Guest Rob McDonald Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 MIKE, I found that trim code at http://www.advautocanton.com/Interiors/ The site even includes "junkyard" photos of this trim combination in a '55 Century convertible. I can't vouch for the authenticity but it does give you an ironclad excuse for doing what you really want with your car.I did once get to a Buick National Meeting, sometime in the mid-1980s. It was in Orlanda, Florida in August - what WERE they thinking?! And who knew that rain could be hot?Because of the great distance from the hobby epicentres of New England and the Midwest, this was mostly a drive-to meet, with lots of marvellous post-war Buicks and a number of GS muscle machines. I kind of missed the expected high-wheeled and running-boarded examples of the make but there just weren't a lot of closed trailers hauled that far.This was well before wifey and kids, so I was on my own and visited with lots of fine people. I didn't make any lifelong penpals though. At least one other Canadian was there, Vern Bethel of Victoria, British Columbia. Now there's a brilliant car guy! The story of his '39 McLauglin-Buick custom bodied parade car is, without challenge, Canada's ultimate automotive legend. Royal Buick McLaughlin 1939 Hand Built For British Monarch and Royal Visits Vancouver 21Well, wifey is "suggesting" that I get off my big fat chair and go out and hang Christmas lights. This new-found online outlet for my pent-up automotive enthusiasm is threatening to keep me from actually getting back out to the garage as planned. Oh well, as a great philosopher once said, "Rust Does Sleep, Actually." ~Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted November 29, 2010 Author Share Posted November 29, 2010 Thanks for the link.Now get off of your fat chair and hang lights, so you can work on your car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 Here is a picture of the car we were looking at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 Oh my. 10 grand, you say? Why would anyone buy a Mustang? =>:^] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted November 30, 2010 Author Share Posted November 30, 2010 I did find the trim code, although my book says 412, black leather with white leather. YAY! Do you guys think it would be available either way? In other words, white with black inserts or vice-versa.Also, After installing the rear sway bar yesterday it appeared that the right side was kicked out about two inches farther than the left side. I imagine that once the body, etc. gets bolted back on the frame and gets squashed about 6 inches, that the rear end will center itself. Am I correct in this? I just want to make sure before I tighten everything back down.Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38Buick 80C Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Mike,From a suspension geometry perspective yes that should be the case. On my '38 with the same basic setup I did not notice it this kicked over however, but they probably lightened the frame up considerably by '55. Of course you can always put some weight or jump on the tail of the chassis and see how much it actually moves over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Drove me nuts for a while when I was working on my Wagon because I saw the same thing.After I got the body on, it was all OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957buickjim Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Rob, your post on the interiors is pretty amazing. Do you know if they have something like that for the 1957 models? That would be pretty helpful as well. Hope your Christmas Lights look good..Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted December 1, 2010 Author Share Posted December 1, 2010 On days like this I envy me I took all of the old parts off of the transmission and cleaned them up. The trans cooler was a filthy mess on the outside, but inside was nice and pink (like a steak). Got that all cleaned up, the cooler lines wire wheeled, the trans cross member blasted and painted and a bunch of bolts cleaned up. The picture of the bolt that I show below is cool. It looks like Sputnik or something "space-age". It is holding the cross member on, so I don't think anyone will ever notice that it is possibly not original. Forgive me.The other picture is the frame number (which also will be covered up) that I outlined in silver sharpie. It also didn't come that way, but I wanted the next knucklehead who restores this car to not need glasses to find it. Also, BROWN TRUCK ALERT!!!I got my motor mounts back from revulcanizing so I will be able to install the engine really soon. Heck yeah!Good days are good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 Days like that make it all worth while. I get more energy for working on mine every time you post. Thanks, Mud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted December 2, 2010 Author Share Posted December 2, 2010 Back atcha, Ken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted December 2, 2010 Author Share Posted December 2, 2010 I had a bunch of stuff I was SUPPOSED to do today, but when I went out to the garage to grab a morning soda, I decided to try my new intake manifold mount attachment that I bought from Jegs to lift the engine and trans all at once. I used the rearward hole and had a