In the process of a vehicle build, its common for the end result to not be quite what you were shooting for in the beginning. Harold and Ruth Wiley intended on having their 1939 Buick Special built into a daily driver–something clean and well-built with no intention to be shown.

The Wileys took their new project down to the crew at Kindig-It Design in Salt Lake City, Utah. Previously, Dave Kindig and his team built a 1949 Chevy truck for the Wileys so they knew the built would be top notch.

Over the next 8 months, the Buick turned into a stunning driver. Loaded with an LS2 engine, backed with a GM 4L65-E. The LS engine was topped with Weiand Intake, custom Kindig-It air inlet tube and air cleaner as well as valve covers and belt system by Billet Specialties. Sprayed with a custom mix of PPG’s Mineral Gray and Pearl White, the sheet metal was left largely stock.

Custom wide white Michelin tires were wrapped around one-off Intro Design 17×8 wheels. Kindig-It custom built center caps to finish the look. The front end suspension is loaded with a Total Cost Involved (TCI) custom IFS and Wilwood disc brakes. Out back, a Currie Enterprises Ford 9-inch is located by a TCI four-link suspension, also loaded with Wilwood disc brakes.

The car may not have been destined for the show circuit before it was built but “Grand Dutchess” (as it was named) was just too gorgeous to not show off. Kindig-It borrowed the car to showcase the car’s chassis back in 2010. The car has won multiple awards over the year. In 2011, the Grand Dutchess was crowned America’s Most Beautiful Street Rod at the Goodguys’ West Coast Nationals. More recently, the car received the Utah’s Finest award at the Utah AutoRama held on March 21-23 at the South Towne Expo Center in Salt Lake City. Plans don’t always work how we expect them. Often times though, things work out better in the end.