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

[Buicknutty 2,085]

 We had a good weekend driving Buicks, and McLaughlins too. Started off with a corn roast at a car buddy's place near Niagara, so we drove the Reatta, and that was about 130 miles round trip. Drove out with the top down, as it was a lovely summer day, however my lady insisted of top up on the way, after dark, as the air was much cooler!

 Also on Friday afternoon, I got all of the paperwork necessary to transfer the registration, and get plates for my new (old) one, a 1916 McLaughlin, so I stopped enroute Fri afternoon and got my plates. So of course Sat morning we just had to go for a drive in it! Around 10 miles, then another 5 or 6 later on. Today, my son and I took it out for a 26 mile drive around our county roads. Ran perfect, temp held steady, and no issues were apparent. Fastest I went was not quite 40 mph, kept it to 30-35 most of the time. It feels like it will go much faster, but don't want to over do the old machine, besides, it only has 2 wheel mechanical brakes!

 We are hosting the pre war tour that was mentioned in a recent post, and if all seems well with it, I might drive it on part of the weekend.

 We also did about 30 miles in the '41 Roadmaster, which is also officially a McLaughlin Buick, so I have a picture of the two McLaughlins on the front part of our place. No pictures of the Reatta this time though.

 Keith

 

Edited August 11, 2019 by Buicknutty (see edit history)

[Terry Wiegand 1,744]

Keith,

You guys driving around in these OLD open touring cars are making me do some really hard time.  The engine from the '16 is up in Davenport, Iowa being rebuilt and it won't be until sometime next year before the car will be back on the road.  I guess I'll just have to suck it up and drive that real low mileage 1920 Coupe that we have - you know, that one that has less than 5,000 actual miles on it since being built.  Keith, that '16 is simply beautiful!

 

Terry Wiegand

South Hutchinson, Kansas

[Larry Schramm 2,951]

Well,  What is a better way to top off a good week than to go out for some ice cream.    A few more miles for the week.

 

 

[Buicknutty 2,085]

  Thanks, Terry, but I feel for you too, having to wait till next year for your engine. That '20 sounds like a sweetie. It was in part due to your encouragement that I bought it.

 Keith

[JohnD1956 5,977]

Rode in Ed's other '67 Saturday, on the way to look at a parts car he was interested in.  Overcast and threatening rain all day.  But this area is the north end of the Catskill Mountains in upstate NY.

 

 

Just a nice ride if even a bit cool out.  

 

While looking over the parts car we asked if there were any old yards in the area and were directed to Russell's place.  Russell was described as a 93 year old bachelor, who lived in an off the grid cabin, on the top of a hill, with no running water and no electric connection.   But he had accumulated a bunch of cars and he may have had a few Buicks.  So we drove 17 miles into the hills and found Russell.  

 

Russell was a really nice fellow.  Very congenial and willing to let us "boys" look around all we wanted. And he did live in a small shack, probably half the size of a one car garage.   But he asked us not to take any pictures because he did not want to become famous.  So we walked the stone wall boundaries and discovered an amazing stash of 50's Chryslers.  So may Desotos from 55 and 58.  Yikes!  But just like these places tend to do, everything was recognizable, but thoroughly rusted.   Throughout we saw he had a fondness for Mercedes Benzes.  And we did find three Buicks,  a 55 Super, and a 55 Special, and a 63 Le Sabre Convertible.  But not much left useable.  There may have been more.  This time of year the bushes are thick and a lot was totally hidden.  Yet is was a fun day of walking yesteryear.

 

Today was a GS day.  And got my two young grandsons out for their first ride in a convertible!

 

 

The 4 year old loved it! 

 

 

 

The 3 year old said it was too windy!  Until we stopped to look at the birds in the tree.  Then he found some redeeming value I guess.  lol

 

I told them the next time we will go in the Super! 

[Larry Schramm 2,951]

17 minutes ago, JohnD1956 said:

 

The 3 year old said it was too windy!  Until we stopped to look at the birds in the tree.  Then he found some redeeming value I guess.  lol

 

I told them the next time we will go in the Super! 

 

Do the boys a favor if you are going to go for a ride in the car like that.  Put a warm fleece and wind breaker on them when going for a ride.  That will be a very kind thing you can do for them.

