Strike one off the bucket list! [Archive]

AVGWarhawk

03-07-12, 12:14 PM

Today I can strike one off my bucket list. It is a short list but none-the-less a list. On my list since the age of 16 years is a desire to have a car from the 50's. The desire started when I looked through the fence surrounding a junkyard. There sat a 1959 Buick Invicta. The car, rusty but complete was going for $600.00. Big money back in the 80's. The love affair for cars of the 50's began that day. I approached my mother about purchasing and putting the old car in her driveway (sound like Steven Kings novel "Christine'). She said she was not having a pile of rusty metal in her driveway. Thus ended my dream of a 50's project car. Until today!

This is my 1954 Buick Special. Bucket list: 1. Car from the 50's. CHECK

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q62/avgwarhawk/199633_11425431_1954_Buick_2-DrSedan.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q62/avgwarhawk/199633_11425434_1954_Buick_2-DrSedan.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q62/avgwarhawk/199633_11425432_1954_Buick_2-DrSedan.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q62/avgwarhawk/199633_11425435_1954_Buick_2-DrSedan.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q62/avgwarhawk/199633_11425438_1954_Buick_2-DrSedan.jpg

Oberon

03-07-12, 12:19 PM

Whoa...now that is one beautiful looking motor. They had a style back then that they just can't quite emulate in the standard cars of today which all look the same unless you get into supercar territory, and even then they're starting to look quite samey.

Bet she has a lovely sound to her too, and look at that interior. Yeah...they don't make them like they used to, that is certain.

Well done mate. :yeah:

ReallyDedPoet

03-07-12, 12:30 PM

You that old Chris to have a bucket list :D

http://www.much.net/free/free1.gif

j\k , nice ride :yep:

AVGWarhawk

03-07-12, 12:32 PM

You that old Chris to have a bucket list :D

http://www.much.net/free/free1.gif

j\k , nice ride :yep:

Let's call it a "to do list" :D

nikimcbee

03-07-12, 12:38 PM

Cool, are you going to do (classic) car shows now?

AVGWarhawk

03-07-12, 12:47 PM

Cool, are you going to do (classic) car shows now?

I will go to the Buick Nationals at Charlotte Speedway. Weekend of June 30th. There is a local club I know a few members. I will do a drive-in with them every now and then. Other than that, not any car shows. Car shows are not my interest in owning a vehicle like this. It is for waxing, admiring and driving the wife around in on a late Sunday summer afternoon. The same thing I do with my wife :03:

mookiemookie

03-07-12, 01:03 PM

She's a beaut!

nikimcbee

03-07-12, 01:11 PM

It is for waxing, admiring and driving the wife around in on a late Sunday summer afternoon

Why am I thinking of Ferris Buehler's Day off right now?:hmmm::haha:

Stealhead

03-07-12, 01:29 PM

Nice ride back then people really had a lot of pride in the cars they where making.

Herr-Berbunch

03-07-12, 01:30 PM

Ah Ferris Bueller's Day Off, the crush I had on Mia Sara - she's not aged as well as that car though - it's a true beauty. :yeah:

Osmium Steele

03-07-12, 02:58 PM

Lol, both Ferris Bueller and Legend were on at the same time this weekend. I couldn't decide which Mia to watch!

Wet Mia poolside or evil Mia with the plunging neckline. :yeah:

Gorgeous Buick by the way. She's a beaut!

Onkel Neal

03-07-12, 03:01 PM

Today I can strike one off my bucket list. It is a short list but none-the-less a list. On my list since the age of 16 years is a desire to have a car from the 50's. The desire started when I looked through the fence surrounding a junkyard. There sat a 1959 Buick Invicta. The car, rusty but complete was going for $600.00. Big money back in the 80's. The love affair for cars of the 50's began that day. I approached my mother about purchasing and putting the old car in her driveway (sound like Steven Kings novel "Christine'). She said she was not having a pile of rusty metal in her driveway. Thus ended my dream of a 50's project car. Until today!

This is my 1954 Buick Special. Bucket list: 1. Car from the 50's. CHECK

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q62/avgwarhawk/199633_11425431_1954_Buick_2-DrSedan.jpg

Way to go, nice car!

How about a video when you get time, you know, a 360 tour, under the hood, and a ride. That would be great. Enjoy!

AVGWarhawk

03-07-12, 03:04 PM

Will do Neal. I have to get her tagged. That will be sometime next week. Then I can row through the 3 on the tree. :DL

Penguin

03-07-12, 03:55 PM

niiieece! :up:

Is she ready to roll, or do you have to put some work into her?

AVGWarhawk

03-07-12, 04:09 PM

niiieece! :up:

Is she ready to roll, or do you have to put some work into her?

