dkbuick75

Happy Birthday Dandy Dave !!! Collect any more coins in your guitar case lately???? lol !!

It is with deep sadness that I am posting this notice on our forum site. Fellow Longtime BCA (# 6619) & Chicagoland Chapter Member Scott Mich passed away earlier today, Saturday the 16th around Noon. I do not have any further info at this time of writing. I do know that Scott belonged to several different car clubs besides BCA. I know of the AACA, Olds National and Corvair clubs for fact. Sorry if I missed the names of any other Clubs or Chapters Scott belonged to, as these were the ones I know he spoke of the most. Scott was the most recent Past-Director of the Chicagoland Chapter of BCA, serving as our director for 4 years and was my right hand man as Ass't Director of the Chapter during my 4 year tenure as Chapter Director. Scott was very active within our chapter and instrumental in hosting, and with the running of several Chapter events and car shows every year. He was always there to offer his time and help, whenever asked. Scott will be deeply missed by all his car club friends & family. He will be remembered for his enthusiam, commoraderie, and friendship. The BCA, Chicagoland Chapter, and other clubs have lost a valuable member of the hobby. I on the other hand have lost a Cherished Friend. Gods Speed My Friend

To all on our little forum space here- the words of the season as it should be: MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR To all my ROA friends & all that share our little space on this forum. HAPPY HANUKKAH To all that celebrate Looking forward to seeing everyone planning on attending ROA Nationals in Heshey in 2010.

Time for my 2 cents While I'm not happy about the BCA dues increase, the $10 increase is what it is! Decreasing membership has been sighted as the primary reason for the increase. Unfortunately, it is a fact of life. Our Members and membership are aging, getting older and passing on to the BCA in the sky. Yet everyone is expecting things to remain the same as when we once proudly boasted over 10,000 members worldwide. It was a different time & era and we can never return there. We all joined the BCA for our own individual assorted reasons. I realize some mebers are on fixed income, have families, other priorities- whatever. YOU have to figure your own priorities. The cost of living is always on the increase- thank your government, Senators, Congress- whomever-- that always have their hands in your pockets finding ways to spend whatever little change you have left. We can't contol that or them--- yet-- maybe --- another issue/different place. Pete is doing an exceptional job as Editor of the Bugle and as it has already been voiced--- no one want to see the Bugle revert back to what it once was--- not that it was all that bad during those older times-- given the time-- we all thought that the Bugle was a good product-- its' just now, its an exceptionally good product. Thanks, Pete!! Kind of like remembering to judge the cars per the quality level standards in use durung the era they were built- but that is another subject and not related to this thread. We all get out of the BCA what we want from it! As Thriller already stated and I will pen in the ROA (Riviera Owners Association) philosophy--- "The first time you come out is for the cars, you come back for the friends & people after that." While some feel $50 dues is high-- and $50 is not chump change, how many of you don't think twice about dropping $5 for a cup of starbucks?? Dues was already at $40/year, so the actual increase was really only $10-- from $40 to $50. Now for some math--- 365 days in a year---- 10 divided by 365 = $.0273972/per day increase--- max of $.03/day. It is relatively easy to make some adjustments here. McDonald's, 7/11 etc., sell a cup of coffee for alot less than $5 a cup. So if you eliminate a cup or two of Starbucks, for Mickey D's or whatever, or eliminate 1or 2 cups entirely for a year-- the cost of dues increase is made up very easily. It doesn't matter what your beverage preference is, the math come out the same. Or instead, just purchase a regular size value meal without spending the extra $.40 to $.75 to upsize just a few times over the year--- savings for dues is easily recovered. And the decrease in the extra caffiene and calories you don't consume help to improve your health. That's the thing about and living in the "REAL" world--- one has to constantly adjust and make changes to afford the things one truely wants and desires in life. We all have to live somewhere--- some in Homes, Apartment, Condo's, whatever---- wherever we live there are continual changes-- home mortgage, property tax, rent, Condo association fees, these all increase from time to time -- with the times-- -yet we always find a way to adjust and make up the difference to make ends meet. Its' all a matter of priorities and what you find to be important in your life. Myself, I find it very important and beneficial to have friends who share common, similar interests in life to socialize with. Some of these friends we may only get to see once or twice a year-- but does that make them any less important of a friend??? I think not. I find it extremely enjoyable & rewarding upon seeing a friendly face or the warm handshake of a friend, wherever the occasion presents itself. This is especially true when one is in unfamiliar & strange surroundings-- (ie; most Nationals). Its relaxing to see a friendly familiar face to spend some time with. I'm not overly happy with the dues increase, but as stated earlier, "it is what is is". I will adjust and continue on with my BCA membership-- enjoying the friendships and commoraderie that my association with BCA have produced- and that I have benefitted from over the years. $10 is $10, but the friendships made within and because of the BCA are worth a he_ _ of a lot more to me than $10.

Frank, As long as you started the thread, I would like to borrow it very quickly to say the same to all my friends on the forum that I've met over the past couple of years and those that I will hopefully meet somewhere in the future at a Buick or Riviera event. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year--- The best wishes to all of our forum members for a safe & prosperous Holiday season. Thread now returned to its originator. ThankYou.

