HurstGN

I for one am AGAINST a dues increase. It's hard enough to convince people to join the local chapters when you hit them with the $35 requirement for national membership. While you appreciate the Bugle, and I do to (Thanks Pete, for an incredible job each month), perhaps it is GOOD to have a backlog of articles. What happens if articles dry up a bit? Are we going to publish a Bugle with blank pages? Unless an article is time sensitive, it can wait a bit. When I had my car published in Hemmings Muscle Machines, I was told some people have waited up to 4 years to get in that publication. I'd rather see good articles each month like we have now instead of Pete clamoring for fill because there's now 16 pages more to fill and new articles have dried up. It wasn't too long ago when we heard pleas for more atricles because there weren't enough to fill a Bugle. What about the loss of members due to the dues increase? Will we have a further glut of leftover Bugles due to a loss in membership? We already have plenty of leftover Bugles going into the archives for sale by the Porthole Chapter. Has anyone looked at the economy? Gas prices are skyrocketing, and there doesn't appear to be any relief in sight. The housing market is in a record slump. Reports recently said that the average homeowners equity is now less than 50%. More and more people are in severe credit card debt. Leading economists can't decide if we're in a recession or not, but most lean more towards using the "R" word than ever. The dollar is getting weaker and the euro is getting stronger. We're preparing for a change in leadership in the federal government. Whether it's an R or D that wins the election, I don't hear any candidate running on the "I'll maintain the status quo" ticket. Everyone is demanding change, and we're going to see some change. Has everyone gotten the same yearly increase in salary and same bonus this year? News reports are mentioning that employers are cutting back on raises and bonuses more than ever before. Oh, not to mention the unemployment figures are rising. Has anyone taken into account the new postal rates coming our way this spring? Rates are going up, and if the economy dips, don't be surprised to see the postal system ask for another rate increase before years end on top of the spring increase. Plus, does anyone have any idea how much money the BCA has in the bank accounts? I know some huge figures were passed around in the past 5 years. That was just the money that didn't have a home and needed to be invested somewhere. Maybe we hold stable and wait and see. If we hit a minor short term crunch, we dip into the savings a little to stem the tide, and when things turn around, then consider an increase. But for now, I just can't think of a worse time to ask for more money. As much as everyone would like a bigger edition of the Bugle, lets stop and think. Lets take some time to see where the economy goes over the next year. I remember the old joke, "That and a quarter will get you a cup of coffee". That joke has morphed into "That and $50 will get you a tank of gas, maybe". Lets not see it morph again into something like "That and a bar of gold will get you a membership in the Buick Club".

