love this, it would fit in perfectly w/all the other cool cars on his property, eh?
These Buicks looked old when they were new. The last body of this early 50’s era. The ’54’s were a big jump in having a much newer look.