DamnitDave
10-10-2009, 07:58 PM
***SOLD*** to the creepy old guy waist deep in snow...
1951 Buick Model 52R Hardtop (Riviera)
I have a project for sale. The car is a 1951 Buick two door hardtop. Model designation is Model 52R. The “R” stood for Riviera first introduced by Buick in 1949. The project has most needed to make a good era specific custom. I’d like to keep this project together and sell it as a whole, but I understand that potential buyers may not want/need everything I have to offer. I’m not in a hurry to sell this car. I simply have come to the realization that I have neither the time, nor money to finish this project the way I’d like to, and I've lost the place I have to store it. That being said I’d like to sell it as a whole. If that doesn’t happen, then maybe in a couple months I’ll begin parting it out.
Body and Chassis-
First the changes… When I purchased this project from a friend, he had already removed the original suspension and “clipped” both front and rear with a 1985 Pontiac Bonneville (G Body). The sub-frame clips are both done by someone who's done many before this one. The "clips" give this car modernized suspension, a GM 10 bolt rear axle (3.73 ratio I believe), a built-in 3” drop, and parts availability for brakes and suspension from nearly any auto parts store. All bushings in the front control arms look very good, as do the ones in the triangulated four-link rear. The original front frame horns were re-attached so that the front fenders and bumper wouldn’t have to be modified to re attach them. I do not have any of the original suspension parts.
Another chassis modification was the addition of a tilt-telescopic GM steering column from an 80’s era Cadillac. It is roughly installed, and steers the car, but will need to be “finished up”. Personally, I didn’t like the look for this steering column, so I’m including a 1963 Cadillac steering column that I planned on using in the car. I do not have the original Buick column or steering wheel.
That does it for modifications. The body is still attached to the chassis, but for the most part the car is “gutted” of all wiring, glass, trim, window regulators, emblems and lights. I have all these things and much more that I’ll list later. The doors are attached and shut and latch very nice and smooth. The sheet metal is in generally good condition. I brought this car with me from Iowa when I relocated. Normally, a car from Iowa would be a bad thing, but I know that the car (up until recently) has been indoors, under a cover one place or another out of the elements for the last 20 years or so. There is surface rust, but honestly there is plenty of good metal left in this car. The hood, doors, roof and decklid will need minimal work for paint. The front fenders are solid with a couple minor dents to be pounded out and no rust through. The rocker panels are in excellent condition needing minimal exterior work, however the door sills have some rust areas that will need repair. The rear quarters need some work. The left rear quarter has a couple bigger dents, fist-sized that will need repair, but no major rust-through. The first is in front of the wheel well that is normally concealed by the factory trim. The second is near the back before the side rolls around to the tail-light. Both look fairly simple to pound out. The right rear quarter shows the worst evidence of rust The upper roll in the wheel well and behind the wheel well on the lower rear portion of the quarter. Far from being scrap metal, but still needing repair. The floors in the car simply need work as well, whether it be patch panels, or full floor pans, welding lies ahead. The only thing missing from the car’s body is the inner front fender wells. I have a set for a four door car that may be able to be modified, but currently do not fit, a won’t without some considerable work.
Engine and Transmission-
This car normally came with a “Straight 8” inline 8 cyl engine, that has been removed as well as the stock transmission. I purchased a 1965 Buick 425 “nailhead” engine and automatic transmission out of a running 1965 Buick Riviera for this project. My plan was to keep a Buick engine and transmission in a Buick car. I liked the idea of the Buick “nailhead” for its aesthetics and power. There are many cool aftermarket parts available for it as well. The donor car had 65,000 original miles, I heard this engine run, and helped pull the engine and transmission out. The engine ran smooth, but did smoke a little which could be some signs of worn parts like rings or valve guides. Rebuild parts for this engine are available and I will include sources if needed. The outboard parts such as A/C compressor, P/S pump, and alternator are cores included with brackets, but are currently not installed on the motor. The carburetor is gone, I had planned on replacing it, but haven’t and I gave the old carter away, so no carb. The motor should mount directly into this chassis with minimal work. There is more than enough room in the engine compartment. The transmission is a GM TH400 and includes the original variable pitch torque converter. Also included is a “soft rebuild” kit for the transmission. The motor and transmission have been stored inside since purchase, and have no been directly exposed to the elements.
Glass-
This car has some rare glass, and I have all of it. The side glass for this car is all flat and can be easily reproduced with a pattern. The side window glass for this car is still in the original frames, I think it’s all good and usable, but it is old, and original. The rear has a 3-piece glass window. All the glass is curved and none of these pieces are reproduced as far as I know. I have a complete set, used but in good condition. The windshield is also very rare. This windshield came in ’51 and ’52 Buick, Pontiac, and Cadillac Hardtops and Convertibles. It is not the same windshield used in two-door coupes or four door sedans. In my case, I had an unbroken original windshield that was fogged and separating at the edges. I found someone who shipped it overseas and reproduced it. I now have two NEW windshields still in the crate for this car, one with a tinted green band across the top, and one clear. These windshields sell for more than $500 each. I have all the original window regulators for this car, as well as several OEM Cadillac electric window motors that could be retrofit to add power windows to this car, not a small task. Regulators are original and can be re-installed to work as is, but electric motors are included with sale if you’d like to tackle the power window task. I have some, but very little, rubber and seals for this car, but it is available.