If you're familiar with hauling yourself, consider it. But if you have a problem along the trip, it could be a nightmare. I've dealt with several car hauling companies. The BEST way to do it is deal with the hauler directly. There are brokers that will take your job, and post the request to a bulletin board like system requesting a driver. These listings are reviewed by the drivers and those worth taking are accepted and the deal is brokered and begun. This is very commonplace, but can be problematic. If you choose a broker and they lowball the price, your job request will be seen by the drivers...then you change companies because the request wasn't taken by a driver...the new request hits the boards. The same drivers see it, and begin to wonder what the problem is. This may affect you adversely as the drivers don't want a headache, and seeing a car haul listed by more than one company over time is a red flag to the hauler. Ensure your carrier is bonded and the transportation is insured. Accidents will happen, and you want the hauler held responsible for damages. A good photographic record of the vehicle from all angles at time of pickup, and time of delivery can mitigate major hassles should something happen along the way. Find out if the car will be moved from one transport to another during shipment. Some haulers will offload and reload the car several times. Each transfer of truck is another chance for a problem. Find out if the carrier will place the vehicle in a holding facility for any length of time. Some transporters will drop a car off in a warehouse midway on the trip to allow them to go get more cars for the trip. Kinda like grab 4 cars from 4 different locations on smaller trucks, then load up the big carrier for the main part of the trip. This is a common practice for some carriers, but it can be another place for something to go wrong. Problems when on/off loading the car...vandalism at the warehouse...whatever. If this can be avoided, then don't do it. Get the drivers cell phone #. Almost all drivers will gladly give you their cell phone # and you should give them yours. Tell the driver to call you ANYTIME day or night if he wants to tell you what's going on, or even just to give you status updates. Most drivers will respect the time zone you're in and not call at really off hours. I had a car delivered and the phone rang at midnight. The driver was getting close and needed to know if he should catch some sleep at a hotel, or did I want the car that night. If not at night, first thing in the morning. Not being a morning person, I said if he wanted to deliver at night, that was fine by me. At 2:30 am, I had me car in the garage. It fit my schedule better than morning and the driver was happy to oblige. Door-to-door delivery. You can save a bunch by not having the car delivered to your door, but to a convienent location just off the main highways. A large parking lot like a shopping center works well. To the door delivery cost more and may not be needed. If the car isn't running, or not able to be driven on roads safely, then you need door-to-door. Otherwise, save a few $$ and get it dropped at a mutual spot. I had a car delivered to the local fire hall parking lot and saved several hundred dollars on the cost. I didn't tell the driver that I WALKED to the fire hall to meet him and it was only 1 block from my house. Be honest on the condition and especially the size of the vehicle. Larger cars (professional cars) tend to cost more, sometimes double as they take too much room on the transporter. If your car is big enough to take two spaces, you'll pay for two spaces. That's the price you have pay to have larger cars moved. Suck it up and pay the price. You may cause more negotiation hassles if you aren't up front about the size of the car and it becomes an issue. Don't be surprised if the arrangements are for a down payment for the transportation, then the remainder is to be paid in cash to the driver. Often drivers use the cash collected for fuel and lodging costs on the road. Know this up front. You don't want to rely on using a check or creditcard if the driver can't accept it. Cash works for them...he knows he's been properly paid. Plus most won't even begin to offload the car till all paperwork is signed and the cash handed over. The last thing a driver needs is get stiffed on a job worth $1,000 or more. They're just protecting themselves. They don't know you from Adam and with crooks trying every scheme possible today to rip somebody off, I don't blame them a bit. Open or enclosed? Unless it's a 400 point trailer queen, go open trailer. It's cheaper and it's not as bad as some may think. I shipped a car from PA to GA on an open trailer. The car was always garaged, detailed properly and show ready when it left my hands. The guy that got the car gave it a quick splash and dash off to a local car show the day it arrived. In a judged car show he took 3rd place. He was beaten by two trailer queens, but he beat several trailer queens for the 3rd place spot. When he told people he just got the car from the rustbelt of PA, they all thought he was lying. Then he showed them the paperwork still in the car from transport. That was proof enough we have some nice cars here in PA...even after an open trailer ride down south. Do some internet searches for transportation companies. I found tons of them. All were willing to take a non-running vehicle...for a fee. Winch time does cost, and you can pay for it and have the car delivered. But if it's not running or unsafe to drive, it may be money well spent. This is another thing to be up front about. Drivers will deal with a non-running car, they just don't want the surprise when they go to pick it up and budgeted time to beat rush hour traffic, only to get screwed by a non-running car and throwing their entire schedule off. I've yet to meet a discourteous driver. I've been lucky, as I know there are some out there...I just did my homework and it paid off. I hope this helps, and doesn't come off as too "preachy"...I just wanted pass along some of the lessons I learned in moving cars over the years.

Those photos do not do that car justice. A friend locally has a 37 Byzantine. Not in that condition, but even in need of restoration, his car is impressive. I'll bet in person that car would make your jaw hit the ground instantly. If I had the money laying around, it would be gone already.

Well, count me in the minority...I like both. I really like the boattail concept. I've always wanted a 71 Boattail...to each his own I guess.

Ironically, this is the same neighbor that we had used his van to move our sound equipment for a cruise. When we loaded the van and went to start it, it laughed at us. No lie. I wouldn't start and it sounded like it was literally laughing at us. Fools we were thinking that van would cooperate. It eventually did start and gave us no more trouble, but Dan has gotten it in the past from this fellow's vehicles.

