Would I be crazy.........

[rtviper]

Stay with the buick. Guess my definition of a restoration is different then yours. To me a resto is back to original. The car would be worth 30k if it was restored to original. It is not a steal at 30k as it sits. Friend of mine bought a resto 55 this year for 35k and it is all nos parts original color interior drivetrain has a/c and low miler. Go to a show where other 55 owners are and many would ask why all the changes? What does this car have that is 55 other then the body? Just my opinion but I would buy a low miler GN or T-Regal for less then the 30k and be happier and get more attention. This is from someone whos first car was a 55 chev back in the 60s

 

[darkred87T]

Stay with the buick. Guess my definition of a restoration is different then yours. To me a resto is back to original. The car would be worth 30k if it was restored to original. It is not a steal at 30k as it sits. Friend of mine bought a resto 55 this year for 35k and it is all nos parts original color interior drivetrain has a/c and low miler. Go to a show where other 55 owners are and many would ask why all the changes? What does this car have that is 55 other then the body? Just my opinion but I would buy a low miler GN or T-Regal for less then the 30k and be happier and get more attention. This is from someone whos first car was a 55 chev back in the 60s

+1
I was going to say something along those lines but you beat me to it. The way I would look at it is how much would it cost me to turn it back to original from this point and after already paying $30K for it? Again, just my 02. I'm probably a young punk compared to alot of the hot rod veterens on this board who would really appreciate the older stuff.

 

[Grumpy]

beauty is in the eye of the beholder WITH THE $$$$$ :biggrin: one guys dream car is just a ****ter to someone else ... there is an ass for every seat ... you get the point ?? :biggrin:

 

[Bodhi]

I'd say do it. That appears to be a really nice 55. And it will only go up in value. Look at it this way, you can still find GN's for a pretty reasonable price and you could probably get one and fix it how you want for a whole lot less than you can build a really nice Tri-5 car.

 

[budget_crx]

don't do it, 55s are very common nowadays. if you really want a tri five i would abit and see what comes up, or even buy a rough one and fix it up the way you want it. Quick decisions lead to regret when it comes to selling the things you love.

 

[Ttype83]

Turbo the 55's 383, it'll be to much power and you'll sell it to me for dirt cheap (got 5 bucks burning a hole in my pocket as I type) :biggrin: If that isn't enough, I'll mail you some Georgia Red dirt to top off the deal.

 

[turbofish38]

I'd say do it. That appears to be a really nice 55. And it will only go up in value. Look at it this way, you can still find GN's for a pretty reasonable price and you could probably get one and fix it how you want for a whole lot less than you can build a really nice Tri-5 car.

I'd have to disagree with that. First modified tri-5's aren't going up as fast as the originals. Outside of B-J nobody is paying good money for them. Second only the baby boomers give a damn about tri-5s. The youngest boomers are in thier 50's. If they haven't bought thier dream car by now than they never will. Third, much like the 69 Camaro you can buy every part to make a Tri-5 from the ground up. Look what fiberglass bodies did to the street rod market. Ever try to sell a modified street machine? If you cant afford to send it to B-J than you never break even. At least with the GN you have a much younger median age group to play with. Heck if anything, inflation and rising gas prices will always make the TR a better investment.

 

[little]

imo, you should only do it if you're gonna do the transplant-that would be pretty trick. Otherwise it's just a neat old car, not nearly the street presence and intimidation factor of a tr. I could be biased tho.

 

[Grumpy]

more .02's from me Mark if ya like it BUY it !!!! change is good sometimes.. I wouldn't go changing a lot on it though... now "most" of you guys haven't had your car for 20 years .. after a while you do notice "other" cars Buickless myself here and loving it

 

[TR Custom Parts]

No progress on this yet. Just something I have been kicking around. I would be serious about doing a TR conversion to it if I do go for it.

Not really concerned about originality either as I have never been a fan of owning a completely stock car. The pics of this car do not do it justice. Have always liked the 55's and this would be a chance to own one that I know the history on and wouldn't be getting ripped off.

