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Our 1936 Buick Special - 40 Series


72Rivi

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<span style="font-weight: bold">(March 4, 2007 Update Pictures)

I sold my 1940 Chevrolet Special Deluxe 4 Door a few weeks ago to purchase this bad boy, it?s a 1936 Buick Special 40 Series?.and I?ve named him ?El Jefe?. I finally got around to picking him up from Emporia, Kansas this past weekend (March 3, 2007), and brought it to its new home here in Austin, Texas. I?ll post pics of the progress, but for now enjoy the current photos. That's my little boy, I call him "The Boss"; who will be assisting me on this restoration.

P.S.- I intend on going traditional black with this one.</span>

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<span style="font-weight: bold">(March 15, 2007 Update Pictures)

Here we took off the hood and just got more familiar with our new project.</span>

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<span style="font-weight: bold">I turn my back for a few seconds and the Boss heads straight to the engine. Those ?Bob the Builder? videos are really paying off.</span>

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<span style="font-weight: bold">A job well done!</span>

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<span style="font-weight: bold">(May 19, 2007 Update Pictures)

Here?s some new development on our ?36 Buick, now it?s onto the next phase; tearing out the engine and taking the body off the frame. Enjoy the pictures.</span>

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<span style="font-weight: bold">Here?s the Boss hard at work, he was eager to get his hands dirty.</span>

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<span style="font-weight: bold">I know this doesn't have anything to do with our '36 Buick project, but I'd thought I'd share these awesome pictures of my boy working on his '50 Murray Fire Truck Project. I thought he needed his own project so he can drive something he build himself (with some help of course). Enjoy the pics!</span>

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Guest imported_Thriller

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Jefe,

That's a sweet car. It's cool that your son (?) is helping. Way to go on the safety glasses, too. Whenever my 3 1/2 year old son helps me he knows he has to wear 'em. Are you gonna keep it original?

Keep us posted.

Mike </div></div>

That's pretty much what I was going to write, so I'll save the effort...thanks Mike.

Guess I need to find smallish safety glasses for my varmints.

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Buick5563 - Yes, that is my little boy...I call him "The Boss". He actually turns 3 on Memorial Day (Monday, 28th). I do plan on keeping this one all original, just upgrade to 12 volt. The Boss and I are really enjoying this restoration, all my previous ones I did alone because I didn't have a family..but I've found out there's a lot more sentimental value if you share a build. Updated pictures will be posted as this project goes on.

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Guest imported_MrEarl

Rigo, that is a beauty. Back in 72, I was offered my choice of a 36 Special or a 54 Special by my next door neighbor/landlord for $250. I chose the 54 for reasons of it being a more dependable roadworthy car. I have wondered if had i chosen the 36, if I would be a 36 Buick fanatic now instead of the 54 crazy guy I am today.

Is the current color of the car the original color? If so I love that color and would have a hard time changing it to black. Look forward to following the restoration you and the Boss put on this babe. Thanks for sharing and can't wait to see and hear more. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

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Guest DaveCorbin

This is a long time BCA tradition, kid being interested in cars by helping Dad restore one. The first case I know of was John & Barb Gerstkemper, BCA 12, great folks now gone. Their son is now the director of the chapter in Oregon, and "JonBar", a 1931 Model 96, is still his, as far as I know.

Great folks, missed by a friend on Memorial Day.

Regards, Dave Corbin

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<span style="font-weight: bold">Sorry to hear about your friends there Dave, I too honored a friend of mind on Memorial Day.

It was also The Boss's Birthday as well, so it was extra special this year; he turned 3 years old. One thing that he requested we do was to work on the Buick, which made me proud. I officially made him my restoration assistant with a set of his own tools and creeper. I can handle the cold floors on my back, but don't want his bones to start aching in any way.

I'll be posting updated pics after this weekend, which I expect to take the body off the frame. Thank you all!</span>

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Guest DaveCorbin

Dear El Jefe:

Interesting diversion of kids working with Dad. In my case, my son (now 40) never had much interest. His theory of cars is "If it won't go, call Dad."

However, my daughter (now 36) was my ace right hand when I restored the 39 Roadmaster in 1979-1982. She wanted to know "How's it work?" and "What's that called?" and the name of every tool. I won't tell you that she's as good as "Buick Racer", but nobody fools with her on her car.