 

I spent a number of summers in the back of a 1959 Buick Invicta convertible when I was young that my Dad liked to drive around after work in the country.  I FROZE MY A&*# OFF and I hate that car to this day.  A very happy day was the day it went down the driveway to a new owner.  

 

It would have been fine if I had a winter coat on during those drives. If it is 75deg outside it will feel like 50 deg in the back seat with the top down.  Just IMO and from a lot of freezing experience.

Edited August 12, 2019 by Larry Schramm (see edit history)

[Thriller 1,232]

If you ever get a chance to return to Kingston, see if it’s possible to take in the Sunset Ceremony (I think that’s what it’s called) at Fort Henry.  We went a number of years ago and it was well worth it.  On the same trip we saw the changing of the guard at Parliament Hill in Ottawa...the students in Kingston put our regular military to shame with precision.

 

[Larry Schramm 2,951]

2 hours ago, Thriller said:

If you ever get a chance to return to Kingston, see if it’s possible to take in the Sunset Ceremony (I think that’s what it’s called) at Fort Henry.  We went a number of years ago and it was well worth it.  On the same trip we saw the changing of the guard at Parliament Hill in Ottawa...the students in Kingston put our regular military to shame with precision.

 

 

We saw the students doing drills in Ft. Henry.  Very nice demonstration.  We had a very good guide for the Fort.  Good day that resulted in a short drive day.

Edited August 13, 2019 by Larry Schramm (see edit history)

[dei 4,039]

Not enough time in the Special last weekend just had to go for ice cream after supper Monday night.

[Thriller 1,232]

That’s as good an excuse as any to exercise the car.

 

[Marty Roth 2,331]

On 8/10/2019 at 5:08 PM, Marty Roth said:

 

Some pre-1932 Buicks in Kingston, Ontario last week on the AACA VINTAGE TOUR:

More to be added:

1928 Buick - Michael Witt - Winchester, VA

1918 Buick E-44- Arnold & Gail Kerry - Ontario 

 

More to come when the FORUM allows me to add pics

 

 

More pics from Kingston, Ontario 

 

The fantastic 1929 McLaughlin Buick Roadster is owned and driven by Bill and Marlene McLaughlin of Toronto.

 

Laurence Bell of Oshawa, Ontario brought the 1929 Model 47 sedan.

 

and I still have a shot of Larry & Joyce Schramm with their 1913 , but cannot yet upload it - well maybe tomorrow?

Edited August 16, 2019 by Marty Roth
typo, and additional note (see edit history)

[Larry Schramm 2,951]

Here is a picture of our 1913 Buick at The Sloan Summer Fair which was held at Crossroads Village in June.  The yellow Buick roadster in front of our car is owned by Matt Assenmacher from the Flint area.  Another great Buick guy.

 

It was a great time by all. 

 

Picture is from the Sloan Museum email that I received about the event.

Edited August 15, 2019 by Larry Schramm (see edit history)

[JohnD1956 5,977]

A bit off topic, but Buick related,  a little while ago I questioned this tube running alongside the generator in this '58 Buick

 

 

While browsing my parts manual from 1960 I ran across this image of the '58 Buick A/C installation.

 

So while the tube employed in the blue car seems to be aftermarket, it also seems to be an attempt to re-create what the factory would have installed.  

 

Further, the next page of the manual showed an alternative '58 system called a "cool pack"

 

 

This does not employ the tube.  And having never heard of this system, but wondering about the open fan cage, a few pages later I found this reference which appears to be a hang under the dash unit.  My parts manual did not show anything like this for another year up to 1960, but there it is if anyone needs proof that this is a factory unit. 

 

 

I now return you to the subject of this topic. 

 

 

[dei 4,039]

Took part in the Cruise the River event Friday taking my wife and friend for an Ice Cream stop along the route.

[J.H.Boland 1,174]

The Historical Automobile Society of Canada has a week long "hub" tour that began 62 years ago called the Normoska. (The first one was around Muskoka,Ont,hence the shortening of North to Muskoka to Normoska. This year,it was held near me in Dorchester,Ontario. There were 78 registrants,with everything from a '15 Model T roadster to modern. The club's "Heritage 35" group were the hosts. Thursday evening we hosted a car show so that the locals could see them up close. The local car community was invited to participate. The '25 Buick coupe was there, it's first run since it's new fan hub was installed.It was the first time I've ever driven it home with the lights on. I was grateful for a neighbour who covered my butt,as that one tiny tail light doesn't give much warning.

