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Just finished a 15 block test drive after FINALLY fixing a short plaguing me with my horn.

With coffee and muffin in hand, while waiting for the Service Guy, grabbed a Tupperware lid and marked out the size I needed to make up a washer for that horn wire spring. Where the original went and who ever put that black crap and electrical tape in there I don't know but suffice it to say, after all these years I'm lucky it did not short out and burn the wiring harness. To get it on I cut a slot to the centre and carefully managed to get it on the wire under the spring rather than disconnect the whole wire in the column and have to fish it back in. Assembling carefully the spring and rubber insulators in the 'correct order', I reconnected the battery and tested the horn before putting on the horn ring. WOW! It now works like it should and NO shock! Went ahead and installed the horn ring from the Limited ("for now") and went out for a short ride. Next...... Seems the battery is taking a charge but.... will not hold it for very long, but that was kind of expected.

I reassembled the horn mechanism on the Limited and brought the horn ring in to clean it up and compare it with the Special to see if one was better than the other and put the better one on the Special for now. That metal polish is just amazing stuff! While comparing them I saw something I never noticed before. The one on the left (from the Special) has writing in silver with the emblem encased in silver while the one on the right (from the Limited) has writing in gold with the emblem encased in gold. I've never noticed this before and guess it might make sense with the Limited being a one year only model, might have that small detail to signify something top of the line? I don't see one being any better condition chrome wise but if I do put the gold one on the Special, since it is the only one on the road for now (or soon to be again) and not planning to sell any of them soon, will make a note for the boys for sometime in the future when they inherit them. Since I have to go to the Special and wait for a service call on the house there from 10am till 2pm for the tech, will get an early coffee and put the horn back together while I wait and keep my figures crossed!

Knowing that top plate is what holds the big spring, was careful to unscrew it so I could see just what order the washer / insulators are required to be. I figure I did not get the order right on the Special but then looked at the horn wire and noticed this. I'm missing that fibre washer that is under the spring and indeed rests on top of the column. There are two smaller washers that are under that washer (which is on the Special). I figure I can fabricate something out of plastic strong enough to make it work solving that problem. Guessing at this point the wire in the Special wasn't sitting high enough to make contact in that horn assembly and will see if I'm right?? Then I noticed the turn signal column section wasn't the same colour as the rest of the column. It was Black and the turn signal arm has a different black plastic designed knob being pointed compared to the gear shift knob design. I shot the flashlight in to see the turn signal mechanism and noticed it has what appears to be a pressure strip and is different than the Special. Guessing that this car had a problem at some time and the whole unit was changed out from maybe a "57 Buick based on that knob?

My long weekend seemed to fly by but still made the effort to get at my Limited horn. She has been buried in the garage and with my son being a hands on guy soon to have his Masters in Mechanical Engineering, currently has his Mustang rear axle completely out with plans to totally rebuild as he puts it "a bullet proof rear end". Consequently his stuff has to be moved out of the way before I can open a door on the Limited. Large card board boxes opened up have saved the paint on her being so tight in there. (I need a bigger garage...) Once inside with the proper tools I took off the horn ring which has three screws but only found there were two holding it.

LOVE THESE! KEEP THEM COMIN'

Gary, I do not want this to sound critical of your position but would ask you to consider that these new cars will eventually be considered antique or collectables one day. I agree that a car show of antiques, classics or street rods with new cars (if we are speaking of band new) stand out but again, I find it interesting sometimes to see what new car designers push "as new" when at a show you can you can sometimes see that things like disappearing headlights and automatic headlight dimmers and other such things were put on cars waay back in the day. I have read many articles/reviews of the 1958 Buick line and just how gawdy and over chromed they were when they came out. That would be when Brass cars were getting popular as collectables and at shows. Imagine if one of those Buicks showed up at one of their shows then? Today, those Buicks gather a lot of interest and those brass cars are not often seen..... My point, the more things change, the more they stay the same. I go to car shows to enjoy the people and have fun, wish that for all too. Hope I didn't offend. Doug

I guess that is why on a cool morning with that just between haze and fog my Buick's always seemed to run best?

