Buick 1955 - 57 custom & mild custom

tres belle couleur

We love the style of this custom Buick wagon. The chopped 4-door pillar-less hardtop design gives the car a clean but not overdone profile, and the 3-tone paint gives adds sophistication. We also like the spoke wheels and period Coker wide whites. Find it here on eBay out of Bakersfield, California.



The rear fins and lamps are from a Packard, and are much cleaner than the huge factory chrome units. Get a load of the interior below! Fantastic! All new leather in the factory two-tone pattern with an all stock dash.



The engine is the factory 364-inch Buick Nailhead V8, which has been given a Edelbrock triple carburetor intake and custom headers. We love the period look and originality.


The wagon rides on airbags, which are not usually our favorite, but we’ll give a mulligan because the frame isn’t dragging on the pavement. We like drivers and not show queens, so cars can be too low in our book.



This wagon is one of the nicest rods we have seen in some time. Bring it up about an inch, pack your crew inside, and drive it over the Grapevine to SoCal where it belongs.

THIS 1956 BUICK CUSTOM has been professionally restored over the last 3 years by Herbs automotive of Signal Hill, California. I have all the receipts. Body and paint alone cost over $16k and that does not include the additional $4k spent on House of Kolors black sparkle 3 stage paint and all supplies. $20k body and paint! You can absolutely assume the body is flawless. Taken down to metal, no rust, no damages. Door handles, hood and trunk emblems and fuel tank door have all been shaved. It was blocked and guide-coated several times, then base-coated and cleared, sanded and cleared, sanded and cleared and finally sanded and buffed to super mirror finish. Body panels this large deserve nothing less. And believe me, it’s spectacular! House of Kolors is the best paint there is. This particular black sparkle is so intriguing , goes from black in dark light to platinum sparkle under sunlight, simply gorgeous. I have about a half a gallon leftover paint for touch up or repairs. The roof is painted Pearl white metallic. With the exception of the Black sparkle, the car is as it left the factory. Color code is CAA {White/Black/Black split}. Finally, the look is finished with very tasteful pinstripping.




The front end of the car was apart for paint and all the engine bay aprons have been powder coated.




After the body was finished, the car was assembled with all new re-polished, re-chromed trim. I purchased all new glass all around including the vent windows, all new rubber weather stripping everywhere. Again, professional assembly by Herbs Automotive at a cost of $9k. Plus $5k for the chrome and polishing of every little stainless trim you can see including the side glass channels and rails. New window felts as well. Truly like new.




All new wiring for power windows and power door poppers with remote. Radio with CD and iPod is hidden under dash and operated by remote control. New battery. Windshield wipers have been capped but are fully functional. Heater as well for those from colder climates.




Engine has been rebuilt and nicely detailed by previous owner with all new gaskets and water pump. ZERO leaks {that is unusual for old Buick, let me tell you}. The motor starts and runs like a champ. Gas pedal actuated starter is functional.  322ci Naihleads are indestructible. Dynaflow transmission has been rebuilt 1300miles ago at a cost of $3450.




Car has new steering box with new gears and new power steering pump. Front suspension lowered and all new shocks and bushings, very smooth and secure ride. Powder coated rims and brand new Coker tires.




New brake with power booster  – the car stops like my Porsche – light touch of a pedal and massive stopping power comes to life. Very safe to drive and confidence inspiring. Everything mechanical mentioned above has less than 1500 miles on it.




In the interior I restored the dash and painted it body color. Seat upholstery is very nice with only 2 unfortunate rips as pictured bellow, otherwise 99.9% very nice. The carpet and sound deadening mats are new about a month ago. All new door panels and kick panels at that same time. New package tray and speakers in the back.