ME & MY === 1958 Buick, 1958 Buick, 1958 Buick and……..

[dei]

On 12/08/2017 at 8:32 PM, EmTee said:

Nice head on that rootbeer! 

 

Yes, needs an bit more trimming to fit in that glass, one of three I had on the shelf, to make it appear more real?

However, I actually did experience the A&W Drive-In's with this car!  

[dei]

Sunday was one of those family / memory days.

My Mom asked us all to come 'Home' for a dinner of ribs she wanted to do for us and decided to drive the Special. The reason for that was to recreate a picture that Mom had taken back in August 1984.

 

While just about in the same spot.....

 

Being some 33 years later..... I had to take a good look at this and ask myself, Who is that "Old Fart" behind the wheel? 

(meanwhile the car looks about the same....)

[1957buickjim]

Love the picture Doug! Hope you had a good time at your mom's place! Also like the "new accessories" you bought for your car. Very cool! You coming over for Dream Cruise this weekend? I'll be back from China finally and I'm looking forward to it with Bessie!

[dei]

Thanks Jim! 

Since we lost Dad last March Mom is feeling the loss and knowing it is the same with us on varying degrees, getting together when we can helps. This December she will be 90 and while still managing at home, holding everyday day dear we can. She still cooks a good meal! 

 

If you can tell with me posting at this hour, work demands have geared up suddenly and short nights seem to be the order of the day again. Timing sucks for the Cruise as I have not found the problem with the brake lights yet! Time!? Might get my mechanic to look at it this week as I have read in the paper the Police Forces along Woodward are literally going out in force this year "to keep things safe" as they are putting it.

I get it with regard to burnouts, stunt driving and such but heard they are restricting anyone towing trailers? or vehicles over 10,000lbs? HUH! Supposedly to ensure public safety standing along the roadsides. Would not want to take a chance without brake lights and get ticketed or worse towed, off the road.....

Feast or famine seems to be life for me these last 5 years or so.

So, I will have to look but think I still have your cell number and if I get over might take a chance and call to see if we might catch up with each other. A couple of pictures of mine with "Bessie" together would be great! We have been over once with the Cougar and brought Dad's '66 Covair another time and know it is crazy (but fun) on Saturday but will have to see how things develop. 

Meantime, safe travels Jim.

 

[kgreen]

If not the hundredth time watching this car chase scene, I finally caught some of the backdrop cars parked along the streets.  When Bullitt was filmed in 1968 the '58 Buick was only ten years old.  Seems like a 10 year old car difference these days isn't as noticeable as it was from the 50's through the 60's.  Here you go with a 58 Buick still in the wild.

[dei]

Stole a couple of hours this evening after an already long day to attend an event calling itself The Dream Cruise Tuneup at a local GM Dealership.

Some guys were there as early as 2pm and heard a few guys ask, "Doesn't anyone work anymore?"

Posting mine for now as I have to go back in now for about three hours and then up early (6am) tomorrow. 

[KongaMan]

On 8/14/2017 at 4:39 PM, dei said:

(meanwhile the car looks about the same....)

 

In 33 years you haven't fixed that rocker panel?

[dei]

No KongaMan it is exactly like it was plus a few more garage marks....

 

Meantime, picked up a new brake light switch and swapped that out as the rain cancelled my outside work this afternoon. VOILA! lights are working again!

 

Next?????

[Bleach]

On 8/16/2017 at 5:50 AM, kgreen said:

If not the hundredth time watching this car chase scene, I finally caught some of the backdrop cars parked along the streets.  When Bullitt was filmed in 1968 the '58 Buick was only ten years old.  Seems like a 10 year old car difference these days isn't as noticeable as it was from the 50's through the 60's.  Here you go with a 58 Buick still in the wild.

 

These days you can't even tell what kind of car it is, never-mind what year it is. They practically all look alike.

[dei]

13 hours ago, Bleach said:

These days you can't even tell what kind of car it is, never-mind what year it is. They practically all look alike.

 

I remember thinking something like that about the 80's boxy styling with those BIG energy absorbing bumpers.

This from a guy driving around in a car with tailfins and lots of chrome.....  

