1957 Buick Behemoth Build

[dhutton]

Decided it would be best to install the side moldings before the door glass goes in. Very time consuming. Also got the tailgate and liftgate latches reassembled after chrome plating and installed. Parts grew in the chrome process and it took some grinding and filing to get the latches to go back together.

[ryeguy2006a]

Beautiful work! Not sure there is a better combo than black and chrome.

[dhutton]

Picked up some tires for the Schott wheels. Ride height is not adjusted yet but I’ll do that when it’s at its final weight. The front bumper should bring the front down some.

[dhutton]

Took me all day to assemble and install the front bumper. Lot of pieces…

[TerryH432]

Awesome! Love it!

[dhutton]

Got it running this morning. Speartech harness and tune for the easy button. Ran it through a heat cycle and everything seems to be working. All the wiring is done except the radio. Still a lot to do but it’s a significant milestone. I was expecting the exhaust to be loud but it’s pretty tame at idle. Good for cruising.

https://youtu.be/8qF1QWPXSws

[Raszaron]

That is an awesome wagon! I have also liked 'hotrod' style wagons and you've done a fabulous job on this Buick!

[dhutton]

Been slow going working on the interior. Made some fiberglass wheel tub covers. First time doing any fiberglass work. Made the door panel blanks. Added a fold down arm rest from a 70 Caprice and a rear seat speaker from a Riviera. Dropped it all off at the upholstery shop. The dash is done so I can get the windshield installed and the dash buttoned up. A friend got me a deal on some Apex leather hides. I like the color with the black.

[Vimes]

Nice work. I like that brown on the dash.

[ryeguy2006a]

Beautiful work! I love this wagon.

[dhutton]

Plugging away at the interior. I think the quality of the shops work is pretty good but not perfect. I allowed for 1/8” foam but in some cases they used 1/4 so things are a little tight in places. Some guys were a little skeptical of my shower board headliner but I think it looks pretty good. I wasn’t able to find headliner material wide enough to do a one piece headliner so I fell back to the factory moldings along with some nice headliner material I got from relicate. It was so much easier doing it on the rotisserie with the car upside down.

[ryeguy2006a]

Looks top notch to me!

[dhutton]

Got the windshield installed along with all the moldings. Dash is installed along with kick panels. I usually don’t use the original steering wheel but this one is so cool I restored it. The head unit with backup camera and nav is all working. Need to install the powered subwoofer next. Door panels are ready but I am waiting on seats from the upholstery shop.

[Vimes]

I've used that sub before. It's not for the thumpy boys, but it'll do a great job filling in the base for those of us who listen to music at normal volumes.

[dhutton]

I've used that sub before. It's not for the thumpy boys, but it'll do a great job filling in the base for those of us who listen to music at normal volumes.

I have used several of them. Good enough for a hard of hearing old geezer…

[dontlifttoshift]

Curious to see how you like the giant steering wheel with that suspension. I agree, its the correct wheel aesthetically.

[dhutton]

Curious to see how you like the giant steering wheel with that suspension. I agree, its the correct wheel aesthetically.

Yes I have been wondering the same thing. I rarely choose form over function but threw caution to the wind. I have a backup plan if needed. The nonstandard shaft diameter and spline count etc complicates things and it’s a last resort.

[dontlifttoshift]

Probably be fine. If not and you decide you hate money, this guy can make your stock wheel smaller. https://qualityrestorations.com/

[dhutton]

Probably be fine. If not and you decide you hate money, this guy can make your stock wheel smaller. https://qualityrestorations.com/

Thanks Donny. I have a spare wheel I can experiment on if needed.

[dhutton]

Hood is installed. Time to spend a few days polishing paint.