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DO NOT TURN DOWN The Old Guy, that is one incredible machine! If you have not had your fill after that one, you are more than welcome in our 58 Limited coupe. Just look for the gigantic rose-colored barge floating around there, you won't be able to miss it. Joe, if I am really nice, can I tag along? hehe... Matt

Scott, the center of the correct 64 wheels is 2" and the center painted sections are a flat silver color, not black. Also another way to determine if they are correct is to lay a yardstick across the face of the rim. The center section where the cap goes should be recessed below the yardstick, whereas the later wheels it is taller than the rim face. Sounds confusing, but just lay the rim flat on the ground face up and put a yardstick across it. The center caps you have should be the little flat chrome wafer style with the stamped aluminum Wildcat head disc glued in the center. I have a set of wheels in the building, so here in a bit I will go and check what is stamped on them. Hope this helps, Matt

I personally don't like judging, never have enter my cars to be judged, and never will. I have some cars that would probably do well, but that will just not happen. I really liked the Flint meet because there was no expectations of rewards/awards for bringing a car, only a bunch of people showing off a ton of killer machines and everyone having what turned out to be one of the highlights of their decade (ditto here). But, some people restore and have cars just to have them judged, for their own reasons, and it would be unfair of me to request 'no judging' just because I don't like it. I do think it sometimes adds an unnecessary air of 'my car is better than yours' and 'why did you win and I took second' tension, though. This does not always happen, but there are sore losers out there that can make things unpleasant if the judging did not work out the way they wanted. I am not a fan of superior attitude. At the end of the day, though, I would prefer the nationals not be judged. To me a trophy or 'Best of' title wouldn't make me like my cars any more that I already do. Matt

SWEET! Does your headliner still have the original cardboard pieces in good shape? If so, contact me, I have a method of restoring those to look exactly like the original. Very cool car, hope to see more pics soon! Matt

Sorry for the delay in replying, let's see if I can help here: tompett, the car has manual windows, so I am sorry, I do not have a pw switch. Thanks for the reply, though. piche582 - I have a couple pictures of the quarter panel for you, so please PM me your email address so I can send them. SaharaLee - the door panels are there, but are kinda beat. If you'd like, please PM your email address and I will take a couple pictures for you. The rear bumper has already sold, but I do have the front. Also, if you need anything else, just let me know and I will see if I have it. Thanks again for the replies, Matt

piche182, I will get a pic of the quarter for you. It is not rusty at all in the taillight pocket, but only behind where the large chrome moulding goes. Other than that, it is solid. The chrome lower quarter pieces are already sold, and that was the only set. PM your email address and I will send a couple pics. Tompett, I don't remember if the car had power windows or not, but I will check on that for you tonight. Thanks again, Matt

Piche582, I took a look at the quarter today, and it looked good until I took off the large lower chrome moulding and the bottom of it was rusted through. So, sad to say, it is not a good quarter panel. If you need anything else, just let me know. Thanks, Matt

I will see if I can find the crash-test video, but yes, the Chinese cars will need LOTS of crash testing and structural re-design to come to the States. They made what was basically an exact exterior copy of the Izuzu Rodeo, but it failed so dismally in crash tests it was scary. In the standard test 40 mph offset head-on crash test, it folded up literally like an aluminum can, with the left front wheel and entire floor ending up in the front seat, and the steering wheel/column hitting the roof above the driver's head. The A pillar almost touched the B pillar. Absolutely no passenger compartment structural strength whatsoever, it was the crumple zone. That is a failed test, in my opinion. Matt

A friend of mine is parting a 55 Roadmaster 4 door sedan. Here's what is is gone or spoken for: motor and trans front fenders and hood steering wheel and column front seat It has a good windshield and tons of other good parts. If anyone is needing anything, let me know and I will check availability and condition. Have fun! Matt

Don't know if anyone has read this article on msn.com, so I thought I'd post it. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/12801549/ I just thought it was interesting that Buicks in China are the the new cool, '?They want a car that says, ?I?ve arrived,?? said Troy Clarke, president of GM Asia -Pacific.' ... and another quote: 'The Buick has always had a bit of allure here. The last emperor was the proud owner of two Buicks, but now, the Buick is making a new generation of Chinese feel at least like kings of the road.' Now would be the time to bring the name 'Roadmaster' into the China market. I am not going to insert my opinions on what Buick is to the Chinese compared to what it is to Americans, but I thought the little article was interesting and cool. Enjoy! Matt

