SBRMD

Keith, I'm glad someone else already defined (and accurately, I might add) what a "homer" is for you. Perhaps, with this extra knowledge, you won't feel as threatened, and therefore won't find it necessary to put up your dukes. The word is meant as neither an insult nor a "name", but simply as an adjective, such as "loyal", to which I'm sure you would have no objection. Of course, I used it as a noun, but I think you must get the idea. Nevertheless, as I read your frequent posts, I believe the description of "homer" is indeed accurate. I believe you are biased without consideration for reality. Now, we can all come up with stories on both sides of this "perception" coin. I think it also can be safely said that we're all here rooting for Buick, too. Nobody wants more badly for Buick to be better than I. However, it does not help the cause to turn a blind eye to Buick's shortcomings just because they're Buick, and to fight with anyone who offers a criticism. If mentioning the possibility of your own bias makes you intemperate enough to almost call me names (I assume they were angry and bad names, as you yourself didn't want to write them in view of the forum), then I suggest that not only is your position weak, but you are thin-skinned about it as well. Certainly, this is not flattering of a person who lists so many important club credentials after his name. That said, and in the spirit of collegiality: I sure do like that red Centurion you just acquired. Congratulations! Best Regards, Steve.

Keith, ReattaMan and GSJohn: With all due respect: you gentlemen are "Homers". There is ample evidence throughout today's world that GM specifically, and US automakers in general, are often building second-rate crap, emphasizing economics instead of product, selling it on sizzle rather than substantive reasons, and then cynically not standing behind their products. And gentlemen, the most damning evidence of this is from the market, of which we are all painfully aware: GM can't maintain market share despite huge financial incentives, and the resale values of GM vehicles are in the toilet, while Toyota, for example, enjoys the opposite situation in both areas. Consumers are not stupid. On an aggregate basis, their behavior indicates where the best value is. What's happening here is happening now, not in 1981. The press is covering the problem on a continuing basis, and can come up with plenty of examples of peoples' current misfortunes regarding American cars. Business Week, for one, has done a good job of this. My own experience is this: never owned other than used Buicks and Pontiacs, which I loved, until I bought a new 1992 Bonneville, which though I loved, lived in the service department. I foolishly then bought a '97 Bonneville, which experienced electical system and transmission failures before 10,000 miles! Pontiac service was rude, arrogant and downright unprofessional. Wrote letters to GM, in which I told them that absent personal responses, I would never buy another Pontiac, and was ignored. Got mad and traded on a '98 Toyota Avalon, which was perfect, and I mean PERFECT, until I sold it in 2003 w/ 65,000 miles. In the meantime, my parents bought a new '97 LeSabre. Problems with dash cluster (odometer ran backwards from new!), intake manifold, water pump and turn signal stalk on a car that is daintily used by my sedately-driving mother. And then, most importantly, $2600 worth of transmission work, replacing major solenoids, valve body and torque convertor before 65,000 miles! Determined through this last disaster that GM has a known ongoing problem with their valve bodies; rubbed their noses in this with evidence from heavyweights in the transmission repair industry, and they still didn't stand behind their product. My current vehicle, an '05 Toyota Sequoia, is almost as perfect as the Avalon was, but when I had an unresolved question about something it was doing (which ended up being not abnormal) they flew in a factory rep from Chicago who personally instrumented and test-drove my vehicle with me to address the issue. My family has owned Buicks and Pontiacs for three generation, too many awesome vehicles to count over the years, and I currently own six collector Buicks and Pontiacs. I strongly desire to own an American car, and always did before the events mentioned above. But they have driven me away. Gentlemen, blaming the "perception problem" on the people who are smart enough to call a spade a spade, and vote with their feet, is wrong. GM will not recover until they build superior products that people want, and stand behind them. This is not the current situation. Sincerely, Steve Robin BCA 33891 Mpls., MN

The 1964-67 Sportwagons have a 120" wheelbase, and I believe a 58-59" track. There's one for sale in the Bugle for $900.- You'd be good for all the A-body goodies available. I maybe can help you getting rid of the extra Sportwagon stuff! Best, Steve '65 Sportwagon.

Progoofoff: I have the switch! Again, many thanks! Best regards, Steve.

I second that; pictures, pictures!!

Hey Progoofoff! Many thanks, that's exactly what I needed! Not only that, but Southside Automotive is about eight blocks from where I work. Already called them, they're researching and getting back to me. Ironic and bizarre that I needed a guy from North Carolina to tell me about a supplier in my backyard! Again, your help is duly appreciated. Best regards, Steve.

