The Old Guy

Bay City is 60 miles from Flint

If it is still set up like it came from the factory, nimber 1 is the first one clockwise from the tin door

I grew up with mechanical brakes, so even having a single master cylinder is still much more than what is necessary. I drive my old cars from may to September every day. The only time I use a beater is when it will be parked in a bad area, or the weather is REALLY bad. In all fairness, we don't have the traffic that some of the big cities have, and that makes a lot of difference.

I have driven my 1940 Buick over 106,000 miles, and with the exception of Roadmaster brakes, and a different rear axle ratio, it is stock. I agree that you must drive more defensivly, but most people that see you on the road will give you a little extra room, just so they can look at the car better. I am not a purist , as I have installed overdrive trannies in my 69 and 72 Buicks to make them more economical to drive, and they will run the interstates with ease. There are two separate groups of hobbiests, and one feels that the slightest deviation from stock is a sacrilige, and they feel that their car is a work of art. the other group ( which I am one of ) feels that an antique car is an alternate form of transportation ,and should be enjoyed by driving the wheels off it.

The 54 -55 V8 dynaflow Buicks had 3.3 to 3.4 ratios.

have rears ends complete for 1938 1941 and 1957 Specials 25 front and rear shocks for 1938 through 1955 50 gasket setsfor straight 8 and Nail heads Any vendors coming to Flint this summer, bring a BIG truck and you will get the buys of a lifetime. I also have generators --starters-- alternators; wheel bearings and 2 350 engines. there is also a 38 320 CI long block Transmissions and 50 sets of brake shoes. 10 Q-jets and numerous water pumps. _________________________

I have rears ends complete for 1938 1941 and 1957 Specials 25 front and rear shocks for 1938 through 1955 50 gasket setsfor straight 8 and Nail heads Any vendors coming to Flint this summer, bring a BIG truck and you will get the buys of a lifetime. I also have generators --starters-- alternators; wheel bearings and 2 350 engines. there is also a 38 320 CI long block Transmissions and 50 sets of brake shoes. 10 Q-jets and numerous water pumps.

Dave As with most of the restorations , I would wager that the paint and body fits are MUCH better than the original product. I have lived in the Flint area all my life, and watched Buicks and Chevs come down the assembly line with door gaps you could throw a cat through , and the front clip a different shade than the rest of the car ( the body was painted at Fisher body, and the clip at the assembly plant)

You are welcome !

This was a husband and wife team. Max'xs wife was as into it as much as he was

The axle shaft measures 1.130 at the splines, and has 12 splines.

"Old Yeller" has been restored by a doctor,and is being raced in the "vintage" races. The "nailhead" is still kickin' butt and takin'names. I remember when Max started showing up and they laughed until he started winning, and winning big! Joe Taubitz

The side gears and axle shafts will interchange from 1940 to 1955, but I don't have the dimensions. If someone doesn't find them by morning, I will go into the barn and check the numbers for you

I have 8MM movies of Ivo's 4 Buick engine powered dragster running at Central Michigan Dragway back in the 60s. He had a twin Buick engined dragster before that , and I have some shots of it also.

This subject has been beaten to death ! It is a personal preference as far as I am concerned. I have driven my 40 over 106,000 miles on bias tires,and you do have to pay more attention, but they work fine. It is a little more costly, as radials will run 40,000 miles plus, and bias belts won't go that long. I am on the fourth set of tires on the 40. That being said, I had a 57 Caballero wagon that handled VERY badly on bias tires, and drove nicely on radials. I wonder if the switch from king pins to ball joints made the difference.

Sent it out saturday

Norb is a GREAT photographer! I wish my car looked as good in person as it does in his picture

Last week we had some warm dry days, and so I ran most of the old gas from the 37 , and ran the 72 GS empty. I also got the 69 out just enough to find out that I have some brake work to do before I drive it too far.

I sent an E-mail this morning , and it came back as undeliverable. i must have done something wrong, but I will be at the breakfast

Steve Just put a mark on the drive shaft and both tires. Then turn the wheels together one revolution. If you count the turns of the drive shaft, that will be the ratio. 3 1/4 turns =3.23 a little over 3= 3.08 a little under 3 =2.93 and almost 3 1/2 = 3.42

Mr Earl I was busy helping with the bath tubs, and I can't remember Davey ( thats what we called him) making a buggy.

I joined the BCA because my boys were of an age where they wanted to take my 29 Ford roadster pickup to school. It was powered by a 427 Chev and I knew it was just a matter of time before they tried to sneak it out. I joined the AACA and bought a 37 Chevy and immediately found that 6 kids and a wife don't fit too well. Denny Manner told me of a 32 Buick model 97 for sale in Missouri and with that being big enough for the crew, was purchased. The first BCA National meet was held in Flint in 1971, and Terry Dunham and Bud Cline were instrumental in putting it on. I knew Bud through the local AACA group, and he asked me to help. I immediately joined the BCA and have enjoyed the group ever since.

The 40 is the only one without AC The 69 wagon and the 72 GS both have factory AC. and the 37 ,as I stated , has been somewhat modified. It has a 455 Buick engine,AC, power steering, brakes ,windows and keyless entry to the doors and trunk. It also has 6 way power lumbar seats an automatic trans and power brakes (disc on the front) The Buick club has national meet all over the country, and I have been to them all. The first one was 1971 and we have been to MA FL CA WA TX GA VA and some more than once. This is not a complete list, but you are right. I LOVE to drive old Buicks.

I drive mine whenever I can. Usually I get them out in April and put them away in October because of the inclement weather. I have driven mmy 40 over 105,000 miles in the 35 years I have owned it and do not use it for long trips anymore as my wife like the cars with AC. I have owned my 69 Sport Wagon for 7-8 years and have driven that 35,000 + My 72 GS has been driven 60,000+ and is used quite a bit as it is a convertible. i have owned it since 1990. My 37 has been upgraded with a later model running gear and has been driven 45,000+

I saw this car at the RM auction house in Ypsilanti MI 3 weeks ago, and the paint is nowhere near as nice as the pictures.