THE MASSIVE SNIPER 5 RIMS TUCK RIGHT UP UNDER THE RESTORED ORIGINAL SWEEPSPEAR BRIGHTWORK, AND THE SILLS HIT THE DIRT

there is very little of the original Buick in Adam’s car now. The dash was grafted in from a ’56 Chev, the front and rear buckets combine Glide Engineering items that were then custom-fabbed, and the fulllength centre console and metal parcel tray were built in-house.

Anything not painted gloss black was covered in bright red leather, including the roof lining, custom door trims and the cavernous boot space out back that hides the airbag, battery and power amps. The flat fabbed floorpans and boot floor were covered in high-end red carpet. The end result of all the toil is at once classic and modern-looking, which is what Adam had envisioned from the outset.

Back in 1957, Buick’s biggest engine was the then-new 364ci Nailhead V8. Today, that’s been replaced by a 427ci big-block Chev, and it’s housed within a space that bears little resemblance to factory specs. A smooth firewall, inner guards and radiator shroud/support cover remove all the OE lumps and bumps, and a pair of VH40 boosters are hidden out of sight, leaving a solitary Wilwood master cylinder to distract the eye from the gleaming red lump of iron that’s been dressed to impress.

When the Buick finally landed on Aussie shores, Paul from Proflo Performance was given the task of rebuilding the 427 for greater power and reliability. This included the fitment of stout Scat and JE rotating parts and a Crane solid cam, and together with the Edelbrock manifold, 750cfm Holley and twin three-inch exhaust, the combo is good for around 500hp.

However, Proflo didn’t stop with the powertrain. In fact, Paul and his team have been fine-tuning the Buick on and off since it arrived home.

“I grew up with some good mates who were into cars and we all helped each other work on our cars,” Adam says. “I’m very fortunate to call Paul a best mate. We went to high school together and started working on old Holdens together in his parents’ shed with his brothers before we even got our licences.

“Proflo checked over the Buick and made several improvements including a custom metal radiator shroud, a bigger brake set-up using Wilwood components, and also rebuilt the motor. As always, they did an outstanding job tidying the Buick up and getting it ready for Summernats in 2015, where it was awarded trophies for Top Custom Classic and Artistic Expression.”

Adam says there’s nothing major left to do to the Buick; now it’s time to just get out and enjoy it. “It handles well on the 24s and airbags,” he says. “I’d definitely build a car this way again. The key to this build has been the friendship created between car guys.”