I wish you the best of luck with your Chrysler convt--- I hope you never get rear ended with it. Repair alignment is absolutely critical to proper exact alignment of EVERY rear panel -- moving & non moving on this type of vehicle--- so many hydraulic cylinders, wiring, electronics, clearances, tolerances, etc. One of the body shops that I deal with is one of our DRP facilities, and is in the process of repairing one right now-- from a different ins co-- but none the less--- moderate to hard r/e hit---rear body, rail sag, etc. They have been repairing now for 3 weeks since ins co okayed repairs--- too many of the electronics are not even in the Chrysler schematics or parts catalog, and several of those parts have had to been spcl ord. When all is said & done and shop is through with their end of repairs, the car will still have to be sent back to the Chrysler dealer to have the top operation checked, recalibrated, reprogrammed and inspct'd for correct op. While the idea & concept of this type vehicle is a techno marvel in operation & quietness, I don't know just how practical they are in our modern world with all the insane, inept, and discourteous drivers we all deal with on a daily basis. Most tailgate and drive way too fast for conditions and above their skill levels and capabilities. Basically, if this style car ever gets hit< I doubt it will ever be right again, as the day it first left the factory-- no matter how good the body shop is. They are a body shops' nightmare. Unfortunately, the damage is no where near vehicle value so totalling out the car is not even in the equation. I know, I shudder to think of fit & finish and top operation should my Wife's little Soltice ever get damaged-- reverse opening hood & deck panel - another critical alignment situation. But we buy what we like & want and hope & pray that we never get hit-- but ...

If you had Tigers stash would YOU really be the one "fixing them up" or hiring someone else to do the hard labors???? Myself, if I had Tigers' Stash-- the first purchase is the unmarked, out of the way, guarded, fully climate controlled warehouse & workshop. Kinda like GM's Heritage Museum in Pontiac, MI. Then start looking for the best "turn key" example of your interests-- like a little kid with the Christmas special book from Toys R Us---- I want 1 of those, and 1 of those, and 1 of these, and 1 of those, etc. etc-- you get my idea--- until you can make Jay Leno ask if he can come over and look at "YOUR" collection. LOL!!!

cops down there are probably PO'd because he interrupted their donut break.

check with desert valley auto parts out of Phoenix, AZ--- good size salvage yard w/large Buick/GM inventory--- Had good success in past when I was managing a body shop in southern suburbs of Chicago several years ago--- good quality rust free-- dry Arizona heat parts--- paint may be sun faded but strength & metal intregity second to none-- they do ship parts across USA-- Always received wrapped in bubble wrap, then outer cardboard shell. They also have website I believe is dvap.com. I don't have phone number at hand, but they advertise in cars & parts, Hemmings, etc. Hope this helps.

Derek, I see you are working that collection closer to a car for every month quota !! LOL!! Of course, if you count the daily drivers-- you're now already there. Congrats----------- It does look like it will be quite a while however, before you'll be driving the latest aquisition-- unless you secure a milk crate to the frame for the front driver seat. Looks like this one comes equipped with A/C.

Al, Is this the same Riv you had up in Appleton this past Aug for the Heartland Regional??? There has got to be a "real good" reason why you're selling this one. One sweet lookin' Riv here---- any one interested should move on this one!!!

Pete WOW !!! Beautiful job on a beautiful car--- its amazing what becomes of a basket case with a little TLC, love, and an owner lucky enough to have you do the restoration. Kudos to you. As already asked-- I don't know how you find the time to keep doing the quality restoration work and edit the Bugle. Keep up the good work on both ends.

WWS Congrats on your latest wheels-- looks very nice--- can't beat the ride on those last full size cruisers on a nice warm summer evening. I have the same yr/model in Walnut Mist Metallic (a very dark brown) w/saddle int and white top. Mine is a 1 owner, which I purchased new in May of 75 and am happy and proud to say I still own and show. Best of luck with your ownership.

ZombyWoof, If I remember correctly this vehicle was sitting inside the Sloan Museum last year during the '08 Ntionals @ Flint--- I believe this was labeled and marked as an exercise in bringing back the LaSalle nameplate--- at least I think I remember seeing "LaSalle" scripts on the vehicle, and I believe there was a small story board by the car stating such--- a design exercise in what a modern LaSalle would look like-- I forget the year they had posted the car as being designed.

Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, IL -- SW of Chicago also has Route 66 Raceway (drags) within the same convines of the Speedway grounds. I also believe that the city of Joliet is restoring and planning to start tours of the "Old Joliet Correctional Facility" (ie; Old Joliet prison). How cool would that be!!!!????