She is ready to roll. She needs a new headliner. Mechanically she is sound. Runs very well. The motor as rebuilt 2006. Has little miles since then.

Sailor Steve

03-07-12, 10:56 PM

Having lived through the '50s that is not exactly my cup of tea, but the best car, bike, drink in the world is the one that turns you on. You got yours, so life is good.

Congratulations! :rock:

Penguin

03-08-12, 12:10 AM

Having lived through the '50s that is not exactly my cup of tea [...]

heretic! :O:
I have noticed that the forms of cars from the 50s are generally seen as pleasant and elegant even among those who are not particulary into cars. Shame on all car designers after the 50s!

However, I can understand where you are coming from:
Having lived through the 70s, I have no tolerance when I see people who wear bell-bottoms:
"Is this some kind of sick joke? Do you know how much we had to suffer back then when we had nothing but bell-bottoms? Ahh, I still remember the day when I wore my first pair of pants in which I could spot my feet! Oh the youth of today! (rant, rant, ranty-rant...) " :x

Reece

03-08-12, 02:51 AM

Wow!!:o what a beauty! You deserve it Chris!:yeah:

HunterICX

03-08-12, 05:55 AM

Nice wheels :yeah:

HunterICX

Osmium Steele

03-08-12, 07:15 AM

heretic! :O:
"Is this some kind of sick joke? Do you know how much we had to suffer back then when we had nothing but bell-bottoms?

My Schwinn Stingray loved eating my bell-bottoms. I took to wrapping a rubber band around them to keep the cuffs out of the chain. Until it hit 60 degrees, then I just cut them off. :yeah:

Sailor Steve

03-08-12, 10:03 AM

heretic! :O:
I have noticed that the forms of cars from the 50s are generally seen as pleasant and elegant even among those who are not particulary into cars. Shame on all car designers after the 50s!
I came back from Vietnam in 1970 to find that my dad had bought a '67 convertible 'Vette. I see no shame at all in that design. Mustang? Charger? Challenger? Nothing from the '50s compares. :stare:

Oberon

03-08-12, 10:10 AM

AVGWarhawk

03-08-12, 01:19 PM

I came back from Vietnam in 1970 to find that my dad had bought a '67 convertible 'Vette. I see no shame at all in that design. Mustang? Charger? Challenger? Nothing from the '50s compares. :stare:

Yep, nothing compares.....:O:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0XwcJeVgjA&feature=related

Until now! :O:

NASCAR was built on the cars from the 50's

AVGWarhawk

03-08-12, 01:19 PM

My Schwinn Stingray loved eating my bell-bottoms. I took to wrapping a rubber band around them to keep the cuffs out of the chain. Until it hit 60 degrees, then I just cut them off. :yeah:

I had a Stingray. She was red. I would ride that bike everywhere! :yeah:

Stealhead

03-08-12, 03:03 PM

I'd say the mid 1980s, early 1990s was when car designs died, what with most of the car companies amalgamating and aerodynamic design becoming more and more focused, giving the streamlined farts we have today.

Generally speaking I would agree with you.There are a few exceptions like the 1986-1989 BMW M3 that was one of last true cars that was fun as hell on a curvy hill road that you actually drove.Modern cars it is all a bunch of electronics you don't get the feel for the road anymore In my old M3(which I sold upon leaving Germany) or my old Datsun 240Z you really feel the road in those cars.

Sailor Steve

03-08-12, 08:54 PM

I disagree. I got to take a spin in a Mazda Miata a couple of years back, and the road was right there.

I wonder how the new Dodge Challengers handle. The look like the old ones. Do they drive like them?

Stealhead

03-08-12, 09:04 PM

That is why I said generally speaking there are some good modern driving cars out there but not very many.I am talking about all the electronic "this and that driving modes" kind of over priced junk.You will feel the raod in a Miata for they will give a lot o cars a run for their money on a twisty road.

Oberon

03-08-12, 09:14 PM

Generally speaking I would agree with you.There are a few exceptions like the 1986-1989 BMW M3 that was one of last true cars that was fun as hell on a curvy hill road that you actually drove.Modern cars it is all a bunch of electronics you don't get the feel for the road anymore In my old M3(which I sold upon leaving Germany) or my old Datsun 240Z you really feel the road in those cars.

I'm a strange person.

Now, a little caveat here, I do not have a driving license, but I have taken driving lessons and for a short time I did own a car (a Nissan Cherry [Pulsar N12] from the 1980s).

