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1938 - 40C restoration


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In the midst of a full frame off restoration. This is my 3rd Buick restoation, the goal has been to do a convertible from every century. I certainly wish I had the room and resources to keep them all.

this is my latest project which came from an estate sale. The prevoius owner had been picking away at the restoration for about 15 or so years. Much of the plating had been beutifully done as well as the dash woodgraining. I started this in late Jan of 2006.

Attached is a picture of the day I brought the car home followed by many more up to it's current state.

post-49801-143137915966_thumb.jpg

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Guest imported_Thriller

Very nice. I have a different type of car skate - they're the greatest things since sliced bread. Looking forward to the end of the story.

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Glenn:

Terriffic post. Love to see projects before, during, and after restoration. That bottom shot on the rotissorie will be invaluable to others trying to restore a rotted floor. The 38 40C is a particular favorite (along with a 39 41C) of mine. Thanks for taking the time to document and post these pics. Please post more as you finish the details.

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  • 2 weeks later...
Guest ZondaC12

oooooh man....i hate you. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> just kidding nice job!!! every time i see a 37/38 with those Trippe lights (and a LOT of em have em) i want them so bad! they add a lot to the look of the front of the car. but i saw ONE once on ebay and i think it was between $100 and $200!!!! no thanks! someday when i can spend that kinda money on extra headlights <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

although its funny, for my 1987 cougar, a set of new OEM headlights (yup ford's still churning them out to some degree) its $500......

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prooves just how much pictures are studied when they are of such a beautiful restoration.

I concur, as far as I know, the longer section of the 38 front bumper is on the top.

That's they way mine was when I got it in '67. Now that doesn't proove anything, but it was pretty much original when I got it.

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Guest ZondaC12

guess what i read that and looked back up at my sig picture <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> "oh yes mines right!" LOL

i never think about that and then someone brings it up like this discussion, what a small detail! ill bet theres lots of those out there on other cars that really look fine but would cost points in a judging! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

makes me truly appreciate what it takes to make a concours-grade car!

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Glenn:

Great to see the new pics. Bet you're anxious to get out and cruise. Regarding the front bumper, I'd have to agree with the other guys. The long part should be on top. I checked my "70 Years of Buick" and my AC "The Buick, A Complete History" The original photos seem to bear out what other other guys spotted. Better now than when a judge catches it if that's what you plan to do down the road.

Also enjoyed the photos of your previous projects. I'm Buick Green with envy.

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Thanks all for giving me a heads up on the front bumper being upside down (how embarassing), that's what happens when you buy a car in pieces. I looked thru the shop manual trying to find a picture of the bumper arms and bumper but couldn't find one so I just took a guess at it. Now I wonder if I have the rear bumper on upside down as well? I now assume that it mounts like the front bumper?

Now I have a question for you 38 guys out there regarding the lovers that mount under the hood on the side panels. When new, how where these louvers finished, where they painted, brushed or polished stainless?

Thanks all, for you comments. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

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Guest Two Roadmasters

To my knowledge were the lovers painted with a very light grey colour, almost like silver. I myself painted mine silver. I have not seen any litterature were they had chrome, not even on a convertible, a not too odd thought as the window frame is chromed.

The rear bumper mounts in the same position as the front bumber, with its longer part in top position. I will look up in my library to see how exactly the Buick 8 sign in front was painted from factory, from memory I think that the 8 was red as were the letters and with a black background, but I will have a look. I know that there has been an article in the Torque Tube were a still originally painted sign was described.

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Guest Two Roadmasters

Regarding the front bumper emblem: the 8 is red, the background and the straight line is black while the BUICK-letters are chromed, no paint as I previously wrote. Looks very goods with the 8 really glowing towards the chrome and black line. That is a real "straight 8" ain´t it?

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Two Roadmasters,

I recently emailed a picture of my car to a well know 37/38 Buick guru. He responded to my email (correcting my spelling errors) and also quickly pointed out that I had painted the front bumper emblem "incorrectly". He said the 8 should be black and the Buick and slash should be red. Now I have two opposing opinions. What does everyone think about this? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

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Guest Two Roadmasters

I have been able to locate the Torque Tube. In the January/February 1993 issue there is an article about this. And yes,Glenn, you are right! At the end of the article the editor puts a note where he writes that upon purchase of a well used original emblem, fractions of the original paint showed red bottom and line and black 8. When I bought my car it was the other way around, can be due to that it is custom bodied. The pin striping of the wheels for instance is different from the original 3 stipes. Only one stripe from the body workshop here.

But it was good to find out the correct information about the emblem.

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  • 4 weeks later...
Guest DaveCorbin

Dear Glenn:

I'm looking at a factory photo from 1938 showing a Model 48 2 door and a self-shifter cowl job. On both cars, the long edge of the bumper is UP.

Regards, Dave Corbin

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Here is a pic showing the latest progress. Several people noted that I had the front bumper on upside down which has been corrected. I also corrected the colors on the front bumper badge and I must say I like the new color scheme better. I have also completed the headlamp wiring and installed the wiring for directional signals and 4-way flashers which thanks to the article in the Torque tube was a breeze! The sidemounts are also complete although I am not very happy with the way the covers attach (or at least the way I got them attached), they are only being held on with friction. I am afraid with a little vibration they will drop right off the car and get destroyed. I really need to see a car with sidemounts to see if my method is correct.

This project is just about complete. I need to find my next project. Anyone know where I might find a 38 Century Convertible Coupe???? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Glenn

post-49801-143137916264_thumb.jpg

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My 38 sidemount covers are attached by the pinch action of the tread covers over the edge of the side covers.

There is no way the side covers can come loose or fall off.

I have driven my car thousands of miles, many highway, across western Canada and sidemount cover restraint has never been an issue.

I am curious about one detail I see on your car and that's the red accent on the hood ornament. It that authentic? I had never noticed that detail before.

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Hi John,

Thanks for the response about the side mounts. At this point that is exactly how mine are being held together. I noticed some holes in mine that looked like a place for rivets but did not have corresponding holes in the mating pieces. Also the front covers had two holes located down low that look like maybe are for a rubber bumper?

Regarding the red on the hood ornament, i saw that in a picture and decided it looked good, I would imagine the correct color is black but I like the way it matches the red in front bumper badge. If I catch alot of flack about it I can always repaint it I guess. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Regards,

Glenn

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Yes, those holes are for a rubber rub strip. It laps over the edge ( as I recall, its in winter storage!), and is held on by rivets.

I think they are there to prevent metal on metal when you push the cover past the fender well opening. Due to that action, I'm guessing that over the years they actually get pulled off in some cases. Mine are still on, as originally installed.

I'm ok with the red ornament highlight, just wondered as I have never seen any highlight color on it before.

John

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