Known as the “G54”, the unique 1954 Buick Special Coupe is a true masterpiece. It was specially designed by Rad Rides by Troy and shown at SEMA. The story behind the construction adds German engineering to an American icon.
This was a no expense build with an investment of hundreds of thousands of dollars. A lot of time was spent on design and manufacturing work. The donor parts for Mercedes-Benz were G55, so it made sense to call this car only “G54”.
The exterior design was simple, while maintaining the classic lines of Buick. Great attention to detail was given to configuring the body and its contours. The car was painted with a mixture of two colors of cognac and milk chocolate, which beautifully dressed this car. The high quality paint job is really amazing.
It’s equipped with modern 1962 Chevy headlights and taillights with custom motorized tires. The rear bumper was custom made. The fenders were tucked in and some trim pieces were welded together for a seamless look. Everything except the grille and side window trims are nickel plated.
They are mounted on one-off Billet Specialty wheels measuring 18×8″ in the front and 20×10″ in the rear. The wheels are finished to match the car, including Buick and AMG badges. The exterior is complemented by a fully custom-made interior, compatible with Mercedes-Benz accessories.
The cabin is insulated with Dynamat system for a comfortable experience. The headliner, dashboard, door inserts and rear package rack are covered in Ultra Suede. The speaker grilles were custom made and covered with Gibson’s subwoofer cloth. The Mercedes-Benz electric front seats, custom rear seats, door panels, kick panels, steering wheel and console are all covered in distressed leather. Simulated wood trim and a German woven rug are added to complete the look.
Some of the interior features include an Ididit steering column, Juliano steering wheel, wood door handles, vent bar levers, Vintage Air and custom-made 3-point seat belts. The luggage compartment is upholstered to match the interior and is home to dual XS Power batteries. The painted engine compartment is fully fabricated and highly detailed. Hood mounts with Billet Specialty aluminum hood hinges.
It is powered by a 5.4-liter Mercedes-Benz AMG Supercharged V8 engine with 530 hp. The engine is equipped with an Eaton supercharger, Big Stuff 3 fuel injection and MSD ignition. The engine is decorated with many custom pieces that give it a very clean look. The intake is designed in the inner fenders, which look drastic. The engine is cooled by a custom Griffin aluminum radiator with electric fan and radiator cap. The engine breathes through Mercedes-Benz headers and a brushed 2-1/2″ Flowmaster dual exhaust system. The engine is mated to a Mercedes-Benz five-speed automatic transmission. Power is transmitted through the custom rear end of a 9-inch Ford Eaton Tru Trac with 28 axle and 3.70 gears. It is equipped with a Mustang II power steering rack.
The painted undercarriage is highly detailed and quality mirrors. The body sits on a custom Art Morrison chassis for a perfect ride. The front crossbar has been narrowed and a 1970 Mustang fuel tank added.
It is equipped with a C6 Corvette front suspension and a four-link rear suspension with upgraded swing bars and RideTech shocks on all four corners. The braking system consists of a Mercedes-Benz power booster and master cylinder, plus Baer 14-inch four-wheel disc brakes with six-piston calipers. This is the ultimate Resto-Mod.
