buick5563 Posted May 14, 2011 Author Share Posted May 14, 2011 The 55 Century has an engine turned middle of the dash section, so there's no way it'll be anything but "silver" in the middle. Before I saw Fin's Skylark, I thought that they (54 SL's) had the engine turning also. I guess I would be wrong. It's all a moot point anyway, the money for the convertible project has been reallocated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957buickjim Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 WHAT! reallocated??????? Oh boy..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 REALLOCATED?! On your 17th page of a thread and you reallocate? Ooo, this is going to be either really good or really sad. Take a deep breath and do tell all, when you're ready. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackofalltrades70 Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Not to be shrewd or mean or down-right onery, but I smell a woman.................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted May 15, 2011 Author Share Posted May 15, 2011 Nothing bad. I just realized that I needed to replace my truck, so I will be buying a replacement "dad mobile". I will still be doing all of the labor stuff on my convertible, it'll just take longer to buy upholstery, chrome, etc. than I was hoping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthbob Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 I hear ya bud...my Buick Bucks account just got raided for other domestic priorities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 I know what you mean by reallocating funds (and time) from your project. Our family owns 3 Model T Fords that were my Dad’s. There are five of us in the family. I own 1/5<SUP>th</SUP> of the cars. Unfortunately the 1/5<SUP>th</SUP> I own is the one that is always broke down. Then yesterday the fuel pump went out of my home inspection van. About $400.00 for the parts and I am now waiting for it to stop raining so I can pull the tank. Of course the 55 Buick and Model T are in the nice dry garage! Mud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Not to be shrewd or mean or down-right onery, but I smell a woman..................Believe me, from what I know about Mikey, he LOVES the smell of his woman. Let's see, how did he put it once...I believe it was "Mary ROCKS" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 "Smell of a Woman" (well, Scent, actually) - great movie with Al Pacino. Very funny but very tense blind-man-driving scene, at the wheel of a convertible Ferrari - Mondial maybe?Whew, am I ever glad that we didn't have to hear about Trophy Husband/Dad getting the boot. Too many shattered fantasies there to handle. Have a nice minivan shop, Mike. Heeeey, I know where there's this great station wagon, a Packard in fact... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted May 19, 2011 Author Share Posted May 19, 2011 It's all a moot point anyway, the money for the convertible project has been reallocated.Y'all know I'm not Ahnuld. It wasn't another woman. Mary indeed ROCKS!!!My new "minivan" is on the way...Buick : Century | eBay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Just couldn't hold it any longer could ya. AWESOME buddy. Happy as hell for ya. Jealous too. CONGRATS brother. It deserves it's own M&MB thread though don't you think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted May 19, 2011 Author Share Posted May 19, 2011 I didn't want to say anything until it was en route.I'll start a new thread when it shows up. The people of the future reading this (hello space people) won't be able to view the link. I'll swap the link for a pic later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thriller Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 I can't think of any better reason to put a restoration on hold. That interior almost looks familiar...note to self, lock doors and put windows up when Mike is around the wagon....Congrats.Of course, now I have a reason / excuse to maybe try driving down to the bluebonnet show one of these years so they can be seen together.Shame about the engine colour...probably deemed closer to correct than my Wildcat's though, I guess.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireballV8 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Hi MikeGlad you got this wagon, my dad and I almost bought it twenty years ago, back then it was also in northern California and had the same plates on it and the bottom of the right front fender which has been repaired was bent in. I have pictures of it and it history somewhere and will look for it. I remember that it was a nicely loaded wagon and may have been owned by the first or second owner, he had another one that was manual shift as well. This is a good find, my dad and I always wanted another Century wagon after I sold my blue and white one and last year we bought one and are working on it, it is triple blue with blue interior. I'll see what I can find on your wagon in my files.Congratulations.Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted May 19, 2011 Author Share Posted May 19, 2011 Thanks Steve, good to hear from you. My wife told me that I am to do nothing but repairs on this car. A Mexican blanket is all I am allowed to do for upholstery. No engine removal for green paint. No sticking better chrome pieces on. Nothing. I have been given a two year "drive only" requirement on this car. Actually, I have wanted a good driver for a while and this fits the bill perfectly. I plan on checking the brakes, tuning it up and driving the tires off of it.....Although, it does need a windshield. And carpet... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 What would she say if it came up missing for a couple of days and reappeared with a nicely detailed green engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted May 20, 2011 Author Share Posted May 20, 2011 I think you have to pull the engine to replace the windshield, and the windshield MIGHT not pass state inspection.No? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 Nice van...So are you off for the race to Charlotte? Maybe the van will buy me an extra year or 2:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted May 20, 2011 Author Share Posted May 20, 2011 I'm not throwing in the towel yet Adam. I'm just going to have to be more aggressive in the making money part of this show. Luckily, the jobs are stacking up, but I am at the mercy of the home duties around here. I wonder where the Lucky '13 Nationals are gonna be.Hint for people thinking about hosting in 2013. ^^^^^Lucky '13 Nats? Oh yeah. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted May 20, 2011 Author Share Posted May 20, 2011 I've officially highjacked my own thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 Good one, Mike.!! Looks like it will need very little. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick840 Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 Y'all know I'm not Ahnuld. It wasn't another woman. Mary indeed ROCKS!!!My new "minivan" is on the way...Buick : Century | eBayGreat buy Mike,I , along with a lot of other Buick guys , saw this on ebay and it really impressed me...if it wasn't for other projects you might have had some more competition with the bids.REAL NICE CAR.......so glad it went to someone who will appreciate it and yes I'm jealous Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackofalltrades70 Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Thanks Steve, good to hear from you. My wife told me that I am to do nothing but repairs on this car. A Mexican blanket is all I am allowed to do for upholstery. No engine removal for green paint. No sticking better chrome pieces on. Nothing. I have been given a two year "drive only" requirement on this car. Actually, I have wanted a good driver for a while and this fits the bill perfectly. I plan on checking the brakes, tuning it up and driving the tires off of it.....Although, it does need a windshield. And carpet...A good driver??? You know how to pick them my friend! Wonderful choice and just your style. Congrats on the purchase. Also glad that Mary was involved! Lovin' It!:D:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thriller Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 So, once it is tuned up, assuming it isn't too hot, you are going to turn the clock back 50 years, and take Mary out for a nice picnic, since the car is suited to just that sort of purpose.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 OH MAN, how to make the rest of us feel utterly inadequate... Mikey gets to play in the garage all day and even his paying jobs are cool old cars. He actually HAS a convertible restoration fund. When the family transport appliance needs replacing, Mike doesn't even pretend that he's checked out the latest Korean imports - he goes straight to eBay! Days later, one of the coolest wagons on the planet is delivered to his driveway. Of course Mary rocks because Mary is the patron saint of every man's dream wife. Amazing that this stuff even gets through the parental controls of our email servers. Gentlemen, let us all bow down to Mike the Archangel, Trophy Husband Extraordinaire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted May 22, 2011 Author Share Posted May 22, 2011 This is from Mrs. Buick5563 after showing her the last few posts."Thank you all for noticing how awesome I am". She seems to think that it is more along the lines of "These are not the Droids you are looking for. Move along"She thinks I have a Jedi power that makes her say OK to things she wouldn't normally OK. She wants a Mini Cooper next. Or a Volvo C30. Do ya think I care?So this morning I went out to the garage to grab a Diet Coke from the garage fridge and there was a giant transmission leak from the 55 Special I am working on (along with the known pan gasket leak on the convertible)...I asked her why she let me buy another car that was going to leak and aggravate me....Quote "You aren't happy when you aren't fixing things and being aggravated."Gotta love that woman.Forgive me when I start another thread on this awesome car on the General discussion forum since some of those dudes don't check the MAMB section, plus an additional thread around here.I'm really stoked at this point.Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 Nice catch Mike. Both the Wagon and the wife... Some guys have all the luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957buickjim Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 Mike, whats happening with your car? Haven't hear much on anything from you in a while? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 Maybe Middleton Brewing is why.