couple of ratcheting tie downs to level the whole thing from front to back.I had the transmission on a makeshift workbench which was great so I was working at waist level. The engine and trans mounted right up. I torqued everything and lifted slowly to find the proper balance. Just moving slowly and methodically I used a jack under the torque tube to line up the back of the Dynaflow. Everything went very smoothly.Gettin' there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thriller Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 Looks like a good day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 Mike, did you get your rubber torque ball boot installed? I didn't see it in the picture. Mud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted December 3, 2010 Author Share Posted December 3, 2010 Nope. I opted out of using it. It is more of a dust cover than anything else, and it just gets in the way. More stuff for John D to crawl around seeing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 I know what you mean about the boot being a pain in the butt. I think they are designed to hold onto the leaking oil and then dump it all at once. Mud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 MIKE, it's comforting to read about a garage task that goes as planned, or even better. That's a rare pleasure, in my bloody-knuckled experience.Backing up a few days to Jim's question about upholstery options for 1957, I can't seem to find an equivalent to the 1955 gold mine that I stumbled across and passed on to Mike. However, I do have a Buick showroom salesman's Colour and Trim handbook. It has actual samples of the fabrics, vinyls and leathers that were available in all models of Buick for '57. The book includes line drawings of the seat cover patterns for each model, including convertibles.I'm happy to scan the pages for the Model 40 Specials and forward the file to you. If anyone else needs this information for the other lines, just let me know. Depending on the file size, I'll either attach the .pdf to a forum post or send it as a private message.Now to go find the big box that contains my somewhat ridiculous collection of '57 Buick memorobilia... ~Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 MUDBONE, regarding your last post, "I know what you mean about the boot being a pain in the butt." Translated to Canadian, that would be, "aboot the boot ...in the boot." ~Rob, eh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957buickjim Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 Alas, to boot or not to boot, that is the question...and it looks like Mike booted the boot.Mike..looking SWEEEET! It must be a good feeling to get the car this far. WOW. That is awesome..keep plugging away and soon it will be time for another project..which I am quite sure you have in the wings already.Rob..I would really appreciate the scanned information from the salesman's book for the interiors and such. Also anything to do with what options were available on what models would be good as well. Thanks and let me know if you want to send it to my email or just post it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted December 7, 2010 Author Share Posted December 7, 2010 One year into it. Haven't added the receipts. I don't think I want to know. Scratch that... I am quite sure I don't wanna know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 JIM, I've found the book, I've figured out the scanner, now let's see if I can upload the .pdf files. These are the interior trim options for a '57 Special sedans and hardtops. I'll build another file for the Special convertibles and Estate Wagons and try to send that along, too. ~Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 Well, I think that file is probably too big at 4.5 mB. I've broken it down page by page because reducing the resolution would defeat the purpose. This looks like it'll work now.There is a list at the bottom of the Manage Attachments page, which gives the maximum size for each type of file to be uploaded. "jpg" files are the most efficient, it seems. Also, I've learned to wait 20 seconds or so after hitting Upload. The file names have to appear before I hit Send. ~Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 Here are the Trim and Colour options for 1957 Buick Special convertibles and Estate Wagons. There's one rust and ivory combination that was also offered in Centurys, page 15. I've also included the convertible top materials for all series.This really should go on somebody's website, where search engines can find it. If there's any interest, I can also upload here the interior options for the other series of '57 Buicks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthbob Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 This really should go on somebody's website, where search engines can find it. If there's any interest, I can also upload here the interior options for the other series of '57 Buicks.Give it a day or so and Google spiders will have tagged this post....A Google search for "Trim and Colour options for 1957 Buick" should link to your post Truth be told, the insane level of data mining that Google does is disconcerting to say the least.Nice post BTW....should be very helpful to many. