Recent article on BarnFinds dot com: Hey Ho Caballero! 1958 Buick Estate Wagon I have often wondered what “Caballero” meant. Until now, I guess I was too lazy to look it up. Meriam-Webster defines it as “Knight, Cavalier; Chiefly Southwestern U.S, Horseman“. I can associate a ’58 Buick with a lot of different things but knights and horsemen don’t immediately come to mind. Considering the ton of stainless trim hung on this rig it looks more like “Flamboyant from Flint” than anything from the Tex-Mex border. Unfortunately, this what was, at one time, a visually remarkable 1958 Buick Century Caballero station wagon has seen better days. Though it’s sadly forlorn, let’s look it over anyway. Calling Georgetown, Texas home, this big Buick is available here on eBay Digging a bit deeper, we find that this unusual four-door hardtop wagon is actually known as a Buick model 69 Caballero Estate Wagon, riding on a 122-inch wheelbase. The Classic Car Database claims that this is one of only 1,050 assembled in ’58 and I know over the years that I rarely recall spying one – it’s hard to miss! Besides the obvious, the missing B-pillar, a body style usually not associated with a station wagon, the stainless steel trim, and in particular, that checked grille is just over the top. I cannot imagine what that must have cost in development and assembly expense. I don’t really find it that attractive, but it’s one of those things where you just can’t look away – it’s busy! The rear bumper has always been an attention-getter, the dagmars usually go on the front, not the back. While there is a lot of obvious surface rust as a result of sun-induced burn-through, there is some perforation occurring in the lower rear driver’s side door, and maybe the passenger side rocker. But really, the body all-in-all shows as being reasonably solid – though I would like to take a look at the underside and frame. Of course, there is some notable rot in the roof line above the driver’s side doors – that could be a tough one to remedy. Anyway, what’s a more ’50s hue than Buick Reef Coral, AKA pink? Most of it is still visible, but the remarkable item is the seller’s statement, “All of the rare Caballero trim and parts are intact and come with the car (one thin piece on the driver’s side rear is not attached, but I have it)“. I would have assumed that a lot of that would have been poached years ago. OK, I’ll say it and get it out of the way, “Put an LS in it!”. Well, it’s gonna need something, the original 300 gross HP, 364 CI “nailhead” V8, and its Dynaflow automatic transmission are MIA. Based on the underhood visuals, and all of the scale in particular, I’d say the engine beat feet a long time ago. The interior is pretty well cooked and it does look like it did get Caballeroed. That hot southwestern sun has reduced the upholstery to crubbage and hasn’t left much of value. The original tiller is still in place but it looks like an applied death grip would reduce it to pieces. The seat frame is all that’s left of the rear passenger area and the way back is showing signs of sun, heat, and water intrusion. Unfortunately, it will likely be a blow-it-all-up and start-all-over-again project – and there’s a lot of inside here to contend with. The seller suggests, “Perfect for a restoration or unique hot rod“. That’s a sort of left-brain/right-brain argument, they’re vastly different approaches, with some overlap, but what other options are there? A car like this, in my estimation, should be restored to stock but it’s a lot easier for me to sit here and write that than to actually pull it off. Its “world’s greatest extrovert” bearing is just so representative of the late ’50s, an automotive era that will never remotely be repeated, that it would seem a shame to hack this one up into some sort of half-baked rod. But even that fate would be better than sending it to the crusher and having it come back has a half-dozen KIAs. This is a tough one, what would you recommend?