But I simply cannot get on with power steering. I had to, because the driving instructors car had it, but I didn't like it...didn't like the twitchiness of it. Ok, it probably didn't help that I'm a nervous wreck on the road anyway, but I prefer having a wheel that you have to turn to get the wheels to move. So, in that respect I much preferred by little Cherry (which I called Turpin, as it Dick Turpin because wherever I went I held up traffic [no, that's not an original joke I'm afraid - see 'Good Omens' by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Damn good book]) to the driving instructors which I can't recall the make of, but it was one made within the last ten years.

gimpy117

03-09-12, 12:10 AM

...and I'm just struggling to find/ pay for a new engine for my 97' 626 before it dies :cry:

Nice car though :up:

AVGWarhawk

03-09-12, 09:59 AM

The 2 ton baby girl was delivered this morning at 0600. She is resting peacefully in her new crib. :DL

Jimbuna

03-09-12, 10:07 AM

Nice car Chris :sunny:

AVGWarhawk

03-09-12, 01:49 PM

Thanks Jim. I'm almost afraid to drive it. I'm pleased with my purchase. I looked for months on end for the best prices, cars, parts availability and uniqueness. I mostly went for the unique vehicle. I'm certain the UK has it's bread and butter car that everyone has. Here in the US the Chevrolette of the era are the most popular and everyone has one. The Buick is more rare to be seen. At any rate, today I received a catalog that covers every part for the Buick line 1936-1960. I will not be in need of odd bits. The aftermarket support is there and that is a huge help in keeping up with the car.

Jimbuna

03-09-12, 03:31 PM

AVGWarhawk

03-09-12, 06:16 PM

That's good to learn...one day I'm planning on getting a Bentley or a Rolls Royce.

Mrs Buna permitting of course :03:

Bentley are very nice! I would take any of them. I have a special place in my heart for Jaguars. Some of the older models are simply great looking cars.

Oberon

03-09-12, 08:48 PM

That's good to learn...one day I'm planning on getting a Bentley or a Rolls Royce.

Mrs Buna permitting of course :03:

Not getting an angle-box and doing it up in light blue with white doors, Jim? :03:

Sailor Steve

03-09-12, 11:25 PM

Bentley are very nice! I would take any of them.
I have a copy of the old Shell racing series. In one of the videos of the 1930s they quote a comment about racing Bentleys: "Mr. Bentley makes the fastest lorries in the world."

CaptainHaplo

03-10-12, 12:06 AM

I will go to the Buick Nationals at Charlotte Speedway. Weekend of June 30th. There is a local club I know a few members. I will do a drive-in with them every now and then. Other than that, not any car shows. Car shows are not my interest in owning a vehicle like this. It is for waxing, admiring and driving the wife around in on a late Sunday summer afternoon. The same thing I do with my wife :03:

If your in charlotte that weekend for sure, let me know. I will likely be there and I'll buy ya a beverage of your choice.

AVGWarhawk

03-10-12, 08:15 AM

If your in charlotte that weekend for sure, let me know. I will likely be there and I'll buy ya a beverage of your choice.

Will do Capt!

AVGWarhawk

03-10-12, 08:17 AM

Per you request Neal...the walk around video. :DL

http://youtu.be/KN5FKcvKGo8

HunterICX

03-10-12, 09:32 AM

Damn it may not be a rocket but it sure does have a very nice sound :yeah:
Thanks for sharing :DL

again great looking car! she's in very good shape.

HunterICX

u crank

03-10-12, 11:08 AM

:yeah: Great video! Great car!

I have a brother in law who is an antique car restorer. He's 70 years old and still at it. It's a great hobby. And expensive. From all he's told me it's also a great community. Lots of nice people.

Enjoy your ride. :salute:

Jimbuna

03-10-12, 11:35 AM

Cool video Chris but be very careful when you take her out for a spin...it would appear someone has fitted the steering wheel on the wrong side :o

Sailor Steve

03-10-12, 12:04 PM

As I said, not my car of choice, but beauty is as always in the eye of the beholder. It looks like you latched onto a real humdinger! Congratulations! :rock:

Cool video Chris but be very careful when you take her out for a spin...it would appear someone has fitted the steering wheel on the wrong side :o
Yeah, those damn Yankees can't ever get anything right. :D

Onkel Neal

03-10-12, 04:52 PM

Per you request Neal...the walk around video. :DL

http://youtu.be/KN5FKcvKGo8

Haha, I'll send you a blanket :)

Thanks, man, that is a truly an awesome car,:yeah: it's in very good shape--man, it's super clean. A 264 nailhead, eh? Love it. That baby sure looks easy to work on, lots of room.

I wish you many miles of pleasure driving that baby down the warm summer highways. Now, tell me you do have a garage to put her in.

AVGWarhawk

03-10-12, 05:30 PM

Now, tell me you do have a garage to put her in.

She will be in a secured storage facility in a 10x20 garage of her own. :up: On the weekends my daily driver takes the storage facility and the Buick goes home for the weekend. :03: