lrlforfun

OK Buick People: I personally have parted out the following Rivieras in my 57 Years....... 63 white custom w/leather and pw otherwise poverty. It was a running driving car that was 10 years old. It was just rough. I got it for $100. and I was fixing up a fully loaded black w/white leather. Sent to the crusher. 64 In 1977. Black on black, custom, loaded. Hit extremely hard in the back. I used everything on my 65 GS that was falling apart. Sold back to the wrecking yard. 65 In 2007. Turquoise w/white standard pw and a/c. I reluctantly paid $600. for it knowing I was to part it. This one had no motor and very rusty 1/4 panels, package shelf, trunk and back window. I have several 65's and it was a painful but financially sound decision. The rusted shell was all that was left on this one! It went to Pick your *^&$. 64 Silver w/silver all poverty. Came with another one (next paragraph). Motor laying by it's side in the rain since 1983, trunk, 1/4 panels, package shelf, floor pans, trunk swiss cheese. It laid in the forest and the rats had completely filled the trunk up with acorns and debris which decomposed leaving delightful potting soil. I have harvested a ton of goodies from this one. It's on the ranch. 64 White/black standard, a/c, pw. Pretty rough yet I think I need to leave this one complete. It's got it's share of rust but it's straight and the drive train is all there. The rest of it is surprisingly complete. I'm leaving it alone. It's on the ranch. 64 beige w/saddle custom, a/c. Straight, unmolested. It was taken out of daily service in 1980 and sat in Sebastapool, Ca. a very rainy area. It green housed and the interior suffered. Trunk and left 1/4 panel are unhappy. Because it's such a boarder line case I am leaving it alone too. It's at the ranch. So you see there is an accounting for a half a dozen. I wonder how a professional statistician would come up with accurate numbers? Mitch

OK Charlie: Why don't you make me a deal on the whole car....or what's left of it. I could throw in a few parts too if the price is ok! Mitch 510-688-1626

OK Matt: You are the MAN on 64 full sized! One major problem with the 64 Wildcat and Electra. They are being knocked out of the box faster than a speeding bullet. Why? I'm guessing that people are harvesting those 401s. and throwing away the carcasses. This is a similar case with the 60 Buick Invicta Custom Coupe. The bucket seats are going into other GM cars. At least the 60 buicks are not parted because there is still quite a demand for the body style,where the 64 Wildcat W/O the motor is almost a dead horse. Mitch

OK Buick People: I have two 60 Buick parts cars with factory a/c. Would anyone be interested in a complete a/c unit? If so what would be you be willing willing to pay for it? ORRRRRRRR would you have something 1960 Buick to swap? I'm trying to determine if it is worth hauling the parts car to my house to dissemble the unit, pack it and ship it. Mitch

OK Riviera People: I have a 64 Riviera with a nice wood steering wheel. The horn bar and center cap are very good too. It is a beautiful appointment on the interior but I really don't care for the feel of it. I drive this car occasionally. A few questions..... I have a standard wheel and that suits me fine. Would it be easy to swap them out? What would it be worth? Would some body want to purchase it? Thanks, Mitch.

OK Buick People: Meet Mitch...a few facts My Father was a WW2 Vet and everything in our house was American. When his German buddy drove his new '66 MB in the driveway I could literally see the smoke coming out of his ears. I personally liked the Buicks my family had, thus my obsession with my Buick collection (84 at present). I wasn't interested in pony cars or Caddies or Oldsmobiles...Just Lesabres Wildcats and first series Rivieras. Why? Because they appealed to me. I couldn't care less if they were good or bad. I was a used car dealer for many years. Because I had a thing for American cars I looked for them for stock. They got progressively worse year after. When I was lucky enough to get a deal on a Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mazdas or Mitsu I knew it was double money in the bank. First, I didn't have to spend NEARLY the money to recon them and second, they would sell much faster for a lot more money. I'm sure that several people who participate in this forum can give testimonials about how good their GM cars are. I can only give my experience which isn't the greatest. Am I baiting you? Somewhat, YES. I AM DONE. Mitch

OK Buick People; You heard it from Mitch. Just my theory now..........GM eventually will be taken over by the Japanese. If GM had what it took they would still be in trouble but not on the verge of going under. The Japanese are the only people capable of turning GM around and making it profitable again. Our country will reap tremendous long term benefits from this. Maybe I can start buying new GM cars with the same confidence as I have with my Accord. I would buy everything American made if the products were good. Mitch

OK Buick People: Things have changed dramatically since Wayne's incident some 20 years ago. In California the victim is allowed to their vehicle in the impound yard and they may take their property out of the vehicle. What I forgot to mention in my previous post is that if the vehicle has a Lien Sale, the tow company can and ABSOLUTELY WILL take the owner to court and get a judgment against that person. This will result in many horrible things. First your credit will be dinged, second, your house or other property can have a lien put against it. This is not happy. Mitch

OK Riviera People; A Vette is still a Vette even if it has a 6 cylinder in it just the same as a 65 Riv is a 65 Riv! If you want a 66, get a 66. If you want a Volksie beetle, get a Volksie beetle. Mitch.

OK Eric: I was in the used car business for many years. When a car was stolen from me I would always go into the "on guard mode". Here's the process. It may save you money and it may save you time. First, keep calling the cops to find out if your car was recovered. Make absolutely sure that all necessary data has been given accurately such as vin#,licence#,correct contact address and phone number and your correct name. Next, although you don't really know for sure where the car will be recovered (it will be recovered, right?) FIND OUT what documentation you'll need to get your car back. Hard copies of the title, current reg, driver's license, insurance info and possibly other police info are what you may need to get a release from the police. Again FIND OUT BEFORE HAND! Finally, have plenty of cash on hand to get your car back because the tow companies take NO PRISONERS when it comes to charging their fee. The sooner you get it back the cheaper it's going to be and you will go through fewer hoops of fire. Good Luck, Mitch.