I've been amazed at the prices some of these vehicles fetch at the auctions and the buyer is a dealer with an eye towards reselling it. There's a show on TV, Car Wars I believe is the name. I can't imaging paying as much as they do, but there must be money to be had doing this. They certainly can afford more cars than I ever will. Uneducated buyers will always make somebody rich...too bad it's not me. Anyone want to buy a bridge in New York?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MrEarl</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I guess my first question is where do you store the mop handle? You know, the one you use to prop the doors up when the hydraulic cylinder goes. </div></div> c',mon, this is a Buick. That would never happen. If you do need to prop a door open, just rest it on your head. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MrEarl</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Except for that I love the car. Gullwings just aren't that practical. Rita's first question was, how would that work in the grocery store parking lot.</div></div> You would be parked at the end of the lot across 2 spaces with the guy with the 40th anniversary Corvette. You'll have plenty of space. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MrEarl</div><div class="ubbcode-body">2nd question- Would that clear a speed hump?</div></div> OK, when you see a speed bump coming up, you open the doors and gun it up to 65! At 60 the doors begin to produce lift. At 65 there's enough lift to clear the speed bump with no problem. As you cross over the speed bump, don't forget yo scream YAHOO! and blow your aftermarket air horns that play Dixie (ala Dukes of Hazzard) <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MrEarl</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Both good questions I thought. She ended with "It is tough though" </div></div> Now there's a future buyer. Did you read that GM. Now get off your arses and make this available in the US. You blew it by not making the Blackhawk...lets not let another one get away.

Do a you-tube search for it. I came across a video of the unveailing event last week. It looks even better moving. And pay close attention to the hood and Tri-Shields when the lights are turned on...really cool effect.

I already knew Christmas was coming...TSO (Trans-Siberian Orchestra for the un-initiated) already played here in Pittsburgh. I went to both shows and I'm ready for Christmas! If you have the chance, go see them and you'll get the Christmas spirit. If you can't see them live, grab "Christmas Eve and Other Stories" CD and read the story and lyrics. Or the "Ghosts of Christmas Eve" DVD if you just want to watch the story and not have to do much reading. The story is slightly different on the DVD, but the meaning is there. Paul knows the real meaning of Christmas and it comes across loud and clear in their work. After hearing "Old City Bar" from the CD, it'll make you look at a neon beer sign in a whole different way. Lets enjoy the generosity and kindness that always seems to come from people at this time of year. It's a special thing that happens and I'd like to see it happen all year long. As for the grinches that don't get it, sorry. I can only hope maybe one day you will get it.

If you'd like to see these available again, lets find out how much interest there would be for them. There is a member of the Pittsburgh Tri-Shields that has access to getting things like these made, but it would require more than a handfull ready to purchase them. If there is enough interest, I'm sure the Pittsburgh Tri-Shields would gladly put the time and effort into making it a club project to make them available.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: n1gzd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sometimes it is a real mess: </div></div> That's a mess? C'mon, you gotta really work on that to call it a mess. For most of us, if our better half only saw that, we'd all be heroes for getting the garage cleaned up.

You might also try the approach of actually having a meeting. Place an ad in the newspaper advertising a gathering of "Buick enthusiasts" interested in forming a local chapter of the BCA. Select a restaurant close to where you'd think regular meetings might be held. Invite "any and all" interested. This will target anyone interested in Buicks, even those not currently in the BCA. Take a handful of Bugles to pass around for all to see. Take documentation on what the BCA does. You may get a good turnout and you'll get to talk to people face-to-face about the idea. If you get a core group of enthusiasts that also like the idea, then you could split the cost/work involved in sending out postcards to all the BCA memebrs that don't attend the initial gathering to see if anyone else is interested. Don't forget to gather names and contact info for everyone in attendance. Even if they don't join in, they might be interested in activites open to the public once you get going. Hope this helps.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JDHolmes</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I seldom appreciate tri-5 Chebbies...how many red 55, 56, 57 Chevies can one look at? I practically run through them.</div></div> Reminds me of a Ron White quote..."Once you've seen one pair of breasts...you pretty much want to see them all." I actually want to see all the classic cars that come to a show. That way I have more to look at and see if something that really interests me. I've seen some really nice 55-57's that really got my attention. Then there's others that I looked past pretty quickly. I don't discount any car at a car show, because it may or may not interest me...but it definitely interests the owner. And I don't want to disrespect the owner as I would not like to be disrespected. As long as you're having fun (within legal limits), who cares.