[95Cardinal 910]

I drove the Caballero to "Back to the Bricks" on Saturday, August 17. It was a 95 mile round trip; went with friends from Chatham and Ottawa.

The car ran great in the morning with temps in the mid to upper 60's.

I parked at the Durant-Dort Carriage Company/Factory One lot in the Buick Club displays; it was a nice collection of Buicks!

It was nice to meet so many folks who have seen my Caballero build thread.

 

Larry & Joyce Schramm had the 1915 truck at Factory One and the 1913 Touring car at the "flat lot" with all the specially invited, featured cars.

 

On the way out of Flint, in stop and go (mostly stop) traffic when the ambient temps were above 85F, I had to run the auxiliary electric pump to overcome fuel vaporization issues. The car ran perfectly with the electric pump assist.

. 

I brought it back to the warehouse last night. Total 105 miles. Successful shake-down cruise and a fun time in Flint!

 

Edited August 19, 2019 by 95Cardinal
Delete bad link (see edit history)

[Brooklyn Beer 571]

Does your pump push fuel to the mechanical pump or does it bypass the mechanical pump?  If it bypasses how did you do so and keep the mechanical pump within the system.

[95Cardinal 910]

The auxiliary pump pushes fuel to the mechanical pump.

The mechanical pump can draw fuel through the electric pump if the electric pump is not running.

Most of the time, that is how I operate the vehicle.

 

The electric pump is installed with an inline filter. It's located in front of the fuel tank, above and behind the rear axle.

The electric pump operation is controlled by an under-dash switch to energize the fuel pump relay.

 

[Mark Shaw 1,599]

3 hours ago, J.H.Boland said:

I was grateful for a neighbour who covered my butt,as that one tiny tail light doesn't give much warning.

J,

    I use a red bicycle flasher on my cars after dark.  Glad to see you're enjoying your Buick!

[Marty Roth 2,331]

1 hour ago, 95Cardinal said:

The auxiliary pump pushes fuel to the mechanical pump.

The mechanical pump can draw fuel through the electric pump if the electric pump is not running.

Most of the time, that is how I operate the vehicle.

 

The electric pump is installed with an inline filter. It's located in front of the fuel tank, above and behind the rear axle.

The electric pump operation is controlled by an under-dash switch to energize the fuel pump relay.

 

 

That is also how most of ours are set up

[dei 4,039]

Glad to see you are putting a few miles on her Joe!

I would have love to join you all with the Special if nothing else to show how used cars were...

 

Happy Trails.

[Buicknutty 2,085]

 We had a good weekend driving Buicks, (and McLaughlins). On Sat., we used the '41 to run some of the tour routes for the tour we are organizing next weekend, and put about 70 miles or so on it. Then the Reatta for some more general car stuff, maybe another 50 miles, then finally later today I got the 1916 McLaughlin out for a short run, only about 10 miles or so, but it ran great. Don't want to jinx myself, but the '16 seems to be a very well sorted out car. It starts without any problems warm or cold, and drives well. Of course the two wheel mechancial brakes are nothing like the ones the '41 has, but one doesn't drive as fast either.

 Current mileages on all three. I mus check to see what the mileage on the Reatta was when I got it, just over a year and a half ago, but I think it was about 262,000 km, now I'm over 268,000 km. We have been using it for some longer driving, and back to the old area for events, which is about 100 miles, or 160 kms each way.

 Keith

 

[60FlatTop 5,955]

Empty garage except for the one that DIDN'T get driven.

[Marty Roth 2,331]

On 8/18/2019 at 8:56 PM, Buicknutty said:

 We had a good weekend driving Buicks, (and McLaughlins). On Sat., we used the '41 to run some of the tour routes for the tour we are organizing next weekend, and put about 70 miles or so on it. Then the Reatta for some more general car stuff, maybe another 50 miles, then finally later today I got the 1916 McLaughlin out for a short run, only about 10 miles or so, but it ran great. Don't want to jinx myself, but the '16 seems to be a very well sorted out car. It starts without any problems warm or cold, and drives well. Of course the two wheel mechancial brakes are nothing like the ones the '41 has, but one doesn't drive as fast either.

 Current mileages on all three. I mus check to see what the mileage on the Reatta was when I got it, just over a year and a half ago, but I think it was about 262,000 km, now I'm over 268,000 km. We have been using it for some longer driving, and back to the old area for events, which is about 100 miles, or 160 kms each way.