To be honest John, they fell apart on me when I took things apart not realising the cap had that much pressure from the spring and without a schematic have tried several combinations with no success. Once I get a second cup of coffee and finish a bit of paperwork this morning plan on moving a few things around the Limited to be able to open a door and take her horn apart (now that I know to watch that Spring Pressure ). It can't be too much wrong... but will see.

I checked the JB Weld to make sure it was dry and decided to reinstall the turn signal plate. After struggling attaching the turn signal arm, connected the battery and tested the signals. They worked as before so went ahead and put the steering wheel on with the base of the horn / ring assembly. I reconnected the battery and with the wire flopping around sounding the horn (slightly alarming) wondered about the electrical tape so found some plastic insulators used on the ends of house romex cable used to prevent chaffing the wires. With a bit of trimming cured the horn blowing and fit nicely. Went ahead and finished assembling the spring, insulators and top which is fun trying to compress that spring and thread the top... NO HORN AT ALL! Took it apart and reassembled three more times and nothing! So here I sit again. With Monday being a Civic Holiday, guess I will be taking the Limited horn apart to see where I have gone wrong.

Yesterday I took the turn signal switch plate off as I noticed it was broken on one side and decided to try some JB Weld on it before putting things back together. Mixed up a small batch and left it to dry. Went back to the steering column to clean up that sticky crap and while poking around saw that there was electrical tape just under the horn wire plate. Pulled it off and low and behold, there is the spring and two insulator washers! SHOULD THOSE WASHERS BE LARGE ENOUGH TO SIT ON THE END OF THE COLUMN OR IS THERE A SHOULDER INSIDE THAT HOLE?

Back to the Special...... During the week I went back to the paint supplier and brought with me paint codes my son found on the internet for 1958 Buick interior white. The fellow looked up what was on his computer trying to cross reference the numbers with no success. He said with the change in paint from enamels to base clear the codes don't always work??? I had also brought my glove box to provide a bigger area for his camera to see if it would get a closer match. What a process. So hard to tell with a flat test area against a finished spray.

Knowing people in this tour Keith somewhat exemplifies the world is getting smaller..... It would be a fantastic journey for sure! It started in 1967, our counties Confederation year, from BC and stopped here in Windsor. Dad having only had the Overland for a year would love to have picked up with them and go east but back then with having a family of three children and the only bread winner (ONE COULD DO THAT BACK THEN) it was too much to be able for him to do. However... In our Museum is a 1913 Studebaker that the owner did pick up with the tour and made it to Montreal before heading back home. Interestingly his son had a 1928 Studebaker Twin Six touring that went also. Sadly it developed a cracked manifold and had be brought home on a trailer. That car eventually went to Hershey and was sold. Not a great shot but one showing the Studebaker with dad's Overland about 1975 when the gang used to use their cars for weddings.

Interesting. Claims to have many benefits including octane boost but really interested in the two year gas stabling. Of course the boater endorsement doesn't hurt either. Can't hurt to check one can out. Thanks.

Received my EBugle notice this morning as expected. Can't wait for the National Meet issue (although it usually means getting near the end of the cruising season....)

With the steering wheel and the small collar sitting on the deck this past week, refilled my coffee cup and went at them with some sand paper. That was taking too long so brought out the electric drill with a brass wire brush and made progress. Went at the steering wheel too. I was getting anxious to see just how the colour match was and proceeded to tape the wheel and then prime these parts to then at least shoot some paint on the collar..... Primed. Two coats of paint, two coats of clear and..... Maybe not easy to see here but put it on the column to compare. Will be taking the cans back and bring the glove box lid with me this time to see if they can get it closer as this is too cream coloured for me to live with. I believe the interior white is called antique white?

If I didn't know any better, though I heard something go "tink". With the way that wheel is sitting, looks like something broke. To each his own.....

Not to be subversive about hotel / motels but there is bed bug issues (even with reputable name hotels). Don't ask....