Professional all the way.

Rod, Don't let their comments or lack of interest get you down. Go and enjoy yourself. Check out the cars you like, and have a good time...whatever YOU deem to be a good time. Some have to walk and see every car, some just sit and watch those walking by. Do what's fun for you. I have on many occasion had experiences like this. With my Turbocharged 82 Grand National at a Buick only event in Kentucky. Once there were film crews shooting video for the yearly video produced about the event. The crew began shooting the big GF Goodrich trailer with it's new graphics all over it. A friend of mine asked what their problem was, in less than family terms. They asked what he was talking about. He told them the car they just walked past was one of a handful ever produced, and the first time one ever made it to the show...maybe the last time one would be at this show. Since it was so rare, and they weren't Buick guys, they had no clue. It got filmed and in the video. Another time, I entered the GN in an all Buick car show. There were classes seperate for T-Types and GN's. I entered the GN class. The official in charge of the GN class tried to put me in the T-Type class...because "they only made GN's in black, you have a T-Type". Oh how wrong. It is a GN. And if it wasn't a GN, it would be a Sport Coupe, not a T-Type. I let it roll off. The guy I parked next to was more offended than I was. We had a great conversation and he was thrilled to see an all original 82 GN in person. We had a good time despite the unknowledgable official. For my 87's..."Hey, nice Monte Carlo" can be heard quite often. Yes, whatever. I know what I have, and I like it. And that's what it's all about. I've had too many times my 82 has gotten comments like "forget that one, it's not fast like the 87's" or the best was when our club got a participation trophy that was 6'6" tall and I was putting it in my 82 (t-top removed to allow it to fit) and some lady said "you got that trophy for that?!?" Yea, well, it hurt, but I know my car has potential, and may one day be desireable. Untill then, I just let it roll off my back. And proof that somebody does appreciate my car came when Matt L. from Hemmings Muscle Machines contacted me about featuring the 82 in the magazine. I couldn't believe it, somebody wanted to see MY 82 in a magazine. I was stoked!! The article was just released and I feel the car has just had it's chance to flip the bird to all those that ignored it all these years. HA, were they in a magazine? The point being one day, the tide may turn and your car may be the hottest thing going. Look at all the Edsels that nobody wanted. Now take one to a show and see if it gets attention. A friend Rich locally has one, and I think it's quite a nice looking car. But then what do I know...I like that non-selling 82 GN too.

The <span style="text-decoration: line-through">grass</span> ... er Cuda is always greener on the other side....

Like in the classic M&M's commercial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK9-FPr7tno as Santa says "They do exist!" Yep. The October 2007 issue is arriving in mailboxes throughout the country, and I'm so happy to be in it! Pages 24 through 29. WOOHOO!!!! Matt did an excellent job on the article and photos. I know what photos were taken well after the sun went down...he amazes me on how well photographed the car is. Once again, thanks to Matt, George, and Dan for making my day!

John, We need to get you in contact with Chuck Korey. He knows all about the 60's and can refer you to who he deals with. I know that's something he doesn't tackle himself.

John, Jerry Berberich also does excellent work, in the Overbrook area. I've had him do cloth and leather work. I was never disappointed. He's on Lucina 412-885-1585

