Raise your hand if you drove at least one old Buick this weekend

[Larry Schramm]

Took the '15 truck out for a drive today.  Put about 20 miles on it with friends.

[JohnD1956]

Didn't go far today.  And I apologize in advance for those who have seen this already but :

 

[Larry Schramm]

7 minutes ago, JohnD1956 said:

Didn't go far today.  And I apologize in advance for those who have seen this already but :

 

 

Very interesting museum.  If you look at the pictures in the hall on the second floor, my great uncle Ernie Olson is on a bunch of them. He was a riding mechanic that drove with Jimmy Murphy.

 

I also like the museum behind this building with all of the trucks.

[BRB62]

Had a mid winter (yes, winter here in Australia) run to historical town of York, Western Australia, for a small car show. About a 200 mile round trip. Blustery winter weather yesterday probably kept the numbers down but the day turned out great with long periods of sunshine. Winds were cold though! Unfortunately mine was the only Buick, but cars displayed ranged from a 1910 IHC to a new Lamborghini with restored cars and modified parked along the main street and nearby park. Nice to stretch the Buick's legs a bit on the country roads.

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

I absolutely love the Utes. Did when I lived there. Thanks for posting, Rick

 

  Ben 

[Buicknutty]

 Today we celebrated my daughter's birthday, it was only today that we could get everyone together for an extravagant lunch. After a bit more work on the Electra yesterday, I took it out to meet the rest of the family for lunch on the other side of Toronto, perhaps about 120 miles round trip. The car ran great, though there always seems to be a "but". The new compressor is cooling good, but a bit noisy at times, and the temp ran a bit warmer than I thought it should considering its' not that hot. I will check the coolant level in the morning.

 This was basically the last test drive before the trip to Wisconsin.

 Keith

[jackofalltrades70]

Last night, took the 47' convertible for a 50 mile ride for ice cream.  Tonight, had her out for the fireworks display!  Love driving the convertible!  Beautiful nights!

[Machine Gun]

Made a run to an antiques mall in Newburgh yesterday and took the Skylark on I-84. She cruised smoothly and flawlessly at between 65 and 70 mph with coolant temperatures staying between 190 and 210 degrees F with outside temperatures around 86 degrees. My new power steering pump and hoses stayed dry as a bone. I still have to find and fix an oil leak, and the clicking noise I described in another thread continued to annoy me, but it was too nice a day to keep the car in the garage.

[JohnD1956]

Yesterday was a beautiful day in Indiana too. 

Went a leisurely 140 miles with a few side stops.  I did find " recreational fuel " in Angola IN, but at an extra $1.00 per gallon, I decided to use the ethanol blend instead. Route 20 is a road that just calls out for a ride.  While not as famous nor as preserved as Route 66, it does have a nice flavor and a good road surface through most of Indiana.

In Elkhart we stopped to see the Beardsley Homestead. Havilah Beardsley was the founder of Elkhart The house is the oldest home still in existence in the city.  

 

While filled with period pieces of furniture, apparently none of the stuff inside was original to the house.  The Historical society did not allow pictures to be taken inside.  When asked why it was said that s because of privacy with the furniture and things, leading me to speculate that the stuff is all stolen.  Anyway, it was a nice little tour and allowed the car to cool a little.  After that we went and toured a little of Notre Dame University.  Even though I did the infamous walking tour during the South Bend meet, Linda could not make it that day, so she never got to see it.  We just drove through and around to see much of it.  It is an awesome campus.

 

Then we drove Route 20 to Michigan City and over to the Indiana Sand Dunes National Park.  I did not know it at the time but apparently we were right down the street from the 1933 Chicago world fair "Century of Progress House". 

 

Later, a delicious dinner at Texas Road house, and another torrential rain storm ended the evening for us.  The Buick is performing excellent, and drawing a bit of attention. 

 

 

[Buicknutty]

 Finally the day to leave for Wisconsin has arrived!

 We got all of our stuff packed in the car, and left midmorning today. We drove without A/C for a couple of hours or more, as it wasn't too warm, and with the right front window open an inch or so, and the right rear a similar amount we got good crossflow ventilation without too much noise. Though as the afternoon worn on, I turned the A/C on, and it kept us nice and cool.

 The border crossing into the US was not too busy at all, only a few cars were in front of us, though we were glad that we weren't going the other way, it was a very long wait coming into Canada.

 It was a nice surprise to see the speed limit was 75 MPH in Michigan, in Ontario we're still stuck with the 100 KPH, which is about 62 MPH, that we've had for decades. Traffic was light, and we made good time to our resting place for tonight, Battle Creek, Michigan. Total mileage for the day was 385. The first tank we did over 18 Imp., about 16 or so US, and the second was about one mpg less, higher speeds and more use of the A/C. The second tank unit I put in it seemed to be working well, but I definitely wasn't pushing it at all in case it was reading too high or something like that.

 The Electra ran great, no engine oil consumption, and other than than the previously mentioned compressor noise, which was the worst about 50 MPH, the car was fine. On the temp gauge I have installed it ran 190 F with no A/C, and 200-205 with it on. A bit warmer than I'd like considering it's wasn't too hot today. The compressor noise is also a bit troubling, but the suction side had a good coating of frost on it when I looked under the hood when gassing up, so it seems to pumping well so far.