[dei]

Taking a moment before starting my day to post pictures of that GM Dealership get together in prep for the Woodward Dream Cruise.

Naturally have another pic of the Special.

 

Had to take a shot of this 1958 Cadillac! Found out it is a local car (I had never seen it before) that has been in the family since 1967.

Cadillac used the same window vents as the Buick's.

 

 

Ralph came out with his 1936 Chrysler having just finished the interior. It has been about a 10 year project while driving it getting her in this shape.

 

 

Nice pair of 1960 Chev sedans.

(I'd love to have my Limited and Roadmaster sitting at a show like this with the Special one day... )

 

 

This one was new to me also. I love that some have something different and just out to have FUN! 

 

 

 

It was a nice 3 hours spent and broke up a long day as I went back to work till 11pm that night but.. work is work.

 

Windsor is having a an event today starting at the Waterfront from 2 till 11, again trying to capture the excitement of the Woodward Dream Cruise on this side of the River and planning to meet up with friends later this afternoon (escaping from work again..). 

With brake lights working again can go safely.

 

As they say, Film at 11. 

[dei]

It is Saturday night (late) and posting the pictures of the Windsor Down Town Business Cruise-In held on Friday.

Sometimes technology is a good thing! My friends called to say they were able to save me a spot to park with them.

 

 

This is my one of my friends cars. It is a 1960 Monarch (Canadian car) that his dad bought new. Joe had the body redone and painted and has it's original interior. 

 

Randy drove his 1966 Cadillac DeVille in from 35 miles away (Kingsville, Ontario).

 

Jackie "let" her husband Dan bring "her car" (as she calls it). One nice '66 Mustang with a 6 cylinder and automatic but with the Pony interior. Not many of these around... vs the V8 editions...

 

The Show was structured like this, it started a 2pm, open to park and enjoy the car show, DJ music, the views and food wagons.

At 6pm local TV Anchor Jim Chreiton announced the Cruise through Windsor would begin. Jim is a car guy too owning (and driving this night) his 1966 Chrysler convertible and most of the close to 600 cars started their engines and lined up to go cruising! 

Unfortunately the Special had developed a ticking sound I suspected was the bearing in the power steering pump and decided not to put her in the cruise knowing it would be long and slow simply by the volume of cars. 

I asked if I could ride in the back seat of my friends Cadillac thinking my wife was coming too. 

Guess what she did?

 

OK! Traffic being what it was they managed to get way ahead of us and didn't think much of the distance as we all had to obey the traffic lights.

Meantime, the route brought us past Hiram Walkers (Home of Canadian Club). This is the Executive Offices built in 1858 in what was then known as Walkerville, Ontario.

Sadly this building recently announced it will be closing to the general public as of December 31, 2017 and since it is designated as a Heritage Building, not sure of it's future.....

 

During the advertised planed route and coming upon water splashed on the roads at various points with kids holding signs saying, Light'em Up! Randy said, Ya right! With my 5 thousand pound Caddy?

 

Upon returning and enjoying the live band on stage I wondered where my wife (and friend) were?

Seemes he decided to stop at his home (as it was on his way) and get one of his other cars....

Ya, the one I really like! (no offence to the Monarch at all )

 

While the sky looked threatening all evening, it was the perfect temperature and did not rain. We sat and enjoyed the music and fellowship watching the cars coming and going throughout the night.

 

All too soon it seemed like it was too short a night and was time to head home.

 

Even with the ticking noise of the suspect power steering pump on the way home, WHAT A GREAT NIGHT! 

[dei]

Post script to the Friday event:

 

After work today I looked at the power steering pump and discovered the compression nut on the pulley wasn't doing it's job! 

It had loosened off enough to allow the pulley to rattle on the shaft of the pump but because there is a key on the shaft, once I turned the steering wheel putting pressure on the belt, it would quiet down. However, idling or in neutral it would rattle!

I bought a lock washer and decided to paint things up before reassembly.

Edited August 20, 2017 by dei
added picture (see edit history)

[dei]

OK, showing my age here but how COOL is this?

 

While driving home after the Waterfront Car Show, we stop at a light and a new Cadillac Escalade stops beside us and the driver has her window down. 

She says to us, "That is a NICE car!" 

