michel88

What he did to that Packard is equivalent to improving the Mona Lisa by adding a magic marker mustache. Woody Michel

I can't believe that someone would do that to a Continental Mark II. Oh I forgot he made it more practical! There are enough Hot Rod clubs can't one club (AACA) be dedicated to preserving original cars? Woody Michel

A car is only original once is a statement we have all heard many times and is very true. The fact that my '51 Ford woodie has survived for 54 years with it's original paint and wood is very unusual. Yes I am concerned about what will happen to it when I am too old to maintain and drive it. Will it fall into the hands of a rodder? Will he care about its originality? I doubt that he will give it much thought as he torches off the front of the frame to "improve" it by subframing it. (everyone knows these cars can't really be driven without disk brakes!) Then after the 350 Chevy engine is put in and the driveline is replaced, it has to be lowered and 20" wheels added. It's odd that with this quest for individuality, all modified cars seem to have the same things done to them! To bring a car back after these modifications would be a hard and expensive task. Woody Michel

I have to disagree about rodders not tearing up and rodding nice original cars. I have a '51 Ford Country Squire (woodie) wagon which I bought from the original owners family. It has original paint and wood in very good condition. It was always garaged and I was very lucky to find it. I bought it about 15 years ago and joined the National Woodie Club. At that time most of the '49-'51 Ford woodies that were for sale were stock. Lately about 75%-80% are modified with 350 Chevy engines (what else?) and subframed. This has all happened recently, not 40 years ago. I have a feeling that my car will end up this way unfortunately. Woody Michel

Thanks for the info Bruce. I looked at the website for Booster Dewey and was surprised how reasonable their price are. I thought the booster would be considerably more $. I will check for vacuum leaks and if I don't find any I will order a new booster from them. Woody Michel

Thanks Don, I was thinking it probably is the vacuum booster. Does anyone know where a new or rebuilt one can be obtained? Woody Michel

I just drove my Riviera yesterday and I noticed the brake pedal felt different than normal. It felt like there was almost no free play and I had to use more pressure to stop than normal. Usually it takes an extremly light touch to stop the car. It seemed like the pedal did not return and I had to pull it up with my foot to avoid the brakes slightly dragging. The brake fluid was not low. Anybody have any ideas what is wrong? Thanks for any help! Woody Michel

Great April fools joke Lamar! You really had me going. That is definetly no improvement of a stock Buick. That car is hideous! Woody Michel

I have subscribed to Hemmings "Special Interest Autos' since the early 80's and have always enjoyed the magazine. The new Hemmings "Classic Car" is an improvement over an already excellent mag. It features a wide variety of strictly American cars usually with driving impressions that are like a road test. It has columns written by talented automotive writers. This month it had an article on automotive pioneer Floyd Clymer. Take a look at it and I think you will really like it. Woody Michel

You can get a center section exhaust manifold for a 320 cu. in. straight eight frim Bob's. They have the front and rear sections also for 1937 to 1951. A 1938 Special should have the smaller (248 cu. in.) motor though. The 248 motor has a one piece exhaust manifold. Woody Michel

It would be a big help if everyone at least included their location. I see cars or parts in BCA Buy/Sell that I am interested in. When I look at the profile to see if they live anywhere near me it is almost always blank. Woody Michel

There is no older car that doesn't deserve to be collected, restored or just maintained and driven. It is not right for AACA members to decide that certain '60s or '70s cars (4 doors or whatever) are unfit to be collected. I like original cars only and some members say I have no right to tell someone what to do with their car (which I am not doing, just expressing my opinion). Now some of these same people are trying to tell members what should and should not be collected. There is no reason to discourage anyone from collecting any car. Lets be tolerant of everyone's choices in cars. Woody Michel

"The Buick A complete History" by Terry Dunham and Lawrence R. Gustin with the staff of Automobile Quarterly is and excellent reference book (approximately 500 pages depending on which edition). It is updated every so often to include the newest models. It is the only complete history of the marque. Woody Michel

I saw the show last night (except about the first 1 or 2 minutes) and I thought it was good. It was nice to see a show about restored and original cars and NOT street rods. It should have been much longer, and featured more about the Hershey show and History of this wonderful AACA event. I kept hoping they would show an overview of how huge this show is. Woody Michel AACA #595592

I think it is a '51 buick. I would like to have it in that condition today. Woody Michel

That is a great story Bill, and I am glad you came along and rescued a interesting and useful Buick wagon. It looks really nice for coming out of a junk yard. It fits in very nicely with your Buick collection. Woody Michel '40 Roadmaster Coupe '63 Riviera

This forum should be a good place to post your pre-50's parts. I have a '40 Roadmaster and I check the Buy/Sell forum everyday in search of parts for my car. It can't hurt to try, it's free! An add in the Buick Bugle would be a good idea too. Woody Michel BCA #26487

Your '41 is one beautiful car! I really appreciate a true original car. I am glad the car went to someone who appreciates what a gem it is. Woody Michel '40 Buick Roadmaster coupe '63 Buick Riviera

My '63 Riviera which I bought from the original owner has a plate which says "Expressly Built for (original owners first name)". Woody Michel

I have a tank from a '54 Buick Special that I believe is in good condition. It was removed about 25 years ago and stored inside. I hope the tanks you have will work for you, not sure how easy it would be to ship a gas tank. If you are traveling anywhere near Baltimore I would be glad to give it to you. Woody Michel

I have to say those wheels are unusual. Does anyone really think they make the car look better? Yuk! Woody Michel

I would not use synthetic oil in an older engine. It flows better than the conventional oil, and gets into all the "nooks & cranies" which is good in a modern engine. From what I have heard when used in an older engine it can cause leaks where there were none before, and even if you switch back to a conventional oil the leak(s) usually remains. Woody Michel

I would like the BCA to remain dedicated to the preservation of Buicks. I have no interest in "Kustom" Buicks whatsoever. The Hot Rod/Kustom trend is taking over the old car hobby at an alarming rate. The other day I was out driving my '40 Buick and I saw an old car approaching me. I was very surprized to see it was a totally stock '46 Ford! In the last few years whenever I see an old car on the road it is always a Hot Rod/Street Rod. There is a finite number of old Buicks and I think it is a mistake to promote modifiying Buicks. Woody Michel '40 Buick Roadmaster Coupe '63 Buick Riviera

I had them restore the stainless steel molding that is located between the two grilles of my '40 Buick. The part was dented and almost flattened in several places. They did an excellent job, and it looks like new. I was very pleased with their work and will use them again. Woody Michel '40 Buick Roadmaster Coupe

Jay, I think he published the book himself. There is no publisher information in the book. I checked Amazon.com but could not find it. His name is Harold M. Gilbert from Dansville, New York and I am sure he would be glad to sell you a copy if you contact him. Can someone in the AACA who knows him post his full address and phone number? Woody Michel