Thriller

Let me see about arrangements to transport. I don't definitively need them, but wouldn't mind having spares. If someone needs them, they should get first dibs. If someone in your neck of the woods is heading to the Spring Extravaganza in St. Paul in May, that could be a way to get it to friends who are closer. The National in Springfield is probably the next time I'd be anywhere in your region. Take care.

My cars aren't beautiful enough to call queens, but I did deem that an enclosed hauler was useful. I have a 22' H&H. Now, they are available in 2' increments - I effectively ordered mine in 2008, so got what I thought I needed. It has a dove tail and e-track, which are both very nice features. I installed an electric winch, so loading and unloading is generally pain-free. When looking, the salesman asked if I wanted the "show car door". I didn't understand the use for it at the time (generally very few enclosed trailers in this part of the world, so I had no experience with it), so said no. That is the only decision I regret about the unit. At the time, I paid about $13k...of course, that is coming across the 49th parallel and associate extras our quasi-socialist governments like to add. It has 6000 lb axles, but is officially rated at a 10,000 lb GVW - heavier trailers are deemed commercial and require regular inspections. I think there is just one car (1962 Special?) that I've had in there with difficulty of the doors clearing the wheel wells. This trailer has been from Winnipeg to Colorado Springs and to Ames, Iowa for BCA meets. I've also used it a fair bit locally. I tow with a diesel GMC Sierra 2500HD and load-levelling hitch. It pulls very nicely. It does bring the truck's economy down a bit, but based just on fuel prices, driving the truck and trailer isn't much different than driving an old Buick. The difference is that we get a more modern, comfortable interior. Good luck on coming to your decision.

A very neat car. Nice find. Congrats. I'm sure if you stay in Michigan long enough, we'll see photos of this car in Willow Run, coming home to where it all started.

Cool. There is a local fellow working on a '74 LeSabre Luxus convertible. I feel a bit guilty on that one as I was one of two that suggested it looked like a good price...good is relative with the amount of rust found. I should strive to remember to find out how that project is coming along. Great story of the car's history in your stewardship.

Belly Acres Ranch...I'd bite, but it would probably add more size to my belly.

http://www.tcpglobal.com/aclchip.aspx?image=1952-Buick-pg02.jpg This page shows the two tone combinations.

John - that car is extremely classy...Buicks from the early / mid 30s sure had some great styling. The comments about sun are interesting. I understand Keith's point about some colours and the impact that lighting has on them. At a local car club meeting years ago (over 15), we had an automotive photographer speak. He took shots as close to dawn or dusk as he could - low light eliminates the glare that will come from shiny surfaces. I like to do that or photograph on overcast days to eliminate the extra shine. I think it generally makes for a better photo, although one isn't always entirely happy with how the colours look.

There are a number of considerations to look at. First, which do you prefer? There is some variety of styling there. If you like them all approximately equally, which is in the best condition? Beyond that, the '51 is a straight eight engine - with a side opening hood - there is some cool factor there and the straight eights run very smoothly. 1957 has some one year only parts (front suspension if I recall) that can be difficult to obtain. Generally speaking, as noted earlier, you aren't going to be able to sell if for what it costs to restore it (depending on how much you do and whether or not you put a dollar figure to your time, so it has to be about a passion for the car rather than about money. All are 1950s cars, so there is some element of attractiveness. Good luck coming to a decision.

Those fuel economy numbers would certainly be in the right ball park. Expressing fuel economy in litres per hundred kilometres is the metric way of doing it, so you see it here in Canada, even though it doesn't make as much sense logically. It's just a matter of math to invert the number, convert km to miles, and l to gallons. Now, if looking for top speed, I would think locating magazine articles from back in the day when the likes of Motor Trend or Car & Driver would have put that sort of information in. Fuel economy didn't seem to be that important overall back in the 50s. Many of us today are interested, but it isn't that critical to us. If I want to drive one of my old cars, I put fuel in and drive. Perhaps Buick folk are unique that way. For what it's worth, my '61 Invicta is Cordovan in colour.

Three wineries and a brew pub...I'm in...repeat next summer Mark?

Sure, but who can read it?

Another element is taking on the technical tips coordination and contribution with the Bugle, so Robert is contributing to the entire BCA, not just the online community.

Some way cool stuff. Whether or not they are worth saving depends on the size of the wallet involved and the ability to do work on them. The one identified as Buick Eight is a 1941. The hood release latches on the side of the fender should say which model. The Buick Special on page 3 is a 1950 and would be a great car...the styling is just cool. The Wildcat convertible is 1965 - there were just over 4600 of the base and Deluxe versions built. The Super on page 5 is a 1951. I know I'd enjoy taking a stroll on that property just for kicks....