 Keith

[dei]

Glad things are co-operating for you Keith.

You did well to get where you are from TO.

My wife and I are leaving Wednesday morning and maybe drive all day getting to Brookfield in one run.... just not in the Special.

 

We had considered taking the Express Boat across Lake Michigan as it is only 2 1/2 hrs but left calling for a reservation too late for a daytime crossing. They were booked on that one.

Could have taken the 9:45 pm trip but didn't want to miss the sights leaving the Michigan Port and arriving in the Milwaukee Port in the dark. At the cost of the one way fare, guess I can afford the Tolls around Chicago now. LOL 

 

Safe journey.

 

[JohnD1956]

We drove less than a hundred miles today, but it took from noon to 6pm anyhow.

 

We continued on Rt 20 west, through Gary Indiana, and past the Gary Chicago airport.

 

  I did not realize we were still in Indiana at that point and missed the sign when we entered Illinois. But we got onto the lake shore parkway right in the area where this gaggle of geese had blocked the rod in some sort of honking contest with the car in front of us. 

 

that guy beeped and the geese honked back.  Total road block for a while there and thought someone gotta run one of these things down to show em we mean business.  Just then they moved off the road.

 

Anyhow we cruised up Lake shore drive through the traffic and past downtown Chicago

 

and we were moving along nicely when the parkway abruptly ended!  Then we made the first right onto Sheridan Ave/Rd/Place.  I say all three because it seemed many times when I looked at a street signs, I saw nne of these abreviations on it.  This road, however continues north to Wisconsin.  It meanders past hundreds of lake front mansions. Not the usual Mc Mansions, these were old school brick and mortar palaces!  I was astounded at the sheer number of them end to end along the way. But didn't get any pictures.

 

As we got to lunch time we found ourselves by Northwestern University.  There was a Firehouse Bar and Grill in the neighborhood, and a parking spot a few spaces down the road.  So we scooted out just to find out it was closed for lunch on Mondays?  But there was a coffee and pie shop across the road and we went there instead.

 

We continued our run up Sheridan ave and found ourselves at the Great Lakes Naval Academy. 

After that we just moseyed on up to Kenosha.   It really was a nice drive although we did not see much of Lake Michigan after leaving the lake shore parkway.

[dei]

Thanks John for taking the time to post the pictures and describe your travels. 

Five hours eh? Was your route choice not wanting to flog the Electra or just take your time and take in the sights?

My wife has been to Chicago a few times when in College with her girl friend (quite a few years ago ) but loves and remembers it vividly from your pictures.

[leon bee]

I live in a crowded little resort town, my shop is 10 miles out in the sticks with a real twisty road in between. Been driving my 53 322 Dynaflow home from the shop about once a week when I figure parking in front of my house should be okay. Every time, I'm really struck by how much get up and go this old boat has. She'll roll, man, there's never any traffic backing up behind ME!

[JohnD1956]

48 minutes ago, dei said:

Was your route choice not wanting to flog the Electra or just take your time and take in the sights?

 

This year we planned a more relaxed route because I was tired of flogging myself with 12-14 hour days of driving. The Queen just wants to go, go, GO!

[Buicknutty]

We made it! The Electra did well. Just had supper with John and his wife, which was very enjoyable to relax and talk Buicks over our meal.

My wife, Glenda, made the first buy of the family at the swap meet, not many vendors yet, but one gentleman who was there, had a couple of pieces for her Wildcat, so she snapped them up!

Keith

[jackofalltrades70]

Waiting for fireworks

[dei]

Good for you Glenda!

The early bird always catches the worm. 

[Thriller]

It seems there were more Canadians here in the early afternoon after that Electra got here from Toronto. 

 

Shorter day today. The Wildcat was acting up a bit, hesitating and stalling. I hope it was just some marginal fuel that she was less happy with than the Electra. We will see. We got an early start so even with some minor issues we rolled in around two. Going to dinner tonight was the first time I'd driven the Electra this trip. 

 

[JohnD1956]

We had about 45 miles to go this AM if we took the thruway to Brookfield, but instead we went back and drove alongside the lake.  I must say I am impressed with the Wisconsin road system.  The roads are wide, concrete, and you can move quite the distance between stop-lights.  The lake front is pretty nice as well.  They are a lucky group that live here.

 

 

We rolled onto the site and clocked 1,074 miles for this excursion.  I have no idea of the gas mileage, and it took less than a quart of antifreeze, plus the AC fix. the oil is down just about 3/4 quart too.  I think this car is a keeper!

 

 

[jackofalltrades70]

Glad all of you made it all ok!  Wish I could have been there this year.  Just too much going on......

[JohnD1956]

Wish you could have made it too, Matt. Next year you could visit family on your way, or is it IN your way, as the case may be. 

[Pilgrim65]

Hi John , over 1000miles wow , that's some road trip , do you Americans like travelling long distances , is it in your blood from the days of opening up the frontier or finding the North west passage !! Well done , some great photos ?

