Letter to the Editor of Still Runnin Magazine
I saw a really cool old car this morning on my way to work. I haven’t a clue what it might be and thought I’d quiz your in-house experts. It was pretty enough that I wish I’d had my camera.
Overall it looked like a ‘57 Chevy. It had fins on the back that ... to my untrained eye - looked exactly like the ‘57 Chevy fins.
On the back of trunk was the word SPECIAL spelled out in individual block letters. The front fenders had a small circle with a V inside mounted on top of the fenders and the same V-in-a-circle logo was in chrome on the front of the hood.
The headlights were dual and were nestled under an ‘eyebrow’ if you will, that flowed out from the fenders. The grill was a mesh looking thing that stretched straight across the bottom the width of the car. And there was LOTS of chrome accents everywhere ... lots on the bumpers, down the sides, around the roof, and around the tail lights (this was unusual because there was a chrome ‘ring’ around each rear light, but also a thin strip down the middle of the tail lights on the edge of the fin).
So, think ya’ll can ID that or do you think it might be a medley of parts like that old country song about the guy stealing parts each year from the auto factory where he worked?
Signed,
Dianne
Richmond, VA
A Note From SR ...
Be Sure Not to Miss the Special Feature we have included
in the Magazine on a ‘58 Buick Special,
you are not alone in your opinion of this car.
From the Editor:
Well Ms. Dianne, I forwarded your request to Big John to test his skills. Here is what he believes you followed to work.
I wonder how many of our readers guessed the answer?
Big John's Answer:
Hi Dianne.
From your description, you were following a '58 Buick. If this car didn't coin the phrase "dripping with chrome", it should have. They have gained in popularity (and price) over the years and I believe because they were not usually used for fodder for hot rods, good examples are still around.
Beats the hell out of bird watching, huh!
Keep 'em Runnin,
Big John
This car was bulkier, more heavily chromed styling adorned in 1958 ‘Special Chassis. New Lucite paints were used in many colors. For the first time since ‘48 there was no distinguishing ventiports on Buicks front fenders.
At the front a new “drawer pull” grille, made up of rectangular chrome squares, was used. The Special name was spelled out across the deck lid, while a bright sweepspear and a large rear fender bright flash was similar to other models. All 1958 Buicks had four headlamps. Standard features on the special included an ignition key light, glove box, cigar lighter, trip mileage indicator, geared vent panes, bumper guards, variable speed wipers, Step-On parking brake and on the Model 46 C convertible an outside left-hand rear view mirror. Special interiors were trimmed with gray cloth and vinyl or Cordaveen and vinyl, or all Cordaveen in the convertible. A plusher “custom” interior was available at extra cost.
Special Engine: V-8 Overhead Valve.
Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 364 cubic inches.
Bore and Stroke: 4.25 x 3.4 inches.
Compression ratio: 9.5:1.
Brake horsepower: 250 at 4400 R.P.M.
Five main bearing. Hydraulic valve lifters.
Carburetors: Stromberg 2-barrel Model WW7-109B also Carter 2-barrel (w/ Synchro)
Model 2674: (with Dynaflow) Model 2675
