bwarner

Well folks, the Landau arrived in good order, but she's had a rough few years. The paint is average, but I think wet sanding can bring it back. Good news is that there is minimum rust, except for the one off right rear bumper tip which is rotted. The drivers seat is cracked in places, but a good leather guy can fix it up. All the chrome needs attending, so the bumpers and grill are off to Graves Plating for renewal. The rear seat needs some repair, but is generally in good shape. Engine compartment needs detailing badly, but I've got my magician from Brumos Motor cars here in Jax working on that. I believe it has been at least three years since it has run, so we are dropping the fuel tank and sending it off for renewal. All rubber gasketing and fuel lines need replacing. All glass is good and top is good as is the headliner. Unfortunately, the mouton carpeting on the floor in back has the mange and needs to be replaced, however, the mouton on the doors is fine. Front carpeting needs replacement, but Lewis Jenkins can handle that. If I can figure out how to post photos, I will. I am not an email genius. The car is very solid, and all panels fit well. It shows 23,000 miles, which I am told is accurate. Larry Falloon at GM is digging up the build sheets along with factory photos. It should be ready for Amelia, but no repaint. Just a dressing. Don't look for a 100 point car, but look for a good driver. We'll address the paint later. First thing is to get the chrome done and get it running for the March show. More later. Bill Warner

Dear Lamar, Mr. Earl, et al: To bring you up to speed on the Landau, Passport will deliver the car on Tuesday to me in Jacksonville. Bought it sight unseen, so i cannot report condition, but my friends at Brumos have the worlds' best detailer and I have Rod Graves at Graves Plating in Florence, AL standing by to re-do the rear bumpers. The Vice President of Design at GM, Ed Welburn, is having their department go through all the records and photos for my records. I spoke with Del DeReese in Detroit who owned the car early on, and he advises that the original turbine hubcaps were stolen when the car was in service as a GM VIP car in NYC (at the bequest of Harlow Curtis). In that it has standard Buick dish hubcaps, I may consider putting set of Buick wire wheels on it. Any comments pro or con are welcomed. The shaker and shot glasses were stolen years ago, but I am working on a plan to have a set of Buick shot glasses and shaker created. I'll give you a full report once the car is in its' new home. Thanks for the kind words. My plan is to have our Amelia honoree and his wife (Bobby and Judy Allison) enter the field at Amelia in it. After all, he won the Daytona 500 in a Buick. Bill