skateboardgumby

Nice to know there are some '38 Buick coupes still available for sale. I'll probably go to my grave wishing I could afford one. Still, it's nice to dream. kind regards Garrett Meadows

Boy, howdy! You hit the nail on they head. Beautifully articulated. First, I'll readily admit I'm like Sgt. Schultz on the old TV show "Hogan's Heroes," in that "I know nothing" about auto mechanics, but for some dumb inexplicable reason, I have always loved classic cars, especially Buicks. I guess because I grew up in early Sixties hearing "grown folks" say, "If you drove a Buick you were somebody." I had a late uncle who was a doctor and made house-calls and he drove a Buick. The local bank president drove a Buick, along with several other prominent businessmen in the small community where I lived. I was well schooled in the Buick mystic. And, yes, you could tell what brand a car was from a mile away, especially depending on the grille work. Not long ago while sitting behind a Mercedes at a red-light did it dawn on me that car models had gone from using specific names to alpha-numeric identifications. Once I became cognizant of that change, I marveled at just how many car manufacturers have done away giving models names in favor alphanumeric designations. I don't know, saying a person owns an "M6" BMW--which I just saw in traffic two days ago--doesn't have the same ring as saying he/she owns a Riviera, LaSabre, or a Century. In my own extremely limited view, cars now look so similar as to be indistinguishable from one another, which is a shame in my humble opinion. My late father told he remembered the first time he ever saw a Packard. He said you just knew it was a Packard because of it's look (design). Thanks again for your very insightful article. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and appreciated the time and effort it took to compose. Kind regards, Garrett Meadows

A couple of months ago I saw a beautiful rest-mod 1938 Buick coupe "priced to sell" at $7000! What?! Of course, I sent an inquiry. The seller said the car belonged to his late father and was eager to sell it because he (seller) spends a lot of time out the country on his job. He said if I was interested, he'd like to move quickly on sealing the deal. The car was listed as being in Wisconsin right outside of Milwaukee. I contacted a car-appraiser in Milwaukee about going to take a look at the car and give me his opinion. The appraiser emailed me back saying the car was actually in Washington State. So I contacted a car appraiser in Washington State who also happened to be president of the BCA there. He looked at the ad and pics of the car, saying he knew just about every Buick for sale in the area and that car was not one of them. After more research, I discovered the original ad for the car, which placed the car in Pennsylvania. So, please be careful. I contacted the the REAL seller notifying him that his car ad had been hijacked and that his car was being marketed for $7000. Of course, I guess sellers have no recourse in such instances. As always Garrett Meadows

Any reliable/daily driver '36, '37, or '38 Buick coupe that is under $25,000

First, I'm not a collector, know nothing about auto mechanics/auto restoration, and have no interest in showing a car. Second, I'm just an impoverished school teacher who would like to own a reliable, daily driver '36, '37, or '38 Buick coupe hard-top. Third, whatever car I purchase will be a one-time-deal. Now, anyone reading this post will know where I'm coming from. Is it within the realm of reality to buy a '36, '37, or '38 Buick coupe that is a reliable, daily driver in decent shape for between $20,000-$25,000? Any feedback will be appreciated. Garrett Meadows

Thank you for the guidance. I appreciate it. Yes, I've always had my heart set on a 1938 Buick Century coupe. If all else fails, I guess I'll have to opt for a1938 Packard 120 coupe. take care Garrett M

I'm seeking a 1938 Buick Century coupe with a Dyna-flash straight eight that is a driver. If you have one you'd consider selling, drop me a line. Take care Garrett Meadows