Doing what you're doing and then having Jefecito learn how to judge with our 400 point system will make him a darn smart car buyer all his life, able to spot a "lemon" as far as he can see it.

Regards, Dave Corbin

PS: also great preparation to be in the car business in some way. Many vehicle engineers started with Dad.

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<span style="font-weight: bold">I had to ask for some reinforcement from my little brother on trying to take the body off the frame, but we only got halfway there. We'll hopefully achieve the goal during this week or in the weekend. My plan is to concentrate solely on the frame and engine, and once that is finished I will continue onto the body and interior. Let me know what you guys think.</span>

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<span style="font-weight: bold">I wonder what they had to use these for? I found these under the front seat under the drivers side.</span>

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<span style="font-weight: bold">This is my little brother's 1950 Trokita.</span>

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  • 2 weeks later...

<span style="font-weight: bold">This weekend I was finally able to separate the frame from the body, it was quite a challenge doing it myself…but I managed. It would be nice to send the body off to get worked on while I’m working on the frame, but my budget (allowance from the Mrs.) only allows me to do one thing at a time. I had to put the body back together to give me more garage space as well.

Next I plan on cleaning up the frame, pull out the engine & drive-train, send out anything that needs to get rebuilt or powder coated, and get my air bags put in. Then I’ll start on the body. Enjoy the pics, and as always I appreciate any tips and suggestions of what I could be doing to further my progress. Gracias!</span>

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<span style="font-weight: bold">Hey there fellas, this weekend the Boss and I spent it cleaning most of the frame. I’m surprised it still has the original black chassis paint intact…we just wire brushed what we could and decided to leave the rest to the sandblaster guy. It’s looking very very good, with no rust whatsoever!! Next step is to tear out the engine and get my airbag brackets welded on as well as getting this boy 4-linked before I get it blasted and powder coated.

Here are some pictures of what the framed looked like before we cleaned it up a bit.</span>

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<span style="font-weight: bold">After the cleaning….</span>

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  • 3 weeks later...

<span style="font-weight: bold">Q-vo Rafa, how's it going bro?

Well fellas, right now I don't have any updated pictures. I've just been cleaning up the frame a little more and saving up some $$ to have some frame work done to the Buick. I plan on installing a complete Air Ride system, 4 linking the rear end, and possibly C-notching the rear end (to get as low to the ground as possible without too much modifications). Believe me, as soon as I get progress pictures...I'll post them here. Thanks for your guys interest in our project.

-Rigo C.</span>

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<span style="font-weight: bold">O.k...not much of an update but here's some new pics guys.

I'm kind of on hold at the moment. My friend who is going to install my air bags and possibly 4-link the rear end is finishing up his project truck. I know I can take it to a shop and get it done, pero he is very good and is giving me a very very good price for the work...nearly half of what I'll pay at a shop.

So for the time being I've been cleaning up more of the frame and engine...here are some pics for now. Give me a few weeks, and I'll be able to post real progress pictures.

Before the cleaning...

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After the cleaning...

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The engine is really cleaning up nicely, and I'm surprised that after 70 + years the original engine paint is still intact.

Let me know what you think.</span>

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Guest DaveCorbin

Dear El Jefe:

Be aware before you do it that a closed driveshaft car like your Buick is a VERY DIFFERENT beast from the open driveshaft cars that you can convert to a 4 bar suspension easily. I think you're letting yourself in for some really difficult problems if you do that.

Regards, Dave Corbin

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Are you planning to stick with the straight 8? Sounds like you'll be looking at a more modern power plant what with changing the rear axle mount.

Before you do that, consider the other thread here regarding the conversion of a 55 Buick. The owner in Buffalo took what looks to be the rear axle out of a C 10 Pickup, which is a open drive shaft but is mounted with the radius bar and panhard bar. He put in a Buick 455 engine and a tranny and apparently mated the radius rods ( at least that's what I call them, these are the ones going to the front of the car while the panhard bar is the one going perpendicular to the frame behind the rear axle) to the trans with using the truck set up. I hope to see this car at the great Lakes Regional show and I will shoot some pictures of the underside to complete that thread.

As I recall it, that guy made it sound like this was a bolt in operation, although I am not vouching for that in any way shape or form.

