Bride of Young Frankenstein - 1957 Buick Super

[FL71C10]

http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/4931398376.html

I thought of you when I saw this, Drew. Looks like a big difference between 1956 and 1957. Or is the Special a different model altogether?

[drewskiren]

Originally Posted by FL71C10

http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/4931398376.html

I thought of you when I saw this, Drew. Looks like a big difference between 1956 and 1957. Or is the Special a different model altogether?

Yes, there is a big difference between the 2 years, 57 was the first year that the engineers started towards shorter overall height, by 1960 the cars were really a lot shorter -height wise. Another thing, the Special is a B body car, so narrower and shorter in length than my Super, a C body car (based on the Cadillac chassis). In addition to all that, this car for sale is a post car, instead of the pillar-less hardtop, which is the cheapest car for that year. Yuck, the only thing it's got going for it is 2 door.

[drewskiren]

I got a new play toy today and it has been making short work of cleaning 58 years of oil and dirt. I also found another use for my bumper jack!

[roushinator]

Nice work.... Looking forward to seeing more.

[RockinKees]

Hope you told Gnande to watch out for those dangerous machines
Nice to see the family working together!!

[drewskiren]

Well, we made a little bit of progress this morning at 8 am. The Jag went onward to Kansas City to replace a front end of a 95 Jag that had an up close encounter with a deer. Matthew and his friend have an outstanding rig and apparently just have this trailer and dually setup just in case either one of them wants to haul something! Wow, I need friends like that.

He had built a 4 by 4 post skid that we slid under the Jag and then he winched it up on the tilt trailer.

Made me and my escapades look like Micky Mouse!

[drewskiren]

So, just to recap:

Jaguar ended up costing me $200 after selling off items

57 Super has now cost me $2500 since I sold the engine and trans for $1000

57 4 door parts car has cost me $800, and I will probably sell off around $2500 worth of parts that either don't fit my car or are duplicates of what I already have = make $1700

Roadmaster hood and fenders from Darrell cost $300, but he also gave me a box of complete stainless side trim for a 57 model - since he has a 58. That box of trim is easily worth $300 on eBay. Zero cost.

All said and done I should have a 57 Buick Super 2 door roller with Jag front and rear suspension for about $1000.

Nice!

[flashed]

And father /daughter time = PRICELESS .

[ole dollor]

that is the way to do it , nothing wrong with working around things and save that money.....ya did good

[drewskiren]

POOF - Done!

I wish.

At least I have figured out exactly where it is to be mounted.

[mcbassin]

Very nice work on the chassis Drew! I like the way you work and trade to save cash on the project too. Keep up the good work.

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice work. It looks like the rear tires just fit in there. That sure helps to sell extra parts to fund new parts and keep the build going.

[drewskiren]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Nice work. It looks like the rear tires just fit in there. That sure helps to sell extra parts to fund new parts and keep the build going.

Yes, the rear tires do just barely fit, but it is because of the big inset on the Jag wheels. They will move out 1 inch with a zero offset wheel - or I may buy wider wheels and tires and play with the offset to maximize that steamroller look.

[1985-GMC]

Another nice project! Looking forward to this one as well!

[drewskiren]

Whoops, I found some pics that I forgot to post, so a little out of order here. Engine heading off to Charlotte, NC. Thanks for the grand!!!

Frame as it is coming out of the car since on the Buick line in the Kansas City factory. I decoded the vin and figured that out which helps to back up that this was a New Mexico car. (a New Mexico car would not have originated in any of the 4 northeast factories).

[drewskiren]

...

[Mayo]

Very cool car and project

[drewskiren]

Saturday Night Picture Time!

Made some good progress with the rear, we started with cardboard and progressed from there. Not much of this framerail left, but this is where the cage needs to go for the wheel to be centered.

Welds are looking pretty good nowadays.

[cAlvis165]

Looking great Drew--nice welds. Hope you aren't too tired in church this AM from staying up too late!

He is Risen!

[drewskiren]

HE is risen indeed!!!!!

Nah, we go to 9:45 church, no problem.

[drewskiren]

And then there was two......chunks of unwanted frame.

I only put in a couple of hours since it was Easter, but I was able to make the outer frame rail, weld it on, the cut out the offending piece, and reposition the axle just where it should be.

From this picture, it actually looks like its done....ha!

[1985-GMC]

I was wondering if you were going to keep those or not. You're making quick work of it!

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice work Drew! Happy Easter too!

[drewskiren]

Still making progress. On the Jag mount, bolts ran through and clamped it to the "frame rail". Here I will have longer bolts and run them through the mount, then a frame rail, then the other side of the mount and then another frame rail. It's complicated to explain, but easy for me to "see". Give me a week or two and everyone will see.

I have spent a ton of time centering, setting the height, locating fore and aft, and leveling the pinion. I've finally got it exactly where it should be. Looks like it will work very well, however - I will have to modify the floor at the rear seat about 2 inches, but it is in an area of dead space - unnoticeable on the inside of the car. Just more work for me! Yay.

[oldman3]

Drew, based on your last pic, it's easy to understand what you will be doing...Jim