1953 Buick Super

Description

Sure this one has everything you like from the '50s – real woodie, wire wheels, tailfins, plenty of chrome. But the reason why this 1953 Buick Super wagon is a true collector's car is not only the numbers-matching Nailhead V8 under hood, but also the fact that a mass manufacturer like General Motor only built 1,830 of these!

Driving a Buick in the '50s was about being the quietly interesting and wealthy gentleman in town, and this Super wagon fits that idea even better today. The factory-correct Terrace Green is not a flashy color, but its earthtone is the perfect complement to the reason why you love this wagon, the real wood upper frame. The coordination of these two elements as they meet along the iconic dipping sheetmetal is a true craftsman's touch. So if the car looks this good why didn't more people buy one in the '53? The simple answer is because this crafted woodie was the most expensive Super in the Buick lineup. In fact, the price was up with the larger Roadmaster line, and it was even getting close to Cadillac money. With that kind of premium in mind, of course the chrome is going to look spectacular. Buicks were known for their toothy grille, massive bumpers, and trim that provides a sweeping line to complement the sheetmetal. Not only is all of that complete on this rare wagon, but the details are right, too, like the bombsight hood ornament, three porthole side, and the expensive addition of wire wheels with knock-off spinners.

The handsome interior looks like it has had a serious investment in keeping it looking stock. The two-tone cream and green has all the right elements of tuck and roll as well as piping. It makes the seats and door panels in this Special feel, well, special. Sit in the driver's seat, and you are treated to an art deco masterpiece. The steering wheel is purely built for style with a full chrome trim ring, banjo style tri bars, and special crest in the center. The round gauges with stainless faces feel more like timepieces. All your controls are centrally located within a waterfall chrome panel. Even Buick's Selectronic AM radio is still in place and playing the old time tunes...yes, this car feels that good!

1953 was not only Buick's 50th anniversary, but it was also the first year for the Nailhead V8 motor. Despite the odd name, the lightweight design, big torque, and hardy construction make these legendary powerplants. Best of all, the 322 cubic-inch motor and two-speed Dynaflow automatic transmission are original to this wagon. It looks spectacular in this time warp of an engine bay. The correct colors on the block, oil bath air cleaner, proper labels, washer fluid jar – all of this and more will make people marvel the moment you open the hood at the car show or concours. So when the judges are stunned, and ask, "Is it original?" You can proudly answer, "Yes." We even suspect the ultra low 26,109 mileage to be correct (but undocumented).

You can buy this rare and exceptionally well presented wagon and tuck it away as a garage showpiece. But please know that since so few were made, it's likely only a handful survive today in this excellent condition. That kind of prestige makes it kind of classic that the world will want you to share. So if you buy this Buick, please be prepared for the finer concours events to ask for your attendance.