The Chevrolet Nomad and Pontiac Safari ushered in hardtop styling for the station wagon set, though purists would suggest they’re not proper hardtops due to the pillar ahead of the rear passengers. However, other manufacturers jumped on board to produce their own hardtop wagons. What’s arguably the biggest chariot of the bunch is our Pick of the Day, a 1958 Buick Century Caballero. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in New Richmond, Wisconsin. (Click the link to view the listing.)
For 1957, Buick offered two different hardtop wagons. Along with the more conventional Special Estate Wagon, the Special Riviera Estate Wagon and the Century Caballero Estate Wagon were six-passenger family haulers “designed in the Buick Riviera manner” – Riviera being the name Buick gave its hardtops since 1949. Both wagons were built on a 122-inch wheelbase, with the Special being powered by a 364ci “Nailhead” V8 offering 250 horsepower; the Century Caballero used the same engine but was rated at 300 horsepower thanks to higher compression and four-barrel carburetion. Interestingly, the fancy Special Riviera Estate Wagon was almost as popular as the Special Estate Wagon, and the fancier Caballero outsold each of them.
Buick’s lineup was redesigned for 1958, GM’s 50th anniversary. As you probably know, the anniversary models ended up featuring styling that was somewhat out of touch with the industry, with the Buick being among the most grotesque, though far from ugly. The two hardtop wagons remained six-passenger in configuration, but an available Junior Seat could be added and removed easily. Additionally, a divided rear seat option folded down in 1/3 or 2/3 sections. Wheelbase and engine choices remained the same.
Of course, 1958 was a recession year, and Buick was hit hard, losing over 150,000 in sales and falling one spot in the industry. Nonetheless, Buick buyers flocked to its wagons in the same manner as 1957, with the Special Riviera Estate Wagon almost as popular as the more conventional Special Estate Wagon, and the Caballero outselling them both.
This 1958 Buick Century Caballero is one of 4,456 built for 1958, but 66 years later, family hauling is not one of its duties. Built at Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop in Gadsden, Alabama, this Caballero features most of its original paint and is now powered by a more substantial 401 (though the seller claims “bored and stroked”) backed by a 4L60-E four-speed automatic. You’ll notice the ride height has been tweaked thanks to a Ridetech custom air suspension, with a Detroit Speed suspension up front. Custom one-off EVOD wheels set the style in motion.
With its Sony sound system, this cruiser is clearly for a different road. Once a chariot for well-heeled moms (soccer who?), this Buick has evolved into something that the bean-counters would never have imagined in 1958. For $114,500, why not be the coolest caballero on the pike?
Click here for this ClassicCars.com Pick of the Day.
Source: www.classiccars.com