buicknewbee

Wife says some of you may have taken my post wrong. I hope I have not offended anyone, and no one took it the wrong way!!! I just thought it was funny how you were all reading into one very small and out of focus picture. I very much so enjoy everyones post and this forum. Sincerely, Darren

You know....you guys are just hillarious!!! LOL I don't know any of you personnaly, but I just love you guys! I'm crackin up here just reading all your posts about this photo. Now I know a lot of you are up there in age and so many of you remind me of my grandpaw.

Do you mean you will be replacing it, rebuilding it, or parting it out?

I sure feel fortunate that my 57 has fairly solid floors. I was bummed because the steering linkage and suspension is so expensive to rebuild on a 57 buick. I'm not really sure why its got a $1000 jump from a 56 and lowers $1000 again to 58. It's a little more money than I have right now to spend on it right now, but I'll get to it eventually. Somthing must be odd about the front suspension. Anyway, what I wanted to bring to your attention is check your front suspension. If it needs rebuilt you can add an additional $1500 to the car. You seem like you might be on the fence about the car yet, well that's another part to consider if your trying to justify the restoration. FYI! its a very cool car to drive, and they aren't all that common!!!! I have been looking for a power steering unit for a while, but there just aren't that many that are being parted out. Thats a good and bad thing. From what I understand manual transmissions aren't that common on these girls from the factory. You have a lot to consider! Your not going to make money on the car, but thats not the way to think about it. It's a labor of love.

I kinda wondered about that, but the serial numbers on this car didn't even come close to the web site numbers for 49. Also they stipulated that so many cars were built during 48 (forget the number of hand), but there weren't enough serial numbers accounting for them.

Is the serial number record wrong on the P15-D24 site? They show 1948 having numbers 11854386-12066019 which leaves 12070505 out!!

Thanks fellas for the replies! They have been a great help, exsecially the P15 web site! I have one question that I just can't figure out. This car is titled a 48, but has a serial 12070505. It doesn't seem to fall in the serial numbers of either a 46,47,or48. Anyone know why?:confused:

Thanks for the posted tips so far. I haven't even seen the car just yet so not really sure what problems it might have. I understand that older cars require maintenance. I just don't want to end up with a car that has a motor deemed junk from manufacturer defects or similar problems that gave them a bad rap when sold new. I'll check out the web site. I like to hear the motor is tough as a tank. Is it comparable to the chevrolet stovebolt 6?

I am thinking about purchasing a 48 plymouth and was wondering if plymouth owners could point out things to look for. Any help or info is welcome! I'm very unfamiliar with them and have no idea what to look for other than signs of rust and body damage. It has unfortunately been switched over to 12v electrics other than the dash gauges that currently are not working. Are most parts available for them? Is there a website that provides engine and body number info? Mention anything that comes to mind. Thanks, Darren

Most of the harness is being made by myself using the old connectors if doable. Over the years much of the original harness was spliced, and spliced, and spliced, and cut, and fused with other color wires that are not correct. You get the picture. Although I haven't found a fire harzard yet I decided to neaten under the dash and engine compartment the best I can. I found literally dozens of wires leading nowhere that weren't in the book and obviously added at a later date. I couldn't make heads or tails of most of the harness. I found a lot of corrosion in sockets so I thought I'd prevent it the best I could this time around. Many of the boots are cracked and are not serving much purpose against water, but will aid in keeping the dirt out at best.

Antifreeze mixed properly will prohibit corosion in all water jackets and cores. Yes it should be kept full. Blow cars off with compressed air and then rinse with water following with soap and mit, then final rinse. Just my opinion.

There has got to be some manufacturer out there that has the particular tire you need without buying a WWW tire. Don't forget your paying for that WWW!!

