stealthbob 18 Posted February 19, 2013 FYI, BCA judging allows cars in the Archival or Unrestored class to have one panel repainted, and still be eligible for Archival class. The roof would be considered "one panel". Any more repaint than that, and it would have to go into the regular 400-point judging class. Terrible shame, but it looks to me like the roof is repairable.Pete Phillips, BCA #7338Leonard, Tx.Thanks you Pete for clearing that up for me...my fear was that the "Survivor" status would be lost forever.I plan on driving it from Perth Ontario to South Bend this year...you can all come by and see Harriet and her new repair.Just some more background, turns out that "Harriet" was owned by Harriet R Wilson Mother of Virginia Harriet Wilkinson of Wilkinson Buick in Bountiful Utah. Yes there is a Buick dealership in the provenance of this one owner Buick. I have inquired a bit about this from the seller (Grandson of Harriet, son of Virginia) but he doesn't seem too interested in any in depth communication. He did seem happy that I was interested in the history but our dialog has been short. I am trying to find the line of respect for privacy and the insane want of historical info.There may be some treasures in the car....can you believe I forgot to check the glove box? Also I can't believe I missed noticing this item on the passenger floor in this picture: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buick man 344 Posted February 20, 2013 Robert that is good and hope nothing but the best. But we all know that your drama could of gone & spun out 51/50 in an any array of ways.Remember the saying: " There is good in everyone"? There is also the standard reply to that which is: " Then you have'nt met everyone yet". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ben Bruce aka First Born 2,875 Posted February 20, 2013 Robert that is good and hope nothing but the best. But we all know that your drama could of gone & spun out 51/50 in an any array of ways.Remember the saying: " There is good in everyone"? There is also the standard reply to that which is: " Then you have'nt met everyone yet". David, methinks Roberts glass is half full. Is yours half empty?? Ben Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stealthbob 18 Posted February 20, 2013 (edited) LOL...reminds me of my favorite quote by Churchill:"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another without loss of enthusiasm"That being said, I won't lie...I was pretty beat up over this at the start when it was looking like I had another project car to deal with and not a driver. My first attempt turned into a project quick...now this?Just glad it is working out and that I will have a chance to drive to the Nationals this year in a 54 Buick...hopefully with my Dad Edited February 20, 2013 by stealthbob (see edit history) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buick man 344 Posted February 21, 2013 David, methinks Roberts glass is half full. Is yours half empty?? Ben...ha ha. No I just strive to know where my cup is at all times and it is within easy reach. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dandy Dave 461 Posted February 21, 2013 David, methinks Roberts glass is half full. Is yours half empty??BenNow that also depends on what is in it. Dandy Dave! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stealthbob 18 Posted March 27, 2013 Patience is not something I am known for...but here I am still waiting.The shop has been great, they even setup an FTP site to send pics.Just had a set back however, the dammed glass that was shipped showed up broke!It seems this car does not want to be delivered.....Here are some of the pics, as it enters the shop and how they are repairing it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackofalltrades70 1,133 Posted March 27, 2013 Bob,Looks like the progress is good and coming along nice. Another windshield will be along shortly and the car will be home. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stealthbob 18 Posted March 27, 2013 Yea the snow is melting fast....saw a nice 58 Chrysler out on the road today!I just don't want to lose any 54 Buick Highway time....I really wanted to take my daughter to her 1st communion in it which is in 2 weeks, doesn't look good now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
