RivRider Posted March 4, 2017 Share Posted March 4, 2017 (edited) Here's an old girl I never should have let go.I found in a storage unit in 2008 with a stuck engine with 17,000 miles,was parked in '86 with all her original parts,including the tires.Three mechanics gave up on trying to get free before I discovered her.I knew with that mileage she shouldn't be given up on,so I brought her home in November and filled up the engine with Marvel Mystery Oil until it wouldn't take anymore and left it until April.I then let drain for a day,then refilled with new oil,cleaned the cap,rotor and points,put in new plugs and battery,the only things not original,got in and hit the key.Scared the hell out of me and turned over immediately and started on about the 6th turn.Also scared the neighbors,they thought the garage was on fire because of all the smoke.After about ten minutes the smoke cleared and I put her in gear and drove around the block ! Two weeks later,I drove her slowly to a local car show because of the original tires,out of 400 cars,took first prize in my class and best car on the field.Later that year,decided to sell and she went to an 80 year old gentleman south-west of Chicago.Does anyone know of this car? Edited February 12, 2018 by RivRider update (see edit history) 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted March 4, 2017 Share Posted March 4, 2017 WOW!!! Now that's really nice!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivRider Posted March 4, 2017 Author Share Posted March 4, 2017 Thought I should add to the history of this car,original owner was Helen Foley of Binghamton NY,and she was a favorite teacher of Rod Serling of Twilight Zone fame.Her name was used in one of the original series and the '80s movie her name was used as a main character. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted March 5, 2017 Share Posted March 5, 2017 Today, some would think of this as a 'certified' used 1968 Buick! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivRider Posted March 5, 2017 Author Share Posted March 5, 2017 I had to jump back in as I can not believe what just happened, an hour ago I received an email from the people who bought this car from me back in 2009 and offered it back to me !!!!! Speak of the Twilight Zone !!!! They don't belong to any clubs and would have had no idea I posted this,he is now 90 and decided its time to start thinning his hoard of 40 some cars.My old LeSabre has been in a heated garage and only a few miles put on her in the last 8 years,other than a new muffler and tires,still like the pictures.Someone is looking over me,maybe it's Ms.Foley! Looks like I better make some room in the barn. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted March 5, 2017 Share Posted March 5, 2017 Some folks just have all the luck. Ben 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 Wow! You must be living your life right! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VickyBlue Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 Your saved her once, now she returned the favor. That's good Karma. Enjoy each other 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Conley Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 ...you are now entering The Twilight Zone..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivRider Posted March 6, 2017 Author Share Posted March 6, 2017 I thought the same thing,when she comes home,she's getting a new name with front plate to match,her new name is now "Helen". Ms Foley passed away in 2002 at 90,interesting article about her,google "Helen Foley Binghamton school teacher".Another weird fact,I met her in 1973 when I worked at Botnick Chevrolet in Binghamton when she brought her '56 Belair with 23,000 miles on it in for service, and never saw her again.A friend of mine now owns that car and only has 27,000 miles today. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivRider Posted March 7, 2017 Author Share Posted March 7, 2017 I just heard from "Helens" current owner and she will be coming back home this fall,she is up to 17,311 miles !! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly_John Posted March 7, 2017 Share Posted March 7, 2017 Dan, what a wonderful outcome for you. This is one of those very neat, old car hobby stories. Congratulations on getting this special Buick back to enjoy. John (your hubcap buddy) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted March 7, 2017 Share Posted March 7, 2017 Just looked at the photos again and realized; this may be the one last surviving steering wheel without cracks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivRider Posted March 7, 2017 Author Share Posted March 7, 2017 (edited) This car is so close to perfect it's unbelievable,the only reason she ever left to begin with is that my auto parts store that I ran for 15 years got bought out by "corporate america" company and I couldn't put up with they're bullshit and left then realized who the hell wants to hire a 56 year old. Didn't want to loose my house and got close to the bottom of the bank account so had to let her go.The one thing I would like to replace when she comes home is the carpet,which is faded.Anyone know of a good place to get replacement? People always say "but it's got too many doors!" in this case who cares!When I was driving her,one night we put 8 people (we where all small people) in her and went to dinner,laughing about it the whole way. Edited March 7, 2017 by RivRider (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted March 7, 2017 Share Posted March 7, 2017 5 minutes ago, RivRider said: The one thing I would like to replace when she comes home is the carpet,which is faded.Anyone know of a good place to get replacement? Unless the carpet has other problems, look into re-coloring. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivRider Posted March 7, 2017 Author Share Posted March 7, 2017 What do you use to do this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted March 7, 2017 Share Posted March 7, 2017 I used Duplicolor Vinyl & Fabric Spray on Daytona carpet in my 55 (yours is different). There are services that dye carpets and fabrics. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 You can alsoget fabric paint at hobby store in many shades. A car this original - definitely don't replace carpet if it only has fading! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivRider Posted March 8, 2017 Author Share Posted March 8, 2017 Looks like I better go looking as it is only dis-colored. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 Anything you buy today will not fit as well as the original, so re-dyeing it would be best if you can find someone to do it. With a car that original it would be a shame to replace it just because of the uneven color... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivRider Posted March 9, 2017 Author Share Posted March 9, 2017 For those who noticed the '77 Coupe DeVille in the pictures,wish I had that one back too,bought the same year from original owner with 31,000 miles,and also parked in '86,last hoorah for Cady with 425 4-barrel,crushed velvet full bucket seats and console.I never thought that anything built in '77 would do anything for me until I drove that car.Can't keep 'em all ! Wait till I post the pictures of my '60 LeSabre survivor off the road since '78,coming soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivRider Posted March 9, 2017 Author Share Posted March 9, 2017 I forgot another unbelievable fact about both these cars that make most people squirm,I payed $1500 for the '68 LeSabre with the stuck engine and the son-in-law wanted the Cady out of his garage and paid $999 for that one ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivRider Posted February 12, 2018 Author Share Posted February 12, 2018 Just an update on the old girl, coming back home this summer, just contacted yesterday by current "caretaker". I'm looking for some help trying to put a value on old survivor,a bit difficult being a four-door. For those who don't know,the 400 model is the first year for the high compression 350. I've been out of the picture for a while and will back soon with some updates on projects and be contacting some of you that got left hanging last year, cars took back burner to the restaurant again. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topper1961 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 On 4.3.2017 at 3:39 PM, RivRider said: Here's an old girl I never should have let go.I found in a storage unit in 2008 with a stuck engine with 17,000 miles,was parked in '86 with all her original parts,including the tires.Three mechanics gave up on trying to get free before I discovered her.I knew with that mileage she shouldn't be given up on,so I brought her home in November and filled up the engine with Marvel Mystery Oil until it wouldn't take anymore and left it until April.I then let drain for a day,then refilled with new oil,cleaned the cap,rotor and points,put in new plugs and battery,the only things not original,got in and hit the key.Scared the hell out of me and turned over immediately and started on about the 6th turn.Also scared the neighbors,they thought the garage was on fire because of all the smoke.After about ten minutes the smoke cleared and I put her in gear and drove around the block ! Two weeks later,I drove her slowly to a local car show because of the original tires,out of 400 cars,took first prize in my class and best car on the field.Later that year,decided to sell and she went to an 80 year old gentleman south-west of Chicago.Does anyone know of this car? Beautiful automobile, and most important, it' a Buick! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebastienbuick Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 very very very beautiful Buick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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