One of the problems with picking up someone else’s project car is that you have to accept the changes they’ve made and to some extent, the direction they’ve chosen to pursue with the car or truck. Once in a while, however, you might find an unfinished project where a lot of the heavy lifting is already done and what remains isn’t too daunting, if still extensive.

Such is the case with this ’51 Buick Roadmaster that the winning bidder picked up for just over $2,100. Admittedly, the car is a mish-mash of shortcuts, including its Home Depot carpet for the floor and door-panels, and Lexan replacement windows.

Still, according to the seller, the top has been chopped by four inches, a set of Cadillac tail lights have been frenched into the back end, while the door handles and all trim has been smoothed out.

Parked for a year, the car did start up and run on prompting by several eBay bidders. The inline eight-cylinder engine would make an interesting surprise for car show spectators, while you might be able to get away with the current rat-rod black exterior treatment.

Buick was among the industry leaders in moving to a valve-in-head design for this generation of the Roadmaster. It would take until the mid-sixties for the last of the side-valve engines to disappear forever.

In a world of Tri-five Chevys and three-window Ford coupes, this Buick will make an interesting starting point for the next owner. Given the chopped top, any thought of restoration would be foolish, but there remains a lot of potential for fun with this car. Not every classic or project car that sells has to be prices into the stratosphere and this one is a good example of an easy start with a lot of potential.