Grant Z

As I've only just purchased my 1st Buick (a 1941 Series 40A Special Business Coupe), I have much to learn. In my research online, I've discovered that as my car is a Series 40A, it therefore has a 1941 Chevrolet body. If this is the case and I wish to purchase rear fender skirts for my car, should I be buying 1941 Chevrolet fender skirts? It seems obvious I guess, but I want to make the right decision as I live in Australia and don't wish to return the wrong product with expensive shipment fees. If anyone can help with the correct advice I'd appreciate thanks.

Yes it's hilarious indeed. I'm not sure we can call ourselves 'English speaking' after that. Cheers Mate!

Yes us Aussies have certainly mangled the English language seriously. On my several trips to the USA, after several weeks my wife & I may be in a supermarket and hear another Aussie ranting and we both cringe - and them realise we probably sound just like that to all Americans. Embarrassed! I highly recommend watching this hilarious YouTube clip on Aussie lingo (language).

Lawrence, so you have a mate (not many American use that term) in Tassie? Yes I've been watching that set of skirts. Freight is no issue for me as I know several importers based here who always have containers coming with cars. Their prices are very cheap (they usually charge me nothing anyway), but you do have to wait several weeks or a couple of months.

That looks fabulous Neil. The colour (that's how we spell color here in Oz) of your car is superb.

Lawrence (my helpful friend ?), are those small stone guard trim pieces difficult to find (I suspect so)? I suspected exactly as you have stated re moving the double-spear trim and filling a hole (or 2) after mounting skirts. The back-up light and the spotlights I suspected were not correct. Dale (who imported & converted the car in 1989 and I've met up with him and purchased parts) said "old Jack" (who he sold the car to and who died in 2007) loved the jewellery and purchased after market parts and put little 'Buick' badges on top to make them look 'official'. That back-up light looks quite large to what I'm used to seeing on the Chevy lowriders online. Is the image I've attached the correct backup light? Yes the yellow lights are turn-signals (we call them 'blinkers' in Australia). We are now allowed to have the flashing brake lights like you Americans do even though no new car produced in Australia has ever been produced with that. Flashing brake lights would not have been allowed back in 1989 here in Australia. I'd like to set up the flashing brake lights or a much more discreet turn signal.

Lawrence, I greatly appreciate you taking the time to respond. I have much to learn. This is all useful information and I appreciate it very much. I don't have the small length of trim on the fender stone guard anyway. I would like a set of skirts. When you say "spear sets", do you mean the piece mounted in the middle of the skirt? I assume I would have to move mine from the rear part of the fender to the skirt?

Thanks Lawrence, I had seen a set while sniffing online. What do you mean by "shorter spears"?

Thanks Neil, I had seen that while sniffing online. I assume that piece of trim (1 is missing from this set I notice) should always be there?

Yes I found his details on the BCA site after being told about him by the gentleman (Dale Collins here in Australia) who imported & converted my car to RHD. Do you know where I would be likely to find some rear skirts for my car? Thanks again for your help.

I now realise I've been told about Doug Seybold by the gentleman who imported my Buick into Australia. Doug Seybold is the guy who does the engine turned dash pieces. I've found his contact details online and he is listed as an expert on 40-41 Buicks.

Hi Neil, that is a Buick body (rounded trunk corners) and not a Chev bodied car like mine (square trunk corners). I think I have that right. That may not mean the piece of trim is different but it has me wondering. As I've stated, I have much to learn.

Hi again Lawrence, I'm glad you noticed the missing trim as I wouldn't have due to never owning a Buick before. I might try to chase that up. Do you know anyone in the USA who may be a good source of trim? Thanks again for your comment. Cheers Grant

Lawrence, I'm not sure as that is how I've purchased the car and the previous owner (who used the car) died 11yrs ago.

Hey Rodney, we're making headway with the car. I just want those things to be fixed right and the car reliable which I'm sure won't be too hard. I've just been to Ballarat & Bendingo on the weekend to meet the guy who imported the car in 1989 and converted it. I bought a wad of parts off him (reco I8 head, new electronic dissy, transmission gears & bearings, wheel bearings etc etc.). I'm very happy with getting these. I also made several great Buick connections at a fabulous event in Bendigo, several of which knew my car from years back.

Many thanks Neil, I've just spent the weekend with the gentleman (Dale) who purchased the car in Waco TX, imported & converted it to RHD back in 1989. I must call him and ask about the black wheel on the car. I'm thinking it may just be a base-model car wheel (it's a Special business coupe) and maybe the ivory banjo wheel was an upmarket option (like in the Chevrolets)? Back in 1989 LHD was either not allowed yet here in Australia or very few would have been happy with that. Dale is a retired marine engineer and believe me this guys is extremely knowledgeable about all things mechanical so the conversion was a breeze for him. Many of the cars which were converted to RHD in the early days were not done with good engineering but I'm extremely confident with this one after spending considerable time with him and buying a whole lot of mechanical parts off him yesterday. His current cars are spectacular (41 Packard coupe & 47 Ford convertible). Thanks for your interest. Regards Grant

Jim, thanks for your comments. The car as pictured actually has 2" of wooden blocks on top of the rear springs (removed yesterday). I will not be lowering the car ridiculously but a conservative amount (approx 2.5") with the rear slightly lower than the front. I do like 'lead sleds' but this car will not be one as a true one of those has the roof chopped and extensive body mods. I do enjoy having suspension travel and I wish to drive interstate to car events on holidays (vacation). We have to drive 250km (160 miles) just get to the closest state border. I car will look understated in the way it sits. Thanks again Jim.

Fabulous photo

I purchased this 1941 Buick Special 44 Business Coupe just 9 days ago and I'm very excited about it. This is my 1st Buick, and it is replacing my 1948 Chevy Fleetline Aerosedan (I'm a Chevy guy). The car was imported to Australia in 1989 after being purchased in Waco, TX by a gentleman who now lives in Ballarat, Victoria (Australia). The car has been restored superbly (body, paint & interior only it appears), but looks to be a very good car. The doors & trunk close beautifully and the gaps are very good. It has been in storage for nearly 11 years after the previous owner left it to his then 15yo (now 26yo) grandson who has not driven it once. To say I'm over the moon is an understatement. It is currently at my mechanic's getting a complete brake overhaul and the waterpump rebuilt. It will also be lowered (I like my cars low). Can anybody tell me what the color is? The Body Tag reads 'PAINT No 570' which is Ludington Green, but various pages on the internet suggest that to be a much darker green. Perhaps my car is a non-1941 color. Anyway, I'm in love with it's color - original or not. BUCK MOTOR DIVISION GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION FLINT. MICH 1941 MOD. 44 STYLE No 41-4227B BODY No 237 TRIM No 900 PAINT No 570 TOP ACC. BODY BY FISHER the attached photos are before I got it home to South Australia (500 miles from Melbourne where I purchased it from and still with Victorian license plates). The South Australian plates will read 'STR-808' (do you get it?). I have much to learn about these cars and would appreciate very much any information. I believe this model to have a 'Chevrolet' body.