Budget becomes a factor. Check out post #20 in http://forums.aaca.org/f115/thriller-wildcat465s-excellent-adventure-358110.html - that's on highway 8 east of Rhinelander. From what you've stated, it is most likely more of a project than you are interested in though. Low mileage on a car that old may actually be a detriment. While some wear items may not be (as) worn, if the running gear doesn't get used regularly, bad things can happen over time (rust, water / condensation issues, etc.). It wouldn't hurt to check it out. If you look at the one in Lakeland, there are two active Buick Club of America chapters in the Twin Cities area, so someone is likely familiar with the car and someone may be willing to go over it with you if you make the trip. Good luck. Fall is a good time for buyers when some folks lose storage and need to sell. More cars are generally advertised in the spring though (when there is greater demand for those driver quality cars which can drive prices up).

Details haven't been worked out, but Teresa wants us to use one of the old Buicks for her graduation in June...all y'all would have to stay tuned...just a teaser.

Buick experimented with turbos in the mid-60s, but I believe the first stock ones were in the late 1970s. Stock engine with twin turbos implies that it is a modified car. There was a mid year change on the 1939 grill to allow for more air flow to the radiator. I know 1936 was still steel over wood body. I'm pretty sure 1938 was all metal, but can't recall 1937. 6 V systems are not an issue in and of themselves so long as they are maintained. 6 V bulbs are available, as are new batteries. Really, it all comes down to maintenance. Mechanical parts are reasonably easy to get (not as easy as some more popular brands, but still generally available). More difficult is to find the unique stuff, such as body or trim. That said, there were many of these built, so there are parts cars out there, and some parts can be fabricated. The sheet metal is heavier, so tends not to rust through nearly as quickly as on newer cars. As John suggests, the BCA provides good support with technical advisors and parts ads in the monthly magazine.

Your local library may have The Standard Catalog of Buick or similar books available. Libraries are those things people went to for information from those bound paper things before the advent of the Internet Some of the information you seek may be somewhat specific to a car / model. For instance, there was a period where all Buick convertibles were built in Flint, MI. So, a Roadmaster convertible would have been build there, while sedans could have been built in any of the other plants. The 1956 Roadmaster had an 8 cylinder 322 cid engine with 9.5:1 compression making 255 brake hp. It had a wheelbase of 127 inches and an overall length of 213.6". Production plants that year were Flint, Southgate, CA, Linden, NJ, Kansas City, KS, Wilmington, DE, Atlanta, GA, Framingham, MA, and Arlington, TX. The 1958 Super had an 8 cylinder 364 cid engine with 10.0:1 compression ration generating 300 hp. Wheelbase is 127.5: and overall length of 219.1". Production plants were the same as in 1956. This information comes from a book, which may have errors. That is where some of the errors / misinformation you see on the Internet comes from - errors simply get repeated and wider spread. Good luck.

Don't worry JD...you should get yours before I get mine. If I read it online, that will take the joy out of the day it finally arrives here in the great soon to be white north.

With every shot so far Brian....

Cool. Great photos and post. I love the family trip and I'm glad all went well. I like the reference to throwing in your uncle's Dodge on the deal :cool: I can't remember when I last paid $3 for a car wash though....

From Remembrance Day, 2009. This is one of my favourite photos and serves as a background on one of the computers. Of course, around here, we get a fair amount of wind, so once the leaves are ready to fall, they get blown off, so getting a nicer colour shot is more challenging.

Your best bet may be to contact a local exterminator. Some of them have retail outlets as well. I honestly don't know about the electronic repellents. Be generous with the Bounce sheets in and around the car. Worst case, they may help to eliminate some of the "old car" smell that can be difficult. I like the new poisons on the market that desiccate the mice. That way, no odour will build up if they die in hard to get at locations. Good luck.

Love it. I understand the short construction (aka mosquito) season. I too always bring my batteries inside after giving them a full charge. I've not had an issue in terms of batteries going bad...I do put them on the charger again in spring before use. I'm not sure there is such a thing as a building that is not mouse-vulnerable. Treat things as if they are and get aggressive with rodent control. One thing to note is that the new poison used is quite dangerous to pets as well, so if you have those, make sure you get the "houses" to put the poison in. You don't want to know what it costs to take two standard poodles to a vet for induce vomiting, activated charcoal, and a course of vitamin K. Thankfully, I don't remember an exact amount....

That's a very nice car. Welcome to the forums.

Great photos John. Looks like it was a fun trip. Thanks for sharing.