chuckfmtexas

We were not staying at the HQ hotel so we were not among the crowds all day. We did not take any tours on the bus so that may have helped not being around folks who may have been infected. We were interacting with friends mostly and they seemed health. Chuck

299 My wife and I returned from Strongsville, OH and the BCA National Meet this week. We drove our 1969 Riviera from Fort Worth, TX to Strongsville, enjoyed the four days of the meet and then took a side trip to eastern Tennessee for family genealogy research and returned to Texas. The BCA meet had 373 Buicks registered, over 800 folks attended, and lots of interaction among attendees. I entered our Riviera in the 400 point judging since I had not had it judged in AACA or BCA before. I was unable to attend the 2024 ROA meet in Lexington, KY due to a conflict but I did attend the 2022 ROA meet in Branson, MO where the car was a top three class winner. I was very pleased that the car was awarded a Senior Gold award after the judging. It was great to see old friends and make new ones at the BCA meet. We travelled over 2900 miles in the Riv, used the A/C many days. I got 13.5 - 14.4 miles per gallon, the lower number when I filled the tank with 89 octane instead of 93. With 89 octane the car 'dieseled' when I turned it off. I was trying to save money since 93 octane was as high as $4.79 per gallon in several states but I learned my lesson and stayed with 93 after that experience. I kept the speed to 60-65 mph as I did not want to stress the engine and mechanicals although they have all been re-built. With a speedometer that reads 8 mph slower than actual speed and no cruise control I was constantly keeping the needle at 55 - 63 MPH on the speedometer. The windshield wipers got a good workout as we left Texas, through southwest corner of Arkansas, and Kentucky as hurricane Beryl showers followed us into Ohio. All in all it was a great meet and good time in the Riviera.

My wife and I returned from Strongsville, OH and the BCA National Meet this week. We drove our 1969 Riviera from Fort Worth, TX to Strongsville, enjoyed the four days of the meet and then took a side trip to eastern Tennessee for family genealogy research and returned to Texas. The BCA meet had 373 Buicks registered, over 800 folks attended, and lots of interaction among attendees. I entered our Riviera in the 400 point judging since I had not had it judged in AACA or BCA before. I was unable to attend the 2024 ROA meet in Lexington, KY due to a conflict but I did attend the 2022 ROA meet in Branson, MO where the car was a top three class winner. I was very pleased that the car was awarded a Senior Gold award after the judging. It was great to see old friends and make new ones at the BCA meet. We travelled over 2900 miles in the Riv, used the A/C many days. I got 13.5 - 14.4 miles per gallon, the lower number when I filled the tank with 89 octane instead of 93. With 89 octane the car 'dieseled' when I turned it off. I was trying to save money since 93 octane was as high as $4.79 per gallon in several states but I learned my lesson and stayed with 93 after that experience. I kept the speed to 60-65 mph as I did not want to stress the engine and mechanicals although they have all been re-built. With a speedometer that reads 8 mph slower than actual speed and no cruise control I was constantly keeping the needle at 55 - 63 MPH on the speedometer. The windshield wipers got a good workout as we left Texas, through southwest corner of Arkansas, and Kentucky as hurricane Beryl showers followed us into Ohio. All in all it was a great meet and good time in the Riviera.

I will buy these, contact me at chucknixon67@gmail.com Thanks Chuck Nixon

Need this part for my 69 Riv. Bought one from a Riv guy who makes them but cant find his info. Thanks

Thanks, guys, for the input. Sorry I have been swamped and not back here at the site for a few days. I will follow your advice and see where I get to. Chuck

Well I finally got my steering column back and this time when I turn it to the right the wheels turn right and vice versa on the left. The first time I got it back from the rebuild when I turned it right the wheels turned left and vice versa. So, column is back in and carb, vacuum canister and fuel lines, throttle hooked up and today after 5-10 turnovers or 10-15 second the engine started and we ran it for 5+ minutes. Now I have to figure out how to align and connect the gear sets at the bottom end of the column to connect the timing and throttle advance on the steering wheel. Is there an illustrated service procedure anyone is aware of? I can not find one in the 1921 service manual. One question is do I start with the timing lever at the steering wheel centered straight up and down at the 6 o'clock position with the gear lever below in the middle of its movement? Not sure how I get the gears to mesh and stay in place but I have not spent much time under the car up close to the gears. The shorter arm at the steering wheel with the horn button is the throttle lever as I remember. It has been almost 3 years since I last had the car running and I took the steering column out. I had only had the car less than a year so I still have a lot to learn about the car. Any help appreciated, Chuck