Congrats on the newest family member--- Very nice looking--- and the rear filler panels look like they are in excellent condition-- still look soft & flexible-- these are usually the first pieces to deteriorate and crack on this era of "Dueces"

There is also 1 other thing that I do every year and have been doing for the past 20 when putting the cars away for winter----- Don't know the full benefits, but it has proven to be successful for me---- My garage for the cars is detached w/o heat. The garage however is insulated and fully drywalled- walls & ceiling. Go to the hardware store and pick up 1 or 2 rolls of H/D 4-6 mil thick plastic. There are 2 ways to proceed from this point and I have done both over the years --- You can also buy 1 or 2 25 lb bags of oil dry and spread the oil dry over the entire floor-- then fully open and lay the sheets of plastic over the concrete floor o/lapping the sheets of plastic where and as needed to make sure the area of floor where you intend to park your collector car for the winter are completely covered. I usually leave about a foot extra on the sides along the wall and loosely thumb tack the sides to the wall of the garage-- the plastic will act as a moisture barrier between the floor and car over the winter and keep all/any dampness & moisture away from the car -- especially the chassis and lower end of the car. The oil dry also acts as an add'l barrier and starts to collect any moisture that draws thru the concrete. I have always put the cars away with a full tank of gas- mixed w/Sta-Bil and Heet fuel line drier, amounts as recomended by the labels, and a fresh oil change- don't believe in putting the cars away with dirty, used moisture laden oil, also making sure ALL fluid levels are where they belong---- If levels are full, then there is no room for moisture to collect. Batteries have been diconnected in the past making sure they are discneccted w/full charge-- However this year I will be putting 2 newer computered vehicles away also, so I'm in the process of purchasing a couple Battery Tenders to monitor the situation for all 4 cars this years. It will take a few extra hours in spring to clean up the garage for summer use-- but, its worth it, for the moisture barrier protection. The cars have always fired right up with just a little extra pumping of the gas pedal to get the fuel back into the carbs. Check out the plastic for tears, refold and put way for reuse next year--- I usually get 3-4 seasons out of the plastic sheets. Sweep up the coating of oil dry and dispose of----- you would be surprised the amount of moisture that the oil dry will absorb over the course of the winter. Just some thoughts-- like I said earlier in post, it has worked for me for 20+ years.

Derek, Only 1 comment about your last post, last paragraph------ CHICKEN !!!!!! LOL

Official driver test, Summer of '69, With Dad's 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 Convertible--- 352- 4-bbl. Only Ford I still have a soft spot for. Dad started to let me move the car and drive it around the block to put it in the garage at night starting about age 14 or 15. Was still living in the City of Chicago then, so the citystill had unpaved dirt alleys--- ruts and all -- lot of fun when it rained-- but probably still better conditions than what the drivers of the Brass era cars had to contend with.

Advertise it??? Whatever do you mean-- advertise????? HHHMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!! might make people aware of its existence----get them into a showroom. What a novel idea!!!!

If it ever truely makes it to print and turns out to be an actual source of parts for us -- it will be nice to have another source to choose from and what appears to be a source that will have a rather large selection-of parts we can all use- if it looks anything like the Caddy catalog.-Let's also hope the quality of the parts and service from the company live up to the hype!!

SWEEEEEET !!!!!!!!!!!!

Will they ever wake up and realize there is still a market segment that still wants/desires a 2 door coupe--- Hint: the Riviera concept would be a great vehicle to fill this void and put a "flagship" model back into the showrooms that would attract buyers back into the Buick showroom--- Oh, but they would still have to offer a few other "car" choices for people to choose from -- other than the current 2 car line and cross-over---- maybe even an"entry" level Buick model with styling that would appeal and be affordable to the younger generation--but alas, that will never happen --- makes too much sense-- more than a beancounter can comprehend!!! Some of us do not have the need nor desire for a four-door vehicle. I don't care about ease of entry into the back seat for my passengers-- I'm not the one going back there. If I wanted to haul the whole neighborhood around, I'd go buy a bus!! This also tends to eliminate the freeloaders that always say, "you drive- your cars bigger & roomier". I'm not your chauffuer!! I'm not trying to ruffle feathers, or offend those that do prefer a 4 door, but, when we all were a few years younger, (Teens, 20's- further?) didn't we generally refer to a four door anything as an "Old Mans Car"? How many of you really had such a strong passionate burning desire to hurry up after graduating high school and buying your first car actually said "wow" I just gotta have that" 4 door ( type in your choice)." What GTO', Road Runner, Chevelle SS, Buick GS, 442, Corvette, etc., Muscle car was ever made in a 4-door. To me, they (4-doors) weren't cool than- they still aren't and never will be. With Buick only selling such currently-- how can they ever hope to shake that moniker and attract a younger generation???? While the current/new Buick line up may be excellent, well built cars, until the real "car guys" are put back in charge, It is going to be a Looooong time before I purchase another New Buick!!!

Now if the designers at Buick would catch onto this hint and build something with some styling to get these folks into the showroom for a purchase, they could own the "real deal" instead of just being pretenders!!!!

57 Special Welcome aboard. Sounds like you may have applied for your new membership during the time that the BCA Nationals were going on in Colorado Springs--- Our Office Mgrs, Mike & Nancy Book were in attendance at the meet and thus may be the reason for the delay in response to your application-- give them a little time to get back to Ohio and catch up on things-- you should hear from them shortly-- otherwise go back to the application and their e-mail address is is posted and you can drop them a quick line about your app.