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Hot Rods Saved: 38 Buick Special Coupe.

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Fat47, Oct 4, 2016.

  1. Fat47
    Joined: Nov 10, 2007
    Posts: 1,454

    Fat47
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    DSCF1886.JPG A friend called a couple of weeks ago and said he ran across a 38 Buick Special Coupe that an acquaintance was thinking of selling. He had the coupe for a long time but hadn't driven it in 3 or 4 years. It had started to over heat on him and after having the radiator flushed and then rodded out he had just let the car sit in his storage building. I drove down to take a look. The owner said at his age he probably would never do much with the car so I bought it.

    DSCF1884.JPG
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    DSCF1887.JPG
     
    Last edited: Oct 4, 2016
  2. Any pictures? Sounds like a very worthwhile score!
     
  3. Fat47
    Joined: Nov 10, 2007
    Posts: 1,454

    Fat47
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Pictures didn't initially post but inserted some with the edit function. The coupe is basically stock. It has been repainted and all the window rubber and door channels have been replaced. It has the 248 straight eight. Interior needs replaced but it's a solid car. Floor boards have a little surface rust under the mats but no rust through.
    DSCF1897.JPG

    DSCF1896.JPG

    I am already backed up on projects so I will try to get it running in the next week or two and then probably list it on HAMB. Should make someone a good driver.
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2016
    Texas Webb likes this.
  4. Some chrome rims and press go. Looks good.
     

  5. jimmy six
    Joined: Mar 21, 2006
    Posts: 14,801

    jimmy six
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Wow! Great find. Looks good. Drive it and maybe start a plan. 455 late or 401 wildcat in stock paint and trim would look great under the hood.
     
  6. Chaz
    Joined: Feb 24, 2004
    Posts: 5,016

    Chaz
    Member Emeritus

    Great find!
     
  7. Thanks for getting the pics up. She's a beaut!!! :D
     
  8. RichFox
    Joined: Dec 3, 2006
    Posts: 10,020

    RichFox
    Member Emeritus

    Tone! What are you talking about? Dump the eight. Turn in your Inliners card.
     
    Stovebolt and Hnstray like this.
  9. Hnstray
    Joined: Aug 23, 2009
    Posts: 12,355

    Hnstray
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Quincy, IL

    So......."Jimmy Six" is really J. D Tone...?? :D

    Ray

    Inliner #057

    p.s. To the OP....it IS a nice find.......I have one the same make and model...'38 Buick's have long been a favorite of mine...
     
  10. Nice lookin 38. Great find
     
  11. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,179

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

  12. jimmy six
    Joined: Mar 21, 2006
    Posts: 14,801

    jimmy six
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Rich it's a Buick and keep it all Buick. ;) Well maybe not a 3.8 turbo Grand National. I'll keep hoarding my GMC's for later projects. I'll be at El Mirage with the roadster in October. Hope to see you. JD
     
    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  13. mgtstumpy
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 9,214

    mgtstumpy
    Member

    Wow, one of the better garage finds!
     
  14. Stovebolt
    Joined: May 2, 2001
    Posts: 3,531

    Stovebolt
    Member

    For the sake of fueling a debate with Mr 200mph Tone, I say build a killer straight 8, add a six speed and late rear, and you've got yourself a killer of a sleeper, afterall buick straight eights own xxo records on the lakes.
     
  15. dodge35
    Joined: Feb 9, 2010
    Posts: 111

    dodge35
    Member
    from kentucky

    That is one sweet looking Buick, shouldn't have any trouble selling her.
     
  16. LONG
    Joined: Aug 20, 2011
    Posts: 292

    LONG
    Member

  17. jimmy six
    Joined: Mar 21, 2006
    Posts: 14,801

    jimmy six
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Stove, only at Bonneville. There are no record holding straight 8 Buick powered vehicles at El Mirage both XO or XXO at this time listed in the rule book.
     
  18. low budget
    Joined: Nov 15, 2006
    Posts: 5,566

    low budget
    Member
    from Central Ky

    Nice old car,Did you do a before and after cleaning on the rear bumper? Right side looks real good.
     
  19. Stovebolt
    Joined: May 2, 2001
    Posts: 3,531

    Stovebolt
    Member

    too true.

    See I knew that my comment would "fuel a debate " !!!!

    You raise a valid point JD.

    I figure that the noise coming from a souped up straight eight would be sensational with everyone but the neighbors!!!!!
     
  20. Fat47
    Joined: Nov 10, 2007
    Posts: 1,454

    Fat47
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Low Budget, good recognition on the bumper. I did a quick polish on the right half to see how the chrome was. Also on the grill and a couple of other parts. All of them cleaned up very well. A friend is coming over Monday to help me try to get it running. We'll see. Then, as stated earlier, probably list it for sale here on HAMB.
     
  21. typo41
    Joined: Jul 8, 2011
    Posts: 2,571

    typo41
    Member Emeritus

    In this years rule book,, Did not The Buick #218 garner a Street Roadster record this year at El Mirage. And of course Brocks record still, for now, stands.
     
  22. gatz
    Joined: Jun 2, 2011
    Posts: 1,817

    gatz
    Member

    man, that's a nice lookin car !
     
  23. Fat47
    Joined: Nov 10, 2007
    Posts: 1,454

    Fat47
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Couldn't get the battery to hold a charge so bought a new one last night. Will clean the plugs this morning and put some Marvel mystery oil in the cylinders in anticipation of trying to get it running Monday.
     
  24. Fat47
    Joined: Nov 10, 2007
    Posts: 1,454

    Fat47
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

  25. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,861

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Nice car there.
     
  26. dodge35
    Joined: Feb 9, 2010
    Posts: 111

    dodge35
    Member
    from kentucky

    Hope it starts up easily. Straight 8s are great engines.
     
  27. Looks like a later engine. At least the air cleaner and valve cover. Is it a 248 or 263?
    Nice coupe.

    Ben
     
  28. Hdonlybob
    Joined: Feb 1, 2005
    Posts: 4,115

    Hdonlybob
    Member

    Great find indeed !
    Love it..and agree, throw some cool wheels on it and press go .
    Good for you..
     
  29. Fat47
    Joined: Nov 10, 2007
    Posts: 1,454

    Fat47
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I assumed that the engine is a 248 but I will do some checking. I'm not that familiar with straight 8's so I will have to google some info. We did get it started today and it ran great. Had 35 lbs. of oil pressure at idle. Adjusted a couple of the valves by ear but I need to look up the spec's and check them again. Radiator, which was supposedly flushed and repaired, leaked in several places.

    While I really like the car it is so far back in the project line that I will put it up for sale on HAMB later this week.
     
  30. If we can see a picture of the drivers side of the engine, we can tell which it is. IF it has mechanical lifters, the tappet clearance is .015

    Ben
     

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