X2, looks like a solid vehicle. Lots of potential there. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I agree, that rear end looks too far forward, but what would pulling the engine and tranny have to do with the position of the rear end?
If that car is where you grew up I would be up there looking at it this weekend but you had to move to the other side of the country.
Looks solid and at $3000, a great start for someone getting into the hobby. Offer $2000, trailer it home for $2500. Car has a lot going for it. Body, chrome, stainless, glass all look remarkably good. Probably been stored inside. Paint may even clean up enough to be presentable for a season of cruise nights. Drop a drivetrain in it and go!
Sporty45, you have to disconnect the torque tube from the transmission to remove it and the engine. Once disconnected you have to roll the rear end back out of the way for the engine and transmission removal. Obviously the rear end has since moved forward. Hot Rods Ta Hell, not to long ago I ran across a running driving 55 Buick with a 401 Nailhead, 700R4 and open drive for 10K. Body, interior, glass and chrome was all in good condition. Posted this on the HAMB and recieved no responses. Surprising. You couldn't get there from here with the current HAMB Buick. Gary
With a torque tube rear end, the engine and transmission positions the rear end. Remove them and there is nothing to keep the rear end from moving forward or backward.
Sorry for the dumb question, but what would the axle being forward have to do with the engine being out of it? I noticed too that the rear axle is forward but am wondering why? Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Didn’t see the other responses before I asked my question, sorry fellas! Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Wish it was closer, I'd bite on it if the $$ was good and it wasn't a Flintstone special. Lookin' for a home for a big block Chevy.
I've got one of those in my garage, also a two door sedan. Too bad it does not have four portholes, that would be a Century. Only 271 Century two door sedans were built, all went to the California Highway Patrol.
Be aware that '55 Buicks have torque tube drive shafts. An engine/trans from another car cannot be simply "dropped in" without completely changing the rear suspension to an open drive.
Not a bad price for a 2dr! But I would heed the advice if others regarding the torque tube. Buicks do not make good entry level hotrods/customs. Though it can be done Sent from my SM-G550T using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Yes, it can be done and they make great touring cars with late running gear. This is one that I recently sold which is now with another HAMBer in England. The caravan is his and makes for a great addition to the car. Glad to see you are enjoying it, Craig!
Since the 55 Buick uses the same basic body shell as a 55 Olds could a 54 to 56 Olds rear end and springs be made to work without too much work.
Hmmm, I'd like to know the answer to that also? Anybody know? Sent from my SM-G550T using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Long story, but when researching the swap in my car I studied photos of an upside-down Olds. The frame appears to be similar but has leaf springs instead of the coil springs of the Buick. I concluded that this might be a good alternative...but a nearby donor car could not be located for precise measurements. Probably worth looking into if there's an Olds of the same vintage available to you. Good luck...and keep us posted. Lots of interest in these Buicks and the torque tube is the biggest problem.
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