The back window is open too and there are young girls there also. All seem to be in their twenties but saying they like the Special too. 

I say, "Thanks, and that I dated this girl in this car" and the driver says, "God Bless you, that is wonderful!" 

 

Kinda caped the evening for us! 

Edited August 20, 2017 by dei (see edit history)

[dei]

In keeping with the "fix 'em, drive 'em fix 'em" theme.....

I decided she was performing quite well and decided to take in a Car Show in my old stomping grounds some 40 miles away.

After driving the main highway at 55 mph (which was four lanes) turned off to continue on the Old Road which is now only 40 MPH and quite enjoyable at that speed. It does open up after awhile up to 50 mph and came through a gentle "S" curve when..... BANG!

 

I have NEVER had a blow out and with the top down thought a bomb had gone off! 

Fortunately the power steering did it's job and I did not panic hitting the brakes so coasted to a stop safely. Had three different people stop to ask if I was all right or needed help one of which was a very nice young guy who stayed until I pulled out the spare and jack.

Needless to say I was a little late getting to the show but with only 5 miles to go figured no sense in heading for home.... 

[dei]

It is 11 pm and have just finished putting the Special back in her garage and loaded up the truck in preparation for tomorrows busy (long) day.

Took a picture of the blown out tire.

I'm no tire expert but it appears to me the tread had a bulge (belt separation?) near the tear but man was the blowout an experience!

[dei]

As stated, after changing the spare tire and so close went on to the Car Show who took pity on me and said go park her and enjoy.

 

 

Even though it was well attended there was lots of room and I ended up parking close to this beautiful Wildcat.

Upon chatting with the owner Ben and his wife I learned he is a BCA Member and a member of the McLaughlin Buick Club having just come back from one of their tours which Buicknutty has posted about. Ben told me they are coming down this way in September and will have to look it up and see if I can meet up with them?

 

This car is unmistakable with it's wood grain sides and I had not seen it for some time. I bought my '52 Ford F-1 from her son.

 

This sharp '57 Olds convert was a show stopper for me.

 

There are always Rat Rods at these casual Car Shows always making it interesting. In case one wasn't sure exactly what a Rat Rod was, this one came with a Rat hood ornament just to clarify. Fun is the name of the game and guess he is having it!

 

Knowing I wanted to take my time going home I left early but went on down to the lake for a cruise first (no pun intended). My grandparents and then my parents owned these three, what were then just summer cottages, when I was a kid. Had to stop for a shot as the Special spent some time here back then...

 

I then went further down the road about a mile to the entrance of Point Pelee National Park. There is a sign in the Park that states you are standing at the Southern most point in Canada which is just south of the northern Border of California. Sadly we still get wicked winter weather coming off the Lake, "not" like the California climate....

 

One last shot before heading home taking all the back roads I know of keeping her at a leisurely pace below 40 MPH (just in case...).

 

I learned how to swim here. Who needed a pool with all that water? 

 

The weather was spectacular and even with blowing out a tire, the day ended well.

[Beemon]

How old are your tires? Glad nothing else was damaged!

[dei]

The tires are past their expiry date Ben. 

Going to talk to my tire guy when I get the chance and see if I can buy a similar whitewall set over the winter. Meantime going to get a temporary spare and keep it local for the rest of the season.

You are right about being lucky there was no damage to the fender or worse! 

A little laundry and a cold one took care of anything else. 

 

Meantime, Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to work I go....

[JohnD1956]

7 hours ago, dei said:

There are always Rat Rods at these casual Car Shows always making it interesting. In case one wasn't sure exactly what a Rat Rod was, this one came with a Rat hood ornament just to clarify. Fun is the name of the game and guess he is having it!

 

 

I am pretty sure these Rat Rod guys are doing this just to antagonize purists. Some of that stuff is downright dangerous!  One guy in my area has lowered the body on his rat rod so low, and then he left the drive shaft open between the beat up seats.  You should sell your blown out tire to this guy!  Chances are he'd find a way to use it.

[old-tank]

2 hours ago, JohnD1956 said:

he left the drive shaft open between the beat up seats

Must have been related to one I saw.  Driver straddled a closed driveshaft but was sitting directly over a light duty Ford banjo rear end.  It had huge slicks and a big block with blower.  I would guess that ol" boy is singing high notes now.