Trim, Bumpers, Chrome, Stainless, Lights, Etc-
The rear bumper I have for this car is a ’56 Pontiac bumper. It’s in average condition for a 50 year old bumper and will need work and re-chromed to be show quality. The front bumper is original in good condition and I have multiple upper grill trim pieces (aka: eyebrow). Nearly 3 complete sets of upper grill trim, all included. All exterior trim is present included window trim original side trim, and emblems, but not installed on the car. It’s all in good condition, but none of it is perfect. So expect work for show quality. I believe I have a partial set of ’53 Buick trim as well. I think it’s for a 4-door, and honestly I need to inventory it all to know exactly what I have and if it’s complete. I’ll be working on that during this sale and will report as soon as I know. But whatever I have, it’s included. I know I have at least 2 sets of both front and rear lights, there’s more than that for sure, but let’s say I have enough collected to make one full useable set of head lights and tail lights.
Other-
I have several extra parts for this car that are in boxes in the attic, I know I have three complete radios. The radios in these cars are BIG and chrome. None of these are perfect but also house all stock vent, heater, choke and wiper controls. Seats are not, back seat is later model Cadillac, but fits nearly perfect. Front seat is 60’s split back GM bench. Both need re-upholstered. I have original gauges for the car, speedo, 4 gauge pod, and clock. I am unsure of the full functionality of any of it. Speedo seems to work has 67,000 miles on it. Gauge faces are in good condition for their age. Not perfect but useable. Wheels and tires are steel wheels with decent but used Michelin radial tires. The car is currently titled. Yes, CURRENT… as if it were on the road today. I bought it 6 years ago from a friend in Iowa who has kept the Iowa title currently registered up to date. So the car will come with a matching current title and registration transferred to you.
My asking price is $3500.00 which is a lot for an un-assembled car. But the car has had a lot of chassis work, has many very rare parts, and has potential to be an awesome and original Kustom. I think I could part it out for much more, and I will try if I have too. I like the overall concept of the car, and would like to see it get built. I’m working on more pictures. They’ll be posted soon. I tried to be very honest and descriptive, but feel free to ask any questions. I’ll gladly answer them the best I can. Thank you.
1951 Buick Model 52R Hardtop (Riviera)
I have a project for sale. The car is a 1951 Buick two door hardtop. Model designation is Model 52R. The “R” stood for Riviera first introduced by Buick in 1949. The project has most needed to make a good era specific custom. I’d like to keep this project together and sell it as a whole, but I understand that potential buyers may not want/need everything I have to offer. I’m not in a hurry to sell this car. I simply have come to the realization that I have neither the time, nor money to finish this project the way I’d like to, and I've lost the place I have to store it. That being said I’d like to sell it as a whole. If that doesn’t happen, then maybe in a couple months I’ll begin parting it out.
Body and Chassis-
First the changes… When I purchased this project from a friend, he had already removed the original suspension and “clipped” both front and rear with a 1985 Pontiac Bonneville (G Body). The sub-frame clips are both done by someone who's done many before this one. The "clips" give this car modernized suspension, a GM 10 bolt rear axle (3.73 ratio I believe), a built-in 3” drop, and parts availability for brakes and suspension from nearly any auto parts store. All bushings in the front control arms look very good, as do the ones in the triangulated four-link rear. The original front frame horns were re-attached so that the front fenders and bumper wouldn’t have to be modified to re attach them. I do not have any of the original suspension parts.
Another chassis modification was the addition of a tilt-telescopic GM steering column from an 80’s era Cadillac. It is roughly installed, and steers the car, but will need to be “finished up”. Personally, I didn’t like the look for this steering column, so I’m including a 1963 Cadillac steering column that I planned on using in the car. I do not have the original Buick column or steering wheel.
That does it for modifications. The body is still attached to the chassis, but for the most part the car is “gutted” of all wiring, glass, trim, window regulators, emblems and lights. I have all these things and much more that I’ll list later. The doors are attached and shut and latch very nice and smooth. The sheet metal is in generally good condition. I brought this car with me from Iowa when I relocated. Normally, a car from Iowa would be a bad thing, but I know that the car (up until recently) has been indoors, under a cover one place or another out of the elements for the last 20 years or so. There is surface rust, but honestly there is plenty of good metal left in this car. The hood, doors, roof and decklid will need minimal work for paint. The front fenders are solid with a couple minor dents to be pounded out and no rust through. The rocker panels are in excellent condition needing minimal exterior work, however the door sills have some rust areas that will need repair. The rear quarters need some work. The left rear quarter has a couple bigger dents, fist-sized that will need repair, but no major rust-through. The first is in front of the wheel well that is normally concealed by the factory trim. The second is near the back before the side rolls around to the tail-light. Both look fairly simple to pound out. The right rear quarter shows the worst evidence of rust The upper roll in the wheel well and behind the wheel well on the lower rear portion of the quarter. Far from being scrap metal, but still needing repair. The floors in the car simply need work as well, whether it be patch panels, or full floor pans, welding lies ahead. The only thing missing from the car’s body is the inner front fender wells. I have a set for a four door car that may be able to be modified, but currently do not fit, a won’t without some considerable work.
