Topic: Solved: RtR #012 Lightly salted - Jeff Brock's 1952 Buick Super Riviera.

[RayTheRat]

For one point, provide the car's make, model, power source and its name.  An extra point for the name and home state of the owner/builder/driver.

[Otto Puzzell]

Wicked

[RayTheRat]

You should see it up close and personal.  Mind-blowing!  It's just another reason I love the salt flats.  There's no end to the originality.

RtR

[kwgibbs]

any buick roadmaster in there ?

[RayTheRat]

any buick roadmaster in there ?

[RayTheRat]

Expertise required!

[sixtee5cuda]

1952 Buick Super Riviera.  Owner/driver/co-builder is Jeff Brock.  He found it at an abandoned lumber mill near Phoenix, AZ.  Called the "Bombshell Buick" (maybe "Bombshell Betty" or "Buick Bombshell").  Seems to run on gas, with a 1950 Buick straight-8 engine.  Rocket Heads Racing is based in New Mexico.  Set the XO/GCC record of 162.48 MPH.

[RayTheRat]

1952 Buick Super Riviera.  Owner/driver/co-builder is Jeff Brock.  He found it at an abandoned lumber mill near Phoenix, AZ.  Called the "Bombshell Buick" (maybe "Bombshell Betty" or "Buick Bombshell").  Seems to run on gas, with a 1950 Buick straight-8 engine.  Rocket Heads Racing is based in New Mexico.  Set the XO/GCC record of 162.48 MPH.

Direct hit!  Jeff's Buick is usually called "Bombshell Betty", he's from New Mexico and that record was set in the Vintage Overhead Valve/Gas Competition Coupe class.  That damned thing's gonna hit 200 soon.

Congrats on a 2 pointer!

RtR

[RayTheRat]

I forgot to add the unmodified photo.  From World Finals, 2012:

[Aaron65]

It seems like there are a few Bonneville bound straight 8 Buicks...I own a '53 Special Riviera, and I can't think of a car more unsuitable for Bonneville, but there you are!  I can't imagine going over 160 in that thing. 

[RayTheRat]

It seems like there are a few Bonneville bound straight 8 Buicks...I own a '53 Special Riviera, and I can't think of a car more unsuitable for Bonneville, but there you are!  I can't imagine going over 160 in that thing. 

A 53 Special?  One would think that would be a V8.  That was my very first car...way back when.  Well, it wasn't a Riv, it was a 4-dr sedan.  What a dog!!  Anyway, Jeff's Buick is far from stock; inside and out.  There's also Salt Cat Racing that ran a Straight-8 Jaguar XJ sedan...now they have the motor in a rear-engined lakester.  There's another lakester with a Buick, but I can't remember a lot about it...I just shot some photos of it a few years ago, but it's a veteran car.

If yer comin to the salt next year let me know.  I plan to be there for all events (except maybe BUB.)

RtR

[Aaron65]

The '53 Special was the last straight 8; every other model had the Nailhead for the first time.  Mine also is the last one with the 6-volt electrical system.  It is a tremendous dog...but it looks awesome (IMO).  I've never made it to Bonneville...maybe someday!  Other than autocrossing a few times back in college (once with my then 33-year old '65 Mustang on whitewalls), I never got bitten by the racing bug.  That's good--I spend enough money on cars!

[RayTheRat]

Very nice ride!  I agree about the canine-like characteristics.  I think only the "Fluid Drive" Mopars were slower at the time.  Even a Chevy's Powerglide had the advantage of one more gear than the Dynaflow.  Too bad they never adapted the Hydramatic.  It could have been a pretty nice car then.

Yeah, cars and racing can (as the monkey suggested when he peed on the cash register) "run unto money."     But to paraphrase George Best, "I spent 90 percent of my money on cars and racing.  The rest of it I wasted."   

I gotta get outta here for a while...bbl

RtR