Thriller

Thanks Jim. The one part that I don't believe is reproduced is the McLaughlin-Buick emblem for the front of the car. I can't tell if it is there or not on the light tie bar. I know I need at least one exterior door handle - if I recall I believe it would be the locking one from the passenger door but perhaps another. The windshield crank is also broken on mine. That said, those are things that are available as reproduction items.

Interesting. A 29-51 with spoke wheels and no side mounts. Makes for quite a different car than mine. That said, what I wouldn't give for access to some of the odds and ends on this car.

I've got a floor radio that was "electrified" after the farm got power. My Dad said it was never as good as when it was battery-powered.

Please note this thread in the Buick-General forum.

You may want to look up the Gopher State Chapter of the Buick Club of America. By contacting them, you may find someone more familiar with this era of car who may be able to help you look over the car. These cars are a sheet metal over wood frame body. That's why the condition of the wood is so important. If the wood is solid, then it is a much simpler project. If wood needs replacing, it's a much bigger project. If you look at the Pre-War Buick forum on the site here, you will be able to see a thread on wood for 25-27 Buicks and that would give an idea of what's involved. Good luck. If it's far northern MN, I may be able to help out, but I'm not an expert at this era by any stretch. I have a 2005 Duramax and love it. It's only around 65,000 or so miles.

If any of my Buicks are under a 1/4 tank, it costs more than $50 to fill it (granted, I generally run premium as it is ethanol-free here and I live in the land o' taxes). Now the 1923 has a smaller tank, but I haven't been out driving it yet. A lot of magazine subscriptions are in the $50 range. The local club is less expensive but it puts out a significantly lower quality newsletter that I get only electronically. Hobbies are generally expensive. They are discretionary albeit having at least one is good for mental health. It's a realit.

I guess we drove by pretty close in 2007 on our way to Bellevue. At that point we were riding in convoy we got into in CdA, Idaho.

Groan. Bad pun alert!

Thanks Brian...my first guess was that they would be from Michigan. Great seasonal family shot. Terry, there's no offense in calling a spade a spade. I'm comfortable being called a hoser and a redneck.

Nah...he's just a fan of curves ???

I don't think the engine would be that bright if it were a 90,000 mile original 80 year old with factory paint. The newer hose clamps could easily be explained by replacing the hoses. I don't recall seeing a steering wheel of that era that bright a yellow. Nice looking car overall. Would that be an original colour? I can't say I've seen any like that unless it was military olive drab.

Gary, the gentleman restorer.

The V6 was the only engine available in the Skyhawk to my understanding. That said I was just looking to confirm and couldn't locate the reference book I was looking for in my den.

And all I have is a plain metal trunk with surface rust that came it's my car. I forget the brand, but I believe it came from Jackson, MI. Oh well, that is not the highest priority for my car right now.

Aussies with beer? In a bar? How can that be? ??

Still haven't won Lotto Max.

Love the car overall. Some good points have been raised. I'm happy to see there has been some interest generated. I'd love to have the car but the shop is full and I already have a 1923 that is awaiting attention. Good luck with the sale.

Whimper.

Closest to a trade is that my first car was a 1974 AMC Javelin AMX with a 401 and T10 4 speed. I'd had it a few years and was getting tired of it. Helping a friend haul parts out of a wrecker, I saw a 1966 Wildcat and really liked it. It had been driven into the yard but the brakes were poor. The AMX was sold so I could purchase the Wildcat...then I met a woman and the car waited about ten years to get some loving. Some of you have met Elly, my Oshawa build Wildcat Custom two door hardtop. My first Buick and still one of the ones I have a soft spot for...of course that was before I needed a spreadsheet just to keep track of what I've got ? Other than a chassis with engine that I purchased to save from the crusher, I haven't let go of a Buick. That chassis went to aid the restoration of a 1920.

I wouldn't have expected winter to be a significantly different season in Cyprus. You learn something every day.

Good old inflation. Thanks for doing that Ben. So those results suggest that prices are relatively in line with inflation adjusted values from 1978 and we have a bigger Bugle in colour. I'd say it isn't a bad deal.

The failure of Blockbuster had less to do with the changing technology than with management's refusal, on AT LEAST 2 occasions, to accept the offer presented to them to purchase Netflix. I hope that isn't a close parallel to the BCA. Mt children (aged 17, 19 & 21) have some interest in the hobby. They've grown up with it. Teresa had her license just three months before driving the Reatta 1000 miles to South Bend. Between the pace car and the Reatta they all took turns driving to Allentown. This year was the Electra. Granted, only one has attempted learning to use the clutch in the 1941, but we will get there. I think Matt makes good points regarding using the Buicks and exposing them to people and vice versa. Lots of conversations get struck up with questions at gas stations. I'll never forget the reaction of the young folks next to us at the ice cream shop when Larry started the truck with a crank. They had questions and were impressed and got answers. When out on the road, lots of thumbs up. It is an expensive hobby, but there are low entry level cars that people can enjoy, especially with technical and parts support from club members.

Perhaps I'm in a different league or something, but I don't get the cost discussion. A 20 gallon gas tank costs more to fill than a one year membership, to say nothing of parts and maintenance. We are in an expensive hobby. Some may be more cost-conscious than others but ultimately it's an individual decision based on a value proposition. If one sees a $50 value, they will take it. You'd be hard-pressed to cut costs by eliminating or simplifying the Bugle and still manage to maintain, let alone grow, membership numbers.

This is definitely going to be an incomplete list.... Bruce Andren...in my early forays into this forum, I'd just purchased the '62 Special, which was at least the third Buick. He suggested, based on having a bit of a collection, that I ought to join the BCA and attend Flint in 2003. This has been a big part of my life since. Mark Shaw - always ready and willing to spend my wife's hard-earned money on a pre-war Buick. He turned me on to an eBay listing for the 1941 Special, which was perhaps a mile from here and we had never seen it. We really like that car and it didn't get enough exercise. He also "helped" me procure the 1923 Combination Passenger and Express replica, picking it up in California and bringing it to South Bend so we could display a Buick that I owned but hadn't seen in person before. Then he towed it to Rob in Wisconsin who stored it until I could get a trailer and pick it up. The Buick Rascal Gang. You know who you are. Enough said. Paul and Donna in MN. Their spare room is known as Derek's room since I sleep there more than anyone else. Pete - aside from putting together a great publication in the Bugle, he is always very complimentary to our youngest especially for the photos Joseph takes. The late Dave Corbin - in Colorado Springs, he was the BCA youth program, taking Joseph around the show field while the rest of us were judging and teaching him about Buicks from all eras. Gratitude is important. I'm grateful for all the events we've been able to attend, stuff we've learned, giving us an excuse for family vacations together, and the fun we've had along the way. I'm grateful for the people we've met and friendships we've made along this journey.

Half a beef in these parts runs $600 or so plus the butcher cut and wrap charges.