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Projects '55 Buick Kustom (Mary Lou) - build thread

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by airwolff, Feb 26, 2015.

  1. airwolff
    Joined: Jan 21, 2014
    Posts: 13

    airwolff
    Member
    from Germany

    hi folks...

    my name is andreas from germany.
    i bought my project in december 2013, it arrived april 2014 from the US and since june i begun restoration and kustom process. its a 55 buick special hardtop coupe, she is called mary lou.

    plans:
    - complete restoration
    - kustomizing it a bit (but more mild instead of wild)
    - two tone patining with many metal flakes and pinstripes
    - other wheels/tires
    - baggin it
    - rechrome all parts
    - details, details, details...

    here some pictures from arrival and dissambly the car...

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    let the games begin :)

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    this illegal passenger i found under the rear seat.

    [​IMG]


    parts, parts, parts!
    incredible how many little parts and screws are on that car...

    [​IMG]


    build new door panels which will get tuck n' roll, seats also.

    [​IMG]


    created new plugs for the stainless and testmounted it.
    of course here and there the car will a bit shaved ;)

    [​IMG]


    cleaned inside...

    [​IMG]


    removed the engine, also the trans followed then.

    [​IMG]


    i have no words for such bad body work!!!
    same on the other side... OMG
    so i decided to get the body nearly complete to bare metal...

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    front end is like new, all with EP primer and chassis black.

    [​IMG]


    really ALL body work which was done before from a body shop in nebraska was like sh*t!
    we decided to remove alle bondo metal and built the car like new...
    i really have no words for such a stupid work. the whole car was instable from the rockers!

    [​IMG]


    then the car moved to two friends who will do body work and painting...

    [​IMG]


    after movement of the car in november 2014, i had room and time for the engine, wheels, interior and details...
    more pictures to come ;)
     
    remi-as-wremss likes this.
  2. 'Mo
    Joined: Sep 26, 2007
    Posts: 7,432

    'Mo
    Member

    Looks to be in good hands.
    I'll be watching.
     
  3. airwolff
    Joined: Jan 21, 2014
    Posts: 13

    airwolff
    Member
    from Germany

    then I started to dissambly the engine to check everything, new gaskets, painting it and so on…
    from the preowner I know it was completely overhauld less then 2k miles ago!
    And yes it runs perfect and inside it looks like new!

    [​IMG]


    We built a stainless pipe for dual exhaust

    [​IMG]


    Some rechromed parts, I love it :)

    [​IMG]


    Removed all paint from the engine and painted it three color…
    the white parts will get flakes later ;)

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    Caddy style air filter housing, also painted frozen white with flakes.
    To mount this on a 2-barrel carb I built a special bracket for it.

    [​IMG]


    I also painted the rims two color, put some rings in it and also spydercaps with glitter dices.
    So it has more the traditional ‘50s look.

    [​IMG]


    Rockers are gone and we made a hole for the later exhaust pipe into the side frame.
    It will ends downside between frame and rocker in front of the rear wheel.

    [​IMG]


    Then the same with the trans…

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    Test assembly of the engine. All fits…

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    New rocker and side panel…

    [​IMG]


    Completely restored side windows incl new glasses and rubber all around.
    what a f**king work!

    [​IMG]


    Spydercaps in detail, with 10 bullets now and glitter dices.
    I have to made distance brackets because of the huge front wheel hub.
    Now the fit perfectly…

    [​IMG]


    No bondo on it, all steel right now…

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
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    Polished all the stainless…

    [​IMG]


    that’s it until today.
    Of course I have hundred of pictures, but some are more details on the work and boring…
    in about 3-4 weeks I will get the interior back and also the welding action is done to prepare the car for painting.

    Cant wait for it :)
     
    remi-as-wremss and The G00SE like this.
  4. Peanut 1959
    Joined: Oct 11, 2008
    Posts: 2,179

    Peanut 1959
    Member

    You're doing a really good job on this project. Keep t up!
     

  5. wex65
    Joined: Dec 19, 2012
    Posts: 1,118

    wex65
    Member
    from WV

    Sold my '55 Special to someone from Germany around the same time but this isn't it. Look forward to seeing how it turns out.
     
  6. airwolff
    Joined: Jan 21, 2014
    Posts: 13

    airwolff
    Member
    from Germany

    do you have a picture of it?
    maybe i know the car or the new owner :)
     
  7. wex65
    Joined: Dec 19, 2012
    Posts: 1,118

    wex65
    Member
    from WV

    This is it, a REALLY clean '55.
    2.jpg 1.jpg
     
  8. Some nice work there,keep it coming.
     
  9. Black Clover Custom
    Joined: Dec 20, 2014
    Posts: 501

    Black Clover Custom
    Member

    I just sanded my 54 body but i only found 1 bad spot like yours. I got lucky.
    Good luck with your 55. Nice cars when done right.
    Are you sure you want to bag it?
     
