Fred Zwicker

Ivory leather seats were in the car from a 2001 build by a GM dealer in GA and were from a Lincoln. Passenger seat moves up when rear of seat is folded back to enter the rear seat area (neat). We built the console and lower dash additions on each side and painted these and the center console and original dash the same copper as on outside of the car. Lots of work - started out as a touchup paint job of the car, which was originally white pearl and ended up doing a complete interior and exterior cosmetic restoration, including new Daytona Weave Carpet in Bronze. The project took a little over 6 months. Pictures of the car as purchased and before our restoration attached. Fred

I bought my brake shoes from NAPA and just checked their site. They are called Tru-Stop bonded, 12" x 2.25". The MSDS sheet said they were made by Federal Mogul Friction Products in Smithville, TN and supplier listed as Rayloc Division of General Parts Company in Atlanta, GA. (Lots of health info, but not much else). The Brake Lining Material was mde by BrakePro in Cartersville, GA and same supplier (Rayloc). Same health info. If it is possible to purchase new linings from an antique car source so that this car will stop properly, am looking for such sources. I have my original brake shoes that I just removed from the car that could be sent out for linings. Evidently some of the newer materials are not the answer. Thanks for any help or ideas. Fred

Brake Hoses? Good idea and I purchased a set at NAPA when I bought the new brake shoes, but did not install them as yet, as wanted to get the car ready for a Pontiac-Buick-Olds show in the Cleveland area on 6/13. I will review all info furnished so far and when I come up with a solution, will report. Thanks, Fred

I have two Pontiac Safari Wagons - one is 100% original and the other is modified with modern drive train and steering and other features. Both are in show condition and can be seen at www.tpcarcollection.com Attached are some pictures (Original first 2 pictures and Modified 3 other pictures). Fred

Thanks a lot Old-Tank, I bought the shoes at NAPA and the old ones are in the box at work, which I will check out on Monday. If they are Raybestos, I will send them somewhere to be relined with the correct linings, as I am really not comfortable driving this beautiful car. I checked your link and printed everything, which will be studied carefully until I can resolve this. Any other ideas will be greatly appreciated, as when I say the car is hard to stop, it is almost impossible to stop without having "bare knuckles" and a cold sweat. Fred

I have a 1957 Buick Riviera Super 2-dr and the previous owner had the brake booster rebuilt, along with new brake cylinders. The linings were glazed, so we replaced them, but the car is still really hard to stop, requiring more than the usual amount of foot pedal to do much of anything. I also have a 1954 Buick Riviera Special 2-dr without power brakes and it stops easier than the '57. Any ideas? Someone mentioned a check valve for the booster on another post. Any chance that this could be the problem? Thanks, Fred

Thanks a lot for the quick reply. Paint remover coming up. Fred

I have a nice 1957 Buick Riviera Super and recently had the headlight doors replated. Looking at the part, thought that perhaps black paint should be added between the chrome bars surrounding the headlight bulb. I painted these flat black and they look good, but am not sure if I did the right thing, as want them to be original. I checked a picture of the car prior to having the plating done and there was no paint at all on this part. Does anyone know for sure which is correct? If necessary, I can reasily remove the black paint. Pictures attached. Thanks, Fred

I posted 2 sets of 4 pictures on this forum just last week and two more pictures yesterday without a problem. Fred

Click on "Reply" and after you type your message, arrow down to see the words, "File Manager". Click on <span style="text-decoration: underline">File Manager</span> and then you can browse your saved pictures on your computer or camera and download them, as long as they have been resized. I thought you could only post 2 pictures, but was able to post 4 for you (maybe even more, but I stopped at two replies with 4 pictures each. Someone should take a good look at this car, as it appears to be in great condition. Fred

More pictures - 1956 Buick Century 2-door hard top. Auto power steering and brakes. Call George 570-807-4107 or geo1552@yahoo.com Asking $30,000 OBO. This is really a nice car! Fred

1956 Buick Century 2-dr. Hard Top w/auto, power steering & brakes. Asking $30,000 OBO. Call George (570) 807-4107 or geo1552@yahoo.com Helping George with the posting of the pictures. Fred

I just received another email from the seller - Does anyone know how the Buyer Protection Plan offered by eBay works? Also what is his motive if the eBay plan is legitimate? Undoubtedly sooner or later he will be wanting a deposit to be wired to hold the car. Here is a copy of his email, which I will not answer, as in my email to him I mentioned that when eBay pulls an auction it is not a good sign and I wanted to know the reason for this and also wanted his complete address and phone number. Instead here is his answer: "The accident was 6 months ago and I was badly injured. I have problems with my hearing and most of the time have headackes. Now I'm at a clinic in Great Falls MT for treatment, I come here every 2 weeks but if the car sells, I will be in Lutherville in no more than 48h. I can hand it over or arrange delivery to you. This is why we'll work through ebay Vehicle Purchase Protection Program and they will hold the deposit until the purchase is final, and you test and accept the car. To be able to use this program you need to qualify. I have been approved a while ago and I was very satisfied. So, if you want to move on, I will let them know I've found a potential buyer. If you get approved, you will receive the confirmation from them soon."

