jscheib

I believe Bob's Automoblia no longer has the manifolds and others are trying to work to see if the previous manufacturer will either make more or will part with their jigs/molds. I will try to follow up. I do not need one but know someone that does. John

Thanks, Yes, those prices do seem high, and like so many others, they sem more willing to scrap them for less money just for spite. I am afraid we have to look at it as a way to make the existing ones (we have) more valuable. But also for those we may want to buy/drive. John

Mr. Earl, I would appreciate it if you would let me know if you come across any Cabellaros in this yard and what they may be like. I did not se any in the photos. John

PS, I fogot to mention - the rear porthole might look like the new "fastback" Mustang. John

As I responded before I think I can offer some more constructive criticism. I cannot speak for the structural integrity, but it would not seem to add much more weight - just distribute it differently which would mean perhaps not enough weight distribution on the front, which would be a handling problem. My criticism is based on looking at the photo of the original. Looking at a lot of other comments on these forums, this might be considered hacking up a rather good car for "another custom". It seems you could find a car in worse condition that could be better deserve the custom work, and sell what seems to be a good condition car, including the interior, rather then hack into it. But it is your car, and only my opinion. John

Thanks for this information. Too bad, but it seems the Buick did not make it into the movie (I have not seen it yet). It sure would be interesting to see what that unique Buick would go for, if they did put it up (but they are making more then enough at their auctions to be forced to part with it). Do you think anyone could convince B-J Auctions to get the car out if we ever have the National in SoCal? I wish now I was going to Scotsdale for the auction. I know some people in CT are and will make sure they get some photos. John

Its been awhile since I thought about any customizing of this sort, but as I look at the "proposed", would you use the existing rear window by relocating the back section of the roof/rear, and how would that get by state authorities if you were to use this on the street, as it would seem too low to use an interior mirror. Also, my preference would to try to conceive some other glass treatment for the rear, rather then portholes, but I have no idea how/what to do. John

Regarding the last posting, I would just point out two other recent postings. 1 - A question on an '84 radio 2 - A question on a '96 battery Responses were rather quick (in my opinion) and no one questioned what the question was doing with a problem on the forum with a newer car, so perhaps "we protestest too much". The forum is for all as long as general courtesy is followed. And I would certainly encourage every reader and contributor to this forum to join the BCA. As far as I see, both complement each other and everyone can have a say. It seems we have some strong proponents of early year restoration, early year "unrestored" as well as later model preservation and modified. And these seem to cause the opposite preference to feel excluded. As many of us have stated, there is opportunity for all. John

Mr Earl, I will accept your note of thanks, and, in turn, thank you for the complement on behalf of our calendar committee. This is a reminder to others that there is still time to order calendars by following information in our ad in the Bugle. It also just dawned on me that we should also get instructions in this forum (I gues under Buy and Sell and possible the Chapter info) and will get to that next week. I suggest any interested parties go to the Yankee Link, to order, as there is still plenty of time to get the most out of the calendar. And, of course, we want to complement the person that had the good taste to pick our calendar as a gift. Thank you all, and hope everyone has a good year in 2005. John

Santa never brings anything to me like that. Would we not all like to see those under (or around)the tree. Better then the Lexus or Jag wityh the red bows. John

I do not know for sure, but I think '29 was only wood spoke wheels, with steel spokes in the early '30s. Any '29 with anything other then wood may have been a modification for racing, or something. Others may be able to give you better infomation on this. John

I guess we know where the "Old Gold" term came from. The EPA is cracking down on these guys all the time and a lot of owners of the sites will not part with a car for just over the "scap metal" price, but expect to make a profit for holding and rotting them. You all might refer to the efforts elsewhere where somone had the idea to form a cooperative to hold these cars and parts somewhere with a central inventory control, holding Buick and Buick parts only. The more of this I see, the more I think it a good idea. John

John, The pictures of the '58 have excited me again. I am still working toward finding one, and now I know the lettering on the '58 is on the rear fender, rather then the sweep spear on the '57. I was not sure the photos I had been looking at on the cars was an actual '58 Cab, or the Special version of the 4dr. hardtop. So thanks for that help and I will sure be in contact with you if I take ownership of one. Even if I do not, as I am interested in these cars. The only thing that might pull me inanother direction would be a '40s sedanette. John John

