Hi everyone...I have a chance to buy a 40 Buick Special 2 door sedan with a straight 8, runs decent shape, for a decent price, $2500. I guess whats holding me back is that it needs some floor work and trunk work, maybe a fender, and Im wondering is this really a desirable car for hot rodding. Everything Ive done has been Chevelles, Camaros, that era. Nothing that old so Im not familiar with aftermarket part availability, chassis interchange, that type of thing. Just wondering what you all think. Thanks!
I see a lot of the late 30's and early 40's Buicks and other GM makes at the street rod shows. They make a great cruiser and road car. The Buicks were more advanced in design and engineering than the lower priced and more common Fords. They can be adapted to later model engines and transmissions fairly easily.
Because they were more expensive, and were of a higher quality than the common " Big 3 " models they are not as plentiful now for parts and pieces but they can be built with just a little resourcefulness.
Too much mickey mousing to ever end up with something nice, especially on a first time build. A pro builder might be able to work it out, but I'd stick with the stock frame.
Not a bad looking car. I was eye-ing a 40 olds 2 dr like that, in a local boneyard. Kinda wish I'd saved it, as the 70 yr yard was crushed last year
For the front, a Mustang II frame stub from Fatman Fabrications will install without a lot of grief, and the rear suspension is easily upgraded to a modern rear axle with an open driveline such as a 10/12 bolt chevy or 8/9" ford..
Not too long ago I did an Air Ride technologies 4 bar and airbag installation on a guys '37 Buick...It was a fairly easy install, although some mods were necessary to make the front bars mount to the X braces.
I'd go for it if you want a car that will be somewhat unique and a worthwhile project when completed. :thumbup:
Seems like anymore, just about anything can be rodded. That Buick would be something a little out of the ordinary. It will most likely be a good cruiser.
You'll probably need to hook up with a good fabricator, and be able to make stuff work, because you're never going to be able to find the supply of aftermarket parts like some of the more common cars. But that's what makes hot rodding what it is, right?
I don't know how long you've been around the hot rod scene, brother, but you have no more problem with your Buick than anyone with a Plymouth, Oldsmobile, Dodge, Pontiac, or most other cars. For whatever reason, from day one the Fords and Chevys have been the most popular; therefore more attention from the aftermarket.
Your car is unique; and a very nice car in it's own right. It was a high class car in its day, and will be today, with proper care. Don't despair; take advantage of the opportunity to learn all you can about this piece of automotive history, and make it all you want it to be. You may have to do some searching if you need some of the parts; but there are people out there who know these cars, and what will fit or interchange. Manuals and shop tips are all over the internet. Enjoy it.
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