Mark Shaw

1957 BUICK CABALERRO ESTATE WAGON - $550 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reply to: sale-463687997@craigslist.org Date: 2007-10-29, 9:54PM PDT 1957 BUICK 4 DOOR HARDTOP WAGON. VERY RARE. JUST FOR PARTS, NO TITLE. THE FRAME HAS BEEN CUT AND MADE INTO A TRAILER! (THANK YOU MR. FARMER) BOTH FRONT DOORS ARE NICE BOTH BACK DOORS HAVE DENTS BUT ARE FIXABLE. ALL DOORS ARE SAME AS 4 DOOR HARDTOP. WINDSHIELD IS GOOD AND TAILGATE GLASS IS GOOD. TAILGATE HAS A LITTLE RUST IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER (SEE PIC) THE FLOORS ARE DECENT. THIS CAR COULDBE SAVED WITH A DONOR 4 DOOR FRAME AND FRONT END. I SAW ONE ON CRAIGSLIST CDA, SIX DAYS AGO FOR $600 I THINK, BUT I JUST DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO DO IT. NO SEATS. CALL 509-592-8399 CELL OR JUST RESPOND TO THIS AD. DELIVERY OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE. TRADES CONSIDERED. THANKS, ROB

I have done this with both aircraft stripper and via sandblasting. I have never had a car "dipped". All methods work best with panels and parts removed from the car so sand and stripper cannot get trapped between panels and painted parts. Stripper works better for sheet metal panels that can become warped from the heat generated by sandblasting. Once this happens, any time saved by blasting is more than consumed in added body work. Blasting works best on heavy parts like frames, axles, etc. Just make sure all seals and close tolerance machined areas are sealed & covered with duct tape. My 15 Buick speedster wood spoke wheels needed to have the steel fellows blasted. So I carefully taped up all the wood spokes and took them to my local blaster. He saw the spokes all covered and asked why. I told him that I thought blasting the wood might raise the grain rather than just remove the paint. He is in his 70's (and knows his craft) & did a demonstration of his blasting technique with "greensand" media. I was surprised when I saw what a beautiful job he did; I took off all the tape and now have beautiful natural wood spoke wheels. He said that if I had rotted wood spokes, the blasting would reveal it. I was lucky to have all good wood, but I had him blast them not only to save time, but to also find out if my spokes were OK.

How about this on Ebay? Item number: 150176111004

Naw, thar's only one in the pitcher!

Lamar, It might be the owners of Restoration Supply Co in Escondido CA. See my latest post.

Andy, My son-in-law had a motorcycle with this problem. We just smoothed out the bumps with sandpaper & coated only the inside with Varathane (poly-varnish). It didn't change the look and it did a good job of sealing the leaks. He has since sold it, so I cannot say how long it lasted.

I just got this from a club member.... This is important news that shouldn't wait for the next newsletter. Most of us have purchased "goodies" from Alan and Tony and while we are pleased that the business and customer's cars have survived the fires, we are very saddened to hear about the personal loss of their homes and several of Alan's cars. Our thoughts are definately with them and all of those folks who have been affected by these fires. I used to live in San Diego and Orange County and have several friends who have lost their homes. It is difficult to imagine their loss. Please know that our thoughts are with all of them. Check in here: http://www.restorationstuff.com/

I just got this from a club member.... This is important news that shouldn't wait for the next newsletter. Most of us have purchased "goodies" from Alan and Tony and while we are pleased that the business and customer's cars have survived the fires, we are very saddened to hear about the personal loss of their homes and several of Alan's cars. Our thoughts are definately with them and all of those folks who have been affected by these fires. I used to live in San Diego and Orange County and have several friends who have lost their homes. It is difficult to imagine their loss. Please know that our thoughts are with all of them. Check in here: http://www.restorationstuff.com/

Photo #31.....

Sexy like a "brassy lassie" should be! But is that an original color on the old girl...??

Please post a photo and measurements. I am looking for a 25" rim.

You can't go wrong with kit #53 which includes a new shaft. The only issue would be how old it is. Rubber parts have a shelf life.

Yes Dave, you are getting famous.... for Buick numbers anyway. I just talked to another HCCA guy from N California last night who needs to ID his engine. He doesn't have email, so I looked up your number in the BCA directory & gave it to him. I hope you don't mind. Maybe if we both work on him, we can get him to join the BCA & PWD...

Here is the pot metal repair site: http://www.muggyweld.com/potmetal.html

If your Buick is a driver, the simple solution would be to drive to Ottowa with your passport, replace the seats, & drive home. But since it is so late in the year, I would guess this isn't an option. If you decide to pick up the seats with another vehicle, you will need your passport & may have to pay fees (like a Canadian sales tax) to transport the goods back over the border when you return. Just make sure the seats have only standard stuffing in them! I cannot verify 53 Buick seats for you, but even with the high price of fuel, I expect going yourself will be the most cost effective way to do it.

Dave, Thanks for posting the link. It is a great site for the Brass Buicks crowd.

This won't answer your specific question, but it does have some interesting history: http://www.motorera.com/history/hist11.htm

Arbys, I have purchased several items from Bob's over the years, and the quality has always been good. Although the door handles I bought from Bob's years ago were "unfinished aluminum alloy", they cleaned up easily for plating. I expect that any stainless steel alloy would be fine.

I think Steve D is probably right about the leak happening when the cooling system finally gets cool enough to leak. The engine block will retain heat for long periods when the ambient temperature is relatively high. Since you are in Singapore, I expect it would take overnight to get cool enough to leak. What was the ambient temperature difference day and night?

Is your car a Buick?

I am sure that when Dave Corbin (The BCA's best numbers guy)returns from Hershey, he will help you with the numbers on your car. I also urge you to join the BCA (if you are not yet a member) and join the BCA PreWar Division (it is free with BCA membership). There is no better source for information and help for you car restoration as well as contacts and activities for you and your car.

Thanks Dave. The car belongs to my buddy Bud Rex in Portland. He already took it to a machine shop that determined it could not be bored and re-fitted with an insert. He will try a welder next, but we are still hopeful to find a replacement on somebody's parts car. Thanks again.

I just love stories like yours. Have fun with your "renewed" Buick.

Come on guys....he only needs the center hub, not the whole wheel. Anybody have one?

Lots of great photos from the National Meet & related activities too! Good Job Pete.