How about bringing back the Riviera name? I would buy one if it had power and style as of old, but to modern design. John

Keith, Yes it would be nice. I guess I favor the '57 over the '58, as maybe a bit to much bright stuff. But in reading the Buick History, I guess the market did not think much of the '57s at the time (my time actually), and I always liked the 55s and 56s. We will see. I see on e-bay I missed one in Texas, if I recall. I will see what develops with the two others. I think the salvage yard is closing and would hate to see them go to the crusher. John

I thoughtI would bring this to the top again. I am a bit confused about these 4 dr. hardtop wagons. As best I understand, the '57s and '58s both had a Special and Century 4 door hartop wagons called Riviera, but only the Century models carried the Caballaro name. Oddly enough, I see that the Special models, while not as powerful and trimmed out as the other were produced in lower quantities, and book values seem almost as high. I would imagine that the Super models might be easier to find any missing parts. I have a lead on two wagons, one a '57 Special. and the other apparently a '58 also apparently a Special. I am not sure but it might be a Century, because the '58s do not have the easy porthole identifier. I am debating what to do next. Maybe wait for a real Caballaro (Century), but the '57 looks nice and most complete. I have only seen a single picture thus far, so I am not sure of conditions. Can anyone with more info on the Caballaro and the others provide me with some guidance. If you want, e mail me at j.scheib@comcast.net John

If you still have Mac Blair's e-mail address, I suggest you write to him, because I think he has some info on the inner workings of the system. Mine does not open too well either and will close also a bit too quickly. I usually stop and pull the shutters open, or push the rod under the hood, and then the shutters stay open. This avoids denending on the old system. I have seen some poeple block the shutters open with bits of wood. John

What series car is this for? I assume different series may be different. I have a Hulk being parted, and someone is interested in the steering, as it might fit his Olds, but the steering is not yet removed. PLease let me know if you know the series and I will keep you informed if the parts will be available. John

Hello. I have communicated with Red Top by e-mail when they found my address on the web, not spotting the Minuteman Chapter. In addition to storage until this car is fixed, I understand the owner (she is just writing for a friend that does not use computers)is also looking for help finding parts. Is there anyone in eastern MA that can help? Apparently the storage places they have researched all want the gas tank emptied and cleaned, or more. John

I would think a 1/2 hour or so would be ideal, as 15 min. seems a little to brief. But we will see what it looks like when you have it ready. The fireworks took over that time, so if they are included in the video, I would like to see more of the various cars, and I suspect others would too. But that is my opinion. John

It will be good to see that one back on the road again. Good luck finding the parts. John

I was going to suggest the same as Brian. Pick up the car and drive to Batavia. I am sure we could help get you safely to NY or Boston for transport should you elect to do that. Regarding shows in spring in the Northeast, many do not get started until May, to be safe with the weather (spring rains), but I bet if you work out a schedule, I am certain we could get BCAers to help you along any route you select, possible with short meetings with local chapters along the way to whatever port you select. To be honest going south would be a safer bet if you do it before Batavia, again based on rain in the northeast in Spring. Keep us informed with your decision after your wife gets back, and how long you can keep away from the car, and let us know. As an aside, I would love to see a picture of your '32 and learning a bit of its history, as I have a smaller model. To everybody else reading the site, I am sure I am not speaking out of turn, and I am sure we would enjoy sharing some time with them if they come for the car. After all, that may be the last time many of us will see that car. I dare say I wonder how many of us would be brave enough to purchase a car while the significant other is out of the country. "Oh well, honey, I did not have anything else to do while you were gone!!!". John

I wonder just how many of the closed locations there are, and most are likely not owned by GM, but by others, locally. Perhaps we could find an old Olds dealer - those must be available. I just realized, I know of one old Chevy dealer's building these used only for service and has been empty quite some time. But I hear the owner seems to prefer it sit empty, and wait for top $. However, I am going to check it out. They just sold another location for big bucks as part of a new development, and that building will come dowm. Now, I think it has an old tower that they used for parts storage - one of the early versions of the carousel retrieval system some of you in industry may be familair. But I think the building is to come down soon, so I need to check on its condition, and I imagine a nightmare to remove, But what a cool idea. It would be a museum piece itself. John

Pete, If you do not take the car. Let me know. I have a "hankering" for a seadanette. John

The multiple locations seem a great idea, in my opinion. John