1959 Buick Invicta promotional model
If you were a nice kid when your
folks picked up their new '59 Buick, you may have gone home with one of these...
After blasting all the sheet metal was scuffed to loose any high spots. We don't want
any metal to come through the primer...
Firewall painted in stock red color. Note the dual line 68 Buick Riviera brake booster.
An acceptable deviation from stock for safety.
After DP-90, the frame got a coat of semi-gloss black. Looks very correct.
Under-hood detail. All bolts was cad plated, and latches that was gold cad, was redone.
The fenders was painted red before assembly, so it looks correct.
Have you seen so much stainless??? All going out to be straightened and polished...
Book found in antique store for $3.00 Will look good in the glove box!
Christmas?? Well, almost. Vilma is once again red and white... Yes, she
has a name, after her original owner. Now the fun begins...
Pretty shiny...Can't wait to hang the polished stainless that outlines
the Delta Wings!
Details, details...These "BUICK" script and
rocker chrome is actually from an Invicta, but it is a nice
addition.
The old license light lens was damaged by sun
and gasoline, and was replaced with a new one. It looks great.
The original license frame from the selling
dealer was re-plated and detailed. This adds character to this
fine classic. I think old man Hal would be proud of me!
1959 Buick Electra by Husky, first produced 1960 Scale: 1:66 (England)
When re-chroming the back-up lights, it's advisable to remove the
reflector from the pot metal piece. Then you have to rivet or screw it back, to ensure
proper ground.
NOS front blinker assembly. The box smelled like it was 40 years
old too...
Brian Laurance from Washington state contributed with this Japanese made
tin Buick. Made by Suda, about 1/16th scale. Brian mentioned that he has seen a red and
white 2d ht long time ago. Can you believe he has a real 59 just like this too? You can
check it out below at "World Buicks"
The rims were sandblasted and painter body color. Radial white walls
($160.00 each!!) makes the car drive very nice, and stock deluxe wheel covers looks just great.
Since we can't pick-up my Visa card and order a
repro trunk emblem, I had to chrome two units, pick the best,
and pick from four different emblems the best aluminum inserts.
This ain't no fifty-seven Chevy...
World Buicks
 
Visit the gallery of '59 Buick owners from all over the world,
offering help with parts or moral support thought out this restoration. If you can't
handle fins, don't go here! Go to World Buicks to check out
their cars!
Check how
the interior came together
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The starting point:
Straight and rather solid, some stainless had some dings,
but all there. The good news: 58,000 documented miles since new. Owned since new by a
local lady.
Not bad for a car that was sold new with 90 days or 4000 mile warranty!!
OK, here goes nothing: Off with the front sheet metal, so the front
fenders can be blasted and we can get to everything.
Interior, glass and chrome was stripped, and the whole car walnut-shell blasted. No
chance of hiding anything here!
Batmobile!! The little rust we found was professionally repaired, and a coat of DP-90
black etching primer seals the body, so I can concentrate on the engine for now.
"Whatever car you have in
mind...you're better off with a Buick!"
OK!...make a note of it!
"Aerosol Overhaul"
With 58,000 mile on the car, the engine was in great shape, but I
did replace all gaskets,
rear main seal and water pump. I did remove a couple of bearing
caps, they looked great. Also, water-pump and other items was
replaced. After a clean-up and paint the engine looks great.
Snuggin' up the new motor mounts. Now, this starts to look like something...
I added a A Delco Script Tar Top repro battery.
Nothing else would look right here.
You can't see my face, but it's sporting a big grin....
Buck Rogers, eat this!!
Tail lights: A little "chrome in a can" helped brighten up the
"reflector", and with a fresh foam seal, we are ready for lens and chrome
bezel...
A fresh repro lens looks good in the re-chromed bezel...
The rocket outlets are once again ready to blast off! Don't know who the
character in the reflection is...
An original 1959 Washington Plate was restored and will be
used as a legal collector plate.
Unwrapping fresh chrome to be installed on the re-chromed bumper. This
is a tough job, but somebody has to do it.
Using chrome screws to assemble the freshly
chromed bumper-bars and blinker assembly.
Another tough job!
If you are bored, try masking off 72 grille squares! Knitting would be
more exciting. The grid behind the grill squares has to be black, so here we go...
No, that is NOT an American Flag that I am using for
underlayment, it is an old Harley throw.
Oh well, the result was rewarding. Use black enamel, it sticks
better to the metal than lacquer.
Remember: Chrome is GOOD!
Vernon Green & the Medallions hit the charts with
their Buick 59 song.
For those who wonders why they are posing in front of a Swedish car,
this is the cover of the single "Buick59", and the backside is
"Volvo59"!!!
Got this tidbit from Ullrik Bjurstrom in Sweden. Takes a Swede to
get the facts!
Last of the front chrome, this is a mile-stone!!
Exterior finally done, looks like we got ourselves a 1959 Buick again.
So...
How
did it come out?
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