70WildcatVert 10 Posted March 28, 2013 So sorry to read. I'm glad that its getting some love. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fr. Buick 386 Posted March 28, 2013 Yea the snow is melting fast....saw a nice 58 Chrysler out on the road today!I just don't want to lose any 54 Buick Highway time....I really wanted to take my daughter to her 1st communion in it which is in 2 weeks, doesn't look good now.Congratulations for your daughter!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bleach 1,081 Posted March 28, 2013 While they look like they're trying to do a good job, I wouldn't be happy that they're using filler on the roof. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smithbrother 603 Posted March 28, 2013 There is NOTHING wrong with using filler, as long as it is THIN, and properly applied. I have tested HIGH QUALITY filler on a thin flat sheet of steel, and it does a great job of adhering even when bending the sheet. The windshield area is strong, and less likely to be an issue, IMO.Dale in Indy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bleach 1,081 Posted March 28, 2013 Dale, if this was my car, an original survivor, I would not allow it. Filler is just that, filler. It's fine on a commercial job, but not on a quality restoration. If the body man was really any good, he wouldn't be using the copious amounts in the photo. I'd buy a spot here and there to cover any tool marks but nowhere near as much as that guy is using. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
old-tank 3,126 Posted March 28, 2013 Looks good to me. After he sands most of the filler off there will be just a few patches 0.020" thick. Like at the shows when someone brags that their resto only has 2 tsp of filler; then I tell them I used 2 gallons on mine! This was after sanding 15 year old failed paint (lacquer)...all of the substrate was good and retained --- What filler?Willie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smithbrother 603 Posted March 28, 2013 ~DJ~, You, or anyone else should restore your car/cars as you see best. You won't get an argument from me regarding such.With that said, fillers have come a long way, MOST quality shops use it. The fact that a lot goes on doesn't tell the real story, it's what is left AFTER the sanding etc. that counts, IMO.My Limited has filler, such was put on in 1993, 20 years ago, NO sign of failure, NONE. I have seen a lot of LEAD issues over the years, a lot has to do with the body man. Dale in Indy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnD1956 5,040 Posted March 29, 2013 I think they did an excellent job getting the dents out and repairing the welt where the chrome trim will go. Unless they were putting a new skin on I doubt any repair can be made satisfactory without filler. Trying to look at the silver lining, you won't have to worry about the original paint on the roof getting so thin that the metal rusts underneath it, and you also will not have to put that car on a rotisserie to paint the roof yourself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stealthbob 18 Posted March 30, 2013 If you guys saw it in person you would know that no matter what some filler had to be used...there were some serious creases and compound bends some of which were just not assessable from the underside. They used many weld tip pullers which attached to a huge hydraulic boom then tapped it all down, I wanted to save the roof liner so they are avoiding having to tap from underneath.It looks heavy on the bondo in the pics but if you look at what he was covering...it looks pretty damm straight. That will sand down to very little while giving a perfect smooth radius.So now I wait for a second piece of glass to arrive, atleast it won"t be long as the work sould be done soon.BTW, Thanks for the comment Fr. Buick...she is growing so fast. It should be a very special day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stealthbob 18 Posted April 5, 2013 (edited) Almost there....I have to say I am amazed at what a good body guy can do. The radius of a roof has to be a difficult thing to get right and these pics sure look like he got it right.Primer on now and waiting on the second shipment of glass, looking good to be home for next weekend Edited April 5, 2013 by stealthbob (see edit history) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sweepspear 2 Posted April 10, 2013 Almost there....I have to say I am amazed at what a good body guy can do. The radius of a roof has to be a difficult thing to get right and these pics sure look like he got it right.Wow! That's some talent! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dandy Dave 461 Posted April 12, 2013 Like they say, If the window fits, wear it. Dandy Dave! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smithbrother 603 Posted April 12, 2013 No, it's " IF THE GLOVE DOESN'T FIT, YOU MUST ACQUIT" You are close Dandy Dave,Dale in Indy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stealthbob 18 Posted April 15, 2013 Yeash...still waiting on glass, they broke the second one. It arrived again with cracks all over it?Somebody has to get a hold of who ever is packing these things and shoot him.The good news is they were able to find someone elsewhere who is selling a beautiful NOS piece..all with the correct markings. This one is being crated up and shipped by air...not that its was ok to have the others break, if they break this NOS piece it would be a crime.It's strange almost like ol Harriet is pissed off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
