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imported_buick5563

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Posts posted by imported_buick5563

  1. Wes,

    You sound just like I did twenty years ago when I was your age. I dissed 57 Chevys and Mustangs for being unimaginative choices. Then I realized AND admitted to myself that I was jealous of guys who could afford to spend (twenty years ago) 50 grand on a 57 Chevy. I always assumed EVERYONE in this hobby was a doctor with an endless budget. It has taken me until recently while reading this forum that there ARE ordinary working class folks who have to save up to get a 4,000 dollar paint job.

    I have personally never had my car behind ropes and the paint alone on my 55 (I did all of the disassembly and reassembly) cost more than a brand new Hyundai and I am not a doctor or lawyer.

    I drove my 55 Buick 1800 miles one week after finishing the restoration to the Buick Nationals and got my Senior award. I drove back home 1800 miles through a hurricane. The next show I attended was an indoor show here in Austin, complete with ropes around many of the cars. Mine was just out in the open.... I won the cash and a five foot trophy for best in restored class over some of the nicest cars I have seen and mine had 5000 miles on it since completion.

    Do what you feel is right for your car. Other people have different reasons to do what they do. After you have spent 100 grand restoring your Lincoln you MAY have a different view.

    Mike

  2. I have year of manufacture plates on both of my cars (in other words my 63 has a 63 Texas plate). I have a small metal tag that attaches to the rear plate that has a registration number on it. What license plate is on your Buick? Does it say Antique or Classic. I believe there is a difference in registration types, but I doubt that the tow truck driver knows the difference.

    I will check to see if I can find a link for the DOT requirements.

    Mike

  3. Hello everybody. I was looking at the signup sheet on the back of the Bugle today to try to figure out what to do while in Flint.

    -What are the Heritage Museum tours?

    -Are there any other planned events in and around the general area for the other Marques?

    -I don't necessarily want to drive at a "cruise in", but I wouldn't mind watching.

    -etc...

    Just wanted to know what is going on so I can actually REGISTER for the show this time blush.gif .

    Thanks,

    Mike

  4. I have a 2002 Mazda B4000 (that's a Ford Ranger with a 4 liter V-6).

    I have hauled a 16 foot trailer with cedar logs before, but I got pulled over when I tried to pull the back end of a 60 Cadillac due to the fact that the Officer couldn't even see my truck's mirrors. I know that I should have had towing mirrors on it, but even when empty, you are REALLY pushing the truck's transmission and brakes. Engine not that big a problem and Mazda claims something like 7000 lb towing capacity... bunk. They also claim 20 plus on the highway. Nope. Even empty.

    I like my truck, it's the second "Ranger" I have owned, but I bought it so I wouldn't have to haul giant loads of plywood or refuse when I remodel. I like having to call for deliveries or trash pickup (or auto transport). It's safer and for me more cost effective.

    My boss has a Dodge dually 3500 that he is running 100% biodiesel, so I can see where a diesel COULD be more "non foreign oil dependant" but I don't personally want to spend 60 grand on a truck.

    But then again, I'm lazy blush.gif

    Mike

  5. Good point about the "retro idea" Gene. I also shouldn't have implied that the Lexus was a retro syle, more that I was impressed by the compact hardtop convertible.

    True, I wasn't even born when the First gen Rivs came out, but I love them, too. I'd have a 65 in a heartbeat and there wouldn't be much arm twisting to "accept" a 63-64.

    Mike

  6. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

    The majority of 70 year olds don't belong to the AACA either. All you have to do is expose people and the interest will develop in them like it did in us. </div></div>

    That's why my navigator to the last two BCA Nationals I have attended was my (almost) 70 year old dad. smile.gif

    Mike

  7. Hey John,

    It depends on what you think is reasonable. Probably in Toronto, you don't need AC as much as Don (or I) do living in Texas. I've seen the vintage air systems, they work well and look OK, but so do the original one's if they are tuned up. It's probably not as worth it to you, although, I don't have a dollar amount.

