Projects 51 buick special "the Shane Asylum"

Looks great - I really like it.
Did you get any hardtop side window parts from your trip to that junkyard?

 

@ james we got 2sets . An olds and buick . Another run I got a 57/58 ford thats all stainless. I used a combo of all 3.

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Ive been focused on describing the chop.

Trying to stay on point

All the while the big picture is on my mind , and how everything is going to work together. A lot of unseen things were done such as extra body mounts,reinforcing the b piller, extending the roof rail structure back to the wheel house, extra bracing in the trunk, changing window mechanisms and mounts . And of cource pushing and pulling so every thing lines up opens and closes.
I don't want to bore anyone with this stuff, but if anyone takes on a project like this it needs to be done!
consider a lot of time and re engineering.
Read as "structural integrity"

Ill post pics only if anyone is interested

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Its "only metal" someone once said.
Doing things over to get it right seems to be my mantra.

Here after changing out the catwalk got rid of the hump and refined the beltline
Then fabing housings for the packard lights witch get cut off and redone since the didnt follow the reveal on the quarter
And were 1 inch to high


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I like seeing all the history and progression of this car. Thanks for that Shane, you are too much of a perfectionist for me though... Keep it coming, I can't wait to see the end product this summer in person.

 

Thanks Moose

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Feeling out some Packards and 51 olds bumper

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Some indecision on a thinned out 55 buick bar. Went with the olds that I narrowed, filled center dip, then blind mounted. I felt the olds looked more traditional. Where as the buick looked spacey or jetsons.

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Proper choice Shane . Looks good Bud . Later , Andy..

 

Moved on to the side glass.
Had to graft in the inner olds hdtp quarters to mount the rear
Window mechanism. Chopping
The pot metal frames was an epic fail . Let alone being pitted and rusted. Live and learn
So I fabbed a lower channel, mounted that to the stock pivot,
Then chopped a 58 ford quarter frame made of stainless.
I had to re arch the top to match the radius in the roof rail. With a buick upper run channel

Same with the vent window .
Grafted the mount. then chopped the olds vent.

Welding the top with mapp and alluma rod from HF.after removing the chrome plating. that was the whole problem on the qrtrs. I guess the chrome creates hot spots and everything melts out .

Then used the flippers and stainless frame from the ford
it actually all worked out well

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Sexy.

I'm really liking this. Keep with the updates, please.

 

A ton of work went into the door a quarter tops grafting in the stainless moldings . Which included cuttin right down the middle of the beltline revel.
Then welding in the hdtp sections.
I even had to change the top 5 inches of both sides of the door jams. Just to get the windows to work right and line up with the new belt moldings
I was hoping to just swap doors but only the hinges lined up.

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A long time ago a friend put a buick grill in his 55 plymouth
I was lucky to grab his old one.
Thanks moose
I think it looks pissah with the 53 roadmaster grill and stock mustache.
I guess This is 2010

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looking good . any side trim thoughts .luv the grille .any parking light thoughts

 

@
Johnny ,
Im open to suggestions
Up in the air
with the side trim I have some options but not committed to:
55 Buick set without the rear
Allowing a two tone in the cove
Or a custom olds style long front and a long rear
Something I made a while back
Might make it longer and lower

Also depends on skirts.
None, inserts or full custom cruiser
All I have allready made

Turn sigs are driving me nuts
I need to finish the upper grill ends first




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My Life got busy for the next couple years. Another kid, house renovations, new job
All the excuses.
Not much happens for 3 years
.
I managed to strip the body to bare metal . Did a few more mods, then shot it with ppg epoxy primer. Countless Hours of blocking .
Fast forward to 2013




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cant post from my phone for some reason?

 

I had a -53 special, and just a suggestion on the rear springs for you guys with similar Buicks! I used springs from a -80ies VW transporter (pickup or bus), and cut about half a coil on each end, they are tapered on the ends, and just need a little trimming to fit! It will sit lightly on the rubbers, but its easy to put spacers for some travel!, maybe a hockey puck wold be sufficient , they are pretty stiff so its low but not bottoming out in bumps!
Just a tip if you want to get it low in the back for almost nothing!

 

Thanks sid good tip.
they call the ends pigtail.
Late 70s elcamino springs are
Popular these days.
Ive been looking at some late jeep coils for a bigger drop.
2 inches lower than the el caminos with pigtails.

Cant get pics to post
Got some with mine dropped hard

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It was maybe 10 years ago i had my -53, of course some people might have found better alternatives, but i liked the stance (cut springs in the front, and VW in the back) i had! It was just meant as a cheap alternative, i dreamt about air ride , but did not have the cash at the time, but i like other suggestions too, i like new ideas

 

This weeks latest.
Playing with springs.

I will not to bag it.

Im trying hard for true traditional , late 50s .

 

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Now there , once the drop comes into play it all comes together . Looks killer Shane . Andy..

 

Looking good Shane! Keep up the good work.

 

Over the winter I fired up my singer 144 and my consew 226r
Laid out some roll and tuck

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