Well I finally got my steering column back and this time when I turn it to the right the wheels turn right and vice versa on the left. The first time I got it back from the rebuild when I turned it right the wheels turned left and vice versa. So, column is back in and carb, vacuum canister and fuel lines, throttle hooked up and today after 5-10 turnovers or 10-15 second the engine started and we ran it for 5+ minutes. Now I have to figure out how to align and connect the gear sets at the bottom end of the column to connect the timing and throttle advance on the steering wheel. Is there an illustrated service procedure anyone is aware of? I can not find one in the 1921 service manual. One question is do I start with the timing lever at the steering wheel centered straight up and down at the 6 o'clock position with the gear lever below in the middle of its movement? Not sure how I get the gears to mesh and stay in place but I have not spent much time under the car up close to the gears. The shorter arm at the steering wheel with the horn button is the throttle lever as I remember. It has been almost 3 years since I last had the car running and I took the steering column out. I had only had the car less than a year so I still have a lot to learn about the car. Any help appreciated, Chuck

So sorry to hear about the loss of Bill. I too last saw him at Auburn and he seemed fine. I always heard Bill was a strong player in BCA and dedicated his time and efforts to make it better. He will be missed and my condolences to Dee and the family.

Thanks Ed, there is a wealth of lifting points information on the lnternet that I found after I wrote this original post.

Some time back I think I saw a post on lifting points for 68-70 Riv’s using a two post jack but can’t find it. Any recommendations on a source for the info?Thanks, Chuck Nixon

Terry, congrats on the car being finished and drivable. As a new owner of a 1921 Model 45 I have gone back and read your threads from the beginning and learned an incredible amount of knowledge from you and the other folks who have shared their knowledge about Buicks this old. I have to get the steering column back in mine after I had it rebuilt and when I installed it there was something backward as you turned the steering shaft to the right and the wheels turned to the left and vice versa. I sent it back to the rebuilder and I need to get in back in and be sure it all works right. Then I can begin driving the car and enjoying it as you are with yours. You have created a wonderful story from start through today and I know there is more to come. Great work and keep the updates coming. Chuck Nixon Fort Worth

Dual turning Tripp lights are often seen at Concours d’Elegance events on early Packards, Lincolns, Cadillacs, Duesenbergs, Auburns, Pierce Arrows, Marmons, etc.

Mac Blair has had 32 parts for years. Buick32@comcast Or 724 840 4481 chuck Nixon

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Thanks but I do not need them as I found what I needed. Chuck

The canister holds vacuum to aid in shifting the car with a red round pedal on the floorboard. It was designed to help women drive the car.

My 1921 K45 steering would turn fine to the right but about halfway thru the left turn it would bind and would not make a full turn. I tried the special agriculture grease recommended here on the site but that did not improve it so I removed the column and steering box and sent it off to be rebuilt. I got it back and I need to get it back in the car to see how it turned out.

Thanks Jim, in fact I went to the Riv magazine recently received and he advertised in it and showed the piece I need. I contacted him and I have one headed this way in time for Auburn meet. I appreciate your lead. Chuck

Just discovered my center plastic piece that fills the gap between the bottom trunk edge and the bumper/gas tank filler cover has deteriorated and missing some material at the right angle fold. I have contacted Ron Hing in Oregon and he does not have one from his parts collection. Any help appreciated. Thanks Chuck

Dianne and I are coming in the 1969 Riviera I bought last May, entered in both AACA and BCA for judging. Looking forward to seeing friends and making new ones! Chuck Nixon Fort Worth, TX

Enjoyed chatting with you Terry. Good to see Pete, Steve, and the other ‘guys and gals.’ I found a few goodies for my !921 Model 45 Touring and made it home safely to Fort Worth late Friday afternoon. Enjoy your Spring season which officially starts today. 👍 Chuck

We are planning to go to Branson from Texas but have not registered yet. Was also going to both BCA meets with the 69 Riv but no more apparently.😕 Chuck

David, you journey sounds fascinating as well as challenging. I have a 1921 Model 45 Buick Touring and you have found the right place for expert advice, not me but the 8-10 fellas who regularly post here and are a wealth of knowledge on the mid teen to late 20’s Buicks. The one thing that jumped in my mind as I read your post was, oh—that’s going to be a challenge to start since the fuel system draws the gas by vacuum created by the engine from the tank to a vertical cylinder mounted on the engine by the carburetor. Trying to get that vacuum established after sitting all these years will be a challenge. You might want to make a makeshift fuel tank out of a one gallon paint thinner can, rig up a hose and connect directly to the carburetor. That way you are getting fuel directly to the engine without having to hope the vacuum system works. The experts on this pre-war site can comment and clarify or correct my thoughts. I bet one or two of the gentlemen would be willing to develop a post listing the step by step start-up procedure to go by after the initial clean up and then photos. Good photos of the engine plus dash will give them a sense of the car’s condition and whether the engine is complete including the carburetor, coil, distributor, fan belts, fuel vacuum reservoir, spark plugs and wires etc. It would be good to know if the ignition is intact with a key that locks and unlocks it. Of course you will need a new 6 volt battery to get it started and check lights etc. lets hope the wiring harness is intact and the varmints have not ruined it. Good luck and keep us posted. Chuck Nixon

Terry, I looked it up and it seems the pre-war meet is March 19-20 just for clarification for those who were not sure of the dates. Chuck. (from Texas where we need a new, powerful, and winterized electrical power grid!)