1955 BUICK SPECIAL CUSTOM 2 DOOR HARDTOP

Details

'R55' started out as a purchase of a completely restored to near original specs 1955 Buick hardtop. It was then transformed into the car you are looking at today. After delivery, the car was then sent to the ProRides Shop in Warrendale, PA for some minor changes. But for every change they made, they required more to keep the theme going. The first thing done was to get the big Buick to sit lower. So the ProRides guys contacted Fatman Fabrications to design a weld in front frame clip that would still maintain all the stock mounts for the radiator and bumper brackets. In this design, they included an IFS with polished stainless control arms and an Air Ride Technologies' air bag system with external shocks. Then they contacted Wilwood to machine a set of spindles (not cast) but machined with special bolt in steering arms to allow better adjustment/feel during driving at lower ride heights. Wilwood sent over 14' cross-drilled, slotted and vented two piece rotors and billet aluminum 6-piston calipers. This design also has a smaller track width to allow 20' Billet Specialties' Rivera rims, mounted to BFG rubber, to be tucked under the front fenders, yet still be able to make fairly tight turns when lowered. Turning those front tires is an Ididit column with all Borgeson Universals. Next was the rear suspension and it is a custom polished stainless steel triangulated 4-bar system with Air Ride Technologies air bags and polished Hal billet adjustable shocks. Those bars help locate a Currie 9' rear housing with Currie axles and 9+ center section with 4:11 gears. At the ends of that housing are just as big Wilwood two piece, cross-drilled, slotted and vented rotors with billet 4 piston calipers. This design now allows 22' Billet Specialties' Rivera rims on BFG Rubber to fit almost factory like once the air is removed from the bags. Under the hood is a new slightly worked 502 big block Chevy, backed by a Hughes 4-speed 700R4 automatic. On top of the block sits an Edelbrock 2 4

intake with polished carbs. The block is fitted with the new designed, all machined, billet valve covers and air cleaner from Billet Specialties. Also from Billet Specialties is their TruTrak all black hard coated front serpentine kit. This Buick has power steering, air conditioning, heat and a slick mounted alternator. The exhaust system on the car is all 3' custom with Flowmaster 40 Series mufflers that exit just past the rear tires. The entire design from the headers back has been high-temp powdercoated and then tumbled polished for that clean stainless look. The interior is an ultra leather design from Portage Trim. Incorporated into the design are custom made seat badges with the new 'R55' logo. New marine head units and multi-disc player and amps from JL Audio provides the sounds. The set of wheels in the catalog photo is also included in sale.