'49 Super Six 4-door, Buick engine, Baltimore area

Jon B

Craigslist, '49 Super six 4-door, not running for 2 years. Asking $9,000, will listen to reasonable offers.  http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/4782442122.html  .   This is being sold for a relative; the seller doesn't know everything about the car.   Seller's e-mail address is XXXJsbcarman@gmail.com -- delete the XXX before sending.

Jon B

The price has come down on this car since last December.

Waaay down. 

He's now asking $3500.  Here is the latest Craigslist link:  http://frederick.craigslist.org/cto/5162668917.html

To summarize: this is a '49 Super Six 4-door, not running, with a modern-era Buick Wildcat engine and transmission.  The interior has been customized though the dashboard remains mostly intact. It's in Jessup, Md.  Looks like a good "starter" Hudson that a beginner could buy and fool around with,and probably get running without too much trouble.  And then, if it turns out to be a solid car, one could gradually bring it back to original while still driving it.  Or street rod it.  Whatever!

If the Craigslist ad disappears, you can use the e-mail address listed above, to contact the seller, Jeff Brown.  (Remove the three X's first, of course.)

46HudsonPU

Hi Jon,

Have you been out to take a look at it?  Just curious...

Jon B

Actually, no.  So I cannot attest to its condition!

46HudsonPU

Hi Jon,

I 'reached out' to the seller overnight (Note: I have not yet seen the car).

According to the seller, it it runs and drives.  The address where car is located/stored is:

 8428 Woodward St, Savage MD 20763

Seller can be reached at (four four three) 545-632 six.  Any evening after 6:30 is good, as are Saturdays (not on Sunday).  'Drive bye to view' is fine as well...

46HudsonPU

I find it enticing/tempting myself, but I do not have 'room' for it. 

And, my wife would not allow it - period!   "NO! - You have more than enough to keep you busy!"

her = X(  (She's actually very sweet and understanding, and puts up with a LOT from me)

Jon B

Rick, thanks for checking it out!  Did you get a look at the frame?

46HudsonPU

Haven't been out to take a look (yet) - just got some additional photos from the seller.

Jon B

Oops, sorry!  I skimmed your posting with the photos, and completely missed your "I have not yet seen the car"!

I don't see any telltale blisters on the paint.  It could actually be a nice starter-car for some newbie.

46HudsonPU

No apologies - I put it 'there' after you asked... 

And, I don't think I will go 'look at it' - I don't want to be tempted...  )

lostmind

The engine is as sought after as a 308. Hot item on the Jalopy journal site.

46HudsonPU

Went to Savage, MD and took a look at the car.  Looks a lot better in photos than it does in person.  Have photos for those that have a serious interest (PM me with your email address), and even took a short video of the engine running.

All-in-all, it looks like it is an amateur build, to include body work, rattle-can (?) paint job, interior, etc., and was not done very well.  The engine runs (sounded OK), started-up after 3-4 attempts (questionable wiring, 12v alternator). It was not put into drive or driven.

Tried to take some pictures of the rear perimeter frame (pictures attached below) - appears to be rusty, but solid.

46HudsonPU

Lets see if this short video will play here -

https://www.facebook.com/rick.clark.16/videos/o.16027154035/10207693857128525/?type=2&theater

And, some additional photos -

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207693795926995&set=oa.10153592232754036&type=1&theater

Jon B

Wow, that was duty above and beyond the call of duty, Rick!  Many thanks!

So I guess the conclusion would be that it's a fairly solid car (but with some rust) that would require a lot of work to make cosmetically "correct", and a lot more work to get back to original mechanical condition.  Still, for $3500 it might be worth at least making an offer on, especially if someone wanted something workable with which to get into Hudsons.

50C8DAN

Yes the Buick nail head is now a popular  V8 for street rods as are vintage Olds and early Hemis.  Finally seeing something besides SBC in everything.  However, "modern era" is probably a bit of a stretch since it first hit the market in 1953, the hey day of the 308 in NASCAR.  Curious if it has a Dynaflo or Turbohydromatic.

46HudsonPU

'Have at it' folks, it's there for the taking.  I just made the trip to post some first-hand info for those that might have an interest. 

Am curious - Is the Buick 'Wildcat' & 'nail head' just different terms for the same engine?

BTW - A few other notes on the engine:

• You'll probably note from the pictures that it has what appears to be an aftermarket carb on the engine (Edelbrock);
• I did note that the engine fan sits about 3" back from the radiator, without any type of fan shroud - pretty much makes it ineffective except for moving air around in the engine compartment.
• Whoever did the work probably figured that out, since there is an electric fan on the front of the radiator to 'push' air thru.

50C8DAN

Read all about the nailhead/Buick V8 here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_V8_engine

The upright valve covers are an easy identifier of the Buick Nailhead type design.  

One interesting item I remember and is noted in this article, although not related to the Nailhead design, is later big block Buick engines, had really high torque as all Buick V8s were famous for, but  510 lb-ft is way out there.  It also weighed 150 lbs less than the Chevy 454.