Perhaps the point some of us are trying to make is lost in translation. - Not everyone has dealt with CARS for parts (I for one have not). - Many have dealt with CARS for parts and completed transactions. - Of those many transactions, some transactions were not to the satisfaction of the consumer. - Some of the dissatisfied customers are attempting to voice their concern for a vendor problem so those that have not dealt with CARS know the "track history" of the company. I myself would like to know how a vendor supports it's customers. The posts tend towards -- I've dealt with them for years, the customer service is what it is. Or -- We don't have another supplier, so we deal with it. We don't expect much more. Whatever the opinion, those that are new to Buicks will be looking for parts. If the main part supplier for these parts (only supplier for some parts) is so hard to deal with, don't be surprised when the new Buick enthusiast becomes a Chevy enthusiast. It's hard enough to get somebody excited about Buicks to begin with. Then to say, well, this is the only supplier, and the service sucks, and it may cost you for their mistake...but that's how it is. Well, you're just shooting yourself in the foot. I'd like to know ahead of time if a supplier is hard to deal with, so I can either try to find another source or lower my expectations. I just don't want to be blindsided on my first dealings with a vendor. Perhaps a separate forum can be created where feedback can be posted about transactions by vendors. This would be a moderated forum where moderators would prevent flame wars from happening, and possibly help get parties together if problems do arise. A semi-mediator if you will. This is all just food for thought.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Thriller</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is it sad that I kind of want it? </div></div> Nope...I don't "kind of" want it....I just plain WANT IT! That's one cool looking tow truck.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: buick5563</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Now don't get me wrong, I've had some iffy dealings with CARS, but as mentioned above they have the market cornered on some items. What do we do if they go away? I doubt there will be dancing in the streets, nobody really cares. If you don't like what's on TV turn the channel, if you don't like CARS, buy (or try) elsewhere. Mike </div></div> Turning the TV channel doesn't cost me one red cent. But as others have posted here, I'd have to "try CARS" to find I don't like CARS. And doing so seems to have cost quite a bit to some members in the past, like the $400+ expensive box. Sorry, but I'm not going to waste any of my money to find out if I like them or not. I'll heed this post's warning and not buy from them. Now I just wonder about ANY of the ads in the Bugle since this vendor hasn't been pulled yet.

Well, it finally happened. Somebody took notice of my 1982 Turbocharged Grand National. It all started when Dan Dugan submitted an article for the Bugle covering the Pittsburgh Tri-Shields Chapter attendance at the 2007 Pittsburgh World of Wheels show. Professionally written, the article was great. Well, about the time Dan was writing the article, Matt Litwin of Hemmings Muscle Machines was telling his boss about the Grand Nationals and that not all of them came in black. He told the boss about the 82's and how they were "different". Well, Matt caught sight of the article in the Bugle and contacted me regarding the car. Amidst much turmoil at work, I was able to sneak in a Sunday afternoon / evening to hookup with Matt and George from Hemmings. Dan also came along to help if we had any problems with the car. We all met up and scouted out locations for the photo shoot. Again, Dan comes through with a prime location for a photo shoot. You see, Hemmings likes to shoot in industrial settings, and ironically, gravel pits. These provide for a background that minimizes distractions and allows the car to be the star of the photos. Well, Dan comes up with a location that is huge, flat, wide open, and appropriately for a car in Western Pa, a huge pile of coal for a backdrop. PERFECT!! More kudos to Dan for finding the perfect location. Photos are shot till way past sundown. Matt was every bit the professional in his care to get the shot right to tell the 82's story. Matt and George both threated my car like it was gold. This car has never had such an honor before. Now the photos are shot, and I need to get time to get some paperwork to Matt to make all this get into the print cycle. Hopefully now that the emergencies this week are winding down, I can finish my work on getting this paperwork complete. So sometime in the future, my 82 GN will grace the pages of Hemmings Muscle Machines...all thanks to some real kewl Buick fanatics. I now know what it feels like to be the proud pappa of an old Buick. Dan, Matt, and George.....many thanks for really making my day. I can't wait till the day the article is published and hits the newsstands. I shot this photo of Matt shooting detail shots of the car.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JohnD1956</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hope those high heels didn't poke a hole in the seats Dan. </div></div> No worries there...shoes came off first. Couldn't convince them how the bikini would also affect the upholstry too. The cruise was titled "Thunder in the Strip". Only seemed appropriate. Seems I was the only one that thought along those lines.

Yea, we want the real thing!! Like these..... The Pittsburgh Tri-Shields know how to have fun. There's a couple more at http://www.pittsburghbuickclub.org