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FINALLY! I have officially book the brake work and tail pipe replacement on the Special for next Saturday! Yea! I have this week to gather up things, repack the front bearings and put on the tires so I can drop her down for the first time in a loooong while. I did dig into my storage shed for the tires. That was a job in itself as they were at the back and things just get thrown on and in front..... Decided to give them a quick scrubbing for now. Planning on dropping her off Friday late, then the owner and I will spend the day Saturday till I can drive her home. Will do a final detailing on the tires (and rims) after that.

Had a neighbour that was an animal rescuer and helped racoon's that lost their mother to forces of modern society. I appreciate that effort and indeed visited the large cage often they set up and when very young, they were gentle and quite pet like. Unfortunately when they reached a certain age, even being handled by a loving human attendant, their natural instinct kicked in and were not the loving cute things as babies. With the Overland having it's original leather upholstery still figured (actually panicked) about mom using the stuffing as a nest for her babies. Such was not the case so crisis averted!

John, While I wanted so much to have this happen, later I thought, what if they were over come by the fumes and they didn't make it out? I have dealt with dead squirrels and small things elsewhere and the smell is.... something you never forget and takes too long to get rid of! In reality, it is good the car quit when it did !

With this past week of steady rain, grass too wet to cut and the pending visit / assessment Saturday from my mechanic of finishing the brakes on the Special, took a couple of hours to clear things around the car in anticipation of getting her back on her wheels for a move to his shop. I wasn't there too long when I noticed a few small things on the floor from the open area of my rafters. Suspected something got in and sure enough started hearing sounds from the area that has flooring. Right away recognised it as baby raccoons! NOT GOOD!! With the top down on the Special and the Overland being an open touring, checked to make sure the upholstery was in tack first. Phew! All good. NOW..... need to get them out and pronto! Decided to turn on the radio (loud) and fired up the car. Then I grabbed one of my 8 foot poles and started banging the ceiling. There was lots more cries from the babies and movement and then I heard the hissing and growling from what I presumed to be the mother! Knowing full well a wild life mother with babies can be dangerous, blocked the side door open and fully opened the double garage door for a hasty retreat when needed! It took some time to convince them that the eviction notice was going to be enforced and with all that has been going on, I was p'dd and determined! Being careful to not be under the edge of the flooring (and stay within the open doorway) I continued with banging on the ceiling and anything else that would disturb them. Sure enough, I look at the far side and see the mother climbing down the ropes I had hanging on the wall and artfully catch the shelving nearby. Right behind her were two babies, moving quickly (not quite so artfully) and watched as they all disappeared in the very back corner. I kept up hitting things until I didn't hear any cries and went out back to see them scurry across the yard climbing one of the big trees and going across the neighbours fences which clearly acted as a highway for the buggers. Seems they had broken a hole in the screening that I use to vent the garage this time of year due to the change in temps with the attempt to keep the sweating down. Mission: close that hole and fast! With the Hardware Store close by, left the radio on and the car running and closed all doors. Maybe carbon monoxide fumes would help keep them out till I returned? Grabbed some industrial metal wired screening and a box of moth balls as suggested by the clerk. Once returned and while fixing the hole with the wire screen, suddenly it is quiet inside the garage. The Buick quit running! I checked the clear fuel filter I have in line to the carb and sure enough it is dry. Knowing the gas gauge isn't reading right I go back and tap on the gas tank. Sounded like echoes in the Grand Canyon. It would appear that I had ran all 20 gallons of gas through her this past year on the jack stands! (Hoping that will help the torque tube seal some?) With the hole fixed (closed) I grab my 5 gallon can and came back to start filling that large tank. Decided to see "if" by chance the pump would primp things so.... touched the starter, watched and after some bit of cranking, Off She Went! T'was a good ending to a frustrating start. And so it goes....

Taking a break from the required business paperwork on this second wet day and thought I'd post a link to a video of our Club for you to get a flavour of what goes on today. Hope you enjoy. https://youtu.be/iA-t4rIotyE?t=14 Will look for that video soon Keith. Work will press on tomorrow with clearing skies but still planning on getting my mechanic over to the Special this weekend.

Not much of a drive, just moved it down the driveway and back in Dad's 1951 Nash Canadian Statesman but with the driveway being slanted, had to learn how to feather the clutch without stalling..... Took my drivers test in his 1964 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88. The instructor passed me but said I needed to slow down a bit. Nervous? I think it was the engine!

What a find!

I don't have pictures but... my wife would kill me if she knew I posted we had a cop flash his lights on the Special when we dated parked in the bush....