Several days ago, there was a beautiful restored red 1954 Buick Roadmaster Convertible on eBay from a seller in MD. There was NO RESERVE and the car was receiving many bids. The seller had only one (1) positive. I believe bidding was up to around $15,000 or so. Even though I figured it didn't look right (since no reserve), I sent an email to the seller (through eBay). Before I received a reply, eBay pulled the auction. Yesterday afternoon I received this email message from the seller, offering the car for $10,000 with prepaid shipping anywhere in the U.S. Any comments on all of this ??? It smells to me. Hi Thank you for your interest in my 54 Buick Roadmaster convertible. The car is located in Lutherville MD. It has all the papers (complete). This was my son's car who passed away 6 months ago, it only brings me bad memories. I want this transaction to be smooth as I am caught in the middle of some very important events and I don't have much time at my disposal. The car is in perfect condition, no scratches, no special marks, no need for additional repairs what so ever, no leaks, rust free. Original 322 V-8, Automatic, Ground up restoration performed on an existing solid frame and body. Original engine pulled, vatted, bored .30 over and assembled with all new components. New upholstery, carpet, convertible top and all new weatherstripping. Undercarriage mechanically reconditioned with new bushings and suspension system. Research indicates that 3010 Roadmasters were manufactured in 1954 with a mere 52 survivors left today. An excellent example of a Mid-Fifties Classic Cruiser. Only 54,500 miles. A great car ready to be yours. It has a clear title. The price is $10,000 including shipping costs anywhere in the continental US. There are no other costs regarding this transaction. Regarding payment I am aware of the eBay's rules and we will use Vehicle Purchase Protection Program which will hold the payment until you receive the car. If you are interested please provide me the following informations necessary to make a decision: -full name -any negative feedback and if so .... for what reason. If I receive the requested information you will be informed by eBay during the next hours with details about your purchase. Thank you, PS: I have uploaded some photos for your consideration:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: keiser31</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Interestingly, it only has one fender skirt. I suppose you want both with your car? </div></div> I talked to the seller about this and he said that the car has both skirts. I guess he wanted to show both with and without. I am still looking for a car like this if anyone has any leads. Thanks, Fred

Looking for a nice 1955 or 1956 Pontiac Safari in either good, original condition or restored (can be a new or an older restoration). No project cars please. Prefer color as shown in attached photos of a car that I missed on eBay recently. Please click on my name to left for my email address. Any leads will be appreciated. Thanks, Fred

Looking for a nice 1955 or 1956 Pontiac Safari in either good, original condition or restored (can be a new or an older restoration). No project cars please. Prefer color as shown in attached photos of a car that I missed on eBay recently. Please click on my name to left for my email address. Any leads will be appreciated. Thanks, Fred

My son and I are constructing this 40' x 80' building for display of our antique cars at TP Tools in Canfield, Ohio

I previously posted about my father painting his 1937 Hudson Terraplane with a brush. Prior to that, our family owned the North Side Laundry on Central Avenue in Indianapolis. Here is a 1932-1934 picture of the fleet of trucks. All were hand-painted with at least 3 coats of while enamel. These were large trucks and always looked spotless, as were washed every morning. Note the little snowman on the side of the trucks. Clean laundry was stored inside the trucks and dirty laundry was put in canvas bags and tied to the top of the trucks. My father is shown to the far left in the picture. Fred Zwicker

In the early fifies, my father had a maroon Hudson Terraplane sedan that he bought new in 1937. The car badly needed to be painted. Not having money for a professional paint job, he bought some paint called "Nu Enamel - Leaves no Brush Marks". He took his time and brushed in the finish neatly and when finished, it really looked good. After a few months, it looked even better. It also seemed to hold up well, as the car did not rust as much as most cars of that period.

I was able to put two (2) 6-volt Optima batteries in my 39 LaSalle and they fit perfectly in the standard battery box which is located under the driver's front floorboard (where they don't show). The two are hooked in parallel and give 1600 cold cranking amps. Needless to say, I have no problems in starting the car, hot or cold. Overkill? Probably, but it works. With all of the big bucks we put into our restorations, what is an extra $130 or so to have a car that always starts? For details, look under "Technical Stuff" at my web site www.fzoldcars.com Fred

I liked this year's setup after finally figuring out that the road curved in sort of a "U" shape, so that the return walk was not so far as the first time, when I returned by the long way back. However, got a chance to take a second look at all of the cars. I wonder what percentage of these cars sold this year? How disappointing to a seller who trailered or drove a car sometimes hundreds of miles for a "no sale". There must have been some last-minute price reductions on Saturday. Fred

I walked the car corral Wednesday night, Thursday afternoon and Friday night and it seemed as if a lot of the cars were still not sold. Maybe everyone was waiting for bargain day on Saturday. Any idea of how sales were this year, in view of our financial crisis? Some say antique/classic cars will be better than money in the bank, but others say not so. Any ideas on this? Fred

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Curti</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have two long plates that affix to each side of the hood which the lettering is chrome plated and the background is body color. Is there a chemical process that will 'etch' back ground hex chrome so it may be painted? Of course it would have to be applied manually and carefully. </div></div> Here is some information that may be of help. Not a chemical process, but it works perfectly. http://www.fzoldcars.com/Page_8.php Fred

<span style="font-weight: bold">1937 Dodge Convertible Coupe with rumble seat.</span> Paid $125 for the car in 1950 or 1951. It was all original, straight, had a good solid body, good chrome and glass, but needed a new top and the leather upholstery was worn, but useable. Ran good but rod bearings were rattling. A friend of mine gave me a low-mileage engine from a DeSoto or Chrysler that should "bolt right up". So I proceeded to do the installation on the side of the street in front of our apartment. After removing the front end and then bolting up the engine, then realized that it was about 2" longer than the Dodge engine, so couldn't get the body to fit (hood too short, etc.). I sold the car for $12 to a friend who needed the engine and the rest of the car was scrapped for $5.