Most are safe and dependable with just the rat look.

[dei]

Well, XMAS is going to come early this year! 

 

I called my tire guy yesterday and asked about new shoes for the Special. I had bought the ones on the car from him way back then so not new to the shop.

She should be good to go by mid week next week with 5 new ones (2017 date codes) and be able to go out to our Clubs semi annual car show Labour Day Weekend and more!

 

He is even willing to put the old tires (the four that are left) on rims for rollers only which I will put on the Roadmaster for now at no charge. 

 

So fix 'em and drive 'em in play.... 

[38Buick 80C]

Could have happened on the way to/from Brookfield...perhaps that other issue was a blessing...

[dei]

You are spot on there Brian! 

With what turned out to be a 9 hour drive there and the construction taking about 2 hours of that to go 40 miles, thank heavens we had the minivan with air conditioning and not sitting in the Buick in that heat... (even had things gone well!) 

Blessing? It's a stretch, but I think Dad was looking out for us.

 

As an aside, this is only our third National but my wife thinks it was the BEST one so far. Kudos to the committee for choosing the hotel so close to that great Shopping Mall!

(Although I'll bet what she spent there might have covered those new tires...)

[dei]

It is Friday evening and I just got back from the Special.

 

Yesterday I went to gather some equipment in the afternoon for a job and decided to fire the car up. She hit right away and I let her warm up while I loaded things in the truck. After that was done I grabbed a rag and carefully started wiping things down under the hood and as I was watching the fuel filter I heard a distinct miss in the engine and suddenly she quit running!? 

I reached the linkage and hit the starter but all she did was turn over.... I took the top off the air breather and reaching for a bottle of gas, dribbled some in the carb. It started almost immediately but died as the gas burned itself off. I looked at the clear fuel filter and found no gas in it at all!

Now, I had topped off the tank before I ventured off to the car show last Sunday (during that trip the tire blew out) and with maybe putting a total of 110 miles round trip did not figure she was using THAT MUCH fuel and should at least have some left!!!!

Even so, I grabbed my 2 gallons can and put that in. I hit the starter and watched the fuel filter but nothing was coming up. I put more gas down the carb and again she fired up but NO FUEL and she quit!

By now the battery is just showing signs of slowing down so put the trickle charger on and went home for dinner with lots of things running in my head....

Headed back after dinner. Knowing the fuel pump wasn't getting fuel, took the line off to the tank and blew air through it lightly and did not feel any resistance but thought, I have a length of spare fuel line and that refilled 2 gallon can so connected it up and tried again. NO FUEL coming up AGAIN! 

With one last attempt, gabbed a clean oil can, poured some fuel in it while holding the hose above the fuel pump. After putting the hose back in the gas can, hit the starter and Voila! 

 

 

 

After checking things from the pump back I found the clamp on the bottom of the pump was loose and an ever so small hole in the fuel line right where a clip holds it on the inner fender.

At no time did I ever smell gas while idling or going down the road but..... can't argue the facts this time. 

 

[dei]

Filled up my 5 gallon can after work and repeated the process of putting gas into the line going back to the tank priming it. Connected it to the fuel pump and while keeping my fingers crossed, cranked her over.

Away she went and held a steady volume in the fuel filter.

After getting up to temperature, hopped in and cruised around the neighbourhood giving it a bit of a go now and then to see if she would cut out (ha ha) and pulled into the other driveway to take some pictures my insurance company wanted in order to update their files.

 

 

 

She's not perfect (aka Show Car) she's my 45 years to me driver. 

 

Planning on next Thursday to take her in for those new tires.

[dei]

While checking my e-mail this afternoon, i came upon this one and couldn't resist posting it.

Was surprised (but happy) to see who started this one off.

 

 

It was one of those perfect nights all around!

[Grimy]

Doug, check your left taillight and stop light....  :-)

[dei]

Thanks Grimy.

This video was two weeks ago (by who I don't know) and was told about it on the way home that night by another car guy cruising too.