    Rocksetter89 likes this.
  10. Moto Moto
    Joined: Jan 24, 2015
    Posts: 32

    Moto Moto
    Member
    from Krum, TX

    love the Buicks. very nice start sir.
     
  11. Lookin good. Great work going on right here. Good luck and keep the pictures and updates coming.
     
  12. airwolff
    Joined: Jan 21, 2014
    Posts: 13

    airwolff
    Member
    from Germany

    @wex65
    ok dont know that car, but looks really good :)
    but i searched from the beginning a hardtop model, no sedan.

    @all
    thx guys, will do my best...
    but its still a long way and of course i will bag it ;)
     
  13. richard price
    Joined: Aug 16, 2014
    Posts: 23

    richard price

    Great build, love them old Buicks; I'm just starting a 56' Century rag.
     
  14. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,179

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    great project - great ride -great thread
     
  15. ta2d_White_trash
    Joined: Jun 3, 2010
    Posts: 24

    ta2d_White_trash
    Member
    from Conway, Sc

  16. Andreas Stremitzer
    Joined: Feb 28, 2015
    Posts: 22

    Andreas Stremitzer
    Member

    Hello Andreas,

    real nice work so far. I'm looking forward for further pictures!

    Good luck on the ongoing project, from Andy who will see his custom car first time in real by the end of this week!
     
  17. Arkas
    Joined: Oct 24, 2013
    Posts: 51

    Arkas
    Member
    from Germany

    Greetings from germany. Great buick, hoping to see it some day around here!
     
  18. 57JoeFoMoPar
    Joined: Sep 14, 2004
    Posts: 6,138

    57JoeFoMoPar
    Member

    I'm liking your build man, you and your crew are doing an excellent job. Nothing overly fancy, just keeping it nice and clean. Always a good plan.
     
  19. Beautiful work on a beautiful car. I love the mid-50s Buicks, too!
     
  20. Looking real good, you're putting the hours in her, that's what it takes. Thanks for sharing..
     
  21. airwolff
    Joined: Jan 21, 2014
    Posts: 13

    airwolff
    Member
    from Germany

    thx guys, we are on the way.
    but the welding action will take more time...
    hope to have it painted till end of june.

    @Arkas
    maybe :)
    next year kustom kulture forever is the official rollout date!
     
  22. Arkas
    Joined: Oct 24, 2013
    Posts: 51

    Arkas
    Member
    from Germany

    Sounds good. Always wanted to go there but its quite the distance from Leipzig/Halle.
    Hope to get my ride finished this summer, troubleshooting at the meets around here.

    Anyway great work. I should buy you a beer if I see you there

    -Michael
     
  23. airwolff
    Joined: Jan 21, 2014
    Posts: 13

    airwolff
    Member
    from Germany

    we are there this year but just as normal visitors. meet people, get ideas and have a drink & fun.
    i am from near berlin, so we also have 550km, but anyway the trip is the goal ;)

    otherwise if you see or know my beetle then i am also on some meetings this year.

    [​IMG]
     
    2bubbas, LONG and hacknwhack like this.
  24. Arkas
    Joined: Oct 24, 2013
    Posts: 51

    Arkas
    Member
    from Germany

    Looks good too! I'll watch out for it
     
  25. hacknwhack
    Joined: Jan 25, 2006
    Posts: 481

    hacknwhack
    Member
    from mass

    This is awesome.
     
  26. LONG
    Joined: Aug 20, 2011
    Posts: 292

    LONG
    Member

    who doesn't love a Buick. looking great bub.
     
  27. airwolff
    Joined: Jan 21, 2014
    Posts: 13

    airwolff
    Member
    from Germany

    got my interior back last weekend, LOVE it or HATE it! :)
    here a small teaser...

    [​IMG]
     
  28. Good to see the progress.
    As a tangent, may I suggest you test fit up your front sheet metal, and check for rigidity in the bonnet, my 55 special has a bad habit of it's bonnet flexing, and popping the bonnet latch, not a good feeling as you're driving along at highway speeds...so consider adding some bonnet bracing prior to getting all the painting sorted.
    Keep at it, at the pace your going at you'll have it sorted in no time.
    Cheers,
    Drewfus
     
  29. airwolff
    Joined: Jan 21, 2014
    Posts: 13

    airwolff
    Member
    from Germany

    yes we test fit the complete car incl front end. and we also customize the complete fenders and bonnet for a perfect fit. also all original bumpers i have here new ones.

    but youre right the bonnet i flexing a bit.
    have you picture where and how you did the bracing?
    would be interesting.
     
  30. my '55 is on hold for a little while till I finish my '34, so have left it stock for the time being, and use a simple strap to assist until I can resolve properly. Have a look under a 55 Olds bonnet, as whilst there's similarities, there's also some factory additions that seem to be effective, and still subtle. A friend has one and it doesn't appear to have the same kind of issues that mine, and a few other friends with Buicks suffer with.
     

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