1954 Buick Special 2-Door Hardtop (Riviera) - Lou of Gaithersburg, Maryland (entry 000001)

Lou's story:

The Buick is a sad, sad story.... And Long. :-)

My father and I got it when I was in high school, 1983, from a
distant relative. The guy had started work on it himself a few years
before, including new custom upholstery, all chrome was re-plated, and
he did the bodywork and painted it himself. But, he ran out of
steam, and never finished it. The car was still in pieces, and all
the interior and glass was in storage. Most of the exterior chrome
was installed, but he had thrown a canvas tarp over the car,
and it sat a few years, so most of it pitted.

We got the car, and I did most of the assembly myself after school
during my 11th grade year. Dad helped with the difficult stuff,
and when 2 people were needed. My uncle helped me get it running,
and it ran great. I Was able to drive the car summer of 1984, and
during my 12th grade year at school.

Then the unthinkable happened. I was driving it to a carnival
in May, 1985, and got BROADSIDED by a 1980 Dodge Aspen. Passenger
side was caved in. (See pictures above)

Naturally I was devastated, and vowed the car would be fixed.
(mostly sheet metal damage). Ever since then, I have been collecting
parts, and putting off spending the money on the car, due to other
priorities in life, but I know the car, and decided to restore it
to originality. recently I have been shopping for a Great body
shop to do the necessary alignment, welding, etc. The car now
needs a full restoration. Several years ago, I stripped it back
down to where it was when I got it: everything is off in storage,
and the bare body is under a cover. Rusting. :-/

(See how it looks now in the pictures below)

Hopefully within a year, he will be beginning to look better, though.
I found a few places that I think can do the work. I just need to
find a nailhead expert to help me do the engine, and a dynaflow expert
to do the tranny. (I ain't foolin' wit' no automatic work :-)

Anyways, that's my life history. Sorry if I bored you.

Cheers,
Lou

What is it?	1954 Buick Special 2-Door Hardtop (Riviera)
Owned by	Lou of Gaithersburg, Maryland ( lou@cyberia.com )
Website	http://users.supernet.com/pages/lou/