 Keith

 

 

Keith,

Your McLaughlin Touring is exceptional, and would have been an exciting and welcome addition to the AACA Vintage Tour we held in Kingston, Ontario during the week before last,

right alongside Arnold and Gail Kerry's 1918 E44 Roadster, and Bill and Marlene McLaughlin's 1929 McLaughlin Roadster. We had a great time on the tour and thoroughly enjoyed driving so many backroads of Southern Ontario. Unfortunately we were not able to drive the Ontario Region London to Brighton this year, but did drive it last year, and hope to be able to attend next year if possible.

 

Hope to see you "Down the Road".

Edited August 24, 2019 by Marty Roth (see edit history)

[Buicknutty 2,085]

 Marty;

 Thanks. I was just getting  the car around the time of the tour, and am getting familair with it now, with about 100 miles or so since I got it home. So far, it seems to be a well sorted out car. I think I will drive it Sunday, on the pre war tour I'm running this upcoming weekend. Sunday is less driving than Sat., and am still getting used to it, and being the tour leader, I'm thinking it is wise.

 Though I certainly hope to do some touring with the '16, and it would be great to meet up with you on one of them!

Keith

[Marty Roth 2,331]

49 minutes ago, Buicknutty said:

 Marty;

 Thanks. I was just getting  the car around the time of the tour, and am getting familair with it now, with about 100 miles or so since I got it home. So far, it seems to be a well sorted out car. I think I will drive it Sunday, on the pre war tour I'm running this upcoming weekend. Sunday is less driving than Sat., and am still getting used to it, and being the tour leader, I'm thinking it is wise.

 Though I certainly hope to do some touring with the '16, and it would be great to meet up with you on one of them!

Keith

 

Thanks Keith - looking forward to it. 

Edited August 20, 2019 by Marty Roth
typo (see edit history)

[dei 4,039]

Ice cream run again and walking it off in the Waterfront Park.

 

[cjp69 434]

Took my 71 Riv GS to a show on Sunday, was surprised to win "Impressive Interior" award from a field of approx. 200 cars.

 

 

[JohnD1956 5,977]

Last night was the final 2019 Hemmings Cruise In. Was a hot day but cooler weather was expected to settle in after several days of hot and humid conditions, with multiple storms and even two local tornadoes.  We don't see tornadoes often in this area but have had one each year for the last three years, and now these two.  At any rate, the change in the weather and being the last Cruise In for this venue the cars showed up en-masse!  And, as usual, there were some cars I've never seen before.  So for this set of posts I will focus on those cars I've seen here for the first time. 

 

I met up with Chapter members Ken and Rosemary, and Ed.  From where we meet up it's a short 11 mile trip into Bennington.  But take a look at this building on the left. 

 

 

This had to have been a boarding house in the past, and it is obviously rotting away.  Being right next to the main road into Bennington I am surprised it has been allowed to get into this condition.  And as bad as it looks, there are some lights on inside at night.  Just a sad sight, but it's destiny looks to be a massive act of destruction in the not too distant future. 

 Anyway,  Ed and I previously decided to drive our winter cars to this event.  So in keeping with the theme, here are the first two cars that I saw here for the first time ever:

 

 

 

Imagine, people actually looking at the wagon...(chuckle)

 

Here is Ken and Rosemary's car

 

 

Ken had this car 14 years ago. 

 

And right around the corner from us was this awesome 55 Century Wagon

 

 

 

 

 

While a few cars away from that was this very nice 71 Skyklark.  

 

 

 

[JohnD1956 5,977]

Also seen ( by me) for the first time:

 

 

A Studebaker Wagonaire.  We saw this car while walking to the restaurant downtown.  It really sounded great driving by.  But the model name Wagonaire?  Maybe the ac unit, which looks period correct, if not factory installed?

 

 

Or is it this?

 

 

 

The partial retractable roof?    Regardless, it was really nice, and sporty too, with a split bench seat.  

 

 

A sweet car.   Next up for 1st time viewing was this pair of '40 Fords

 

 

I am fond of those headlight trims on the 40 Fords!

 

 

Just nice cars!

 

 

[JohnD1956 5,977]

And this 1st timer '74 LeSabre took home the favorite GM award ( I think it was that award)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JohnD1956 5,977]

In the British Class were these few new MG's

 

 

 

And this one, which I did not know was even made

 

 

 

Forgot to get a front end pic.  

