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1939 Buick Special restoration


39BuickEight

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Hello everyone! Here is my project....still taking everything off...gonna try to make it the way it was...some pics are cell phone pics-sorry about that :)

started with (it seems to have had every option but the "sunroof"-has pinstriped wheels, radio, heater, fender lights)

photos from the craigslist ad:

 

 

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Bringing her home:

 

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here is what my Dad and I've gotten done so far (all fenders off, 95% dash out, seats out, doors off, front sheet metal off, wiring out) amazingly, most all bolts have come out without breaking:

 

 

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Edited by 39BuickEight
photobucket change (see edit history)
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Why don't you just go ahead and buy this one and save my life? It's 90% done already and it started out the same way at the end of 2004.
But buying is not like the fun of taking a car apart and putting it back together :)

Hope you are taking planty of pictures. Digital cameras are one the best aids in car restoration

If possible would like measurements of the holes for the turn signal fender lights.

I have bought a set of turn signal fender lights, but not sure exactly where they go.

Edited by 1939_buick (see edit history)
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Ahh, but they were not turn signal fender lights, and they did not work as such. They were optional and high beam indicater lights. Someo U.S. States required high beam indicator lights until 1940, with emphasis on "some". The lights had been standard from 1936-38, but in 1939 they became an accessory. They can be made to work as turn signal lights, but they are not original that way, as they are supposed to come on with high beams. On my current restoration we're going to try and wire them to do both. The front parking lights appeared in 1940.

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But buying is not like the fun of taking a car apart and putting it back together :)

Hope you are taking planty of pictures. Digital cameras are one the best aids in car restoration

If possible would like measurements of the holes for the turn signal fender lights.

I have bought a set of turn signal fender lights, but not sure exactly where they go.

I know I've told you I would get those measurements and I keep forgetting. Sorry about that. :( I'll try to get them this weekend.

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Ahh, but they were not turn signal fender lights, and they did not work as such. They were optional and high beam indicater lights. Someo U.S. States required high beam indicator lights until 1940, with emphasis on "some". The lights had been standard from 1936-38, but in 1939 they became an accessory. They can be made to work as turn signal lights, but they are not original that way, as they are supposed to come on with high beams. On my current restoration we're going to try and wire them to do both. The front parking lights appeared in 1940.

I had no idea about this--thanks for the info! I have the holes, but not the lights-they were taken off by the previous owner to use on another 39. I guess it's up to me whether I want them back on or not. I'm leaning towards putting them on.

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Why don't you just go ahead and buy this one and save my life? It's 90% done already and it started out the same way at the end of 2004.

I'm looking forward to spending a little at a time, not all at once, all while suffering a few injuries as possible (about knocked myself out Sunday forgetting the trunk lid was open).

Is your interior a factory color? Looks like a really nice car!

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  • 2 weeks later...
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  • 2 weeks later...
Here is a picture of the door panel when in fabric, in the original color, or very close to it. You can only see part of the door panel. This is the car I'm trying to sell. I did not reupholster the seats but used seat covers. I may go back and reupholster them.

when I got the car it had a seat cover on the back almost exactly like that one

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Billy, these seat covers are NOS. I put them on to cut the cost of restoration, since I thought I was building a "driver". Then, it got so involved and I did so much first class work that I was sorry I didn't do the seats. I'm planning to have them done in the next few months. I've given up selling the car without doing them. I've been in the hobby many years, and I should have know better since I know things change; however, at the time I felt seat covers would be good enough for me, and they are. Problem is, they make the car hard to sell now that I've bought the '41 Roadmaster.

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Guest frazer51
G'Day Billy

I know just how you are feeling at the moment. I'm not that much ahead of you.

I hope your rear end is in better condition than mine was :):)

Its been a fun learning curve.

Danny[/QUOT

Where from the car did the large piece of metal that's in the photo come?:confused:

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That is the most common place for a '39 Buick to rust out. I've got a car I'm trying to sell which had zero rust in that area. As a matter of fact, my car had zero rust period. It came from Miami, although it was sold new in New York. Somebody sprayed the bottom with oil and then it picked up sand and that apparently protected it. The pans behind the rear wheels still had original black paint on them when we scraped off the sand.

Be careful about what you spend. I haven't been able to sell this car, since March of last year, even at a $6,000 loss.

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There is a guy in Michigan who is reproducing the oft-rusted back panels, including the lower part of the trunk lid and the trunk floor. Nice pieces, too. A close friend just purchased the pieces for his '38.

and who might this guy be? I can always make the part, but for a decent price I'd rather not have to. :)

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Kemp's Rod and Restoration

47958 Lower Point Mills Rd, Lake Linden, MI 49945

Sandy & Dan

906-482-5656

kemp@up.net

www.exploringthenorth.com/kemp/replacement/parts.html

Unfortunately the site says 1937-38 Buick, which is different than 1939, I guess. But how much different?

I have no idea personally what the difference would be. I'm sure they do if they are making the pieces. Thanks!

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Guest rmongoose

Howdy Billy,

Good lookin' work done so far. I just joined the forum about a week ago or so and thought I should mention the woodgraining that you may elect to have done down the road.

If you haven't found someone to do it yet i thought I should mention that I produce a very fine woodgrain along with my primary profession of trim straightening and polishing....just sayin'

Looks like things are gettin' done right........good job.

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