Thriller

https://www.google.ca/#q=springfield+missouri+seafood+restaurants It is too much effort right now to figure out where the meet is and the distance involved.

Dan, You describe a pretty reasonable show and shine to me. Everyone will have likes and dislikes. I enjoy the cars and the people. I prefer a quieter atmosphere - as soon as music or other noise gets to where you can't hold a conversation, I get pretty annoyed. I tend to avoid the shows with burnouts and rice rockets with their fart cannon exhaust. Of course, that's just me. The cars and the people are entertainment enough for me. I don't need a whole lot of extras for a typical show. If it going to be a longer time period,then I'd be more interested in distractions. I like JD's idea about demos. I guess having vendors or a swap meet can add to the appeal.

Cool. Drool. Whimper. Perhaps it is time to run out and get a lottery ticket or several.

I don't know if i will live long enough to have owned a car 50 years. Those coupes are great looking cars. Thanks for sharing.

Based on the serial number, I believe that would be a 1927 engine (based on the BCA judging manual). I'm not sure how to distinguish the small series from the large series engine.

Gary, I would have have to search through my old photos to see if I have interior photos. I don't recall for certain, but ours may have dealer-installed seat covers. If I don't find anything, I can take some photos one of the next times I am in the country (possibly Friday) although I think it may be easier if I had someone skinny with me. In the meantime, look at this for kicks and a blast from the past. http://www.mts.net/~dthille/52roadmaster.html

When in doubt, the benefit is given to the owner / car. So if the judges aren't reasonably certain, the points won't be deducted. This shows the need to continue to teach and develop judges.

Very nice.

:cool:

Whimper. If I were in a position to take on another project right now, I think I'd add this to the stable. Good luck with the sale.

NTX makes an interesting point that gets me thinking. When we look at parts that are not available for purchase, but we know what they look like, it is on the early cars that the materials are at least available to fabricate them. Now, I'm not suggesting that is cost-effective. However, wood and metal can be formed and flat glass can be cut to size while plastics may not be reasonably reproducible (I.e. A machinist may not be able to reproduce) and curved glass (thinking rear window of some of the wood Estate Wagons) simply can't be had. On the over-restoration, I think we are running the risk of forgetting how paint was coming off the assembly line in say the 1950s or 1960s. The paint is so much better today. For instance, I don't know exactly what new lacquer or urethane paint (I forget the eras but what I'm getting at is paint technology older than me) ought to look like. I believe that some judges are overly harsh if there is a slight run or other flaw in paint. Scratches and damage are different as we wouldn't expect that from the end of the assembly line. Perhaps an an additional program is worthy of consideration that addresses the difficulty of keeping some nice cars on the road. Some of the restrictions on the Driven class should perhaps be relaxed (although I know some of them are relaxed a bit on the field from how it is set up in writing). Perhaps the the better question might be asked of the membership as to whether they want some recognition for having their cars at the meet and what form that might take. The 400point judging does take a lot of the club's effort at the meet and perhaps some think it is too much. However I personally feel it remains valid for the club to have such a program to act as a steward for authentic ti city of the history of Buick automobiles. Now, so long as correct cars aren't being biased against due to sitting between over-restored cars, I am content. That is, if a car is a legitimate Gold Senior, I'd like to see it get the award, but if the "nicer" over-restored cars make it look poorer in comparison such that the judges, consciously or unconsciously, make deductions that aren't warranted I would not be pleased.

It was a 2006 Rainier affectionately known as Ruby. There was also an Enclave there and many national meets have had a display of new Buicks provided by a local dealership.

Yes Mark, many cars that are Display could be judged in one of the various other classes. In my case this year, I wound up bringing the '54 Century. It received a silver award in Ames in 2010. I haven't done any work of significance that would change that result, so I didn't see a need to validate it. On another note, I find Display to be more relaxing. I don't have to worry about prepping and cleaning the car for judging, so I have more time to look at the other Buicks or spend with friends, old or new. Similarly with the Driven class, it is more relaxed judging, so if you drive your Buick to the meet, you can receive a memento specifically related to that car. I do like the education idea to help out folks new to the judging process or that simply want to learn more.

John, I believe you know that I am generally supportive of the judging program in general for all the different types, so I'm not one of the ones grumbling about it generally. I have participated in the judging school at every judged meet I've attended. My big concern is that what is stated at the judging school isn't necessarily what occurs on the show field. Things like "don't kill the car" and not spending too much time at each car are big ones to me. Granted, we always have some less experienced judges who need the assistance of the other members of the team, but I've heard too many complaints from the judges about how long it takes in the weather, yet they are the ones prolonging their time there. I don't get it. One thing we we need to be cognizant of is that we need to be inclusive of all members, those without a Buick at a meet, those who drive their Buicks, those who preserve their cars for archival judging, the modified Buicks, the display only Buicks, and, yes, the 400 point judged cars, including those who get to the meet in a trailer. How about we just appreciate the Buicks and the people who enjoy them? that said, I'm looking forward to hearing some answers to your request as this has me somewhat perplexed too.

Well Larry, you could offload a truck onto me to make space

There is an active division within the BCA devoted to 1959 Buicks, so you've come to a good place to learn more. Welcome.

You're certain it isn't just Mike that is volatile? It it is a good visual. At least here (for the time being anyway), premium gas has no ethanol, but it does make it more expensive to run the old iron.

Hotel is booked. We plan on getting the A/C in shape on the Electra and driving it down.

I have gobs of photos but teenagers limit access to the computer they are on. I will see if I can get a few up in coming days. I was was generally pleased with the Reatta as the cruise worked most of the time and she got 30 mpg on the highway. BTW, Marge has a DVD of photos from this meet and the Nationals. I imagine Pete ought to have one by now too.

Very nice (much nicer than mine). What colour is the interior? I have seen red, black, and blue.

An outlier is something that is not the normal or out of the ordinary. Malcolm Gladwell's book Outliers was a fascinating read for me. Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods are examples of human outliers as they practiced so much, combined with natural talent, that they became exceedingly above average. I hope that clarifies things.

While it may be an outlier that doesn't stop the average Joe who has a car from asking for stupid money as a result of the publicity of this event. Then, if they advertise here, we have to keep our mouths shut as per policy that they are asking outlandish prices for a car. Gotta love headline writers...it didn't sell for $580k. It sold twice, once for three hundred and once for two eighty. Granted it raised five eighty, but didn't sell for that. Oh well. Neat car.

Ted, I will try to make note of what is on my Wildcat tomorrow. I believe it got the optional 8.85 originally. From a judging perspective, putting the bias ply tires on saves points, even if they aren't the correct size. It seems to me there is some latitude given to judges for issues like this. Tires are consumable so there has to be something on the car, but isn't expected to be original equipment (now that would be a real safety issue riding on fifty year old rubber ).

I think this is the crux of the argument. Go in with your eyes open and determine how much you want to spend to get extra points. Whether or not it is worth it is an individual decision. I dont on to think bias ply tires are inherently unsafe, so I'm not sure a safety argument flies. Some care ride betterin bias ply tires than radials.

Hi Tim. There are no guarantees it is the same, but my 1929 model 51 is close at hand. If none of the 1930 folks respond, I could measure them on Sunday for you.