Dynaflash8

The old saying was to tell them "don't let the screen door hit you in the tail on your way out". Probably more difficult to put into action now days. I knew of a guy in Baltimore who came home from work and found his wife had totally destroyed his prized antique car with a sledge hammer during the day. Now in that case he was later seen with a new wife or girl friend.

Old straight 8 Buick carbs leak down in a couple of days. You always have to pump and old straight8 to get it going. Tires: Radial tires go bad in about 7 years according to all tire stores and mechanics. I've that is basically true, but I have a 1991 Buick Park Avenue that sat for 28 years and the tires were lumpy, but didn't blow out on some around town driving until I got tires. To the man who wore his tread off, they had to be the old tires (now called bias tires). I had a set of Universal Tires that lasted of 30 years with a 50-something year old spare and I wore one tire almost smooth before I went on a tour and bought new tires. And now to batteries: I always heard you could not leave one sitting on concrete. Just recently when I was at my favorite garage I noticed he had batteries stored on the floor. I asked him, "are they supposed to be stored on the concrete?" His answer was, "Those were the old-style batteries with the Bakelite cases. These new ones are in PVC cases and concrete does bother them. So, that's what I know on these subjects. I will add, I hate the idea of throwing away tires that look brand new because they're 9 years old.

Terry, Ha, maybe so if I wasn't so old. I live in the modified capital of the world. Only the one pre-war Buick anymore, the original '39. Sold the '41, it was heavy and hot. No, don't have $50K to build a '39 resto-rod. Did buy a '71 Dodge Swinger because it had power steering and factory A/C. Don't worry, you'll feel the same slowdown when you get over 80. Have a great 2022, hope to see you in VaBeach.

The 1956 Buick front end was almost exactly the same as a 1939 Buick front end. Kingpins, tie rod ends all of it. So, it is possible to install power steering in a 1939 Buick Special/Century without resorting to a clipped front end of modern wheels. Perfect to build a resto-rod. Use a Jeep 258 ci straight 6 engine and automatic transmission, 1956 Buick power steering and Chevy pickup rear with automatic transmission and a custom driveshaft. Heights remain the same, as do wheels, etc. Install aftermarket air condition and twelve volt wiring and bulbs and you have a resto-rod that looks just like a 1939 Special. Original straight 8 was 248 ci. in a '39 Special, so it should pull fine and the strait six leaves plenty of room for the A/C compressor and power steering pump and reservoir. So the hardest part to find is the '56 Buick power steering assembly. Actually I guess 1953-1954 Buick power steering would work just as well. Ball joints weren't used on Buick's until 1957 (such as they were "loose in the factory box". Does this make sense?

Marty Roth, you don't evaluate cars for prospective purchase in Michigan do you? Dealer told me to get Marty Ruth to do it. Never heard of him, but though the dealer may have your name wrong.

I guess I consider this news. 1941-42 Buick small engine had dual carburetors, both as options and standard. Lots of people like to put those dual carbs on other year Buicks from about 1936-1953 Buick Special and Super engines. both the 248 and 263 cub inch engines. I'm not sure the manifold will work on the 1936 model, but maybe it will. Anyway, the manifolds are often cracked and otherwise extremely hard to find. The carburetors are not so hard to find. A company in California called Dutweiller either makes them or made them. The manifold was shown today in Buick's Pre-War on Facebook. Just thought I'd pass along this information.

