Thanks for the picture of the underside of the floor. When I took out
my fronr seat from my 38 coupe, the floor, complete with the rockers semi
attached, came with it!
It is good to know what the floor looks like.

Just for what it´s worth. The longer part of the bumpers was originally in upper position. It seems as your´s in lower position, would be a pity on an all over top restoration like this if so is the case, my apologif I´m mistaken. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

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.

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!

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.

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="" />

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.

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?

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="" />

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

I AM NEW TO THIS SITE, AND I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR BEAUTIFUL 1938 BUICK GREAT JOB.

RAFA.

Awsome car I hope mine looks that when It's done. How did you do your special emblems on the side vents ,did you have them chromed and then painted , also could you include a close up shot of one of them

Thank's Ken

Hi Ken,

Thanks for the compliments. I recently sold this car so I can not get the pictures you are asking for, sorry.

I totally dismantelled the side vents and had all the pieces which require painting bead blasted. I then primed and painted them a color called sand silver which actually had a bronze tone to it. Now the tricky part is getting them re-assembled and installed in the car in one piece. I used a two part epoxy glue and held them together with nut & bolts while the glue cured. Then very carefully removed the nut & bolts and slid the assembly into the hood side. Once they are in the hood sides you can re-install some of the nuts and bolts to hold them in place. I had my car completely assembled before doing this. I would highly recomend doing this with the hood sides out of the car!

If you decide to do this have patience, there where several tense moments where these almost took flight across my garage floor!

Good luck