Greg Sealock

Dave, Your last two posts were excellent. Just when I was starting to get annoyed with some of the attitudes displayed in the posts, those that have formed the stereotypes that car collector's fight (selfish, wealthy, and unapproachable), you pointed it out for me. Just when I was starting to feel sorry for the guy, it turns out that he may not have deserved my pity. PS- I know that's not exactly what you said, but I was happy to see someone take your stance in both of the posts.

Will the front fenders off of a '53 Special two door fit on a 4dr '53 Special?

I can't speak for the national chain muffler shops, but some of the locally owned smaller guys can do wonders. I had one built by a local guy for my '53 Special and it works/ functions great, as close to original as possible. When she's idling you can barely hear it running! Greg Sealock

My mechanic told me to go ahead and add it (of course, that's because he didn't want to mess with dropping the tranny to get to the real problem). Honestly though, I trust my mechanic. He has done wonders in every other area.

Since he grew up in the middle east, and probably spoke little English, I am guessing that he would drive a cab.

Two or four door?

How about some details on the '58. PS- Disregard, My bad, I started here before going to the buy/sell.

Ok, So last night there was a knock at my door. There were several members of Greenpeace outside, demanding that I let them search my basement for Osama, knowing that I own an SUV, and that I apparently am one of his sympathizer's. Well they searched the house and could not find him. They were satisfied, and were walking down the front steps. Well as luck would have it, my wife had left the garage door open, and what do they see inside but our Suburban. The next thing I know, they have all formed a circle around the oak tree in my front yard. Each one is now so firmly latched on, I don't know what to do. The real tragedy in this is that I may have to now cut down the tree in order to get them off of my property! Don't Believe the Gripe!!

Dave, Once again you have failed to listen to my problem with your posts. The particular quotes that you listed in your second to last post are the ones that I agreed with. But all of a sudden you seem to have forgotten what upset me. You now claim that there are legitamate uses, yet you closed a particular post saying that it was only as a "strap on ego enhancer". And there is not a minivan on the market, I have looked, that can compare in people or cargo space. If I could locate Rick Moranis and shrink my kids each time I was going on a trip, I would gladly buy a cheaper, more economical vehicle. I think Dave and I are just going in circles now, and the rest of you are probably getting tired of it. If he and I were talking face to face, we would probably both realize that we are pretty close to being in agreement on mostof this. I probably got a little personal, and I apologize. I am going to stay off of this subject for awhile, and let some others get your opinions in.

I think my problem with what Dave has had to say is that he apparently does not want to hear anyone else'e opinion but his own. Dave raised some excellent points. However, every time that I started to see things from his angle, he would then conclude with words such as all SUV's being "strap on ego enhancers". I realize that as an owner, out of necessity, I have my point of view. I realize that with Dave's environmental background he has his points of view. I realize that we all need to find ways to conserve our resources. I realize that we could rely less on foreign oil if we improved fuel economy. I am all for that. But until that happens, it is not practical for my family at it's current size, our geographic region, and distances that we are required to travel, to drive anything less than the Suburban. And for your average runs around town when less than the entire family needs to go along, no the Suburban stays parked, and we drive opur economical 4 door car. I do not want to pay to fill up the tank for small errands, and it is a pain in the rear to park in most parking lots. Just remeber any time you use the word "all" to describe anyone, any group, or anything, without consideration of individual circumstance, people will get defensive.

Well, I have been thinking about my role in terrorist activities (as an SUV owner), and I just realized that there are also numerous other tragedies that I have apparently caused. I really need to apologize and get these off of my conscience so that I can sleep tonight! 1)Killing Disco 2)Breaking up the Beetles 3)Poor NFL playoff officiating 4)The movies Meatballs 2, as well as A Very Brady Sequel 5)Regis and Kathy Lee parting ways 6)Johnny Carson's 2nd marriage 7)Elizabeth Taylor's 1st and 3rd marriages 8)The death of the typewriter 9)The Cubs failing to win a World Series in decades 10)Gilligan and the skipper getting stuck on that damn island in the first place! Well, I better hurry and get going. I am obviously too late for a pardon from outgoing Illinois Governor Ryan, but maybe I can get one of our local priests to hear a quick confession.

I can see that this is a difficult concept for "bitter, table for one", to understand. I was almost in total agreement with you Dave until your last paragraph, in which you ignorantly used the word "all". It is impossible in this limited amount of space to explain the differences in SUV's. I agree that most of the SUV's on the road are essentially the late '80's, early '90's version of station wagons that consume more gasoline and sit up slightly higher. My vehicle, a Chevrolet Suburban, is not a "strap on" ego enhancer. It was carefully chosen after 12-15 months of looking for a larger vehicle. Most station wagons do not provide the third seat my family needs, and if they do, as the smaller SUV's do, there is no cargo space. Cargo space which, if your family is in need of the third seat, you obviously need. I am not going to "sacrifice" at the expense of not taking my children to see their grandparents on a regular basis, which I could not do in a smaller vehicle. As I previosly pointed out, we enjoy our family, and the closest family member is 80 miles away. And this is only the closest family member/ minimum drive. As far as only being necessary for offroading, you apparently live in the midwest, so you are probably familiar with snow. Next time we get a Northeast Nebraska blizzard, I'll invite you up, let you haul my kids around in the snow in both your station wagon and my Suburban, and you can decide for yourself! It's been interesting. Good Night All!

