FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

Hi everyone.

Not much to report on Nev, he will shortly be at the painters for the engine bay. I will post some photos next week.

Meanwhile, I have just purchased this 1953 Buick Riviera Super Hardtop from the US. It was the first year of the nailhead 335 ci V8. The car has 62,000 miles and 85% original paint. Most of the trim is the original cloth.

Its also kinda big.

(http://i11.tinypic.com/6g9gt1w.jpg)(http://)
(http://i13.tinypic.com/4liai2s.jpg)

Cheers
John

Awsome,
            Love the side stainless .
Good find, how did you locate it?
well done
Grant

The yanks sure now how to make big cars and how to make them stand out nice find

                                                         Damo58 ;D

any chance of a close up of the port holes? I found a set(3) a couple of months ago, but I have not been able to find a  clear photo to confirm that they are buick?

Fantastic looking car John whats the interior look like?
Cheers,
Graham

John,
           This car is nothing but sensational.  One day one day I will have one................... great find!!!!!

Verrry nice John, I could see myself floating along in that, have you taken delivery yet? It would be a buzz to pick it up from the wharf & drive it home.

Look forward to having a look.

Cheers, Gary

Wow, that is simply awesome.
Looks like a very nice score.
Better keep it quite.....if the Yanks realise that beauty is about to leave their shores, you may be in for a fight.
Like Gary said "Look forward to having a look."
Regards
Alex

ps. If the guy has any spare '53 headlight surrounds, get him to throw them into the boot.
I would be seriously interested in a pair.

John,

Your condition appears to be terminal...

Fantastic looking car though!

Regards

Edward

Thanks for the interest Guys, glad you like it.

Grant, it was on Ebay, we checked the dealer out carefully.

V8 wagon, it won't be here for a month or so, I will take photos then, Supers and others had three, Roadmasters had four. the style varies significantly from model to model.

Graham a couple of interior shots.

Alex, I will try and locate a set for you.

Edward, thank you, my wife shares your view.

(http://i17.tinypic.com/4htcewy.jpg)
(http://i3.tinypic.com/53a6ryw.jpg)

Had to include an engine shot, recognise the wiper motor?
(http://i3.tinypic.com/63hv1j5.jpg)

Cheers
John

whats the wiper motor the same as, the armrests on the front doors
 look FE ish

Awesome car John!!

You could probably fit Nev in that boot!!

Can't wait to see it...

Cheers
Les...

Big boys' BIG toys ;D

Love it, John. I'd like to see it do the hot lap of Eastern Creek... "as we pass the half-way mark of the main straight, commence tacking 70º to port" "Aye-aye Captain"

Looks like a very nice unit.

cheers
RET

i love my fc's but the yanks know how to build a car
good luck

Perhaps it would be more accurate to say the yanks knew how to build a car???

Hi everyone.

The Buick arrived in Sydney just before Christmas and I registered her today. the condition is as was described on Ebay, highly original, 62,000 miles and registration documents and receipts going back to 1961.

She spent the first 35 years or so in California before moving to Seattle. Fortunately she is rust free. the shipping was a disaster, which I might detail in another post - I already did this once tonight and managed to accidentally delete the post  >:( >:(

Its an interesting driving experience, I've never driven anything this big and you cant see the extremities. That said, she drives surprisingly well, 37 turns lock to lock  :P and the brakes aren't bad. She has Buicks Dynaflow automatic which is two speed but only ever uses one. The engine is a 332 ci - 5.3 ltrs - V8, the first year of the V8 for Buick and produces 160 hp, she idles at 450 rpm. The body is beautifully built and both the radio and clock work :o

Here are some pics I took today;

(http://i6.tinypic.com/8gds7d1.jpg)
(http://i10.tinypic.com/72aae0x.jpg)
(http://i7.tinypic.com/6z9l842.jpg)

Cheers
John

She's a beauty alright!!!
I'm pleased to hear there were no little surprises when she landed.
Looking forward to seeing it in person, and perhaps a spin around the block??
Regards
Alex

Great Ride man, class all the way!!
Kind Regards, Brett

Fantastic John,
Glad to hear there were no little nasties when you finally got it home. A great piece of driving history.
Cheers,
Graham

Wow, looks great John. Glad to hear it lived up to expectations.

Will we see it at Motorfest?

cheers
RET

Hi John,
Nev sits so nicely in front of the Sydney Federation/Californian Bungalow. Car and House colours are eerily similiar and look mean't to be.  Reminds one, of Jackson Browns 'Late for the Sky' LP jacket.
Geoff_K

John
As usual another lovely pick up you certaintly are very good at picking up choice cars well done. A Happy New Year to you and your stable of fine autos.
Cheers
Brett

Thanks fellas.

It was a bit of a punt but it came off ok. I have learn't a few things about importing cars from this exercise. Most importantly, if you have a decent car NEVER try to save money by agreeing to four cars in a 40' container (fortunately I didn't do this) and think carefully before you agree to three.

When we unpacked the Buick it had a Corvette on a frame above it. Although it was covered in plastic, it had tranny fluid all over the bonnet (er hood), it cleaned off ok. They had removed the front wheels, it was sitting on the brake drums  >:( >:( and the rears were flat to give enough room for the Corvette. As a result all of the whitewalls were damaged.

When it was being unloaded a large peice of wood was dropped on a front guard and of course it had nails in it....

When we looked underneath the cross member has been torn near the inner control arm pivots where chains were anchored and the rearmost crossmember behind the rear bumper has two holes elongated. Don't know if this happened in transit from Seattle to Los Angeles or in the container.

I guess you can't really control this last issue, but I will NEVER again agree to any more than two cars to a container and will happily pay the extra freight. I paid extra for all of this to be organised for me , so it wasn't a case of me stuffing up through inexperience.

I now have good contacts for all except inland shipping.

RET she will be at Motorfest, Geoff, I see what you mean although my effort is considerably less artistic.

Cheers
John

Congrats John.... She looks sweet!!

I've been tossing up whether or not to head into Motorfest this year (we'll be away right up until about then), looks like I'll be making the trip now... I gotta see this baby!! ;D

See 'ya there!!
Les...