Here I am again asking what is probably a question with an answer right in front of me. I would like to know how to decipher part numbers for nuts and bolts in the body service manuals. I have a coasponding 1957 chevy service manual that more than likely uses some of the very same nuts and bolts for the 57 buick. Problem is I have part numbers but no way to reference them. There have been several screws and bolts missing that I would like to replace with the right Threads per inch. I'm tired of trying several screws until I find one that fits, and then I have to find one with the correct length. It would be nice to go to the hardware store and buy exactly what I need without trial and error. As many of you know several of these nuts are welded to the body, frame, doors, etc. and are rusted inside. I can't run a tap through them till I know the tpi. Can't find the tpi without a corasponding bolt. Round and round in circles I go. Does anyone have one of these reference books I'm looking for, or know where to get a copy if this is indeed what I need?

Thanks for the help fellas. I have never used this before and was turned on by another. It should seal out the water good. Seems the connections are tighter also. Might be using more of this in the future. Thanks again!

Hello all, I am in the middle of installing a new wire harness and I was wondering if it would be ok to smear dialectic grease in all contacts? I thought maybe it would detour water from entering the boots, switches, and bulbs. any thoughts?

Thanks all for the welcome. I have been lurking for about a month or so now and find much of the information among everyone helpfull. Already posted a few questions that I needed helpfull answers. The Bugle magazine looks to be very informative with lots of tips and stories. I find the for sale and wanted adds interesting. I doubt that I will only have just the one Buick for long. I know of a 40 buick, that the owner probably won't let go of, that I would like to have because it is very original. Most likely I'll have to find another one that peaks my interest. I'm looking forward to attending some of the events next year with the wife and kids of course. I'm still trying to figure out how this forum works with posting and attaching pictures. I know I had more pictures of the car up because others commented on it earlier in the month. Must not have done something right unless they are saved for only a short while. I'll get the hang of it eventually. Thanks Mike and Nancy for the quick magazine and for all the work you do!!!!!! I know from experiance that much of what you do is taken for granite, and you don't get the acknowledgement you deserve! Can't wait to meet some new people with the same interest face to face. Darren

Hello all, I just joined the Buick club and just got my first magazine in the mail. I was wondering if anything else comes with the membership? I assume I have a member number but I have no way of knowing what it is. Darren

That commercial is great isn't it? I have seen it several times now and I just notices that they matched the pictures up with the background where the picture was taken years ago! Very ausome!

That is what they said which makes sense. I'm just not sure if I want to take a chance to get them bonded. Darren

I was looking for riveted linings, but have been informed that I can't get soft linings riveted because they will literally fly off the shoes because they are a soft compound. If I go with a hard lining they can be riveted.

I understand that, that's why I am not looking for shoes with a lifetime warranty.

Yes I didn't know any of this info. This will probably prove usefull in buying a convertible someday!

Upon inspecting my brake shoes I do need to replace them. I was wondering if anyone has bought any shoes from a particular dealer that are of same quality as the factory. In other words I want some that are soft and not hard as nails with a lifetime warranty. Has anyone purchased shoes from CARS inc.? All tips and suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

I'm sure glad that I'm not the only one that doesn't quite understand the termanology. Evidently over the years the term has been used loosely. That's ok though just as long as I understand that it just doesn't apply to a buick, and realy has no bearing on the value of a 30s or 40s convertible. I have been looking at some buicks that have been advertised for sale as phaetons and I just wasn't sure what that meant. Didn't know if that meant they should demand a higher price or if it just stated that it had sidemounts. Thanks for all the responses.

Thanks for those replies! I was afraid there weren't many options. I thought of the glove box idea, but was going to use that as a last resort. Wasn't sure if the glove box could be replaced if a later owner wanted to return it to stock. Not sure of the availability of the box. I agree that A aftermarket radio will deter from the all over apeal of the dash so I was looking for something that looks the part but pulls fm signals in. There is nothing on the AM around where I live. I'm not even looking for a good quality stereo sound, just a couple of stations to choose from. I might have to invest in a media player of some sort, and have to learn how to work one if I want to keep the radio concealed evidently. Thanks!