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted December 8, 2010 Author Share Posted December 8, 2010 (edited) This really should go on somebody's website, where search engines can find it. If there's any interest, I can also upload here the interior options for the other series of '57 Buicks.Hey Rob,You should start a new thread in the post war forums so people with 57's will actually be able to find it. Try a title saying "1957 trim options" . That way they won't have to wade through a year of stuff about a 1955. Edited December 8, 2010 by buick5563 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957buickjim Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 Rob, That is awesome! They were very easy to download. I like Mike's idea on the 57 Trim Options post. That would be very helpful to us poor old 57 owners....but then we wouldn't get to hear Mike's commentary about the Garden State, Pie, and other tidbits of life that make this forum so enjoyable.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted December 9, 2010 Author Share Posted December 9, 2010 More to enjoy.Freshly rebuilt steering box... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted December 11, 2010 Share Posted December 11, 2010 Wow, it must be nice not having to deal with power steering or brakes. It looks great Mike! Mud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted December 11, 2010 Author Share Posted December 11, 2010 I have driven Willie's cars with power steering and I had a line on a good PS setup I could have used, but this box was so nice I opted against adding it. The gears were flawless. Plus I have a ring band that originally held the heater hoses to the bottom of the steering column which is pretty cool and I wanted to maintain the originality. Also remember, I have been driving my Special with Armstrong steering for twenty years all over the country. I'm used to it . Another plus in my opinion is it will keep the engine bay uncluttered.OK. I'm lying. I was too lazy to add it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted December 11, 2010 Share Posted December 11, 2010 My previous two 55s did not have power anything. I loved the way they drove. This car has power steering, brakes and seat. I have only driven this car briefly so I am not sure what to expect. We had a 56 with power so I would assume it would be similar to that. If my car did not have it I would not have added it. Mud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted December 11, 2010 Share Posted December 11, 2010 OK. I'm lying. I was too lazy to add it! Partly true---Mike helped me change the unit on one of my 55's. It is extremely hard to handle that heavy mutha on an assembled car.Willie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted December 11, 2010 Author Share Posted December 11, 2010 ...and somehow Willie got the inside (guide it so it doesn't gouge the seats) job while I had the outside (over the fender, back straining, nut busting, try not to scratch the paint) part. Hmmm. He's the smart one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thriller Posted December 11, 2010 Share Posted December 11, 2010 ...and somehow Willie got the inside (guide it so it doesn't gouge the seats) job while I had the outside (over the fender, back straining, nut busting, try not to scratch the paint) part. Hmmm. He's the smart one!Yeah...and tell us something we don't know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted December 12, 2010 Author Share Posted December 12, 2010 D'oh!!!To clarify my earlier point, if you are going to mentor a person in this hobby, make sure they are strong. (and handsome) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted December 14, 2010 Author Share Posted December 14, 2010 Every car that has ever come into my garage has been thoroughly inspected by one critter before I ever started working on it...So long KC.(1993-2010) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 (edited) What do ya mean "so long"?edit) I guess that's a stupid question. Sorry to hear it man. Looks like a bright kitty. Edited December 15, 2010 by MrEarl (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 Sorry about your cat.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted December 15, 2010 Author Share Posted December 15, 2010 (edited) Dangit,I've been pretty good about not hosing myself up to this point. Yes, I've had to redo a lot of stuff due to other people's bad parts, etc. but who exactly installs a steering box BEFORE the exhaust manifolds? Me.They're painted and pretty, and after removing then replacing the steering box... Edited December 16, 2010 by buick5563 Due-do (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted December 15, 2010 Author Share Posted December 15, 2010 Man, I need to clean the lens or something on this phone. Maybe Willie should stop calling me when my hands are all greasy! Either that or I need to change the resolution. I'll look into these problems so y'all don't need to keep looking at blurry pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957buickjim Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 Thank Goodness! I thought my eyes were going bad! Really, Mike, sorry about KC.I have to admit, I can really learn through this site as to how to and not to do things..It is really a help. Thanks for keeping it alive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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