TxBuicks

That must have been exciting, working on something so different. What were your responsibilities?

These are great numbers, with still 4 months to go. It's going to be a big show. Past registration trends tell me about half of all registrations arrive within the last 2 months before the event. If that stays true, you can take these numbers and double them to estimate the final numbers. They just might hit their limit of 1,000 Buicks. I hope so.

I thought Skylark center caps had the red bird on them, not the tri-shield.

The blue one looks great already! It doesn't look like it needs anything to be a decent driver. Welcome to the world of Buicks. There are a lot of people on this forum to help you, so don't hesitate to ask. Keep us updated on your adventures.

The clock is mounted in the console, when it usually is mounted on the dash above the radio. Honestly, I like the clean look of the dash without the clock on it. Is that the same for all 1961 full-sized Buicks with bucket seats and console, or is it just for this one?

No wonder they looked great! I deleted my previous post displaying my ignorance in not knowing these were pictures of the original manifolds. Although I've seen thousands of Straight 8 engines, I've never owned a Straight 8 Buick. I'm embarrassed that I couldn't identify an original setup. Hopefully not many people read it.

I guess you can register it as a Buick to have a spot reserved for it.

Well done, factoryben. I have always said you can sell anything at a fair price, and feel good about it. My father told me a 'good deal' is when both parties walked away smiling. I didn't mean to offend the parts vendors. I know that is your livelihood and I am grateful you are there when I need you. And I know not everyone has my budget. I just hope the parts are there and within reach when I need them.

Bhigdog got it right. You know someone with more money than they know what to do with will pay their price. I get discouraged when I read the Bugle ads and see the prices on cars and parts. I ask myself "Who will pay that much for xxxx?" But it seems like someone always does. As long as they keep selling at high prices the market will continue to be such. It prices people like me (that have a tight budget) out of the market. That's why it is so refreshing when I see something I feel is reasonably priced. Now, what I think is reasonable may not be what others think is reasonable. Maybe I should say 'obtainable'. I like dealing with people who sell at prices that I feel are reasonable because I don't get the feeling they are selling just for the sake of profit. Perhaps I am disillusioned to think that some people sell items at a reasonable price in order to actually help others and keep the hobby going. At least that's what I'd like to think, anyway. And I try to stay true to that concept when I sell anything. I'm not in this hobby for profit. No one will ever accuse me of that.

I don't see any air intake scoops on the rear fenders. Were they supposed to be there on A/C Buicks in 1954, or am I mistaken?

Now there's something you don't see every day. Mud flaps on a Buick.

And it must be difficult to drive in those high heels, although I've never tried it.

I got it back together and drove it to work this morning. It has been about 8 months since it broke. A long time to sit, and one of my most ambitious projects. I'll drive it for about a week before I'm confident there won't be any more issues with it. No telling how long the rear end I pulled out of the salvage yard sat, but it appears to be happy.

Sounds like a good plan to me, especially the BS part. See you there.

Ha! A $10 fine. Makes it almost worth it.

Do you have a Body Manual and Shop Manual for it? These are invaluable when restoring a Buick back to original condition. Also, the Buick Heritage Alliance (www.buickheritagealliance,org) has original literature you can download. Have you joined the Buick Club of America? Members get a monthly magazine with vendors and classified ads dedicated to the restoration of Buicks. Also, they have technical advisors to help you. And this forum will answer any questions you have to the best of our abilities. Welcome to the world of Buicks! I hope we can help.

When I was 15 I got my Learner's permit, which allowed you to drive with a licensed driver in the front seat with you. Of course, that was not always the case. My brother was 16 and already had his license. We went to the store in our 1966 Skylark 2-door coupe with bucket seats and an automatic console shift. It was a few miles from home and he bet me I couldn't drive all the way home without using my hands on the steering wheel. I could use my knees, chin, forehead, teeth, whatever; just no hands or fingers. Well, that sounded reasonable at the time. And I wasn't about to let my brother win that bet. I started out slow and sure using my knees, but had one final right hand turn to get down our street. It was one of those roads that was over a drainage ditch. Not much shoulder on either side. I tried to turn the steering wheel with my right knee but it wasn't turning quite as sharply as it needed to. At the last instant, my brother grabs the steering wheel and jerked it his way, narrowing escaping the 3 foot drop into the drainage ditch. I went back to look at the tire threads and it appears we missed the ditch by about half an inch. I don't know why we thought that was so funny, even years later. I don't think our parents ever knew about that. But every time we went over that drainage ditch I thought about it.

