39BuickEight Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 (edited) Hello everyone! Here is my project....still taking everything off...gonna try to make it the way it was...some pics are cell phone pics-sorry about that started with (it seems to have had every option but the "sunroof"-has pinstriped wheels, radio, heater, fender lights) photos from the craigslist ad: Bringing her home: here is what my Dad and I've gotten done so far (all fenders off, 95% dash out, seats out, doors off, front sheet metal off, wiring out) amazingly, most all bolts have come out without breaking: Edited August 26, 2017 by 39BuickEight photobucket change (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 Thanks for posting your restoration, Billy. Too bad about about your dirty-shop working conditions, though! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dynaflash8 Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 Why don't you just go ahead and buy this one and save my life? It's 90% done already and it started out the same way at the end of 2004. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1939_Buick Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 (edited) Why don't you just go ahead and buy this one and save my life? It's 90% done already and it started out the same way at the end of 2004.But buying is not like the fun of taking a car apart and putting it back together Hope you are taking planty of pictures. Digital cameras are one the best aids in car restorationIf possible would like measurements of the holes for the turn signal fender lights.I have bought a set of turn signal fender lights, but not sure exactly where they go. Edited December 3, 2009 by 1939_buick (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dynaflash8 Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 Ahh, but they were not turn signal fender lights, and they did not work as such. They were optional and high beam indicater lights. Someo U.S. States required high beam indicator lights until 1940, with emphasis on "some". The lights had been standard from 1936-38, but in 1939 they became an accessory. They can be made to work as turn signal lights, but they are not original that way, as they are supposed to come on with high beams. On my current restoration we're going to try and wire them to do both. The front parking lights appeared in 1940. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39BuickEight Posted December 3, 2009 Author Share Posted December 3, 2009 Thanks for posting your restoration, Billy. Too bad about about your dirty-shop working conditions, though!yeah, you can eat off those floors the checkers are hand painted epoxy (not done by me-I don't have the patience LOL) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39BuickEight Posted December 3, 2009 Author Share Posted December 3, 2009 But buying is not like the fun of taking a car apart and putting it back together Hope you are taking planty of pictures. Digital cameras are one the best aids in car restorationIf possible would like measurements of the holes for the turn signal fender lights.I have bought a set of turn signal fender lights, but not sure exactly where they go.I know I've told you I would get those measurements and I keep forgetting. Sorry about that. I'll try to get them this weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39BuickEight Posted December 3, 2009 Author Share Posted December 3, 2009 Ahh, but they were not turn signal fender lights, and they did not work as such. They were optional and high beam indicater lights. Someo U.S. States required high beam indicator lights until 1940, with emphasis on "some". The lights had been standard from 1936-38, but in 1939 they became an accessory. They can be made to work as turn signal lights, but they are not original that way, as they are supposed to come on with high beams. On my current restoration we're going to try and wire them to do both. The front parking lights appeared in 1940.I had no idea about this--thanks for the info! I have the holes, but not the lights-they were taken off by the previous owner to use on another 39. I guess it's up to me whether I want them back on or not. I'm leaning towards putting them on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39BuickEight Posted December 3, 2009 Author Share Posted December 3, 2009 Why don't you just go ahead and buy this one and save my life? It's 90% done already and it started out the same way at the end of 2004.I'm looking forward to spending a little at a time, not all at once, all while suffering a few injuries as possible (about knocked myself out Sunday forgetting the trunk lid was open). Is your interior a factory color? Looks like a really nice car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39BuickEight Posted December 13, 2009 Author Share Posted December 13, 2009 (edited) body coming off very soon! Edited August 26, 2017 by 39BuickEight (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunchabuix Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 Looks like its coming along fine. I know of a parts car,same model, located in NC, north of Charlotte. Its not my car, some one told me of the car. let me know if interested.Are you a Buick Club of America member? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39BuickEight Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 Looks like its coming along fine. I know of a parts car,same model, located in NC, north of Charlotte. Its not my car, some one told me of the car. let me know if interested.Are you a Buick Club of America member?thanks! and no, I am not a member yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39BuickEight Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 (edited) it is torn down as much as it can be---time for sandblasting.. Edited August 26, 2017 by 39BuickEight (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39BuickEight Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 (edited) the setup we made for the body: Edited August 26, 2017 by 39BuickEight (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dynaflash8 Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 Here is a picture of the door panel when in fabric, in the original color, or very close to it. You can only see part of the door panel. This is the car I'm trying to sell. I did not reupholster the seats but used seat covers. I may go back and reupholster them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39BuickEight Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 Here is a picture of the door panel when in fabric, in the original color, or very close to it. You can only see part of the door panel. This is the car I'm trying to sell. I did not reupholster the seats but used seat covers. I may go back and reupholster them.when I got the car it had a seat cover on the back almost exactly like that one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danhar1960 Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 G'Day BillyI know just how you are feeling at the moment. I'm not that much ahead of you.I hope your rear end is in better condition than mine was :)Its been a fun learning curve.Danny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dynaflash8 Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 Billy, these seat covers are NOS. I put them on to cut the cost of restoration, since I