    Mike

  8. Hey Bob,

    Before you sandblast fill the tank with water. It would be a bummer if you sparked something while blasting.

    Also, I had a terrible time sealing my tank myself. I had it boiled first. In fairness to the product I used, the radiator shop MAY have squirted some kind of oil in the tank to prevent flash rust. The Hirsch sealer I had came off in sheets.

    Mike

  9. OK, I'm only 5' 11" but I couldn't handle the grandma seating position on my 2 dr. sedan, so lemme see if I can explain how I did it on my 55. Obviously this was a bench seat conversion, but this should work on a bucket seat car, you would need to do it twice, however.

    I drilled out the two spot welds that held each of the tracks to the mounting brackets ( the floor part). I then moved the actual seat track back 2" back on the floor mount then welded it back together (I bet if you took it to a Midas you could get them to weld it for nothin') . Therefore, the seat uses the same floor mounting spot (which was necessary on my 55 since the floor wasn't flat), but the seat is about 2" back. I realize this is on a bench seat, but my Wildcat had enough legroom for me. I will try to further explain if anybody needs it.

    Mike

  10. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bhigdog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Trade you for my Durango that manages a whopping 13.5 MPG. </div></div>

    You know the crime in that? My 55 Buick gets more than that. Where is the technology over the past 50 years?

    Mike

  11. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tim63riv</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Bill,

    If the car restarts immediately, the problem is usually electrical. If the car starts hard or has extended cranking before it restarts, the fuel system is the likely cause. </div></div>

    Good call Tim,

    I never thought about it that way.

    Mike

  12. <span style="color: #CC0000">Dude</span>

    <span style="color: #999900">Seriously</span>

    <span style="color: #FF6600">Headache</span>

    <span style="color: #CC33CC">I think it was the 70's</span>

    <span style="color: #003300">Mike</span>

  13. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BJM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dave,

    Since your such a defender of Toyota, can you elaborate on their styling heritage? </div></div>

    BJM,

    I think Dave was the one saying styling was a short term plan. I was the one saying "Yay Retro!" blush.gif

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BJM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

    Buick was floundering, fine but is not dead in any way. No direction change is needed. </div></div>

    Really? Fine is good?

    Mike

  14. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dave@Moon</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I've never heard a kind word said by anyone under 30 regarding the Chevy HHR. The PT Cruiser has become a comedic icon shorthand for Walter Middy in mid-life crisis. Chances are if you see a middle-aged loser cruising for under-age girls in a movie, he'll almost certainly be driving one or the other.

    </div></div>

    Chances are if you see an older loser in a movie, he'll be driving a Buick. grin.gif

    I remember being really knocked out by maybe five (production) cars in my lifetime. (*remember, I'm 40)

    - Dodge Ram

    -Mazda Miata

    -PT Cruiser

    -(new) Mini Cooper

    -Lexus (hardtop convertible, whatever they number call it)

    Notice a pattern? "Retro Styling"

    OK, maybe it's because my first car I bought in 1985 when I graduated high school was a 55 Buick, so I appreciated older styling, or at least gravitate toward it.

    I'm not trying to intentionally defend the PT, but I almost bought one when they came out except the engineering wasn't there. Now, you can get wide whitewalls, "wood grain", and whatever aftermarket goodies to fake your wannabe surfer dude Woodie Wagon, and join a local PT enthusiasts club.

    I didn't even look twice at the HHR. Butt ugly, and 10 years late.

    I agree with Dave, however that retro styling is a short term solution, but I also agree with Willbilly that our generation is ready for traditional styling with an eye on alternative fuel options.

    Also, regarding NTX's comment on interior fabrics. When I got into a new Mazda minivan, I almost lost it. They have an updated version of 55 Buick fabric, NO LIE. Their grille on another car is also reminiscent of the Buick Honeycomb grille. I think one of their designers must be a Buick fan.

    Mike

  15. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bill Stoneberg</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I dont have the time or want to put forth the effort to have both a wife and a girlfriend.

    </div></div>

    Sho go that right. smile.gif

    Mike

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