'52 Pont, and I don't know what else; in any event, that's the part number needed. Can you be of help?

Or... Can anybody suggest a source for this?

Hey Bill Stoneberg! Are you out there? Best regards, Steve.

Does anyone have this switch: Delco part #1995052, or D-1505 (two different nomenclatures for same part)? Need one, NOS or near-NOS condition that is proven to work correctly. Thanks in advance to any possible suppliers! Steve. SBRMD@AOL.COM

Matt, that Doug Seybold Roadmaster is awesome! You wouldn't happen to know what he's asking for that beast, would you? Thanks, Steve.

Hey Bill (Hope you're "on the air"), What is the title of the master parts manual you are using for your '50? I see on eBay that Irv Bishko is selling a reproduction, but he has two: one is '42-'49, the other '49-54. I'm obviously assuming you are using the latter; I'm still trying to pony together information that tells me what my interior should look like exactly, and am interested in buying one of these. Bishko himself indicates the '42-'49 would be better for a '49, however he really won't tell me point blank whether specifics are supplied, ie the color of the headliner, color of the carpet, etc. I don't really know what to do. Have you ever heard of a salesman's book like yours, but for the '49? Thanks in advance, Steve.

Not good ones, unfortunately, but if I run across any I'll post 'em! Regards, Steve.

Adam: Check this photo, thought you'd like to see it; it's my parent's '71 LeSabre Custom, twilight turquoise/black vinyl roof/black vinyl interior. This picture is circa summer, 1971, taken by my fourth-grade self w/ an instamatic. Unfortunately, this car is long gone... Regards, Steve.

Hey gang, nobody out there w/ any info on this? Don't be put off that it's a Pontiac; it has three Buick stablemates! Thanks in advance, Steve.

ttt

I actually need one for my 1952 Pontiac Catalina Eight, but am wondering of the learned members of the Buick world, (a) does such a switch cross-reference to any early 1950's Buicks, ( does anybody know what part number such a switch might be, and © anybody know a good place to get one? I've already been cruising eBay with no luck. The switch is to the left of the steering column in the pic below. Thanks in advance, Steve.

Greg: I'm interested in the whole mess, including the power steering unit, if it's good. E-mail me: SBRMD@AOL.COM Thanks in advance, Steve.

Incidently, I believe none of these three cars had cardboard in the trunks.

Brian: My Dad's LeSabre had the bright moldings on the trailing edge of the trunk lid and quarter extensions, but the fiberglass filler above the tail lights was plain gray, as pictured on Adam's former turquoise LeSabre sedan. It also had, in addition to the wide belt-reveal moldings I referred to before, the stainless moldings at the bottom of the rear fenders, between the rear wheel wells and the rear bumper. I think it had stainless rocker moldings too, but I don't have a good recollection of them as I do of the other parts.] Interestingly, our family had two other '71 LeSabre Customs over time, a twilight turquoise/black vinyl top 4-dr hardtop and a tealmist gray 4-dr sedan, both bought new, neither of which had the trunk lid/quarter extension moldings or the wide belt-reveals, but I believe both had the stainless moldings at the bottom of the rear fenders between wheel well and bumper. The aforementioned car, the triple dark green 4-dr hardtop, was bought in about 1976 and curiously had Centurion-logo hubcaps and the Centurion logo on the hood, but also had appropriate LeSabre ventiports on the hood. We always wondered about this, but the car was otherwise absolutely a LeSabre Custom (interior, engine, etc.) albeit a loaded one and had no evidence of body damage. Maybe a prior owner was having a little fun with the trim... I believe all the cars were Kansas City cars; all lived in Minneapolis, and were sold by Swanberg and Scheefe Buick. -Steve.

The bright moldings above the tail lights were present on my Dad's '71 LeSabre Custom 4-dr Hardtop, along with the wide belt-reveal moldings.

Mr. Earl: I would love to have that extra 1940-1960 Buiick Master Parts Book if no one else has spoken for it. I'm in need of a good source to research interior stuff, and that sounds like what I need. Best regards, Steve in Mpls. '49 Roadmaster Sedanet

Are you kidding?

Jim: Please indicate which models the instruments are for within each year. (I don't have a parts book!) Thanks inadvance, Steve.

What a great engine! Did the article indicate how long the 3800 is currently slated for production?