If that is what you said, then okay. I agree, I do like the Special and Super the best for my own personal reasons. The only picture I saw of the Series 80, I did not try to get right down and judge it, you are correct. I found that one picture to be astoundingly beautiful. And, now that I'm older, all pre-war cars are more difficult for me. Any larger series Buick I know of have that three-piece manifold, except 1941-42. I had a '39 Century and had to deal with that manifold and 15-inch wheels and tires, and I didn't like it as well as my Special's. Again, as a non-mechanic that is how I felt on a purely personal basis. My '41 Limited's drove well, but I found the '41 Roadmaster to be too heavy for me to handle, and that might be my advanced age now. Matt, I did not mean to come down on you hard, but being a longtime personal friend I know you don't care for any '39 from the design standpoint, and I think they are beautiful. 90% out of phase <broad smile>

Matt Hinson, why would you say the '39 Buick is not everyone's cup of tea. They are certainly my cup of tea, and I've owned a dozen in my 83 years. I consider them beautiful, and could just as well say the '37-38 are not my cup of tea. I mean, to each his own without any demeaning comments. Different people like different styling and the '39 was not a bad car. My parents drove one from 1941-1951 and we traveled all over the country. That said, I don't follow auctions, but if the '39 mentioned had fender skirts, I did see the picture and thought it was beautiful. If I'd had any idea it would sell for $22,000 I'd have driven the 100 miles over to Kississimee. As to my '39 Special phaeton, I had a lousy dealer for one thing. It was sold for $35,000 the day before I had open heart surgery when I didn't know if I'd wake up in the morning. The man in Virginia sold it through a good dealer for about $47,000 and the new owner, who also had a '41 Super phaeton, has run it through the system for a new Senior. It ran very well, albeit it had a '37 block in it, and we drove it on many tours. So now, why are the pre-war cars falling in value? Most of us who grew up with them and love them are now in our mid-70's through mid-90's. It's too late in life now. I'm pulling the trailer to Melbourne, to see if I can. I want to go to the Sentimental Tour one more time, but I'm afraid to pull that 24-foot trailer 1,000 miles each way. I bought a '91 Park Avenue for other tours, and just bought a '71 Dodge Swinger Slant 6 with Air to see if that would work better here in Florida. These cars do not have power steering or air conditioning. They are harder to turn and if you live in the south, especially Florida, they are hot as hadess. I just sold my '41 Roadmaster sedan because with the 15-inch wheels, it was harder to driver and hotter to drive. In addition, in Florida it is absolutely necessary to find non-Ethanol gas or they will vaporlock going down the road. The '41 would do that, sometimes with what they call non-Ethanol here. I lifelong '39 Buick Special sedan seems to be better. I wrapped the gas line in insulation and put a shroud on the radiator. It doesn't vapor lock anymore and with the leather interior, it seems to be cooler, although I don't run long distances anymore. I've even thought of the dreaded idea of a '39 Buick "resto-rod" with 1956-1969 power steering, air condition, a straight-six or small V-8, automatic and a Chevy truck rear end so I could keep original wheels and tires. I even thought about moving back to Virginia but that weather up there quickly changes my mind. I still scan all of the For Sale listings for '39 Buicks. Best to all, Dynaflash8

Gosh, my comment goes all the way back to 2004. Yes, I did install one on the car to the left. Then we had to replace a fuel pump and had to remove it to do that. Ethanol problems caused fuel pump changing too often, so we never put it back. I still do have it, but no intention to put it back on now. Also, I sold the 41-C due to my age, back in 20 19.

Those are aftermarket, not factory original. Factory original skirts for 1939-40 had a small tip at the bottom front to cover the round-off on the bottom front of the rear fender. They were also bubbled, but these may be bubbled, I can't tell from the picture. They aren't right for any 1941-1949 Buick. Hope that info helps, not throwing any stones here.

I wish I had a nice original sedanette to put those on. But here in lower central Florida, I need an A/C car with Power steering.

Thank you to whoever got my ad from yesterday posted today.

