WQ59B

Hey Tom. I can only tell you Wilmington was "BW" by 2 of my car's data plates. I assume the "B" indicates 'Buick', as I've had numerous Pontiacs that all had "P" in their body line. I wonder why Wilmington is reversed (the "B" is first)? I have a list which shows Arlington to be code "R", but that may only be for later ('60s) VINs rather than body line codes.<P>MARK ~ 59-4637

BRIAN- Rolf doesn't show a complete shot of the trunk, but he has a few detail shots. He recreated the cardboards- but it almost looks like he somehow used rubber for the 'boards (the pic doesn't look like fabric somehow). I guess if everything is wrapped- very little of the metal below is visible... it's treatment isn't that critical; original or modified.<P>TOM: My trunk had a bit of work done in it to replace the work of the tinworm, & my original trunk has been gone a while, so I didn't remember quite what it was like. What you stated is what I had, tho (thinning body color around the perimeter of the floor). I e-mailed you, thanks....<P>MARK ~ 59-4637

Interesting. Sounds carpet-like. Wonder what the snaps attached to? No, I've never heard/seen one of those either. How's that accesories catalog- nice? Pictures or illustrations? I should pick one up (if I could find one).<P>You mention putting fabric over the cardboard panels, I thought I remembered mine as printed paper/cardboard, not fabric wrapped? Or is that the only way to recreate the same look today?

BRIAN- You jogged my memory. When I 'gutted' my car to begin the restoration about 6 years ago, I had put the door panels & trunk cardboard from my Invicta into the back seat of another car. Indeed I did have the side cardboard sections which wrapped the decklid hinge areas- tho mine were in rough & torn shape. The floor only had some burgandy shag carpet (and rot holes) tho...<P>Is you friend with the '59 LeS 'Rolf' by chance? I'll have to re-check his site to see his trunk pics. I would indeed like to hear what the '59 trunk mat was like --what the emblem may have been (that's gotta be a hard one to find!). Anyone hear of a company making custom logos on rubber mats (not carpet)?<P>My car has strayed a wee bit away from original, but I like to retain the overall feel of being stock. I will probably spatter paint mine and lay a houndstooth mat across the bottom rather than put myself thru the time & expense of locating the correct trunk cardboards. Thanks for everyone's input!<P>MARK ~ 59-4637

Still thinking: did Buick install (optional??) either carpet or a trunk mat in the late 50s- mid 60s? <P>....OK, original road tests I have with trunk pics: '65 Skylark-- body-colored trunk with a mat (houndstooth pattern maybe- too far away). '67 California GS-- spatter paint w/ Buick logo trunk mat, '67 Wildcat-- looks like carpeting & carboard panels. '68 GS400-- spatter & patterned mat.<P>I don't think any of the above helped answer my question......

I did a search for 'trunk spatter' and only 2 topics came up. In one a member with a 65 'cat was asking about correct spatter, and someone answered '65s were body color in the trunk.<P>My '59 also seemed to be partially body color (over the axle hump at least), but my car was white- would the trunk floor actually be white?!?<P>Also, how close year-wise to '59 did Buick used spatter paint in the trunk, intermediate or full-size, and which spatter colors?<P>MARK ~ 59-4637

I tried sending you a message thru your bio- hope it worked. My e-mail is in my first post.

"1966 Buick Owner Protection Plan" booklet. Not perfect: it's flat, not warped or missing any pages, but the staples bled rust stains at the edge & the metal plates in the back have some rust on them. From Coleman Buick (03-130) in Trenton NJ, car was a '66 Special 4-dr. Free to anyone wanting this additional factory documentation, for some dumb reason I can't just throw it away. Can provide a digital pic. Thanks<BR>MARK ~ BCA# 23484 ~ 59-4637<BR>ventiport@earthlink.net

Covers the big ones: LeSabre, Centurion, Electra 225, Estate Wagon & Riv. Very good condition, no bends, tears or dogears, very minimal cover soiling, a few tiny abrasions on the covers. Nothing missing- nice addition for your glovebox. $9 includes shipping. I can e-mail a digital pic of it if anyone wishes to see it. Thanks<BR>MARK ~ BCA# 23484 ~ 59-4637<BR>ventiport@earthlink.net

Bumper Boyz are generally regarded as the by-far worst in the chroming industry. It's amazing their towering bad rep hasn't yet put them out of business. Beware of "The Bumper Shop" of CA; research them thoroughly-- my research indicates these 2 outfits are one & the same.

Bruce Papazian: Special Interest Autos magazine is one great source of info. They did a feature on a '54 Century wagon in the #83 issue (Oct '84)- good luck finding a copy. Personally, I have a few metric tons of printed automobilia in my home 'library'.<P>brad54: I don't think trying to exhaust engine heat thru the ventiports would have any noticable effect, what with the small openings & no 'directing' of the air towards them.<P>I guess wiring Ventiport lights to the turn signals would be easier that to the distributor, but somehow it strikes me as 'wrong'. Reminds me of saabs and their ilk with turn signal lights on the rearward areas of their front fenders (useless idea).<BR>Just my 2 cents...

Apparently in '48 (prior to production of the '49s) Ned Nickles ?BMD stylist? drilled holes in the fenders of his '48 Roadmaster, installed amber bulbs & wired them to the distributor. When the engine ran, they blinked on & off in sequence. Ed Ragsdale saw them and declared '3 holes for the Super, 4 holes for the Roadmaster!' and the rest is history- tho without the light bulbs! 8(<P>Of course the official name is Ventiports. <P>The early '49 cars had hoses hooked up to them to help vent engine heat, but by mid-year the Ventiports were sealed off. Years ago as a teenager, I remember seeing a '49 in the junkyard with rotting cloth & wire ducting hoses hanging down on the insides of the fenders and my mind reeled trying to imagine what the hell they could be for. If I had a 'portholed' Buick, I would light 'em! Ironic for me, being I dearly love the Ventiports, that I chose one of only 2 years that doesn't have 'em ('59).

I spent a day in a new '99 Ultra and was really impressed. Luv the lines & luv that supercharger!<P>My newest Buick is still a '59.. 8)

1959 Invicta 2-dr hardtop. Currently being 'restified' to 455 Stage 2 power. <P>Other Buicks I've owned:<BR>1959 Electra 4-dr flattop- mostly stripped parts car, stripped the rest and buried her.<P>1972 Riviera- bought it rear-ended- she gave up her engine/trans & 4-note horns for my '59 then went to a ROA member for parts & options (loaded!).

I too have never seen anything that ever suggested an 340HP option on '61s. I HAVE heard owners say things like this ALL THE TIME tho!<P>Case in point: I talked with a gentleman about his '59 on the phone once. He told me he had a prototype 2x4bbl set-up for his '59. I said (of course) 'Oh, from a later 425 CI car?' and he replied 'no, it's a factory prototype unit for '59s, very rare, only 4200 made'<P>At that point I politely steered the conversation elsewhere...