Old Bessie - 1957 Buick Special

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Name: Jim Pickard
Year: 1957 Make: Buick Model: 2 Door Sedan
Date of Submission: Monday, 6th June 2011

Vehicle Description:

1957 Buick Model 48 2Door Tourback Sedan. I have owned \"Old Bessie\" for 26 years. Great 50\'s Buick styling and excellent for cruising Woodward Avenue in Detroit, MI. All original, 18K miles, 364 cu. in. 250 hp Nailhead engine, Dynaflow transmission. Holds about 50 or so people...:) Bought the car in a state of dis-assembly, and over the years, restored it to driver condition in 1990, and now in the complete restoration phase to factory condition for judging. It is a great car to drive and enjoy. I have used so many Eastwood products on it, that the list would be extremely long. All of the products have been great in getting the car closer to the showroom beauty that it will be. The hardest part on the restoration has been finding parts, since it is a rather unusual classic, as compared to 55 - 57 Chevy\'s and other more common cars. Members on the Buick Forum and the Buick Club of America have been the best in helping me move along in getting this baby restored!

Eastwood Products Used:

Chassis Black, internal frame coating, clear zinc, Tin Electroplating System, Vibratory Tumbler, golden cad
paint system, diamond clear, underhood black, detail gray, cast gray, zinc phosphate, Eastwood blackening
system, you name it, I have used it

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Latest Comments:

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Submitted by john dunshee on Tuesday, 30th August 2011 07:21 pm

jim, i had one of these when i was 20yrs old. drove form vermont to south dakoa before the transmission told me to head back and we made it. one of the nicest riding cars i ever had and gas was cheap.

Submitted by Paul Imerman on Monday, 20th June 2011 06:37 am

confirming my e-mail address

Submitted by Paul Imerman on Monday, 20th June 2011 06:09 am

jim--outstanding car. No.1 all the way.

Submitted by Paul Imerman on Monday, 20th June 2011 06:07 am

outstanding car. No.1 all the way.

Submitted by CLIFFORD ROTHROCK on Sunday, 19th June 2011 06:16 pm

Super restoration, the hobby & the Buick club is fortunate to have a guy like you. It is guys like you who bring these old horses back to Life.

Submitted by Paul Clark on Friday, 17th June 2011 06:12 pm

Jim, Beautiful restoration. Look forward to having our '57s side by side. Are you taking it to the Great Lakes Regional? Paul C.

Submitted by LeeB on Monday, 13th June 2011 08:29 pm

Beautiful example of a '57 Buick Special! You've done well!

Submitted by Rob McDonald on Thursday, 9th June 2011 07:45 pm

JIM, I'm looking forward to our "Halfway" cruise to Mt. Rushmore. Roadmaster Rob in Edmonton

Submitted by Gtdhw on Tuesday, 7th June 2011 07:00 pm

Beautiful automobile......absolutely beautiful. Be very proud.

Submitted by stealthbob on Tuesday, 7th June 2011 05:24 pm

Love the story of your project...gives us Newbs with torn apart cars hope. Nice to see something other than a Chevy represented for 57...50's Buick's to me are the pinocle in style in the 50's