JoelsBuicks

I was there on Friday; back after nearly 10 years of what seemed to be always bad timing for me. I dug through a lot of stuff on tables but came up empty handed and ended my day after about only three hours. Like mentioned above, if I were a “T” or “A” guy, there were many such parts. I was surprised to see how reduced this meet had become. Also, I learned that it would be the last year for it as the sponsors have decided to discontinue this. I overheard a number of conversations suggesting that parts vendors had for one or more reasons become disillusioned. I have to wonder if this is the natural course of declining interest in the hobby, Chikasha, or other competing meets gaining popularity? Maybe I’m part of the problem as I had already decided it was going to be my last year even before I heard that it was its last year.

Mark, the arc-length of that spring is 32-1/2” and its width is 1-1/2”, maybe just a 1/32” over that. It’s 1/4” thick. Thanks! Joel

Thank you Frank!

These parts came in a box inside a basket case ‘28 Cadillac that I recently bought. They almost look like old wagon parts or Model A bumper. Anyhow, I don’t need them. 24” framing square in there for size reference. Thanks, Joel

Yes! I got it! My search was too narrow. Thanks for that lesson. Joel

For my ‘31 Model 67 restoration, I just noticed that my two headlight lenses that I had stowed away do not match each other. So, I’m looking for another lens that matches one of these. The picture shows a TWOLITE version and a TILTRAY. My preference is the TILTRAY but I just want them to match. Overall diameter is 10”. There are some out there that are slightly smaller but they just won’t work. Thanks, Joel

Dave, thank you for taking the time to get the pictures. Maybe someone will read this and have a spare set! 🙄That’s a long shot. With these pictures I should be able to come up with something very close and get them to the chromer. (I have a good size box of all kinds of stuff for the chromer) $$. Progress is slow as usual. Thanks again!

There are a couple features about that small steel plate that I felt were strong clues that it had something to do with this bracket. First, the holes line up perfectly with those on the cowl. Second, there are two embossed (raised) portions that would flank the hinge bar. Beyond that, I don’t know that it belongs here. Something that comes to mind is that maybe it’s a backing plate of sorts that actually goes on the nut side of this?

Oh wow! There it is. It won’t be too hard to make. Now I’m guessing both are chrome plated. I’m really glad you mentioned the firewall pad. I had planned on installing the bonnet as one of my final moves but that’s gonna get messy with the firewall pad in place. I’ll have to rethink that. You spared me a headache no doubt. Thank you very much again and if you happen to notice that the other end is different, please let me know. Joel

Thanks John. I suspect you’re correct about 32 being like 31. The loose small parts that I got with this car were in three coffee cans. Still, so far I’ve been lucky and only a few parts are missing which include these. The car, along with its pieces, had been moved twice when I bought it. I am guessing that the bracket at the cowl end is painted and the one affixed to the grille shell is chrome? I’m also guessing that they should look alike shapewise. maybe someone will chime in with a 31 pic. Thanks again, Joel

Can someone please send me pictures of the pieces that hold (fasten down) each end of the bonnet hinge? My 1931 Series 60 was partially disassembled when I got it and these parts were missing. my pics show a little rusty piece that I think may be part of it. Thank you! -Joel

Maybe it’s the design from a ‘36 door sill plate?

Wow, that’s amazing what’s out there. thanks again!

Gentlemen forgive me. I asked for your help and failed to check back; been caring for my wife after her shoulder surgery and just forgot. Some good ideas and thank you for taking time to respond. Joel

This broken pot metal linkage connects via rod to the carburetor from the lever actuator at the bottom of the steering sector. As you can see in the pic it’s broken where it clamps to the 3/8” rod. I suppose a modification with JB Weld might work but I thought someone may have been down this road before with a better idea. Thanks! Joel

I don’t believe that it can be overstated the impact and effect of using the old wood. You just can’t plane away the unique character throughout these boards. And, I don’t think you can go and buy these boards newly sawed from the mill. You have really made that scavenging work well worth the effort. I can brag all day about the straight, square and well-proportioned craftsmanship but that beautiful natural and rich old wood grain is what makes this stand out. I’d love to make that road trip!

Do you consider yourself to a one of the Del-heads? Btw, nothing short of spectacular on the Buick Sales and Service Garage.

Yes! Maybe this will work. I don’t know what mds filled means but the rest of that description seems to be just what I’m looking for. thanks again for your help, Joel

I think you’re right. It may be some sort of Bakelite that was actually molded with a binder in there. The appearance on top is weathered but on the sun-protected bottom, it’s more like a shiny black. I recall seeing this same sort of stuff on pot handles - the ones that are old! Seems to me like I recall this being a common problem and one without a reproduction available. Maybe just buy a block of Bakelite and machine it and paint it black? Thanks for weighing in, Joel

I need to make this part that is broken, the picture shows it. I don’t know what the original material is and I don’t necessarily need to know. I would like to find a suitable material to make it - tough but not brittle. It is a nonmetallic but I don’t know that this is a necessary property. Perhaps someone has a suggestion of what would work. I think I can turn it out on my lathe. Car is a ‘31 Buick Sr. 60 that I am restoring. Thanks, Joel

Thank you. I’ve told this story before but it might be worth repeating. My Dad, who turned 89 last month, saw a picture in a past Bugle of a ‘31 that had an engine painted this green apple color. I believe the article said that it was some special one-off thing from the factory. But, we both liked it and wanted it for this car so that’s what we did.

Now, I need some help for a couple items. First, the dash is, in part, bolted to the body with two bolts on each side as shown in the pic. I do not know what these four bolts look like. It seems to me that they might be decorative. I’d like an original look so I welcome input on that. Second, I need a source for the fire wall pad/pressed paper. It’s almost like an asphalt cardboard? I don’t know what it’s called. It’s about 1/8” thick and I think I have seen it used in trunks and seatbacks? I’ll try to get a pic. Ok, got the pic. And I have seen these available from Bobs but I like punishment. I would really like to hear from someone who purchased one. There are some details on this that I can’t discern when looking at the sales pic of a new one. Thanks, Joel

Just today, I installed two doors. There will be adjustments required. There are also a lot of details that I’m running rough shod over like hinge mounting but it’s getting late.

A little brute force proved useful in putting the body on the frame. There will be more moments like this but to me, this changed the look of this project and in an encouraging way. im well into the process of getting the right mounting pads in place. Tightening down this body involves getting doors to fit properly. It’s all in the manual!

I was eager to get this out in the sun and look at the colors. I’m happy with it. This bit of finished work closes out a significant milestone and facilitates the start of something different- for a welcome change.