kgreen

I'd guess that as the old cars become more and more scarce the hobby will go from an sport for every man to a sport of few men. Reduced inventory: I rroutinely read of people salvaging and restoring cars today that others said were parts cars 30 years ago. Low cost: The abundant supply in the 50's along with low cost meant we had a hot rodder on every corner. High cost: If you don't do it yourself you pay high labor rates. Abundant repro parts: Suspect we are in a heyday bubble with a peak of activity caused by the number of old cars still available and the abundant supply of reproduction parts. Technology: cars that are currently built require a greater breadth of skill than similer mechanics of pre-80's cars. Skills: Shop classes are no longer taught in schools, America is producing white collar skills not mechanical skills. Roads: Good heavens! I drove my vintage convertible on the highways around Atlanta last week and was scared to death in the congestion.

Yes, it will work. It will obviously be slower than the mamouth blasters you see in commercial shops but should serve your needs well. I have one of similar size, it is quicker and more effective than the wire wheel. My work is limited to small parts in a blast cabinet though I can change it around and use it outside of the cabinet. Don't forget your respiratory safety! exhaust blast cabinet outside, when using without blast cabinet use a full face respirator.

Matt: I really appreciated your rotisserie design log. Thanks for your contribution. Ken

Give these guys a try: http://www.vbeltsupply.com/conventional-wrapped-belts/c

Thanks Matt and Mr. 39. I will think long and hard about whether I even need to dismount the body from the frame. Have you seen these multi-point body support frames for a rotisserie?

Want to mount a convertible torpedo body (shell only) on a rotisserie and see two styles. One that supports only at the front and rear corners and a second one that has provision for mounting along the midbody. Has anyone got some experience with either of these two rotisserie models? Wondering if the convertible body can take the stress of mounting on just four corners.

I hear they are common and readily available. Just prefer the Buick way of doing things...

My motive would be to get the car as correct as I could afford, but drivable as that is the goal for the car. I figure I would have 20 to 25 years of fun with that car before the future nursing home made me sell it, then it would require restoration again. The old originals which present the standards will become more and more scarce by that time and I suppose that the future owner would have the same questions then as I have now if he wanted a show car. I think that just preserving the car for the next 20 to 25 years so that it is restorable is the best goal I should have.

Can someone post a couple photos of the correct trim ring for the 1940 15" wheels? Would like a close view showing the profile, the back and the area at the tube stem?

I could keep them guessing if I chopped it, slammed it and bagged it, then put a Ford motor in it!!

Thanks Glasses

My avatar! First car, no longer in my possession. It was so darn cold in VT when I was working on this that I had to pack it up in October and couldn't put it back in the garage until May. No longer my avatar, but that was a car in great condition. This photo was taken in about 1974. Wonder where the car is today, if it even exists.

Did you ever find your Buick?

I've used Tommy Goza in Acworth several times. If that is your shop, you will do well. Love to see your car sometime, I'm down Chamblee way.

What is the photo sequence here? Was it wrecked and then repaired, or is it now wrecked and now in need of repair?

The videos seem to have expired on the old posts. Can you show us some photos?

Nice work, too bad about your hood (Darn). What machine shop did you use? Also, weren't the Buick brakes great to begin with? What prompted your decision to go with front disk?

I've tried several search phrases with no luck and will gladly take recommendations on previous threads. If not in a thread but in a reference book, please share. I'm looking for details on which surfaces of the 1940 or similar era Buick are painted body color. Entire body shell? inside fenders? etc. Then if not body color, what color and what sheen? Again for instance the underhood sheet metal, splash pans, etc. I have reviewed the judging manual and don't see the detail for which I a asking.

Let me try to rephrase the question. The 40 buicks had two wheel sizes; 15" and 16". The beauty ring sizes are obvious. Are the hibcaps also a different size?

Then $30 each is what it is. Thanks for the feedback Ben.

I can supply pictures upon request, these manuals are in excellent condition. Need enough money out of these to buy a 1940 Buick shop manual. Is $45 ea going to work?

Not only that, by the time you are raking yours in NC, they will be shoveling their driveways of snow in NY.

I started with a 40 Buick series 40-41 in 1973 before I had a drivers license. Loved the Buick, it was (is) the most beautiful car in the world to me. For some reason I did not join the BCA back then, but did join the Vermont Automobile Enthusiasts (VAE) club which held several Buick guys like Clark Wright, Joe Bettis ad Bob Jones. The Buick had to go when I went to college. I kept a wrench and torch in my hands all this time though, and still have a 67 Mustang convertible I bought 30+ yeas ago. I finished its' restoration 3 years ago. Since then I added a 1941 Ford pick up on which I am learning the art of bodywork by creating my own patch panels, welding sheet metal and using hammer and dolly techniques to avoid bondo. These are great examples of mass produced cars, but far from the luxury of a Buick. I will soon have a 1940 Buick 76C parked in the garage - I am thrilled and have visions of straight 8's and engine turned dashboards dancing in my head. Ken

I keep thinking about you and your car. What a cool deal: you must be a very happy person to fulfill a dream. I also hope to do the same. GOod luck, God bless and man: have a great life!!!

How does one tell the difference between the two sizes of beauty rings and hubcaps for the 15" and 16" wheels on the1940 Buick?