[JohnD1956 5,977]

And a few cars in an early Thunderbird club showed up together.  But I only took pictures of this one

 

 

 

 

Ok, technically I took pictures of 1 and one half!  Not much room to stretch out in there but a novel idea

 

[JohnD1956 5,977]

And,  I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a young couple driving this:

 

 

Yes, Mark and Kaitlyn (sp?  from North Carolina, who were there while on a New England vacation!  Sorry for the blurry pictures!  You all, including the Reatta, looked GREAT!

 

 

And wrapping up there was this 1st time seen '56 Special

 

 

Reminded me of Dad's 55 Special, similarly equipped 

 

 

And in the category of a fun driver,  there was this '69 Electra

 

 

Owned for 48 years, this car was said to be all original.  But I don't know about the seats.  The pattern just doesn't look right, although they are complete.

 

 

And I sure don't know about these lights? 

 

 

 

The story was, this was the former police chiefs car in a small town in New Hampshire.  Yes, the lights do work, and the police radio is still mounted on the dash.  Must have been a weird sight to be pulled over by an Electra convertible.

 

Anyway, there it is, the last Hemmings Cruise in of the season.  And it was announced that next year they are cutting the Cruise in's back to one per month, from the current two.  So that is kinda disappointing.  But it was a lot of fun to have so many people interested in the wagon!  I guess more people can relate to that today because it is fresher in their memory.  I may have to consider retiring that thing.😉

 

[cxgvd 829]

Our first overnight trip with the "39 Century is to a pre war weekend hosted by the Antique and Classic Car Club of Canada (A4C's) and forum member Keith, Buicknutty.  It is a trip of 100 miles from our house along two lane roads, but I have a map showing various cruising routes aimed at motorcycle riders because it is water resistant.  Should be more interesting with great views of Lake Erie.

 

In the photo is the trunk packed for two adults for two nights and includes a small took kit and lawn chairs.

 

Regards, Gary

[Matt Harwood 11,383]

5 minutes ago, cxgvd said:

Our first overnight trip with the "39 Century is to a pre war weekend hosted by the Antique and Classic Car Club of Canada (A4C's) and forum member Keith, Buicknutty.  It is a trip of 100 miles from our house along two lane roads, but I have a map showing various cruising routes aimed at motorcycle riders because it is water resistant.  Should be more interesting with great views of Lake Erie.

 

In the photo is the trunk packed for two adults for two nights and includes a small took kit and lawn chairs.

 

Regards, Gary

 

I'm on my way there with the '41 Limited and took the exact same photo. See you up there!

 

[Thriller 1,232]

@JohnD1956 that ‘56 Special looks very much like ours, but more in one piece and on the road.  Thanks for sharing the photos.

 

[dei 4,039]

7 hours ago, cxgvd said:

Our first overnight trip with the "39 Century is to a pre war weekend hosted by the Antique and Classic Car Club of Canada (A4C's) and forum member Keith, Buicknutty.  It is a trip of 100 miles from our house along two lane roads, but I have a map showing various cruising routes aimed at motorcycle riders because it is water resistant.  Should be more interesting with great views of Lake Erie.

 

In the photo is the trunk packed for two adults for two nights and includes a small took kit and lawn chairs.

 

Regards, Gary

 

You and Bev have fun with the '39.

Cindy and I are headed to Blenheim to see Stan Uhre Sunday and then on to Erieau for some lunch and maybe a local craft beer. Too bad we couldn't have timed it to meet up. 

[JohnD1956 5,977]

7 hours ago, cxgvd said:

Our first overnight trip with the "39 Century is to a pre war weekend hosted by the Antique and Classic Car Club of Canada (A4C's) and forum member Keith, Buicknutty.  It is a trip of 100 miles from our house along two lane roads, but I have a map showing various cruising routes aimed at motorcycle riders because it is water resistant.  Should be more interesting with great views of Lake Erie.

 

In the photo is the trunk packed for two adults for two nights and includes a small took kit and lawn chairs.

 

Regards, Gary

I will have to show my wife this photo! She can fill the trunk on the Electra for a few overnights and worry she didn't have enough.

[Brooklyn Beer 571]

I flew around the world for a month with a carry-on.  No idea how women need 3 suitcases for a week.