thought I was building a "driver". Then, it got so involved and I did so much first class work that I was sorry I didn't do the seats. I'm planning to have them done in the next few months. I've given up selling the car without doing them. I've been in the hobby many years, and I should have know better since I know things change; however, at the time I felt seat covers would be good enough for me, and they are. Problem is, they make the car hard to sell now that I've bought the '41 Roadmaster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest frazer51 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 G'Day BillyI know just how you are feeling at the moment. I'm not that much ahead of you.I hope your rear end is in better condition than mine was :)Its been a fun learning curve.Danny[/QUOT Where from the car did the large piece of metal that's in the photo come?:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danhar1960 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 G'Day Frazer,Its the left hand side rear (I think its called the beaver panel) The pic is showing the underside. The square hole is where the bumper iron goes through the body to the bumper.Danny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1939_Buick Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Other images of this area on a car in MI:- double skinned so rustsThis web site 1939 Special Business Coupe has some images (not the same car as attached images) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dynaflash8 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 That is the most common place for a '39 Buick to rust out. I've got a car I'm trying to sell which had zero rust in that area. As a matter of fact, my car had zero rust period. It came from Miami, although it was sold new in New York. Somebody sprayed the bottom with oil and then it picked up sand and that apparently protected it. The pans behind the rear wheels still had original black paint on them when we scraped off the sand.Be careful about what you spend. I haven't been able to sell this car, since March of last year, even at a $6,000 loss. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 There is a guy in Michigan who is reproducing the oft-rusted back panels, including the lower part of the trunk lid and the trunk floor. Nice pieces, too. A close friend just purchased the pieces for his '38. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39BuickEight Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 There is a guy in Michigan who is reproducing the oft-rusted back panels, including the lower part of the trunk lid and the trunk floor. Nice pieces, too. A close friend just purchased the pieces for his '38.and who might this guy be? I can always make the part, but for a decent price I'd rather not have to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I'll find out for you. I think the price is very attractive, as my friend does not like to spend money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 (edited) Kemp's Rod and Restoration 47958 Lower Point Mills Rd, Lake Linden, MI 49945Sandy & Dan906-482-5656kemp@up.netwww.exploringthenorth.com/kemp/replacement/parts.htmlUnfortunately the site says 1937-38 Buick, which is different than 1939, I guess. But how much different? Edited January 4, 2010 by West Peterson (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39BuickEight Posted January 5, 2010 Author Share Posted January 5, 2010 Kemp's Rod and Restoration47958 Lower Point Mills Rd, Lake Linden, MI 49945Sandy & Dan906-482-5656kemp@up.netwww.exploringthenorth.com/kemp/replacement/parts.htmlUnfortunately the site says 1937-38 Buick, which is different than 1939, I guess. But how much different?I have no idea personally what the difference would be. I'm sure they do if they are making the pieces. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39BuickEight Posted January 7, 2010 Author Share Posted January 7, 2010 (edited) the handy dandy frame sandblasting setup, now if it would get above 20 degrees for a day: Edited August 26, 2017 by 39BuickEight (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39BuickEight Posted January 17, 2010 Author Share Posted January 17, 2010 (edited) during sandblasting we found the other place on the frame where the serial # is actually stamped in---a poor stamping job, but you can tell it matches the tag up front (33541271): Edited August 26, 2017 by 39BuickEight (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39BuickEight Posted January 28, 2010 Author Share Posted January 28, 2010 (edited) frame is coming along: Edited August 26, 2017 by 39BuickEight (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Looking good, Billy. Looking good. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39BuickEight Posted January 28, 2010 Author Share Posted January 28, 2010 (edited) thank you! with one more nice day of weather we'll have all the blasting done on it, but I can tell by the forecast, it may be a while. Edited August 26, 2017 by 39BuickEight (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Backyardmechanic Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 I hope you get some primer on that frame before it starts to rust again Vern Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dynaflash8 Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 I think I just gave away my '39 Special as of today and am sending it to Germany. I say think, because I don't have all of the applies and oranges in my basket yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39BuickEight Posted January 31, 2010 Author Share Posted January 31, 2010 I hope you get some primer on that frame before it starts to rust again Vern it was only like that long enough to take pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39BuickEight Posted February 15, 2010 Author Share Posted February 15, 2010 (edited) a little update--working on front end parts Edited August 26, 2017 by 39BuickEight (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39BuickEight Posted March 1, 2010 Author Share Posted March 1, 2010 (edited) some pics of some parts Dad has been blasting and priming over the past week (engine parts, springs, front end parts, middle of the torque tube)... Edited August 26, 2017 by 39BuickEight (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Backyardmechanic Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 cool nice job.Vern Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dynaflash8 Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 You're certainly going to have one of the finest '39 Buick Special's in the World. As a longtime lover of 1939 Buick Special's who has owned at least a dozen of them, you're doing my heart good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rmongoose Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Howdy Billy,Good lookin' work done so far. I just joined the forum about a week ago or so and thought I should mention the woodgraining that you may elect to have done down the road.If you haven't found someone to do it yet i thought I should mention that I produce a very fine woodgrain along with my primary profession of trim straightening and polishing....just sayin'Looks like things are gettin' done right........good job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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