JBP

The '53 Buick Special was 6 volt and had a straight eight in it, all other models that year had the V8 and 12 volt. Last year for the straight eight, first year for the new hood; some design challenges that year. A few years ago, I had a new hood pin machined for my '53 Roadmaster (according to the replacement campaign bulletin from that year), and the improvement in fit and closing was really noticeable.

After a spin, took the car to its second-favourite place in the world.

@Phatthawg If you can't find a good workaround for your current rad, you can also expand your search for a '53 Super or Roadmaster radiator - the Specials have an adaptor plate on one side for installation, as they're narrower than the other series. However, the larger rad will bolt in just fine to the Special (and offer some increased cooling capacity, too).

I'd be using this shot to market next year's event: "Fun comes in all forms: knock yourself out at the next Buick National!"

Dave: Looks like a great project 👍. I believe that's a 1952 speedo face (or possibly a year or two earlier). The 53's had a silvery-grey finish to them, without the small inner chapter ring of "speed" dots.

Come on, Wayne - where's your sense of humour? Even the GM engineers are allowed to have some fun once in awhile! I found it funny as hell that the Buick 1941 Owner's Manual doesn't even mention a single word about the hood and this danger, but does have four short paragraphs on optional seat covers and why I should want them.

Buick didn't change to the alligator hood until 1953

FOUND IT! Ed: You should be deeply ashamed, leading the forum on this way! 😉

That's excellent! 👍

Gary: Out of interest, how are those copper-sheathed gaskets holding up for you? Any movement/noticeable discolouration since installation and driving the car?

If it came with a harpoon and an autographed photo of this guy, I'd consider it.

For $800 someone could get (from the looks of the photos) a full set of trim pieces in decent shape for their Special, plus all the rest of the parts. @Rusty Heaps You were looking for a '53 Special grille bar extension, were you not?

No worries, Dave - hope that new set proves to be the solution for you 👍.

@37 Buick Special My 1953 Special used to eat those copper-clad gaskets fairly regularly, even with a new exhaust manifold, and with the exhaust rings and copper pilot rings installed. Finally heeded forum advice and installed a Remflex gasket. No burning, no movement, no leaks, no issues, and with no sealant required. I didn't see it mentioned in your post, but have you measured your manifold for any excess warping after decades of service (unless it's also a newly manufactured one)?

Was interested in seeing this thread; I'm just gathering up my parts to rebuild brakes in the next few weeks. Not sure what brake hose is on the back of my '41 71C, but will find out when I get under there, and report back.

- and I'll bet the car on the coin has whitewalls on it, too!

Not that badging means much of anything on a car that's been heavily modified, but the script on the hood operators seems (to my low-res eye) to look more like "Roadmaster" than "Century."

This is actually the best, and most brilliant example of "hiding in plain sight": I'll bet that if you went and pulled off all those covers, you'd discover 5 more of the world-famous "Black Ghost" Challengers under them! (See other thread in Gen. Discussion)

Take up origami, use the past issues as your paper, and sell the results at car shows: "Genuine May 1986 Hemmings paper crane for sale right here! Only $19.99".

Get some Remflex gaskets: they are a great product. The gland rings and the copper pilot washers don't do very much after several decades of heat-cooling and accompanying warping, unless you can machine your manifolds level again. The authors of the 1937 shop manual weren't considering 85+ years of ongoing engine maintenance.

@sagefinds You might want to consider reaching out to Hemmings and asking if they have any need for them (they may keep one hard copy for archival purposes) or they may know of someone or some collection that might be receptive to taking them from you.

Jury-rigged horn wiring is one item I keep encountering - and it's always "a swell surprise" (to quote Nichols and May). Found a pushbutton installed on the lower lip of the dash on the '41 71C, hidden from sight. I'm just glad it wasn't drilled through the faceplate on the dash. I can understand wanting a working horn, but the placement and access are not really "handy." Eventually, I'll gather up the small collection of various pushbuttons installed by previous owners, which I will either have stuffed and mounted like prize hunting trophies on a wall, or made into a tasteful shadowbox display for donation to some worthy institution and a three-dollar tax credit for my estate.

Too funny, Zach! We'll have to start calling you "Curly" on this forum, like Elliot Lewis used to call Phil on his show with Alice Faye! How much for a video of you singing a verse and two choruses of "That's what I like about the South"? 😉

Zach - was that Benny's maroon-coloured Packard from Earle Anthony's dealership? That was a great looking car. There was a Maxwell on Hemmings for a LONG time that had a connection to Jack (came with a photo of him in the car, which was used to ferry him around some city for publicity). Jack's radio show was the high-water mark of American radio comedy, in my opinion, with Fred Allen just a smidge beneath.

Hell, I'd cruise around with him in that flivver he commandeered in "It Happened One Night."