I guess my only problem with the way some people approach the subject, is that some think that ALL SUV owners don't care, and are all about maintaining a certain lifestyle or for show. As I previously mentioned, there are those people who obviously do not need them, but feel that they need them "socially". As I said previously, I work in law enforcement, so I am obviously not wealthy enough to put on a show. Regardless of whether I am a college educated thinker or not (which I am), I am always wary of current social issues. Some of the ways that our society has abused our environment disgust me. I am glad that there are people that will stand and point out environmental abuses. I just believe that the blanket statement that ALL SUV owners, regardless of individual circumstance, support terrorism is blatant propaganda. Due to the portion of the country in which I live, the proximity to my other family members (trips which require cargo room), and the size of my family, a minivan or "station wagon" are not a realistic option. I think that it is time to blame the individuals that engage in terrorist activities, and not those trying to correctly raise their families and live their lives. PS- Great thread!

My family is very heavily into recycling, and I would never support letting the vehicle idle at the post office, Honda or SUV (do you know how many vehicle theft reports I have taken because someone left their vehicle idling at the post office or store!). The fact of the matter is, vehicle's are an essential part of our lives. I am not saying that there are not people who buy SUV's to look good as a part of their "lifestyle" and to impress there friends. But there are also those of us who need the space for our families, which we are heavily committed to.

Only an idiot would believe that suv's support terrorism. Let's face it, we need the petroleum for pretty much everything in our lives, and our country has not been able to produce enough on it's own without foreign trade. All of us with classic cars then, because they obviously do not get the gas mileage of a "Honda", would then essentially support terrorism. And by the way, some of us can't fit all of our beautiful children into a "Honda". Under this warped way of thinking, any time you buy anything made of plastic, which is petroleum based, you support terrorism. Every item made of plastic in our homes that we purchased, apparently helped support terrorism. Just as the adds during the Super Bowl last year stated that drug use supports terrorism, which was a stretch trying to make a point (and no, I do not support the legalization of any type of currently illegal drug, I happen to be in law enforcement), now there are certain environmentalists trying to make a point and cause a panic by saying that SUV driver's/ owners support terrorism. It must have been a slow news day!

I have one tail light base for sale for a 1954 buick. It is in good condition, at minimum daily driver material. Part #Guide R4-54. Asking price is $10.00, which includes shipping. gsealock@hotmail.com.. I have no use for it, so make me an offer.

Allan, Don't worry. There are those of us here in the U.S. who love their Buick, but will be driving a non-Buick. I'll be driving a '99 Chevrolet Suburban, as Betsy ('53 Special) probably won't be ready.

I'll have to do some further checking on the colors, but the 54-72R, is the 1954 Roadmaster 4 door sedan. The only style number for this model is 54-4719. The listed style number "54-4715" must be an error, as it does not exist for any '54 model.

Do you have any exterior trim or a hood ornament spear?

Does the clock also keep track of the date? That's the only reason I can think of why there would be an am vs. pm setting.

As a law enforcement officer in the State of Nebraska for the last nine years, I want to let everyone know that most all of my co-workers and I are well aware of state laws regarding grandfathered vehicles and safety equipment. Just remember, no matter what your vocation there are bad eggs everywhere. Do not let your opinion of an occupation be formed based on one or two of the bad eggs. I am a 31 year old, who knows his hand signals (not just the ones I get while driving a marked police vehicle), and knows and loves his classic Buicks. I beleive, as was mentioned in one of the earlier posts, my love of Buicks should make up for my age (and occupation).

I'll echo the State Farm comments. Never had a problem, never checked my odometer. I've been with them for 10+ years.

My favorite Buick, without a doubt, would have to be the "chrome king", the 1958 Buick Limited. Next would come the 1953, and the 1949 Roadmaster Convertible.

I've got a '54 that has both the headlight rings, and the bezels. Let me know if you want the rings around the lamps and/0r the bezels. Did you ever find out if what you need will work on a '53? Let me know exactly what you need. The earliest I'll be able to get at the car is Wed. afternoon. Greg Sealock

Has anyone had recent contact with Art Tohill of Tarkio, Mo. I have been attempting to e-mail him, but the e-mails get returned, stating his inbox is full (500 plus messages), which is not like him. I am just hoping that everything is well with Art. Greg Sealock