I'm looking at buying a '56 Buick. Does anyone know anything about reconditioning these beasts? It's got a bit of body rot, but I think I can hot rod it. I'm mainly thinking about rat-roding the car out and making it into a cruiser.
Hi this is my first post. Does anyone out there no where to start? I am getting ready to buy a very similar buick and was wondering the same kind of things. Thanks
Hey Mange & wademp, I have a '56 Century 4dr. hrdt. parts car. Anything you may need give me a pm. The cars came with a 322 NailHead. The Special a low compression 2bbl. carb. & the Century a high compression with a 4bbl. carb. An original Century with dual exhaust is kinda rare. I also live ib CT. Mange in Stamford.
Thanks telriv. I am actually buying a 56 Century 4door hardtop. Do you have any chrome and in how good of shape is it in? Also do you have any interior pieces like seats or anything like that? Why are they rare if they have the dual exhaust? The one that I am buying does have duals and everything on the car is original. I am pretty excited about it.
1956 was the 1st. year option for dual exhaust & a fairly non-ordered option. The '56 I have is "A" parts car & has lived it's whole life in Ct. I would say no chrome is any better than what you have, but are good cores for rechroming only. Again, seats are probably no better than what you have already. Send a pic. & I can tell you. There are many "little" pieces that are in good condition. Tom Telesco
Here's a picture of one of the things I like about my 56 Special. The factory dual exhaust rear bumper. A little rare on Specials, although you do see quite a few either added on or stock. Am looking for some better tail pipe extensions than the ones I have. The real factory type I see on ebay once in a while go for $300 to $400 a pair, so I'll stick to these for now. Don't where they came from, found them in the trunk when I bought the car. So if you can find a bumper like this I'd go for it. Gets lots of compliments about this set up. The picture doesn't show the notch very good with the extensions but it's there. Good luck.
hot rodding a 56 I 'hot rodded' my 55 Special 2dr. I run a 401 th400 and 57-64 olds/pont rear. I hand made my headers and the engine/trans mounts. Locators for the rear end had to be made etc... I went away from the torque tube which led to the rear end change. If there is something Tom can't guide you through, I can try to help. I don't have much for parts anymore but can share info or if you are looking to do a conversion you are welcome to come get some ideas from my car. I know 'grnlark' has a 55 Special in Rocky Hill he is thinking about building up with a stg1 455/th400- we could nearly start our own club in CT for this nonsense!!!
1956 Buick , Connecticut Count me in 1956 2 door sedan . 401 4speed , air ride four link rear suspension stock springs . A long way to go but now running. Lowered front end , 2" lower springs and lowering block . Danbury , CT .
To change over the rear to open drive I used a 57-64 Olds/Pontiac housing, and adjustable ladder bars (Chassis Engineering? it has been so long I can't remember what brand). Kept the stock style rear springs although I put in a set out of a late 80s Caprice to get the ride hieght I wanted, had to make shock brackets for tube shocks, replaced the panhard bar with a newer one, had a crossmember installed to tie in the front of the ladder bars. Had to have a drvieshaft made. It seemed like a lot of work at the time for a 20 yr old kid but was well worth it. Now I could do it all myself and it doesn't seem overwhelming. Parralel leafs and a nine inch Ford would be a little easier for some I think.
Need bumper? Found this on ebay. Looks like in same state. Might get a deal if you pick up. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-...QQihZ006QQcategoryZ140700QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Power brake help!! I am Rat Gassering a '56 Buick Special now. I used a 350/350 combo out of a '78 El Camino.The swap went easy. Headers for a 80's "G" body fit like a glove. Just had to extend the cross member a bit to use the stock Elky motor mounts. The stock Elky trans mount went right in the center of the origional Buick mount. I had to drill a couple of holes a little lower to mount it. I used the rear out of the Elky. The width was perfect. I cut the spring mounts off of the stock rear and put them on the Elky rear. I used the stock pan hard bar. and mount off of the original rear. I then put a set of Lakewood traction bars on the rear. I even used the stock Elky driveshaft (Shortened an inch) I put a Speedway straight axel in it. Also very easy conversion. Now I am wondering if anyone has put power brakes on their '56? There don't look like there is a lot of room anywhere for them, Thanks,Don
