55-57 Buick technical information

6

69larkcustom

Member
Hey all,

I have question, and an idea, that's been running me around in circles on the internet trying to find out the answers. Maybe you guys can help me. I'm looking at building a 55-57 Buick as a street cruiser. I'm looking specifically at the 4-dr. and station wagon models because I've got a child on the way and I want the ability and the room to take a small child with all the required equipment with us when we'd take it out for a cruise to a show or anywhere for that matter, so I want it to be fairly practical.

Anyway, I digress, what I'm looking to do is build one with modern power disc brakes, modern suspension pieces, ac, modern stereo hidden of course, and am LS engine. Naturally outta a Buick Ranier so to keep the buick theme going. lol I want the modern convienences while keeping the classic lines, chrome, and vibe. This car will be hard to distinguish that it's not all stock from looking at the outside. I want just a nice extremely reliable cruiser. What I'm running into is that I'm not seeing a lot, if any, aftermarket pieces for these tri-5 buicks. My question is how close mechanically is the buicks to their chevy belair, 210, wagon counterparts, and will aftermarket parts designed and made for the chevy bolt up to the old buicks with no or minor modifications to make work. I really like the lines on the tri-5 buicks and would like to build one of those instead of a chevy cause the buicks are still extremely affordable and you don't see a lot of them at shows and cruise ins.

I'm just curious to find out how close these two marques were under the skin away from the drivetrains and bodystyling. I don't want to buy the buick and then find out everythings going to have to be custom fabricated (ie. expensive as hell) and have the project languish for years and years because I can't afford to build it. If the chevy aftermarket will also work on the buicks that would cut the costs dramatically and speed up the build progress immensely.

Any insight that you all could provide would be greatly appreciated whether it's answers or just directions to look in and websites with potential answers. Thank You all in advance.
 
Sorry, but you are out of luck. The Chevy and the Buick are completely different. You will probably need to put the body on a newer chassis to do what you are trying to accomplish. If you want all the bells and whistles, and it sounds like you do, I would go the the Morrison Chassis website and have a look around. They can custom build you about any type of chassis that you want. They have an article on their homepage about a chassis they built for a 1950 Buick woody wagon. Give them a call and discuss your project and desires with them. I'm sure it's expensive as hell. If you want to make an old car into a new one it will usually cost as much as buying a new car with the same features to begin with. Whats a new Ranier go for? This is also assuming that you can do a big chunk of the work yourself. If you have lots of fabrication skills you might be able to find a later model chassis that can be adapted to fit. Less money but more work. I think some on here have used the '70 to '76 Buick station wagon chassis for a donor. But I think that that chassis would be tough to find anymore also. The other senior series cars from those years might be an option too. I'm guessing that the wagons used a parallel leaf rear suspension while the others had a triangulated 4 bar set up. Each style has it's pro's and con's. The chassis requirements will depend on whether you go with a Special sized body or a Roadmaster sized body, so I would make that decision first. Special is closest in size to the Chevy. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
 
Thanks for the info. I was kind of suspecting that since that was before the days of massive plantform sharing. I had thought of morrison and also a few others that specialize in hot rod chassis. I'll have to decide which route I wanna go and probably sweet talk the wife a little bit. lol

The one big thing that I do have going for me is that I can do a big chunk of the work myself, unfortunately bodywork and fabrication are not my strongest suits.

Again thanks for the information that's why I love this website I always get fast, accurate answers from all the great people on here.
 
While you're kicking this around, search for a more modern car with the same wheelbase and track as the Buick you want to build. It will, naturally, need to be body-on-frame construction as opposed to unit construction so the old body shell can be dropped on the new chassis. Consider pickup trucks also. You might come up with something that's both affordable and relatively easy to work with. Good luck! :waving:
 
55- 57 buick

I am not sure why you would want to change most of the things on a car of these vintages. The engine is perfectly adequate and then some for your intended use. Yes the brakes could be improved although the drums with the aluminum fins are not bad(57and up). Disc brake conversions are readily available . Get a copy of 'Street rodder ' magazine and you will find a number of places offering conversions. It might be worth to convert the booster/ master cylinder to hydraulic boost. For a cruiser I dont think there is really much you need to do to the chassis. I dont remember if there is a rear sway bar but that can be added. The other weak point is the trans. You can change to an OD auto. Adapters are available. Google transmission adapters. There is a change in the rear of the block between the 322's and the 364/401/425's so trans will not interchange. There other improvements in the 57 and later cars so I would pick a 57 or later. The most beneficial item you could get would be a car with factory A/C. The kind of conversion you are talking is a big buck item. You would be better off putting your money in to a nice car that requires a minimum. Go try a 57 and up. I think you will like it even if its pretty stock
 
I just got done doing a 58 Caballero...The 364 would have been very suitable for it but I had a 401 so I put it in there...This high torque engine will pull that Buick around just as good as you would ever want especially if you mate it to a modern 4L60E trans or equivalent. I put in a 9" Ford to get rid of the closed driveline...I put in a Detroit Speed Camaro front clip, just to have all the quick steering, tubular A Arms, etc, and it is heavier built than the stock frame was....It has Truck Arm Air Ride Technologies Rear Air Ride on it and Air Ride on the Detroit Speed front End...4 wheel discs from SSBC...Car drives super and stops on a dime and is very powerful and will cruise at 80+ all day without breathing hard..No need for a late model chassis as modifying this is not a monstrous project, and it is very strong and works very well...Those Wagons aren't cheap though...A good one might not be as much as a Nomad, but there is tons of trim on it...Rod and Custom just came out to do a shoot on mine and it will be in their next issue I think. The Olds Wagon is even more expensive too..
 
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