Have narrowed it down to a bad ground on the left tail light housing as it seems to be loose on the upper bolt up inside the rear fender and the socket was corroded some. I cleaned that up and has helped but with the lights on at night still getting the left side cutting out when applying the brakes.

Will be lying on my back reaching up there this Holiday weekend as I want to be cruising with confidence!  

[38Buick 80C]

go to the auto parts store and get some dielectric grease and put on the bolt in question. I have used this successfully to get better grounding.

[dei]

Thanks for the advice Brian.

I actually have a small tube which I used on the turn signal mechanism so will put it to use as suggested. 

 

Believe it or not, being so far north of Hurricane Harry, aren't we dealing with flood watches tonight (been raining since 2 this afternoon and no letting up) so hope we get a break  before the weekend and the garage will be dry? 

Not suggesting anything like Houston is getting but the Great Lakes are at their highest right now and the feeding rivers and ditches are not draining very quickly!

[dei]

Well, today is starting by cancelling a job that is already one day late.

 

I decided to go over to the Special yesterday about 1 pm to check on the water there hoping that things were OK. My heart started to lump in my throat as soon as I turned off the main road and looked up ahead (in the steadily increasing rain fall) as I had to slow down since water was covering the road curb to curb where the storm drains are. That road is short and I have to make a left turn to get onto my street. As soon as I turn I could not believe what I was seeing through the full moving windshield wipers and rain!! 

 

Sure enough! There was only an inch of water in the garage at that point and I didn't even go into the house to check the basement fearing the worst. THEN it really started to rain and I jumped back into the truck and waited.

 

This did not let up for over an hour and watched the water rising....

Finally there was a break (only for a short while) and watched as people don't use their heads when driving through this situation! 

 

Trucks were getting through but not going slow and eventually there were 5 cars stalled due to speed for sure.

Now, this is a city bus route and with cars left where they were, doesn't one woman bus driver (sorry, but true) decide to jump the curb to go around that car you see and I can hear the engine just a screaming as the tires started to bog in the soaked grass!! Plus, when she did get past, she is moving right along and pushing a wave in front of the bus just like a Lake Freighter and I watch as a 6 inch wave goes up my driveway and into my garage just touching the tail pipe of the Special but hopefully not in it!! 

The bus company will be getting a phone call about Bus number 671 (when they will finally answer their phones)!

 

Now, I'm not saying this is as bad as the devastation down in Houston and areas but, ANY flooding to any degree is NOT good!

 

After several more duration's of rain, off and on, I finally got into the basement of the house and sure enough there was about an inch or so on the old uneven floor. It is not a finished area per say, just a service one and water was not high enough to affect appliances or my boiler so not an insurance claim (thank heavens) but stuff that was on the floor got wet and needs to be thrown out before mould can take hold.... hence the work cancellation for today. 

 

After turning on my industrial fan in the garage and firing up the Special to ensure the exhaust didn't have any water in it, headed for home as the wife called to say we were getting seepage in one corner. She said that she was able to keep it from going into the carpet by changing out bath towels, throwing them into the dryer and exchanging them out....

 

On the way home I shot this picture. No wonder why our street flooded! This is a football and track AT my old High School behind my neighbours across the street. That field is emptying through their side yards finding its way to the backed up sewer grates.....

 

I knew things were moving along to good....

[JohnD1956]

Surely the town/municipality has some liability due to failed drains.  What process is needed to go after them?   Otherwise maybe it pays to have the house lifted a few courses of block, allowing the garage floor to be poured thicker??

 

[Beemon]

This is a one-off natural disaster, lifting the house is pretty extreme for inclement weather that may only happen once in 10 years or so. If this is common for your street, I apologize Doug.

 

Funny about the modern cars... Your Buick could go through that water no problem, but the air cleaner inlet on modern cars is in the wheel well. I'll never forget, last year a street downtown from my house flooded because due to high concentration of littering, clogged the main storm water drain with garbage and debris. My sister on her way to work (and granted, she's not the smartest here - think art student in Seattle) drove through the puddle because she was going to be late. Hydrolocked my mom's 2008 Saab because the engine sucked water into the cylinders, and of course, water is non-compressible. Luckily the rods took most of the damage and she got by with a $3000 bill to have the pistons and rods replaced. I think she would do it again if given the opportunity, but then again, so does everyone else when trying to ford the rivers.

