Photo: RK Motors Charlotte
Buick is selling more crossovers and SUVs than passenger cars nowadays, and believe it or not, China buys more of them than the United States. Despite the current state of affairs and the rather bleak selection of vehicles, the premium brand of General Motors has had a few desirable classics back in the good ol’ days.
The Special series from 1949 to 1958 is one of those cars, and this particular example of the breed is a little more… wait for it… special (sorry for the obvious pun!).
Instead of the Fireball V8 of old, the restomod that RK Motors Charlotte offers for sale packs 5.7 liters of LT1 small-block C4 Corvette firepower. Not to be confused with the LT1 of the C7 and Gen 6 Camaro, this engine is also treated to sequential port fuel injection and the GM 700R4 four-speed transmission.
Listed at $62,900 as a “ground-up build,” the pillarless coupe rolls on 20-inch Milanni chromed wheels and RideTech air ride suspension. The all-steel body is tastefully modified in its own right while the interior stays remarkably true to the original. Custom leather upholstery, power windows, and a power driver’s seat are complemented by power steering, air con, and a thumpin’ audio system.
Even though it doesn’t look like it, the 1952 Buick Special before you further boasts remote keyless entry. The red underglow kit adds to the visual drama of the black-and-chrome exterior, making for one of the coolest road-ready customs we’ve seen in recent memory. The question is, how powerful is this ominous cruiser?
The dealership didn’t give any numbers for this build but do remember we have the C4 Corvette for reference. The LT1 started out with 300 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque (304 PS and 447 Nm) for the 1992 model year, replacing the L98 with the same displacement. Come 1993, the engine got a little more torque at 340 pound-feet (461 Nm), improving the tire-shredding shenanigans of the ‘Vette.
Instead of the Fireball V8 of old, the restomod that RK Motors Charlotte offers for sale packs 5.7 liters of LT1 small-block C4 Corvette firepower. Not to be confused with the LT1 of the C7 and Gen 6 Camaro, this engine is also treated to sequential port fuel injection and the GM 700R4 four-speed transmission.
Listed at $62,900 as a “ground-up build,” the pillarless coupe rolls on 20-inch Milanni chromed wheels and RideTech air ride suspension. The all-steel body is tastefully modified in its own right while the interior stays remarkably true to the original. Custom leather upholstery, power windows, and a power driver’s seat are complemented by power steering, air con, and a thumpin’ audio system.
Even though it doesn’t look like it, the 1952 Buick Special before you further boasts remote keyless entry. The red underglow kit adds to the visual drama of the black-and-chrome exterior, making for one of the coolest road-ready customs we’ve seen in recent memory. The question is, how powerful is this ominous cruiser?
The dealership didn’t give any numbers for this build but do remember we have the C4 Corvette for reference. The LT1 started out with 300 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque (304 PS and 447 Nm) for the 1992 model year, replacing the L98 with the same displacement. Come 1993, the engine got a little more torque at 340 pound-feet (461 Nm), improving the tire-shredding shenanigans of the ‘Vette.
Google News