OK Willis: It's nice to finally meet you. I can say, you are by far the very best and fastest typist in the history of Buick Motor Division! Happy New Year, Mitch

OK Buick People: My question to the 63 Wildcat people is this, if the 2 dr ht. is that desirable and that solid, why cut it up? Couldn't you find 63 Wildcat parts? They are still around. Front clip, floor pans, whatever else. Yes, I remember when B-59 Converts were being parted, that today, would have a bunch of decent money buyers for the same kind of car in similar condition. I have a 60 Invicta Custom convert that is rubble (like Barney) and that will be parted out. It is pretty much the worst 1960 Buick I have ever ran across. My request is Don't part out a decent anything. Eventually you will realize that you made the right decision. Mitch

OK Buick People: I wanted to share something that happened to me recently and hopefully stir up a big old hornet's nest. I recently came upon three cars (different people involved) that were recently sold. Two of them were very decent driver quality sedans, the other a very rare coupe, quite fixable. The rub? All of these cars are going to be used by their new owners as donor cars for their current project. Here we have one segment of the hobby working feverishly to save old cars and then, there's quite a number of people who would chop up a good car as a means to the end result they desire. Cutting up good old cars NEVER made sense to me but then these cutter people all have a story that they think justifies their doing. I am really thick. Will somebody please straighten me out. One request. No dissertations, please. Happy New Year, Mitch.

OK Mike: I believe Ken sold a pair of these a few years ago. If he is still with us he may have a lead. Good Luck, Mitch

OK Buick People: My wife won't drive or ride in my old Buick because they are too rough looking and they smell. At least I shower. Mitch

OK Buick People: Easy on that judgement trigger.........please!!! This is by far the ugliest aspect of the B U I C K C L U B of America. I know because I have been in the same spot as the owner of this unique vehicle. How would all of you like it if I posted a picture of your vehicles in a thred and ranted how terrible they were????? A suggestion and perhaps a solution....."The New and Improved" Buick Club of America "With Added Humility". Mitch

OK Buick people: How much?.....or did I miss the asking price? Mitch

OK Buick People: I requested (by the seller's posted email address)if the seller could air up the tires, pull the car out of the building, wash the car and take pictures of it dry so as to reveal much more of it's actual condition. He responded by saying that it wasn't possible at this time. That is not what I wanted to hear. Mitch

OK Vitelio: Go to Sears and get their 3 ton floor jack for $69.95. Also, get their jack stands too. A bumper jack is a scary thing. These cars are heavy Mamas! Mitch

OK Buick People: I started this thing and now, if you all don't mind, am finishing it. My hope is that the ideas discussed in this thred will be heard and put to use by the many who want to make a difference. What a ride!!!! Mitch

OK Riviera People: I have a set of these things I am puting together. The spinner is identical to the poverty 65 Riv GS hub cap spinner, with the 64 "R" logo. I cleaned mine then sprayed the whole cap with black satin paint (or use what ever other color you might like...similar to the 61 and 62 Caddy). Next I am going to attempt.....using a dremmel with a somewhat medium abrasive tool to remove the paint from the vanes and eventually polish them. I will let you all know how it turns out! Mitch

OK Buick People: WOW! is all I can say. So here's where we're at now..... Yes, one needs to make a profit to survive. There are many who have switched brands, especially to Japaneese, and that I think will continue. My solution is that all GM, Ford and Chrysler Brass, engineers and other employees seek Pyscotherapy. Once a week sessions with a qualified professional plus, a support groop once a month is what it will take. It will help these people learn to listen to it's customers needs and wants and act accordingly. Right now the people who run the American Auto industry are a bunch of angry emotionally unavailable people who are so caught up in their own dysfunctional behavior that the ship is sinking and even with bail out money are currently powerless to create new products that will make their companies healthy again. I know this rhetoric may seem real edgy to you. I hope it might appeal to to you as a good idea. After all, if the Automakers prosper so do many others. THERE IS NOTHING TO LOOSE. Mitch

OK Buick People: I just heard on the radio that if the government doesn't bail out GM it might go away. My questions to the forum members are.... Is this true? What can the concequesces be for our country if this happens as well as all the people who's livelihood depend on this company? The reason I am so concerned is this, GM has been making lousy cars for a long time now and it scares the living daylights out of me to see such reprocussions. I am fearful that the powers in charge of GM really DON'T GET IT!!!!! and even with help still may not. My loyalty to GM was steadfast in the past but it wasn't until I got my thick head really clobbered that I woke up from this cunning fog. Am I bashing GM? I am more than convinced that they don't get what it takes to build a reliable car. I would like nothing more than to own a GM car (besides my old Buicks). I just don't trust them anymore and haven't for a long long time. I guess that the sales of GM cars reflect that many others feel that way too. Mitch

OK Jeff: If you look up the Carpenter's web site you can preview Richard Carpenter's 65 GS (black on black). All of his cars are as perfect as one could imagine or so it seems. Because there is a decent supply of 65 Riviera Grand Sports available to buy in the under 15K range (for decent quality) it would stand to reason that a super build on one could be at the 25K price putting lots of hypothetical cars way under 72K and looking pretty slick. On the other hand, perhaps this buyer just inherited lots of dough and just wanted one because they saw it and it was available immediately. Mine is not for sale and probably still worth only 5k. And, oh, is your 63 Lesabre convert a gold 4-speed with cornering lights, and buckets? Mitch

OK D: How much and where? Thanks, Mitch