[dei]

On 30/08/2017 at 9:48 AM, JohnD1956 said:

Surely the town/municipality has some liability due to failed drains.  What process is needed to go after them?   Otherwise maybe it pays to have the house lifted a few courses of block, allowing the garage floor to be poured thicker??

 

 

Sorry for the delay in responding John.Yesterday was spent throwing out things that were wet and garbage and today was my early morning start.

 

Well, the City has been coming out and saying this is a record rainfall and maybe they should be setting the bar higher dealing with new development areas in the future...... meantime some citizens who have had claims in the past have been denied Flood Insurance and so it goes....

I was lucky in a lot of ways!

 

As to raising things, I had discussed this with my neighbour who is in construction as it would only be the Garage that would need to be raised but... the cost of even that being  two cars wide and two cars deep (with all the stuff I have jamed in there) would be more than just demolishing it, raise the ground with proper drainage and then building a new one!

"If" I win the Lottery?

Shoot, I'd just sell and find a property to build everything new! 

(Like we all wouldn't do that!)

[dei]

On 30/08/2017 at 7:09 PM, Beemon said:

This is a one-off natural disaster, lifting the house is pretty extreme for inclement weather that may only happen once in 10 years or so. If this is common for your street, I apologize Doug.

 

Yes this is one of those Never happened like this before events. We had 7 inches of water fall in less than five hours and I have lived near here since the 60's and never seen it this bad so.... have the garage aired out drying up and the Special is not harmed but Boy If She Had!!

 

To your comment about your sister's car Ben, I stopped quickly into my mechanic at the end of the day and he had two cars (one was a BMW) that had sucked water into their engines and with the air box so low in front of the front tire behind the rad cradle, no wonder water was fed into them.. He had the top apart and there was the water! He said the oil looked OK but wanted to get it dry and roll it over slowly to see if there was any damage to the valve train etc. All he said about the cost was, new this, new that, see what might be bent?  It will be what it will be.

See water on the road? Back up and stay away!

Edited September 1, 2017 by dei (see edit history)

[dei]

After a long day of cleanup and finished loading the trailer doesn't my friend call asking how I doing. He managed to avoid flooding in his neighbour hood but the shift at Chryslers was cancelled and he wondered if I wanted to go to the Wednesday night cruise-in.

My wife was out at an event so with the Special sitting outside thought, Let's Go. 

 

Took the City streets (now all dried up) as the tires have not been changed yet, happy to do slower speed limits and arrived to some of the usual crowd but saw this beautiful hardtop C@#V.

 

I know, it's not a Buick, but this one was.

 

I just love that air cleaner and those valve covers!

 

Three of us had a nice dinner and good conversation.

Denise has a Frontenac which is the Canadian version of the Ford Falcon (no pictures yet) and she turns wrenches on it! She has great stories!

 

Had time to look around and then it was time to head home.

 

Took the road around the Airport which is posted at 35.

 

This was mind clearing therapy after the last two days events and didn't want it to end so...

Drove into the College (where my wife was this evening) and parked for a picture.

 

I went here after graduating from High School and yes, my girl got me there and back.

(I know a few of the dents in the stainless came from that parking lot)

 

Tomorrow she will be getting New Shoes (come hell or high water)

Edited September 1, 2017 by dei (see edit history)

[dei]

OK, it is Saturday afternoon and the Labour Day Weekend has finally started for me.

I squeezed in an hour and a half yesterday to get the new tires on the Special as I want to attend some Car Shows this weekend without worries! 

Took a shot today in the driveway that was flooded just 5 days ago.

 

They are only 3/4 inch versus the 1 1/8 old ones but....

I can live with safety factor.

[Buicknutty]

 Looking good, Doug!

Keith

[dei]

Thanks a lot Keith! 

Hope you are having a great Labour Day Weekend!

 

Yesterday was an all day car show at our Club with 7 friends and members of us all grouped together till the 50/50 draw, then we headed back to one of their homes for refreshments and a BBQ.

I'm heading out to another local car show shortly (making the most of the weekend) and post pictures later.