Ok folks, I have been reading this forum for the past few weeks to learn as much as I can in order to make a somewhat informed purchase of 64-67 A-body. I prefer 64-66 Buicks and found two potential Specials post cars for which I need help choosing or at least some things to watch out for as potential pitfalls. I want a Pro-Touring Buick preferrably with a LS engine and either a 5 or 6 speed tranny. Here are my options: 1966 Special - Pros: 540 Merlin BBC, Tremec TKO600, 9" Ford geared 3.73, Ridetech rear airbags, Cadillac XLR brakes, customized interior with a low mean stance and staggered 18" and 20" Coys wheels, seems to be a rust free car, but will need to be confirmed with an electronic coating thickness tester Cons: Metallic matte paint that needs some work (depressions in paint that look like it was not prepped well and some trash in paint) Manual disc brakes due to large cam and brake pedal stands up way too high, its dangerous! (I would look to add a hydroboost setup quickly No A/C, needs a console to tie together the interior, quarter windows fall out of tracks and passenger side door window has to be pulled up by hand while cranking and the hydraulic clutch is so stiff that my left leg was shaking after a 15 minute test drive 1965 Special - Pros: Already has a clean LS1 install, but with a 4L60E, I prefer the seemingly smaller size of 64-65, interior is nicely done in an original style, Billet Specialty 18" wheels, brand new Vintage Air that worked great in 96* weather, runs and drives like a newer car, completely rewired, has been lowered, front disc brakes Cons: The car seems to be fairly clean, but there were holes in the floorboards and some of them had Bondo hanging through (big red flag here, but the floors did not seem to be weak and the rest of the car will have to be checked for filler), it's an automatic, the wipers and turn signals do not work, has the stock 10 bolt with an open diff and either 2.73 or 3.08 gears and stock drum brakes, paint is decent but needs some work Also, they are both priced very similarly. I know this would be easier if I had pics, but I dont want to entice any more competition into the forray. They both need some work to be what I want, but the 66 is further along and slightly more expensive. The floors of the 65 have me terrified and changing over to a Tremec 5 or 6 speed will be pricey, but I really like that body style. Any advice or suggestions you can provide is greatly appreciated. Jason
Well, I looked at them both, or at least what I'm assuming are the right cars (all a guy has to do is Google your descriptions), and I'd say you're just going to have to go with what you like better. If you want any sort of fuel mileage, that 540 isn't going to do real well despite the 5 speed in it, plus the LS engine is lighter for better handling. I'd personally go with the '66 myself (I don't give 2 rips about MPG), but you're probably not going to get a whole heck of a lot of help here with no pics and semi-vague descriptions..... Looks like both need quite a bit of work, just depends which kind of work you're willing to do..... Plus, there's the whole Chevy in a Buick thing......
You should look for the most complete and original car you can find, then do your modifications. When you buy a car they is already modified you never know what the integrity of the work is until it's too late, there's a lot of hackers out there. The best thing about Buicks is their engines. You can add overdrive, electronic fuel injection, do some suspension mods and have a nice cruiser.
Better to buy a Buick with a Chevy already installed, that way you won't be guilty of unsavory behavior. Kind of like being seen with a hooker, as long as you didn't pay for the services you're cool. Bob H.
I would suggest the one with the 540. It’ll be the same effort and work to remove and sell it as it would the LS, and probably sell for more, although the LS engine might sell more quickly (they’re the bellybutton engine right now with the chevy crowd). Also the LS car’s automatic is the wrong bolt pattern for a 455. The trans behind the big motor will work with a Buick engine (I think you’ll just need the bellhousing). Mike Tomazewski just put the Tomahawk on sale, you might get enough for the chevy stuff for a good chunk of what you need to put a stout Buick engine in (engine, bellhousing, frame mounts, little details). There’s plenty of help and advice on this site for building huge Buick power. Good luck! Patrick