Good Luck. BTW, what color are you painting the Boss' firetruck?

JD

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<span style="font-weight: bold">That's why this forum is so useful, I didn't know about the driveshaft difference in Buicks Dave....thanks for the input. I really don't want to mess with too much of the suspension or heavily modify any part of the frame, but I was told a 4-link suspension is recommended when installing air bags.

Does anyone know if they make any reverse type leaf springs for my Buick? My father in law has a '37 Chevy and he bought some reverse leaf springs for it. I'll have to check with him and see where he bought them.

I'm keeping the Straight 8, no question about it. Keeping this Buick close to it's original state is my goal, except for the air bags and maybe wheels.

John, we will be powder-coating the Boss's Firetruck blue. I let him choose the color, and he really loves blue. I would have gone with red but it's not my project....you have to respect the choices of the owner! smile.gif </span>

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Well, the most appropriate question may be what do you expect Airbags to do for you on this car? I was actually surprised to see the leaf springs. I thought it was coils all the way around for Buicks. But the pictures don't lie. Also I would thinnk any modification for a 4 link rear may be very extensive now. So what is it that the airbags would change?

JD

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<span style="font-weight: bold">Well JohnD, I am a Lowrider and the air bag suspension will allow me to lay the Buick on the ground when I park it....the lower the better. I absolutely do not want to intall a Hydraulic System on this Buick or any of my rides because that messes up the frame and it's a lot of hassle.

I was told an Air Bag suspension gives you a smoother ride when driving, unlike the Hydraulics which are very bouncy. Everything else on this buick is going to be strictly original and unmodified except for the air suspension. I have been having doubts on 4-linking the rear end since Dave brought up on how different the Buicks Driveshaft is. I'm still doing my homework on what else I can do to lower it as much as possible without 4-linking the rear end.

Thanks for the feedback.</span>

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Good luck. Looks like with those leaf springs you'll really be modifying the frame to switch to a 4 link rear. Not having any experience with lowriders, I'm guessing to lay the car on the ground you have no springs at all, just the airbags?

What do you do up front?

JD

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RIGO, YOUR BOMB IS CLEANING UP GOOD. 4 - LINK THE REAR, STEP NOTCH THE FRAME, AIR - BAGS ON ALL FOUR CORNERS AND A 2 1/2in DROP SPINDLES IN THE FRONT.. cool.gif

RAFA.

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Guest ZondaC12

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JohnD1956</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I was actually surprised to see the leaf springs. I thought it was coils all the way around for Buicks. But the pictures don't lie. JD</div></div>

I actually think my year, '38 was the first for coils all around. Now where did I find that out? Guess! The OWNERS MANUAL! Ha! Who woulda thought "new for this year torque free knee-action springing on all four wheels blah blah sales pitch lingo etc" kinda neat.

And I have seen a few 37s, looked underneath expecting the coils....nope! Did a double take, I was shocked.

Amazing the stuff you learn!!! I cant get enough of it. God I love this hobby.

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hey guys, it is time to start a new one. It takes a long time to load even with dsl. I can't read with it jumping up and down trying to load all of the pictures. Besides that, I do not have a lot of patience.

Stevo

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Guest imported_MrEarl

Thanks Serb,I was gonna say the same thing, but hated to. I find myself sometimes putting off opening threads that I know take a long time to open. El Jefe, if you do continue this onto a new "Contiuned" thread, please be sure to ad a link to the first post that will allow people to easily access this original one. One way of preventing this problem might be to use clickable thumbnails that don't take so long to load each time the thread is opened.

ElJefe, this is a great thread, one of my favorites down here in the Me and My Buick room.

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<span style="font-weight: bold">Thanks Earl, I'll start a "Continued" thread next time I load some pictures. Thanks for the comment, I also hate it when I'm trying to read something or view pictures and it keeps scrolling down. I'll try inserting them as thumbnails as well. I'm glad you enjoy our project!</span>

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  • 3 years later...
  • 4 weeks later...

David, Rigo sold the car to me a couple years ago. I've started some chrome and emblem work and have it in a nice dry place. I'm looking forward to spending more time with it but it is probably a couple years out yet. By-the-way, I really appreciated my dealings with Rigo, he's a straight up guy and I've shared a few emails with him since.

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