1955 Buick Other

46 Riveria 2 Dr Hardtop

322 CID

Automatic

Clear

Gasoline

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE General – I am going to start selling some of my old cars and I am going to start with the Buick in the museum. This car I restored back in the 90s and it is currently on loan in a museum. The Powell County, Montana Museum and Arts Foundation has three wonderful museums, one of which is their Automobile Museum. If you have never been there, it is in Deer Lodge, Montana. It is a tremendous collection of antique and classic automobiles many of which are from the local area and privately owned such as my car. There are two other museums in the vicinity one of which is the Old Prison which has been featured on the TV show Ghost Stories. Well enough of the Chamber of Commerce advertisings. The car is a 1955 Buick, Special Series 46, two door hardtop, (what they called a Riviera in those days). The car had belonged to an elderly gentleman in Helena, Montana who passed on and I purchased it from his family. Before the privacy act got so strict, the MT DOJ would run a title search for you and I was able to trace the car back into its history. It has always resided in a three county area in Southwestern Montana. Once the restoration was complete, I drove it in one parade and then put it up until 2001 when it went into the museum. In the almost 30 years that I can account for it has maybe been driven a hundred miles. At least once a year some stranger calls me and tells me he saw the car in the museum and asks if I will sell it. I usually end up talking him and myself out of that, but I think the time has come. Body and Frame - It was not a rotisserie restoration, that was before I had access to one. However I did spend a lot of time on my back underneath it with a wire brush. The front clip, doors and trunk were removed. There was no rust or major damage, just someone had painted it red and did a great job of under the hood, jams and trunk, so it all had to come apart, and be stripped to go back to the original yellow and white, per the VIN plate. I think there was one small spot of rust on the floor near the brake master cylinder. I had the front and rear bumpers and some other small items re-chromed. All glass is good. I am not sure how they occurred but there are now two small chips on one fender and the hood about the size of match head, other than that it is as nice as the day it left the body shop. The tires are bias ply and at least thirty years old. If your intent is to drive the car, by all means replace them with radials of the same whitewall dimension. Mechanical - The engine could quite possibly be the original, at any rate I believe it to be the 322 CID nail head. The engine ran very smooth and with just a hint of blowby. The transmission is the legendary Dynaflow which did need some work. It was rebuilt by a local transmission specialist. I completely rebuilt the brake system to include wheel cylinders and master cylinder. However if your intent is to drive the car, I recommend you check the system carefully as these old cars had a single chamber master cylinder and any leak anywhere and you are quickly out of brakes. Buick went to the 12 volt system in 1955, so that system is original and not converted. The front end is surprisingly tight indicating good maintenance and or parts replacement as needed; I think I replaced one kingpin. You will probably not get any tickets for texting while driving a 1955 Buick, as the bias ply tires and manual steering will require all of your attention. Interior – Very nice and almost original. I did have the front seat re-upholstered. I was able to find the exact cloth at $250 a yard in 1994 money. The Door panels and headliner are original. The carpet is new as it was not torn but soiled. Probably the most astonishing aspect of the interior is the heater and blower motor still work as does the radio. The dash is complete and uncut and very handsome Summary –This car is an excellent example of originality; in the refurbishing process I tried to use only original parts. My hope is it will find its way back to another museum or to someone who wants to fill out their own collection. However it would be equally happy to be driven and participate in car shows, parades and Sunday drives. What I hope does not happen is, it falls into the hands of someone who wants to make a hot rod out of it. Payment, Disclaimers, Storage, and Transportation I require a non refundable deposit of $500.00 within 48 hours and the remainder prior to me sending you the title. Well I have tried to represent the car as honestly and accurately as I can; please read the description carefully and look closely at the pictures. NADA old car value book says $21,000 for an average example and this one is above average; but with times as they are, let’s just see what happens. The car is sold as is, where is, and with no guarantee nor warrantee implied or specified. I am very proud of my 100% rating and will answer questions; I will post some of them so that others may benefit. The Buick can remain in the Museum in its current warm location as long as you want. Please work with me and give ample time to coordinate with the museum staff as the car is deep in the 1950s section. Good luck with your bidding and thank you for your interest. On Apr-30-14 at 12:56:36 PDT, seller added the following information: On Apr-30-14 at 18:39:40 PDT, seller added the following information: Post Script, 30 April 2014 - I have been asked a couple times about the battery. I robbed it years ago for something and it would not have been any good by now. If the car sells I will purchase the new owner a battery. It should come with one, I think. On May-02-14 at 06:06:18 PDT, seller added the following information: Post Script 2 may 2014 I have corresponded with so many people over the car I am starting to loose track. I just wanted to state that I will help the eventual buyer in any way I can. I have a truck and trailer and can bring the car back to my mechanic in Helena, MT for any maintenance you would wnat performed prior to pick up. Also I can help your shipper load the car. One buyer wants to leave the car in the museum for a while and I am sure that is possible also. He is corresponding directly with the museum. If that is the case I would like to be paid in full and then you can negotiate with the museum. Thank you, only one day left you know. On May-02-14 at 06:18:06 PDT, seller added the following information: Post script 2 May 2014 Just one final thing before you put your final bids in or do the the buy it now, and that is an old car reality check. Again this is a 59 mechanical contrivance and has been sitting for a number of years and driven rairly prior to that. I cannot guarantee nor warrantee the car. If you are not an old car person then you might not realize that in the best of worlds we are constantly fixing things on them. Some people will make the statement that they don't build them like they used to and that is a good thing. Well good luck.