Engine and Transmission-
This car normally came with a “Straight 8” inline 8 cyl engine, that has been removed as well as the stock transmission. I purchased a 1965 Buick 425 “nailhead” engine and automatic transmission out of a running 1965 Buick Riviera for this project. My plan was to keep a Buick engine and transmission in a Buick car. I liked the idea of the Buick “nailhead” for its aesthetics and power. There are many cool aftermarket parts available for it as well. The donor car had 65,000 original miles, I heard this engine run, and helped pull the engine and transmission out. The engine ran smooth, but did smoke a little which could be some signs of worn parts like rings or valve guides. Rebuild parts for this engine are available and I will include sources if needed. The outboard parts such as A/C compressor, P/S pump, and alternator are cores included with brackets, but are currently not installed on the motor. The carburetor is gone, I had planned on replacing it, but haven’t and I gave the old carter away, so no carb. The motor should mount directly into this chassis with minimal work. There is more than enough room in the engine compartment. The transmission is a GM TH400 and includes the original variable pitch torque converter. Also included is a “soft rebuild” kit for the transmission. The motor and transmission have been stored inside since purchase, and have no been directly exposed to the elements.
Glass-
This car has some rare glass, and I have all of it. The side glass for this car is all flat and can be easily reproduced with a pattern. The side window glass for this car is still in the original frames, I think it’s all good and usable, but it is old, and original. The rear has a 3-piece glass window. All the glass is curved and none of these pieces are reproduced as far as I know. I have a complete set, used but in good condition. The windshield is also very rare. This windshield came in ’51 and ’52 Buick, Pontiac, and Cadillac Hardtops and Convertibles. It is not the same windshield used in two-door coupes or four door sedans. In my case, I had an unbroken original windshield that was fogged and separating at the edges. I found someone who shipped it overseas and reproduced it. I now have two NEW windshields still in the crate for this car, one with a tinted green band across the top, and one clear. These windshields sell for more than $500 each. I have all the original window regulators for this car, as well as several OEM Cadillac electric window motors that could be retrofit to add power windows to this car, not a small task. Regulators are original and can be re-installed to work as is, but electric motors are included with sale if you’d like to tackle the power window task. I have some, but very little, rubber and seals for this car, but it is available.
Trim, Bumpers, Chrome, Stainless, Lights, Etc-
The rear bumper I have for this car is a ’56 Pontiac bumper. It’s in average condition for a 50 year old bumper and will need work and re-chromed to be show quality. The front bumper is original in good condition and I have multiple upper grill trim pieces (aka: eyebrow). Nearly 3 complete sets of upper grill trim, all included. All exterior trim is present included window trim original side trim, and emblems, but not installed on the car. It’s all in good condition, but none of it is perfect. So expect work for show quality. I believe I have a partial set of ’53 Buick trim as well. I think it’s for a 4-door, and honestly I need to inventory it all to know exactly what I have and if it’s complete. I’ll be working on that during this sale and will report as soon as I know. But whatever I have, it’s included. I know I have at least 2 sets of both front and rear lights, there’s more than that for sure, but let’s say I have enough collected to make one full useable set of head lights and tail lights.
Other-
I have several extra parts for this car that are in boxes in the attic, I know I have three complete radios. The radios in these cars are BIG and chrome. None of these are perfect but also house all stock vent, heater, choke and wiper controls. Seats are not, back seat is later model Cadillac, but fits nearly perfect. Front seat is 60’s split back GM bench. Both need re-upholstered. I have original gauges for the car, speedo, 4 gauge pod, and clock. I am unsure of the full functionality of any of it. Speedo seems to work has 67,000 miles on it. Gauge faces are in good condition for their age. Not perfect but useable. Wheels and tires are steel wheels with decent but used Michelin radial tires. The car is currently titled. Yes, CURRENT… as if it were on the road today. I bought it 6 years ago from a friend in Iowa who has kept the Iowa title currently registered up to date. So the car will come with a matching current title and registration transferred to you.
My asking price is $3500.00 which is a lot for an un-assembled car. But the car has had a lot of chassis work, has many very rare parts, and has potential to be an awesome and original Kustom. I think I could part it out for much more, and I will try if I have too. I like the overall concept of the car, and would like to see it get built. I’m working on more pictures. They’ll be posted soon. I tried to be very honest and descriptive, but feel free to ask any questions. I’ll gladly answer them the best I can. Thank you.