Moving along some, I was rained out today and decided to go out to the Club and finish the inside window cleaning of the Train Station. They gave me the keys and entered the baggage room on the other end and saw the display of the hand cart Dad actually rebuilt himself. He actually replaced all the wood and painted it at home in his garage some time ago. Still had to go into the passenger side and felt his presence.... I then went over to the General Store I had a hand in and cleaned the outside windows between rain drops. This old store was moved brick by brick from it's original location, rebuilt as once was and has it's original beautiful counters which somehow never were destroyed or removed. It even has the mail slots that severed the area, with it's pot bellied wood stove for heating. Moving along more... I have talked to my mechanic who is a car guy (owns a 70's Camero - but don't hold that against him ) who is willing to come over to my garage next weekend and see if we can get the Special over to his shop the following weekend and complete the brake restoration using his lift and tools. (He understands the need to get this done!)

Can't recall but do you have the four gang master switch that goes on the corner below the windshield too? Suspect you be getting the wiring harness for the power window setup also.

I'm thinking it is not a 1928 and you are likely correct with it being a 29 model 98 as it appears to be flatter than my 28 model 96. Solid looking hood though. Good luck with the sale. Doug

Definitely not a 58. Here is a page from my accessory book. Nice looking radio though.

Hey Keith, Not sure when you and the McLaughlin Club toured to visit here you were able to get out to the Village part or not? I know I went around with the group (and you of course) in the Museum and somewhere I have video of the whole group heading out to your next destination. If I find it, will have to get my son to help with posting it on YouTube..... then post it here since it is about Buick's. (especially yours ) Meantime, here is a larger shot of the Tecumseh, Ontario Train Station taken off the Main Line into Windsor, Ontario and part of our 25 local historic buildings Village. Wish we could afford more track but our CN Caboose is an added benefit. Not unlike old cars, everything needs maintenance....

ONLY WHEN ONE DOESN'T HAVE TO REMOVE EVERYTHING.

Thank you so much Matt. You and others in this great "Buick Family" have been gracious in offering sympathies and support and please know that it does help. The one fact of life is that we all will be dealing with a loss of some kind sooner or later..... How I deal with it is going to make the difference as I still have mom to watch out for since she is capable of living at home still but I will be the one taking care of the property more now. That will keep me occupied. Fortunately at 89 she is still driving and competently for now which helps on some levels. And so, life will carry on and staying positive, have to make the best of it we can. Doug

So, Saturday was, well, a bitter, sweet day. I had received an e-mail last week from the Car Club both Dad & I belong to requesting help with maintaining some of the historic buildings out there from members and volunteers. After having such a great response when I called asking for Pallbearers for Dad, How could I NOT offer my services? The sweet part was that one of the two buildings I'm involved with is a Train Station moved to the property and restored / preserved over about the past 35 years which is my second love of all things train (next to my antique cars). The somewhat bitter part is, with having to raise funds to maintain this 100 acre Village and 25,000 square foot Museum, one of the events has been an annual Murder Mystery Night which Dad loved to participate. He loved playing the part of Station Master and when his eyes forced him to stop driving (his choice) I would take him out to be there, dealing with the many questions by the public in the baggage room, keeping him in hot chocolate or hot cider during the sometimes cool Fall evenings. It has been accepted by the management that a picture (likely this one) can been hung in "his" baggage room to honour him. It means a lot to me.

YEAH! Wonderful bucket list accomplishment! Great job documenting your trip and am enjoying it through your eyes and experiences. Safe Journey home! Doug

Nice work! A good friend of mine is what was once considered a pattern maker and was employed at Chrysler here in Windsor, Ontario and would truly appreciate what you have done here. Today, with technology, he is re-classed as "quality control" but uses his skills learned from "the old days"?

So looking forward to this! May your journey be safe and filled with many memories! Doug

Good luck with the experiment! Wish to be around for awhile yet so.... tell me only if you want to share. Good luck. Hope Jim has what you need. He is a great guy! Doug

And when you do I know you will be thinking of your Dad. Enjoy the moments. Doug

Any chance to see the slight pitting on the other side Paul?

Phew! Thought I was the only one having similar issues but today things seem to be back to normal? On my PC when opening up the main site it seemed to go to a past default page as once I clicked to open a thread, I had to log in to see the current posting. Then when hitting the back button, it went to the log in page. If I went to a different thread it kicked me out of the log in... Frustrating to say the least. As stated, seems to be fine now. Technology, a never ending battle. Thum's up to our Tech Team!

As others have described, step plates are used to get in and out but.... At six four, my Whippet isn't easy to cram myself into it under that rear deck! My good neighbour insisted in trying but.... It almost took a shoe horn to get him back out!

With lawn work kicking in and the phone ringing, my car activity will be limited (no pun intended) to polishing up the rear bumper I uncovered in the back of the garage that needs some attention. It is supposed to be in the 70's, time to thaw out some steaks, fire up the BBQ and turn on the tunes!