Matt, Don't let my stupidity determine your decision. Just remember to hold the slide hammer on the handle and not the slide bar! I'll tell you why I went with a rear end instead of trying to change the gears. After talking to several knowledgeable gear people, I really didn't think I had the skills, patience, or tools to replace the gears. Apparently it takes a skill, usually developed from experience. I simply didn't have that experience. The manuals discuss tolerances and back lash and torques and use micrometers and dial gauges to get everything in place properly, and, honestly, it was a bit frightening to think about for me. I am happy with the decision I made to find a replacement rear end. The key to my happiness is that I finally found one that was from the exact year and model as mine. It wasn't from a similar GM vehicle. Being an exact replacement made it so much easier. Even the brake line clips were in the same place. So, If I had to do it over again, based on my facilities, tools, and ability, I'd go with the rear end replacement, instead of messing with the gears. Now, I'm sure there are some that will read this and disagree, but I'd bet you those guys have done the gear replacements several times and feel comfortable with it. I didn't.

Roberta, I want to thank you, too. You always post interesting articles that I would never know about without your contributions.

I put the new rear end this weekend. It was an exact fit, even the brake line clips were in the same place. What a relief it is to get the exact same part. All that's left now is the brakes, and putting the gas tank back in. The hard part is over. Weather permitting, I should be test driving it soon.

I know it has been a while, but I'm finally making progress. I decided that replacing the gear assembly with new ones would probably require more skill and knowledge and money than I had. So I started calling salvage yards. I was looking specifically for a rear end for a 1991-1993 Roadmaster wagon, nothing else seemed to fit without some modification. With the help of Pete Philips, I found one in Bud's Salvage yard in Aline, OK that I could afford. It was an exact match, having come out of a 1991 Roadmaster Wagon. It is not a posi-trac unit like the one I had, but it will do. I brought it home and took the cover off. It looks brand new inside. Clean oil, no gunk buildup, and the axles turned smoothly and quietly. I decided not to replace the axle bearings and seals because that would require me to take apart some of the rear end gears to release the axles. I didn't want to mess with any disassembly of this unit. I spent several hours over a few days going over it, removing the emergency brake cables, cleaning, etc. I then removed the old broken rear end from the wagon. The new one is ready to go in. With the help of some nice weather, perhaps I can get this done soon. Due to my other work schedule, I can only work on it over the weekends. In case you haven't noticed, this is the same 1991 Roadmaster Wagon featured in an article in the November, 2015 Bugle. Patricia is excited to get her car back!

"I am just hardheaded and stuck in my ways." Me, too, Matt. Given a choice, I'd rather buy something I know was made here. I also shop at smaller, locally owned stores when I can. I just feel better about it.

There is usually a list of registrants in the meet program, if anyone can find one of those.

I am happy that this Buick Rescue attempt turned out so well. Eric was a good foster home for it. It has come a long way. Here is my original listing. http://forums.aaca.org/topic/211049-buick-rescue-1951-special-model-41d-1000/?hl=rescue

I remember a few 1967 Skylarks, but don't recall any GS. There were several Sport Wagons, but, again, I don't recall a 1966 or 1967 specifically. I do remember seeing a 1965 Sport Wagon (because I falsely identified it as a rare 1964 Skylark Wagon until I looked closer) and several late 1960's wagons with the glass roofs. I remember seeing a 1969 Skylark Wagon, but it wasn't a Sport Wagon because it had a flat roof with a luggage rack. I suggest calling them. They will tell you immediately. When I called them looking for a 1991-1993 Roadmaster Wagon rear end, it took them about 15 seconds to look it up on the computer. I attached a few pictures of the 1991 Roadmaster Wagon donor car. May it rest in peace knowing it contributed many parts to keep its brothers alive for a few more years.