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthbob Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 Somebody say beer?..........yum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wildcat465 Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Maybe Middleton Brewing is why....WHOA! MIKE! You got a Brewery??Damn, why am I always the last to know stuff like this.:mad:I'll be down this weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thriller Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 You found out before I did Paul, making you "not last".What I want to know is why this product never seems to find its way to national meets.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 (edited) Hold on boys, that ain't mine!I haven't been spending as much time around here this summer due to being out of town for a month, then returning to dragging the Woodster to summer camps and swimming pools.I have been working on getting the wagon ready to use by the first day of school (next Monday).It wasn't as nice as the eBay auction stated initially, but after working on it for two months, it is nicer than the auction said. It was a filthy, greasy mess on the underside. I had to scrape grime (old transmission fluid and dust) before I could even figure out where all of the leaks were. There was a freeze plug leaking, torque ball leak, heater core leak. I fixed all of these then moved to where I knew there were problems. The race on the passenger side axle shaft wasn't seated fully making the rear end howl. It had also heated the brakes up on that side, destroying the shoes. After getting the new axle shaft from Willie, I was able to get the rear end back together. Side note: It is very hard for me to merely clean parts instead of bead blasting and properly painting things (like brake backing plates). Oh yeah, under the grease, they were gold cad!Back to the story...So after the rear end was rebuilt, I got all of the brake parts back together. I was ready to bleed the brakes. Starting at the first rear line, fluid started coming out of the steel line. I have some on the way from Inline Tube.From a cosmetic standpoint, I pulled the front carpet and fiberglassed the holes in the floor. That's right. Fiberglass. Willie had a spare carpet that didn't fit his car, so I installed it to replace the torn, cat pee covered old one. This also added another color to the car. It was originally red and now it is blue. I covered the seat in Mexican blankets.Moving on to the fuel system: the carb accelerator rod was held together with zipties so I stole the one from the convertible. I am currently looking for a replacement. I added an electric pump at the gas tank after fixing the tank sending unit.I bypassed the heater core. I don't need it. Lubed all of the cables and made the vents work properly. In front I replaced the lower bumper and upper grille bar. They were too messed up to live with. Hmm, what else?The good news is that everything else is in really good shape. The electric windows work great. The car did have a WonderBar radio that is in spectacular cosmetic and working condition. The four way power seat works.Should be rolling soon. Maybe I'll visit the Middleton Brewery. Edited August 15, 2011 by buick5563 iPhone sloppy typing (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthbob Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 ....way to make us all look silly for questioning your progress.Yikes, you know how to get things done my friend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thriller Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 Mmmm...beer.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 Mmmm...beer....I agree ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted August 16, 2011 Author Share Posted August 16, 2011 I'll be jumping back into the convertible really soon. I haven't gained any ground on Adam, even though this is his busy season at work... AND from the looks of it, Progoofoff will be finished with his Motorama 55 by Charlotte. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wildcat465 Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 Mmmm...beer....Yes, beer. Goes well with Spam Pie. Whoops, wrong thread... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957buickjim Posted August 17, 2011 Share Posted August 17, 2011 OK Mike, all is forgiven now that your confession is now public. So you haven't been slacking off, just re-directing (a well worn hockey term) your efforts on the daily driver. Did I mention beer yet? So how are you related to the Middleton Brewery? Must be a long lost relative or something.It must be hard to not restore the wonderwagon when you are working on it! Restraint is the better part of valor! Good job there. Keep up the good work and keep us posted on the progress.Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted August 17, 2011 Author Share Posted August 17, 2011 Not sure how I am related to the Brewery folk. Most of my "way back" peeps are originally from North Carolina.I got a call from Inline Tube Monday saying that they had transposed numbers on my credit card and hadn't started on the lines. They were very apologetic and I got an email later in the day with a Fed Ex shipping number. Hopefully they will get here today or tomorrow. That'd get me on the road by Saturday. Another thing I am trying to figure out is how to best install the radio I ripped out of the wrecked Tahoe. That way I can steal the Selectronic for the convertible. I think I have it all figured out... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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