If I remember correctly, a BCA member was trying to sell his awesome original Limited 4 door, silver with blue interior, for about the same money. This was a few months ago, so I am not sure if the car is still available or not. This would be a great car to buy if a Limited is what you are seeking. Here's the ad, might be worth tracking the car down. ' Gary Rimer BCA # 25982 has put his 1958 Buick Limited 4 Dr. hardtop up for sale it has 85k original miles full power (no a/c)and is Silver Mist with light Blue interior it is a concorse ready strong #2 car a picture can be found at southeast michigan chapters link on the bca main page go to the photo gallery then to Gary's 1958 Buick Limited... Gary can be contacted at matickoeglass@matickchevy.com or by phone at 734 261 2524 days or 248 345 3778 eves the car is in the Detroit Mich. area ' Matt

We are. I am driving the 58, and Diane is following in the Westfalia. By the way, Keith, where are the campgrounds? Any idea? Have fun, Matt

I like it, a lot. I don't really like the convertibles as much as the coupes, but being original like that (except the paint) really makes that car cool. Anyone that would take that car apart to restore it and make it 'perfect' would ruin an irreplaceable piece of history. It'd be interesting to see what it brings. Matt

HA, there's not enough chrome in the US to even do a run of scale models of the Limited... (just a joke, please see thru to the sarcasm...) Matt

HOW... COOL! Looks like I will have to be contacting Danbury Mint. Too bad they did not put a 37 Buick 3-speed manual transmission and shifter in it. Maybe I'll have to retrofit one with that trans and paint it flat white (hehe). It is definately good to see Danbury making the oddball cars more often and not re-re-re-re and re-doing the GTOs, tri-5 Chevys, and Camaros/Chevelles. Very refreshing. If anyone out there likes Lincolns, Danbury Mint also came out with an awesome turquoise/white 56 Premiere coupe with factory a/c. Thanks for the head's up, Brian! Matt

Bill, sounds like you traveled some of the same roads I did this weekend. I wormed my way through 3 or more tornadoes and several tornado warning areas only to be hit with golf-ball size hail in K.C., and then 60-70 mph winds in the Flint Hills - which did not subside much all the way to Wichita. I didn't have an enclosed trailer like you, so I can only imagine how squirrely that thing must have been in the winds. I will say this, though, 58 Limiteds have some very strong sheetmetal and stainless trim. Not one dent to be found after the five minute absolute pounding, but I can't say the same for my poor Dodge truck. Glad to hear the 50 is back, and post some pics when you get a chance, I'd sure like to see its progress! Have fun, Matt

Please PM your email address, I have some pictures of door panels for you. Thank you, Matt

Hello, I believe I have the door panel parts and the top switch. I also have a decent hubcap, but the center pot-metal piece has some pitting. I will go and check on these tomorrow and get back to you. I am not 100% certain my door panels are the same, though. These came out of a 64 Electra conv, but a bench seat car. If I am correct, the bench seat and bucket seat Electra convertibles had different door panels ( I do know the coupes did ), but I will send you a pic of them to be sure. Have fun, Matt

Oh man, can you imagine how much cooler that car would be if it was a 4-speed (personal preference only - the car is still very cool)? Oh... my... I agree with ossenfort, there was one a few years ago that was for sale, and it was a fiberglass-bodied car. I need to do some research, but I distinctly remember one being for sale (possibly this one???) about two-three years ago, but I am unsure of which publication it was in. Not 100% on Hemmings. I need to kick some brain cells in high gear and do some serious remembering. Matt

Try Ken at Wheatbelt Auto in Oklahoma, 580-855-2449. He has a few 67s and I am sure has a torsion bar. Matt

Ted, you're killing me. I'm heading your direction here soon, so we'll relieve you of some stuff - especially that junky old manifold you picked up. Joe, I will get that piece removed tonight or thereabouts. Just help me with the shipping and it is yours. Enjoy! Matt

I have one I'll send you. It is off of a 63, but I compared it to a 64 and they are the same. PM me with your address and I will have it on the way. Have fun, Matt

Brian, I think that is the same car, as the eBay car has the black interior. The listing states it has a 401, but has the two fours. So, either the motor was mis-labeled as a 401 but really is a KX 425 -or- the two fours were added. It would be very easy to verify. I emailed the seller for more info, so I will let you know what I find out. Matt

NTX5467 - very cool article indeed. They did test the two Wildcats, but the red conv was the 401 car and the green coupe had the 425 2x4 motor. The very unique thing about the x-code coupe is it had factory a/c, power steering, p. brakes, power windows, posi, black vinyl top, etc. The car was loaded. Man, it would be great to find that car sitting in a warehouse somewhere. I remember that yellow 4-speed convertible well. It was for sale in the Hemmings about five or so years ago for $8,500. Then it sold, and reappeared a few months later for $11,000. A year or so later it was back in there for sale in the mid $20s. I have all these ads saved somewhere so I will hunt them down. I am sure it is the same car because it was yellow and original - not too many of those around. I'm buying a Powerball ticket today. I am not a convertible guy per-se, but hey, it's a stick... Matt

Hello, I am interested in your 60. I sent you an email. Thank you, Matt