NICE! My wife feels along the lines your Rita does regarding the bathroom issue. Some of these 13 to 15 foot units have been retro fitted to accommodate a small bathroom but as you say, are not huge units in total. The one comment some made was that if they had to do it again they would want a unit that had two axles. One reason was for the four wheel braking and the other for the stability with towing. Obviously each of us has our own views and needs. Shoot, three couples had teardrops and this gang has been on the road for 5 weeks so far...... I didn't get inside to see the layout but I know my wife would love to travel in it. Keep us posted and have fun getting there.

WHAT A NIGHT! After stopping at the office and being told there were about 75 trailered units parked out back of the 155 registered group travelling across Canada, I saw this. This is an amazing group of people dedicated to driving, enjoying their cars and experiencing the cross country experience! Some were from Newfoundland who drove out to British Columbia first to start this adventure and others will be faced with having to return home after this tour is finished! The diversity of cars and trucks was amazing! This particular car was one that had it not been a convertible, was so rotten with rust that it would have been SCRAPED OUT but he put her together and yes, it has a front clip and new engine (you know what) but it is on the road and he likes it! Looks sweet to me with her Hartz cloth top... Who drives an ambulance across Canada towing a trailer? A very rare stock Monarch doing her thing. A stock '55 Olds 98. When was the last time you saw a muscle car towing a trailer? Then.... Can't remember when I saw a Mustang towing something. And on it went.... Then there were two Highway Coaches that were converted to motor homes, one with solar panels and both towing vehicles for local travel. A few of the local car guys came out to support this meet too and I just had to capture a shot of my friends Continental as the night came to a close. Just A Super Event!

So MrEarl, You are being fairly quiet and taking in what has been posted so far but here is "ONE FOR YOU" (and I don't mean a Bud ). I went out to my Car Club / Museum site who hosted the 'Canadian Coasters Car Club' tonight on their way across Canada starting in British Columbia and saw this! Thought it might peak your interest. It is an event with 75 cars towing trailers plus another 85 cars travelling across the country and while I did not actually talk to the owner (due to the many conversations with many of the participants) I took what pictures I could to prove this is possible! This unit was equipped with an equaliser setup. Does this look like the frame is not strong enough as previously posted? So while 'NOT' dismissing anyone's concerns regarding highway speeds and safety here, do you really want to let Canadians have the jump on the fun you are looking for if the rig you are looking at is about the size of this? By the way, they are ending the tour in Newfoundland, Canada and then.... have to travel back home. Follow your dreams Sir.

With the phone ringing off the wall this week (work is a good thing ) and family obligations over I was hoping to spend the evening on the car but received an email that the Canadian Coasters Car Club is making a stop to our Museum tonight for a BBQ. I understand this group is celebrating it's 50th year of travelling from coast to coast so just have to see what it is all about. I'm curious to see if there are any '58 Buick's on this tour? Since I have been around the Museum / Car Club here since 1967 guess I deserve a night off to celebrate too.

Right after work I stopped at one of our local automotive paint suppliers who has camera that supposedly can capture paint colour codes to be made to repainting. I wanted to see if they could get the white on the steering column right. PLUS, they can put it in spray cans which would save me setting up my cheap spray gun, thinning and then having to clean up for the little bit I want to paint. Going to try the smallest trim piece on top of the turn signal column first and will see.

REAL NICE LANCE! Might I ask what shop you used?

OH NO! I had the same thing happen with my desktop PC one year ago December and exactly the same way, by a power outage that came back on immediately. According to the "Geek Squad" that was enough to crash and kill the hard drive. Fortunately it was not quite over the 1 year warranty and that hard drive was replaced but... not any of the information and no.... I wasn't smart enough to have made back ups sooo .... I had to start all over from scratch!!! Guess what I do now?! I'm so sorry you are experiencing this Mud. The starting cost to recover the data was quoted at 1,200.00 with no guarantee and more if I wanted to dig deeper. Technology! Mr Gates sure has created a monster.... and we really want a car running on electricity run by computers?? Can't wait!