Guest RainierHooker Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 Hey guys, I posted a thread about my project in the 'Me and my Buick' Section and was referred here for an introduction... So here I am.Anyway, not too long ago I wound up bringing home a 1938 Special Business Coupe. It's, mostly, all there and after a couple months-worth of weekends, it really is a pleasure to drive. I'll be trying to keep a semi-well updated project thread back in my original topic, here: http://forums.aaca.org/f163/rainierhookers-38-buick-46-coupe-327757.html...I'll be sure to check back here too, especially when I need some tribal-knowledge.Cliff-Note type plans include:-Driving the car as much as possable-Continuing/Re-doing/Un-doing the previous owner's partial amatuer restoration-Returning the car to it's original color scheme of Whistler-Grey Body, Dante-Red Wheels, and Bedford Tan Cord Interior-And Driving the car as much as possableHere's a few pics of the car's current state: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLYER15015 Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 (edited) R-HWhat a "monicker". You aren't really one are you ?Anyway, welcome to you and your fine ride. Grant and Danny will also catch wind of this post and surely chime in and make you a '38 team member.There is a lot of info re your ride on this forum. Take some w/ a grain of salt and use your best judgement. You can do a search up top, and find that almost every subject under the sun has been discussed at one time or another, and there are lots of opinions out there.Best Regards,Mike in ColoradoPS Do what Jolly-John made me do. Get a mechanics handbook AND a parts book !!!!It helps us identify all those hard to find parts you will be looking for..... Edited May 17, 2012 by FLYER15015 more info (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danhar1960 Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 I must say it is a bit remiss of us to have not given a hardy "Welcome to the Pre War board" as yet.So... Welcome to the board !!! Your '38 tis truly a thing of beauty and I look forward to seeing and hearing more of it. Now all you need is a '39 to make a perfect pair and you'll be up there with the some of the bestest blokes on the forum. :) Danny( Sorry, having a full of myself afternoon ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Grant Magrath Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 See RH? I told you the guys would be pleased! Welcome aboard! And I'll second Danny!CheersGrant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stephen48 Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 Nice car. I have only seen one of these 38 coupes in NZ.(many sedans though) Grant do you know of any down South ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLYER15015 Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 R-H,I told you.Due to the time zones, the "down under" guys get first @ bat.Mike in Colorado Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvelde Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 RH, I think your '38 looks great in the photos, well done! We will be tracking your progress, so keep the posts and photos coming and enjoy the drive time.John V.'39 Model 46 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RainierHooker Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 Thanks guys, I look forward to posting updates and picking brains around here.As to the moniker, I'm a Flight Engineer on Chinook helicopters. For the longest time Chinook crews have referred to each other as "Hookers". My first aircraft was christianed "Rainier" after a hometown brew (although I told the 10th Mountain Division, who I was attached to, that it was named after the mountain of that name). So, RainierHooker's the name... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Shaw Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 RH, Welcome and yes I am sure you will enjoy the ride.... Are you located in the Northwest?Actually, I like the red color. I am just finishing another Buick with Burgandy Red paint, but it is a bit older than yours. I also have a Whistler Grey 38 Buick with original interior if you need to see one.If you have not already joined the BCA, plese do and send me your BCA number so I can add you to the PreWar Division roster. We will email quarterly newsletters and invite you to join us on tours and other activities with the BCA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RainierHooker Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 Thanks, I've joined the BCA, but don't have my number handy at the moment. I'll send you a message with the info when I can.I'm up in Tacoma, and would love to see your car and pick your brain. If the paint was as good as it looks in pics, I'd leave it as is. Unfortunatley, it was definately done very cheaply in the past. Probably a Maaco or Earl Scheib job. Its flaking pretty good around the hood closures and a few other places, and has orange peel throughout. There doesn't seem to be any primer under there either. Looks good from afar, but afar from good. My interior is more of the same. All in all, its nothing that will keep me from driving the car untill I can get around to fixing things as I go... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Grant Magrath Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 Nice car. I have only seen one of these 38 coupes in NZ.(many sedans though) Grant do you know of any down South ?Haven't seen any myself, but you never know who has what tucked away down here!CheersGrant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Shaw Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 RH,Be sure to keep May 16th open for the All Buick Show in Puyallup WA... I will be there with my 12 Buick this year. I actually found and bought my 38 at that show a few years ago.. The first two photos are my car at that show...before I bought it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLYER15015 Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 Mark,I don't mean to sidline this forum, but in looking at the tires (tyres) on your '38, they seem to have "ridges" in the white wall. Can you tell me what make/size they are. I'm still running my Martins, and they look good, but for a driver, I am considering an update.Best Regards,Mike in colorado Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Continental Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 Nice like the other times I've seen it. Man I want a '38 bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Grant Magrath Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 How about a series 40 sedan same color? Only problem is it's here in NZ!CheersGrant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLYER15015 Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Continental,Keep checking Classic Cars For Sale. They come up pretty often.Mike in Colorado Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JR9162 Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 I purchased RainierHooker's 38 Special on 12/7/12. I've sent Mark Shaw request regarding info on joining the club. The car is in storage in WA for the winter. I plan on trailering to to AK next summer. Plans are to relocate to East TN during 2014, after my wife retires next December.I'd like information on joining the 37/38 Club or group as well. I've perused some of the pdf files of the Bugle. One of interest was brake upgrades, using larger 41-49 Roadmaster parts. I think a contributer mentioned swapping in later knuckle/spindles as well. I'm curious to know whether the 50-53 Special knuckle/spindles will fit a 38 Special?Thanks! JR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenz38 Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 Hi John,its me again ....John, why do you wanna grade up your Brakes ? My Brakes are OEM in absolutly perfect Condition (Parking Brake,too and of course, a hard Pedal Pressure ). I drive on fast Autobahn with sometimes short Exits and dangerous Traffic Jams ,confused,wooded Country Roads and in our Small hectic Citys with many stupid Traffic User.I never feel unsave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JR9162 Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 (edited) Hello Jens,I'm not ready to upgrade them just yet. Evan went through the brakes before he sold the car to me. I'm looking forward to the future. I just figure 50-55 Roadmaster brakes front and rear (2.5 & 2.25 inches) will be better than the narrower 1938's, and probably easier to obtain drums for. And there's always the option of converting it to 4 wheel disc brakes. However, I allow the latter route might be considered out of character for the car. Still looking for you a spare 3 speed.Here's a link to an early publication of The Torque Tube regarding brake upgrages for 1937/1938 Series 40 and 60 Buicks, look at page 14 of the file: http://www.1937and1938buicks.com/The-Torque-Tube/Volume%20I%20Issue%205%20(May%2026,%201982).pdfYou'll find the above article updated on page 20 of this file: http://www.1937and1938buicks.com/The-Torque-Tube/Volume%20XII%20Issue%202%20(November-December%201993).pdf . I presume it was published twice due to reader interest in such upgrades. Edited February 27, 2013 by JR9162 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenz38 Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 Ok, John Thanks for the links.Wish you all a good Christmas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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