[Malo48]

I took the '41 out for its first drive after a long winter of trying to fix some items on the to-do list. Some things were resolved, some need more attention, but it should get me through until Winter.  I passed a stretch of road in the city that has never been paved with asphalt and with the bridge in the background, I had to stop and grab a photo!

[SpecialEducation]

Parade season...  I suppose it's not every day you have a sitting congressman sitting in your Buick.

 

And on the way home from the last parade, we had to stop by this sign...

[Airy Cat]

I drove my 1956 Century to town and back for breakfast about 35 miles.  I went early and the highway was clear. Ran her up to 95 mph to get the cobwebs out of the carburetor. This car runs so good that I can't stand it!

[EmTee]

6 hours ago, Airy Cat said:

Ran her up to 95 mph to get the cobwebs out of the carburetor.

 

Soooo close -- next time you should go for the 'century' (if you can do so safely)... 

[MrEarl]

1 minute ago, EmTee said:

 

Soooo close -- next time you should go for the 'century' (if you can do so safely)... 

 

My thougt exactly when I read it. Great minds I guess

[RivNut]

You guys are the epitome of the lyrics to this song.    (Edited for content and space)

 

It's got a 4-barrel carb and dual exhausts
3.90 gears that really get lost
Safety tubes and I'm not scared
The brakes are good and the tires are fair (20 year old bias plys ??)

 

Then all of a sudden, in the wink of an eye
A Cadillac sedan passed us by
I said boys that's the mark for me
But by then the taillights was all you could see

 

Now the fellers ribbed me for bein' behind
So I started to make that Century unwind
Took my foot off the gas and man alive
I shoved it down into overdrive (probably not but nothing else rhymes)

 

Well I wound it up to hundred and ten
Twisted the speedometer cable till it hit top end
Had my foot glued right to the floor
I said that's all there is there ain't no more

 

 

Now the fellas thought I'd lost all sense
The telephone poles looked like a picket fence
They said slow down I see spots
The lines on the road just looked like dots

 

 

I took a corner and passed a truck
I crossed my fingers just for luck
The fenders clickin' the guard rail post
The guy beside me was white as a ghost

 

 

Smoke was comin' outta the back
When I started to gain on that Cadillac
I knew I could catch him and hoped I could pass
But when I did I'd be short on gas

 

 

Had flames comin' from out of the side
You could feel the tension man what a ride
I said look out boys I've got a license to fly
And the Cadillac pulled over and let me by

 

Now all of a sudden a rod started knockin'
Down in the depths she started a rockin'

I looked in the mirror and a red light was blinkin'
I'm just glad I hadn't been drinkin'

 

They arrested me and put me in jail.
They called my wife to throw my bail.
And she said man you're gonna drive me to drinkin'

From now on you're driving Mom's big Lincoln

 

 

 

Edited July 7, 2017 by RivNut (see edit history)

[Thriller]

Son, you're gonna drive me to drinkin' if you don't stop driving that hot rod Lincoln. 

 

[RivNut]

2 hours ago, Thriller said:

Son, you're gonna drive me to drinkin' if you don't stop driving that hot rod Lincoln. 

 

I know but as I prefaced "Edited for content...." This is a Buick forum; got to stay on topic!

[Beemon]

23 hours ago, Airy Cat said:

I drove my 1956 Century to town and back for breakfast about 35 miles.  I went early and the highway was clear. Ran her up to 95 mph to get the cobwebs out of the carburetor. This car runs so good that I can't stand it!

Rochester or Carter?

[Elpad]

[Airy Cat]

Carter

[dibarlaw]

We did 785 miles from Chambersburg to Brookfield and missed the prewar long distance by 64 miles.

[Beemon]

6 hours ago, Airy Cat said:

Carter

If you ever want to slow it down, you can have one of my 4GCs.

[cxgvd]

Good for you Larry to make the long drive.  Best of luck with the return trip.  Who drove further, from where and in what pre war car?  Gary

[Buicknutty]

We made it home from Brookfield! The Electra ran great all the way, no coolant leaks, less than 1/2 quart oil use in about 1,600 miles of highway driving on the complete trip.

The show was great and we had a very enjoyable time.

Thanks to all of our Buick friends, new and old, for their company!

 Keith and Family.

[PWB]

Road tested my new/old posi. Just need a new pinion seal then all set.

Thanks to the Buick family for helping me out.

 

Edited July 10, 2017 by PWB (see edit history)

[dei]

On 09/07/2017 at 9:32 PM, Buicknutty said:

We made it home from Brookfield! The Electra ran great all the way, no coolant leaks, less than 1/2 quart oil use in about 1,600 miles of highway driving on the complete trip.

The show was great and we had a very enjoyable time.

Thanks to all of our Buick friends, new and old, for their company!

 Keith and Family.

 

Good to hear Keith!

Truly hope our after dinner get together was not too late knowing you pushed to get home in one stretch? 

Had a nice time chatting.

Hope to see you and Glenda again sometime soon and congrats on the Award for your Electra!