Change Gallery : Change Vehicle

Allow us to introduce you to Maureen....

A quite rare 1957 Buick Special 2 Door.

Maureen has arrived to our spa for a ground up rotisserie restoration.

She is equipped with the original 364 Cubic Inch V8 Motor (250 Horsepower) with an Automatic Transmission.

This is a nice running and driving car that appears to have a couple of minor fluid leaks (engine oil & transmission fluid) that we will be taking a look at.

The body seems to be in nice overall condition. The previous paint work that was done years ago is showing signs of some concern.

The paint looks decent from several feet away, but looking at the paint finish closer it is easy to see there is a problem with the paint finish.

When the two or three previous paint jobs were performed, the original lacquer paint was not properly removed before a newer finish was applied on top of it. By not removing the old lacquer paint from the car, all layers sprayed on top of it have reacted.

The paint surface has a shrinking or "dry skin" type of reaction to it.

The only way to correct this paint problem is to remove all layers of paint and primers to bare metal and start the body refinishing over.

We began the restoration by removing all of the chrome trim, front and rear bumpers, hood, trunk lid, both doors and all glass.

Maureen's original headliner, floor covering and dashboard were also removed from the interior.

The motor and transmission was also carefully removed from the chassis after all fluids were drained.

All of the body mount bolts and fuel tank, along with the exhaust system was removed.

The next step was to lift the body from the chassis and carefully place it onto one of our custom made rotisseries.

The chassis was disassembled next. The frame was degreased and cleaned to prepare it for media blasting.

The frame was installed on a rotisserie and the complete frame was media blasted, it turned out great!

The body was further disassembled including the heating components, undercoating and tar material and the dash wiring was protected.

The roof and other flat panels were sanded down to bare metal. The complete body was media blasted both inside and the complete underside.

There were a few small little rust holes in the floor on the rear passenger side area that received minor weld repairs. Several factory floor tabs were welded closed and all welds were ground smooth.

The body received two coats of a special two part black epoxy to the exterior and complete underside of the body shell. The exterior body then received its first two coats of grey high build primer.

After the high build primer was applied, the body was taken off of the rotisserie and placed on one of our body dollies. The interior floor, roof and trunk sections received two coats of the special two part black epoxy.

Our attention turned to the frame and rear end assembly next. Once everything was degreased and cleaned they were also media blasted, along with the five steel wheels.

The frame and rear end assembly received 3 coats of gloss black epoxy paint. The rear end assembly was reunited with the painted frame.

All five steel wheels received two coats of special black epoxy primer to the backsides, centers and outside rim faces before two coats of grey high build primer was applied to the front faces of all the wheels.

The steel wheels were carefully sanded with several grits of sandpaper until they were perfectly smooth, receiving coats of grey high build primer between each sanding.

We applied 3 coats of the special finish paint ( a high quality single stage paint) referred to as "tangerine" (which is the factory correct colour).

With all five wheels painted our attention turned back to the body of the car.

The complete interior of the car (including the roof and trunk) received two coats of two part black epoxy sealer.

Sanding on the exterior of the car is now in full swing. We began block sanding the exterior with 120 grit sandpaper and adding smoother where needed. With the exterior all sanded we applied another coat of high build primer and sanded the car with 180 grit sandpaper.

These steps of sanding and priming continued as we gradually increase the sandpaper to finer and finer grits making the exterior as smooth as can be ending at 400grit.

The trunk lid and both doors were dry fitted to the body and adjustment and changes for better fitment were made to the panels.

The wide white wall tires were re installed and balanced on the Tangerine painted rims before being installed onto the nicely painted chassis.

With the body and all body panels ready for paint, this nice Buick received its new special two paint treatment. The highest quality single stage (period correct) was applied and turned out great!

The original "Nailhead" V8 engine was partially disassembled, cleaned and degreased and received several coats of the correct Buick Green engine paint.

The 2 barrel intake assembly was replaced with an upgraded (and period correct) four barrel intake and freshly rebuilt upgraded four barrel (also period correct) carburetor.

With the motor reassembled, it was placed onto the chassis and connected to the freshened up Dynaflo automatic transmission.

Once the paint on the body was fully cured, it was placed on the freshly prepared chassis.

The original radiator was also enhanced before it made it back into its original location.

The hood, trunk, bumpers and grille were also carefully adjusted and bolted back on the car.

A new headliner was installed, along with all new rubber seals and gaskets before new glass was installed back in the car.

The dashboard was next. The dashboard components required a large amount of work before they were repainted the correct gloss black and correct white gloss finish. All of the dash components were installed including the rebuilt and upgraded original car stereo, upgraded front (and rear parcel shelf speakers), rebuilt and upgraded factory correct clock and all chrome accent trim.

The new carpet, door panels, window glass and all new weather strips and glass runs were also installed.

The rear bench seat and upgraded seat belts were also carefully installed. With the rear seat and rear quarter panels completed, our attention turned back to the front of the car. All of the dash components and wiring (along with a new brake light switch) was also installed.

The bench seat was re installed in the car along with upgraded seat belts for the front bench occupants too.

With the interior like new again, the inside trunk area was enhanced with a new custom carpet and factory correct black rear seat and trunk surrounds. The period correct jack and spare tire (with a hubcap too) was placed in the correct location.

A nice wash and wipe down and Maureen looks beautiful gleaming in the sunshine!

View a YouTube walk-a-round presentation of this beautiful Buick here...http://youtu.be/7gMDNl5wJhA

We trust our client will now have many years of enjoyment with this completed ground up rotisserie restoration!

You are viewing the 1957 BUICK SPECIAL in completed projects.