1956 Buick Century Estate Wagon

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE 

By the mid-60s Southern California was engulfed in a car craze, captivating young men like Steven J. Karlock, who became enamored with the Shelby 427 Cobra. Steven's passion for high-quality cars began with a Cobra, extended to Corvettes, and grew to include many legendary marques. Together with his wife, Jackie, he restored and cherished these vehicles. They later moved to Hannibal, Missouri, where they opened Karlock's Museum of Pop Culture in a historic grain depot along the Mississippi River. The museum, showcasing top-tier motorcars and memorabilia, became a Midwest gem. Hagerty Marketplace is honored to present The Karlock’s Collection, offered entirely without reserve.  

For the young on-the-go executive with a growing “Baby Boom” family, this wagon truly hauled. Buick took their most powerful 322 cu-in OHV “Fireball” V8 engine from the big Roadmaster and installed it in the smaller, lighter Buick Special body. “If acceleration is what you want, you’ve found it,” said Motor Trend magazine in the April 1955 issue. That performance didn’t go unnoticed – the California Highway Patrol ordered 270 ’55 Century sedans for their fleet, the only time they’ve used Buicks.  

Now imagine that kick in a station wagon. 8,160 buyers did when they ordered a 1956 Buick Century Estate Wagon, like this one from The Karlock’s Collection. When the rear seat is folded down, load space is 77.8 inches from back of the front seat to the tailgate, but this is a Buick, and custom-finished interiors were offered in five color choices with full carpeting throughout. A three-speed “Dynaflow” automatic transmission backs the 255 horsepower “Fireball” V8. When restored in 2001 it was finished in Tahitian Red and Polar White two-tone, with Kelsey-Hayes 40-spoke wire wheels (a $317.20 option) on wide whitewall tires completing this stylish yet practical wagon.  

Highlights 

• Offered from The Karlock’s Collection 

• Buick’s performance model for 1956 with a station wagon body   

• Powerful 322 cu-in 255 horsepower “Fireball” V8  

• Dynaflow three-speed automatic transmission 

• Finished in Tahitian Red and Polar White 

• Black and White leather interior 

• Original dashboard and door panels 

• Kelsey-Hayes 40-spoke wire wheels 

• The chassis number (6C1074176) decodes as: 

  • 6 – Century four-door six-passenger Estate Wagon 

  • C – 1956 model year  

  • 1 – Flint, Michigan, assembly plant 

  • 074176 – Sequential build number starting at 001001 

• The Ionia Manufacturing Body trim tag decodes as: 

  • 1956 – Model Year 

  • Model 69 – Century four-door six-passenger Estate Wagon 

  • Body No. 6015 – Plant sequence number 

  • Trim No. 635 – Ivory Cordaveen and Black Plain Cordaveen 

  • Paint No. CCC – Dover White  

Features 

• Factory options on this 1956 Buick Century Estate Wagon include: 

  • B Heater & Defroster ($85.00) 

  • C Power Steering ($107.50) 

  • D Sonomatic Radio with Manual Antenna ($95.70) 

  • I Easy Eye Glass ($32.30) 

  • L Power Brakes ($38.70) 

  • Q White Wall Tires ($40.00) 

  • W Dual Exhaust ($28.00) 

• Standard Accessory Group M (includes Electric Clock, Trunk Light, License Plate Frames & Wheel Covers) 

• Coker Classic tires 

• Air Cleaner and Silencer 

• Ash Receivers 

• Automatic Glove Compartment Light Cigarette Lighter 

• Deluxe Steering Wheel 

• Direction Signals 

• Foamtex Seat Cushions 

• High Air Intake Ventilation System 

• Panoramic Windshield 

• Rear Coil Springs  

• Redliner Speedometer  

• Step-On Parking Brake 

Known Imperfections 

• Please note that all lots in The Karlock’s Collection are offered after many years of static museum display, without operation or road use. The selling estate endeavored to advance all cars to running condition, however, as a result of the extended museum display, it is to be assumed that every lot will require additional mechanical attention before being driven safely on open roads. All cars will have immediate needs associated with long-term static display and require sorting to perform best and safely. All lots are sold as is, where is.  

• Paint chip on rear passenger’s door 

• Minor scratch on driver’s rocker panel 

• Pitted chrome on steering wheel 

Included 

• Owner’s manual and assorted factory literature 

• Restoration receipts 

• Jack 

• 1956 California yellow license plates 

Ownership History 

This 1956 Buick Century Estate Wagon entered The Karlock’s Collection in 1999 and was restored using factory parts in 2001. 

Additional Notes 

A private preview will be hosted by Hagerty Marketplace for registered bidders on Sunday August 18 and Monday the 19th.  You must call the representing Car Specialist, Ramsey Potts (912.508.4096), in advance to secure an appointment.  

Additionally, due to the cars being stored in a personal residence, following the close of the auction all lots must be retrieved while a Hagerty Marketplace representative is onsite beginning Tuesday, September 3rd through Tuesday, September 10. No cars can be retrieved prior to September 3 and any lots remaining after September 10 will be removed from the facility and placed in an adjacent lot. 

A Broad Arrow Group Consignment Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle.   

Contact: Ramsey Potts   Phone: 912.508.4096   email: rpotts@hagerty.com