mp67riv

Glad to hear!

I began dismantling my 61 Electra 225 shortly after I bought it in 96, got it off for blasting and painting in 97, and got it back from the paint shop in 98 - just a body shell with the engine and tranny reinstalled. I did what I could in reassembly over the next several years, in bits here and there, but hit a brick wall where I didn't have the know-how to go any further. So it sat untouched for 5-6 years until I found a shop that could complete the work. I had it hauled to the shop in 2012, and finally got it back on the road in 2016 - I wasn't in a hurry at that point, and we had a lot of back and forth locating additional new parts that made sense to replace. It was worth the wait! Although a 20 year restoration project is far from ideal, the joy is still there once the car is back on the road. So my vote would be to hold on, chip away as you have time, and look forward to the day when it is completed. Your kids will be a part of the journey and they'll likely get a kick out of finally riding in the big Buick that was a collection of parts through much of their childhood.

MRJBUICK - thanks much! I love your 60 225 6 Window Riv as well - looks like our cars are the same color and are great examples of the elegance of the early 60s Electra 225 4 door hardtops - they look really cool with the windows down given there is no center pillar! Also, the 60 and 61 were the only two model years with the Mirrormatic speedometer cluster! The Manta is a 4 speed stick, and has a factory sunroof...great little car! MachineGun - nice Mantas are really hard to find! I've owned this one since '79 so obviously it is part of the family at this point Hahaha! I've added the Rallye instrument package to the standard Luxus interior so it has the best of both worlds! Had to replace the Luxus cloth on the seats since that stuff didn't wear very well, but kept it with a nice velour cloth.

Didn't go far, but took the 61 225 and its little German cousin out of the garage, and went for a short run in the little guy!

Road trip! Picked up the 65 Sportwagon in Kentucky and drove it back to Maryland. A total of 550 miles - the Wildcat 355 performed well. It was a good day!

Circa 1959, dad and mom gave up their 52 Roadmaster for a "new" 57 Roadmaster 75, purchased in Selma, AL. They took grief from some who thought the 57 was too fancy for a "negro" couple, but they loved it and cruised with pride!

Fair enough...getting more involved from a volunteer standpoint and attending meets are things i look forward to. I hope to be able to do these things once my work schedule changes - as it stands, work commitments (often involving travel) have conflicted me out of most of the annual and local meets, but God willing, that won't always be my situation.

I've been a BCA member since the late 90s when I started restoration on my 61 225. My comments are from the perspective of a BCA member who has benefited immensely from the organization but has not been able to participate more fully. I have not been involved in BCA leadership, but I have tried to vote in most elections. I've found the BCA, the Bugle and this forum to be extremely helpful in each of my projects, and in my mind, the Bugle is one of the key strengths of the BCA. I echo the kudos already extend to Pete, Cindy and the Board for the time, effort and energy they invest. At some point, maybe my life obligations will change and I'll be able to get more involved in BCA matters. In the meantime, I encourage us to work with and respect each other, and keep it light and fun, as Mr. Earl has suggested!...just my $.02 for you to take or leave as you see fit...

Taking a break on a cross country trip...

Here are a couple of pics.

Loren and Pete, Thanks much for your insights. This information is extremely helpful. I was thinking of upgrading the front brakes to discs, and suspected that heavier front springs and radiator would be needed. I'll see what I can find out about the frame. I expect I'll be back to you with other questions if I decide to take on this project. I think the Sportwagon would be a really cool tow vehicle if I could make it robust enough. Not to mention they were among the nicest wagons Buick built.

Any thoughts about whats involved in swapping a 401 Nailhead and TH400 into a 65 Sportwagon? Given that the 65 Skylark GS had the 401, I expect it will fit in the engine bay with no problem. I assume the GS heavy duty radiator or something similar will be needed. Am curious about changes to driveshaft, rear end, transmission tunnel, suspension, etc... I'm looking to make it a stronger tow vehicle...not trying to race it...but the gravy is that it should be reasonably quick with a transplant like this...

Thanks much...that is good to know. I was concerned whether the engine would be working too hard when cruising at 65-70 mph.

The wagon I'm looking at has a 3.55 posi that was recently rebuilt. Not yet sure how the difference between 3.08 and 3.55 will impact highway cruising, but it should give a lift to acceleration. I believe he has a shift kit on the two speed tranny.

My 61 deuce and a quarter...