Corner Carving 57 Buick Behemoth

dhutton01

dhutton01

Backyard Hack
I’ve had this 57 Estate Wagon for a few years and have been pondering what to do for suspension. A month ago I got a brain fart to install Detroit Speed’s universal front clip and rear Quadralink. I ordered it up and had an extra frame that let me do my cutting and splicing without tearing down the wagon. The front dropped in pretty nice.

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Tomorrow I’ll bolt in the rear suspension and then it will be mothballed while I do some work on a 61 Corvette. No body and paint in the hot summer…. :)

Here’s the wagon as I purchased it and my inspiration. I’m a big fan of these hardtop wagons. Gen V LT engine and 8 speed planned. SPI black single stage. :D

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Don
 
dhutton01 said:
Lucky for me I am able to find customers who share my vision and likes. Or should I say they find me…

Don
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No shade on you or your customers taste. Just sharing my own (meaningless) opinion. Wasn't trying to offend you or anyone else.
 
I actually like some of the newer designs but not all. Depends on the car or truck. And the color also.
 
Don as we talked before I am very interested in your build on this 57 wagon. I am lookiong for a 58 Buick or 58 Oldsmobile wagon to do. The Buicks have the closed drive line set up so more work then an Olds. Keep us updated Thank you Tom
 
El Toro said:
Don as we talked before I am very interested in your build on this 57 wagon. I am lookiong for a 58 Buick or 58 Oldsmobile wagon to do. The Buicks have the closed drive line set up so more work then an Olds. Keep us updated Thank you Tom
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Yes the torque tube and one year only uber expensive balljoints was a non starter for me. I like to update to modern drivetrains, suspension, brakes etc.

Here’s a 58 Buick. Was also on eBay.

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www.ebay.com

1958 Buick Estate Wagon Caballero | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1958 Buick Estate Wagon Caballero at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
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Here’s a roof

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Don
 
El Toro said:
Don as we talked before I am very interested in your build on this 57 wagon. I am lookiong for a 58 Buick or 58 Oldsmobile wagon to do. The Buicks have the closed drive line set up so more work then an Olds. Keep us updated Thank you Tom
Click to expand...
Here’s a 57 Buick running and driving
www.ebay.com

1957 Buick 1957 Buick Caballero Wagon | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1957 Buick 1957 Buick Caballero Wagon at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
 
If your planning on carving any canyons might invest in a big arse Gyroscope.
That's one Big Arse!!
I believe Olds and Buick won the 50's RBAB Award for real.
Couldn't even imagine being Hit by one at 45 much less 75.
Cool project!!
 
I am wondering if that vehicle will really be as heavy as it looks. Speaking of looks, I think it's a fabulous rendition, everything about it seems perfect to me.
 
It will lighten up a little with the new engine and transmission. New suspension weighs less. No torque tube should save a few pounds.

I was tempted to box the frame and delete the X but decided against it. The X adds a lot of torsional strength.

Don
 
crashtech said:
I didn't know as much about X-frames as I thought I did, other than my own personal bias. Found a pretty neat article that explains their place in history:
www.curbsideclassic.com

Automotive History: An X-Ray Look At GM's X-Frame (1957-1970) - Xing Out Some Myths - Curbside Classic

(originally posted 1/19/2012. Updated 12/21/2022 with information from “The Cadillac Frame – A New design Concept For Lower Cars” a paper submitted to the SAE by GM engineers that was […]
www.curbsideclassic.com www.curbsideclassic.com
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The Buick frame is not an X frame. It has beefy side rails and also a X shaped frame brace between the side rails. It was a pretty heavy duty frame.
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Don
 
Torsional stiffness is greatly enhanced on a perimeter open section frame in the area where the body mounts to frame in theory. The problem can be the connection points to the perimeter frame welding it to the inside web of the formed "C" . Especially when the welding is across the depth of the web and on one side only.

Hot or cold riveting is good, welding is not from a fatigue standpoint. Welding really sucks in dynamically loaded structures for many plain jane steels. Throw in cold temperature (less than -10F) carbon steel fracture issues if you live in northern climates and a 10 million alternating cycle desired or assumed life goes way, way down. Warm climates---you have a lot more survivors
 
I don't care if I get scolded for my language but, that is bitchin!!! Love everything about the build ( great fabrication on the front and rear suspension )

Love the black with red accents, as well as the rims.

It's good to see your talents are still being used. Looking forward to future updates.

Two thumbs up !!!
 
Pulled the body off the original frame and dropped on the updated frame with an LT engine and 8 speed automatic. Need to make a few small floor cuts for the upper four link mounts and the very rear of the transmission. I was expecting massive transmission tunnel cuts but it’s only a small 1” by 2” area of contact. Two 4” by 4” cuts for the four link mounts. Long way to go. Will get to hone my fab skills making floor pans. :) No decent repops available.
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Don
 
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