Mr. Earl: I cannot get whatever you sent as a response. Sorry. Earl Beauchamp

Am interested in a 1976 or 1977 Buick Regal Coupe or maybe a Century from a private individual. No dealers. Do any of you know of a really nice, tour ready car with working A/C? Appreciate it. Earl Beauchamp, President AACA 2004

I would like to find a 1976 or 1977 Buick Regal coupe with factory air from a private owner in excellent condition. Anybody got a clue? Earl Beauchamp, Jr. 2004 AACA National President

Ron in Chicago and others: Well I'm 83 now and on the verge of getting a 2nd home very near Lake City, FL which isn't so hot. Then, perhaps I can find country roads to drive on and days when it is much cooler to drive a non-AC old car on weekends. Sebring is more convenient to doctors and stores and our daughter also lives here, but no old car club or activity. Lake City has a great car club, and is much cooler most of the year, but still in State Tax-free Florida. Perhaps we can enjoy these last 8 to 10 years back in the country again. Who knows? I've already sold one of my '39 Buicks and the '41 Buick because of heat. Just bought a little 1971 Dodge Swinger 6 with factor air for this place. But in Lake City maybe I can use another non-AC 1930's to 1950's car. There is a 53 Mercury hardtop in Virginia I've eyed for years, but still 6-volt with no air.

My Dad and all of his brothers but one were too old to serve in WWII and that one died of TB in 1944 and was sick for a long time before that, so he could not serve either. My Mother's brother went in during 1944 and served in England. I did have a number of older first cousins who served in WWII. One was a machine gunner and earned a metal for protecting a bridge from the German's while his squadron got away. In all the years I knew him, he never mentioned or showed that metal to anyone I know of. But, his older brother knew, and told me about it after the veteran cousin died. Another first cousin served in the Navy at some time during the War. I was the 3rd youngest of 19 first cousins, born in 1938, but living just outside of D.C., I remember the home front pretty well. My Dad grew a War Garden in the back yard and we had a house with four bedrooms. Many young women came from all over the U.S. to work for the Government and my parents rented out two bedrooms, two to a room to do do their part in housing those girls. I remember those girls crying the day that Franklin Roosevelt died when I was 6 years old. My wife had a number of Uncles and first cousins who served overseas during WWII. I knew most of those before they passed. My mother's uncle served in WWI.

I fully agree with that statement from Rivguy. The damage that mice can do is nothing short of awful, and in this case will require most, if not a complete reupholstering job. I probably wouldn't want to sit in it until that happens and I know my wife wouldn't.

Have a restored 1971 Dodge Swinger with ps and factory air. Love to trade for a like rust-free 66 Chrysler 383 with factory air and ps/pb.

Something I remember fondly from my far younger days.

These were thinner metal running boards that were optional on a 1939 and 1940 Buick Special and Century. They were longer on the Century of course. They have a wide outer stainless steel molding and three thin stainless moldings on top. All cars with streamboards came with rubber stone pads on the front of the rear fenders. Today, these stone pads are extremely difficult to find. I had them on both of my '39 Buick Special convertibles, one a coupe, one a sedan. Old age and illness separated me from both of those restored cars. I owned the convertible sedan twice for a total of 36 years.

Okay, I didn't think of Seybold, but I understand where you're coming from. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet, especially after 7 years. Just keep looking on eBay. I can't think of anybody else to try at the moment. There is a guy on here who came to my house once, who is restoring a rough '40 Roadmaster convertible. I have to see his name to remember it.....maybe he'll see this. He also had a parts car I recall. Many years ago when I was selling parts and cleaning out dealer attics I had one of those pans, NOS. I guess that's enough to make you cry, huh? Good luck.

Mike, There is a guy in Arkansas who makes the rear gravel pans for 1939, and advertises them in the Buick Club national magazine. I don't know if he makes them for 1940 Super and Roadmaster or not. The 1940 Special pan is almost the same as the 1939, except the '39 is in two pieces and the '40 is not. Plus the '39 has a wide diamond design while the '40 has a rectangle design. You could also try Dave Tachney in Minnesota (763-427-3460) 4-7 PM Central time. For my part, I've never seen an original, undisturbed 1939 or 1940 Buick without a rear bumper pan, so a person must have had to specifically not order one. Just my thought on that subject. I'm 83 and been chasing pre-war Buicks since I was 16.