Anyone out there ever do a conversion on one of these???

 

[ChavoLC2]

Conversion

BuickGN if someone had a 67 SS Nova in any type shape close to your 55 and wanted to trade,I'd get it in a heartbeat and like what you have planned eventually to do to the 55 I'd do to the Chevy2. I've owned a 65SS(327) and a 67 HDTP(283) and if I had either one , you could bet I'd yank the drivetrain out of the GN and transplant it and sell the rolling chassis. Not that I don't like the GN but it's always been that Buick LC2 that's intrigued me ... Your going to have one Bad Retro-Mod 55. Like the pic at the top of the page, the 66 or 67 Chevelle SS do you think a stock restored oem car is going to bring what that Blue Blown RetroMod Monster Chevelle SS will bring???? Knowing the kind of work you do and the products you sell when your project is done you'll have LC2 powered RetroMod 55 with an engine bay that you could eat off, tasteful,clean, welldone, thought out,aesthetically pleasing,second to none. One of a Kind

Well you have your chance before you, you've always liked them always wanted one and you have one of the cleanest before you plus you know the History, you know it isn't a bondo job with a pretty paint job, you know the Professionalism that went into RetroModding this 55. Your prayers are answered now take hold of the Gift before you man. Once you finish the transplant with the same ethic that went into the 55 your Dream car will be Complete. Take hold and don't look back!

Your not going to convince people that the pics don't give the car any justice. You know the work and cost the hours that went into this 55.

 

[rtviper]

If your going to make major changes to the 55 then do not buy that car. You can definately build a nicer 55 then that one for 30k and then add your gn motor to it. You can get complete chassis for the 55 chevs with all new suspension. No doubt in my mind you will build one that has the color you want and power plant you want for same or less money. Dont forget that 30k is the start of your project add another 10k plus for the changes your thinking about. Yes it really looks nice, a paint job can do that. Imo you can do much better with the 40k if you manage the build up as you want it to be.

 

[Roc87]

I'd probably do it, I have a "thing" for shoebox chevys. This '57 here was bought by my father when I was 13...he said if I did the work, I could have it. I spent the entire summer between Junior and Senior year chasing parts and working my fingers to the bone on it. It turned out so nice, he didn't want to let me have it! He has been taking it to a resort where the lady in charge has been paying him to put it in banquets that she puts together for million dollar companies. Most of their ages are between 30 & 60. My father says very very few of them even know what year it is!!! I'd have to do something about those door panels, and at least go EFI. Rims aren't bad, but the sidewall on the fronts look like it needs a solid axle

 

[Grumpy]

If your going to make major changes to the 55 then do not buy that car. You can definately build a nicer 55 then that one for 30k and then add your gn motor to it. You can get complete chassis for the 55 chevs with all new suspension. No doubt in my mind you will build one that has the color you want and power plant you want for same or less money. Dont forget that 30k is the start of your project add another 10k plus for the changes your thinking about. Yes it really looks nice, a paint job can do that. Imo you can do much better with the 40k if you manage the build up as you want it to be.

ummmmm ...some of us are old and can't be bothered doin a "restoration" on a car ... have you ever delt with "auto body shops" ??? :wink: I did it years ago and would NEVER do it again .. plus my attention span is only a few months and I'd be tired of it :biggrin:

 

[RatFink]

Do it only if your deffinately going to put a Buick 6 in it. That would be a real attention getter at the Buick shows. I don't think you'd be happy with the current performance compared to a GN running on 4 cylinders. It's a nice looking car though.

 

["Turbo-T"]

I say do whatever makes you feel happy. Trust your instincts and go with it.

The value on them only increases as the years roll on. Yet some of the folks here are so Buick biased they make it sound like 55 Chevys are a dime a dozen. TRUST me they aren't.

Then again Buick GN's aren't as scarce as hens teeth like some here believe.