Stewies 56 Buick and more

  The Magazine Feature Story #9

 https://classiccarsworldwide.com.au 

FROM HOLLYWOOD TO MELBOURNE – STEWART GASKIN TALKS  ABOUT HIS 1956 BUICK SUPER 2 DOOR – “SHE CRUISES BEAUTIFULLY”                           AND TWO OTHER CLASSICS – A 1956 CADILLAC AND A 1941 CHEV PANEL TRUCK

“I love the classic car scene and all the different cars and being able to meet all the great people” says 46 years old Stewart Gaskin. Stewart, married with three teenage boys, was a mechanic for 20 years and worked for a variety of companies but mainly Ford and Holden. On leaving school after year 12 Stewart got a job as an apprentice motor mechanic, became qualified and continued his long association with the motor industry. He then became a handyman for a while and says he is now a stay-at-home dad. 

BMX Bikes and Cars

Stewart’s interest in cars goes back to his youth. He says “I have loved cars since I was around 10 years old. My older brother and my dad would always be working on cars and I loved to watch. I also love old 80’s BMX bikes which I rode a lot in my youth. I did BMX racing for six years and some freestyle. I now collect them and go to BMX shows and swap meets. We also do meet ups and organised rides on our old BMX’s where I’ve met a lot of great people.”

Stewart started following Mr. Excited (Glen Higginson) on Facebook a few months ago and although COVID restrictions prevented a personal meeting he plans to rectify that and regularly talks to Glen on Facebook.

Stewart’s first normal car was a 1980 Gemini and his current car is a 2004 Ford Explorer V8. His first and current classic cars are a black 1956 Buick Super two door, a 1956 Cadillac two door and a 1941 Chev Panel Truck which is his wife’s car.

The Hollywood Connection – 1956 Buick Super 2 door

“What attracted me to my Buick was the two-door long body shape, the chrome trims down the side and over the wheel arch” says Stewart. He adds “I love the chrome sleek vent ports on the front guards and all the detail in the chrome bumpers and hood ornaments, everything based on an aeroplane. I also love the interior pleet lines, the old classic large steering wheel and the four-inch whitewall tyres.”

The Buick has a 322 Nailhead V8 engine with a two-speed transmission. “It has a beautiful note with the twin exhaust system” says Stewart. “The colour black with all the chrome work and the large four-inch whitewalls go really well together.”

Stewart bought the Buick 18 months ago from its previous owner in Queensland and imported it down to Victoria. The Buick had three owners prior to Stewart one of them being the famous Hollywood actor R.Lee Ermy who was the drill sergeant in the Vietnam war movie Full Metal Jacket. Stewart has the paperwork with his name on it in the mid 90’s registered to the Buick.

Some restoration work

“The Buick was imported from California and was definitely a dry car” says Stewart. “It looked like it had been sitting around for a few years and not driven much. I have spent the last year or so working on it to bring it mechanically up to scratch.”

Stewart converted the Buick to electronic ignition and converted the generator to an alternator. He also replaced all the water and fuel hoses and basically rebuilt the front suspension and brakes. “The interior, body and chrome is now how I got it. Technically the only other cosmetic change I made is the four-inch whitewalls and the bag suspension. It’s no power machine but she cruises beautifully and steers just like an old car.”

The 1956 Cadillac and the 1941 Chev Panel Truck

These two cars were recently purchased by Stewart in Melbourne. He was actually looking to buy a 49 Custom Chev Fleetline but unfortunately it had some paint issues, so he decided not to buy it. A friend of his referred him to someone he knew who had a large collection of ‘cool’ cars and was thinking of selling a couple. One being the Cadillac and the other, a ’41 Chevy Panel Truck, which his wife was drawn to straight away. They managed to do a deal and bought them both! Everybody happy.

The Cafillac has a light blue matt finish, a white roof with custom restored white and blue interior. It also has three-inch Coker classic whitewall tyres, bagged suspension, a 365 V8 engine and auto transmission.

The 41Chevy is Gunmetal grey with custom interior with a wood grain roof and wood paneling walls. It is running a 350 Chev engine, 350 transmission and 17 inch five spoke wheels.

Both cars were originally purchased in the States by the seller and also restored in the States. “I haven’t done anything to them and bought them as they are” says Stewart. “My wife loves the Chevy and we both enjoy cruising together.”

Car Clubs & Car Shows

Stewart belongs to the Melbourne Oldschool Cruisers car club but because of Covid restrictions hasn.t been to any car shows yet. Now that things are opening up he certainly plans to. He is not involved with any other car associations at the moment but has joined a number of car groups on Facebook. He says “I aim to attend as many car shows as I can and I would love to go to the Bright Car Show, St. Kilda and plenty of meets such as cars/breakfast Pens link.  He reads Just Cars and Street Machines magazines to keep up to date with what’s happening.

Stewart concludes by saying “I would love to keep my cars and also keep them reliable, looking good and be able to go out and enjoy driving them.”