Brian_Heil Posted May 23, 2018 Share Posted May 23, 2018 First ride of the season. 52 miles. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted May 24, 2018 Share Posted May 24, 2018 I didn't write down the start mileage as I was so anxious to take advantage of the 80 degree temperature and enjoy the sunshine! Pulled into the parking lot and spotted this 1958 Dodge Cornet and just had to park beside it. The car might have been painted but a long time ago and is in pretty nice shape otherwise all original running a flat head 6 cylinder. Quite the styling differences between the 1958 marques. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted May 24, 2018 Share Posted May 24, 2018 12 hours ago, Brian_Heil said: We need an excuse to meet up Dei. The weather is here and my Buick is ready to go! (and the Wife went to visit her sister, ha) Brian, The next time Cardinal95 and 1957BuickJim set up a day you could join the fun as they are in Troy, Michigan just down the road from you. I'm hoping to go to Eyes on Design this year (June 17) and might just drive the Special out Jefferson Ave along the Lake. It will only be in the general parking (not in the show) but would be a good place to meet for the day too. Something to think about. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAD36 Posted May 26, 2018 Share Posted May 26, 2018 425 miles total so far. Tailpipe started rattling. Always something ? 85 out here today. Everything else working well. That ethanol free go go juice significantly reduced electric pump use. Only used it once during hard acceleration on I81 uphill entrance ramp. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted May 26, 2018 Share Posted May 26, 2018 Getting an early start on the weekend. With temps in the middle 80's yesterday and today, planning on attending a car Show 60 miles away. After fuelling up I washed her and cleaned the tires before heading home to park under the wife's shelter for the night in anticipation of our 6:30 morning start. The trip odometer read 127.5 miles at fill up and will total this trip when home tomorrow night. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted May 27, 2018 Share Posted May 27, 2018 (edited) Full day today getting up at 6am. The Special weathered the out door parking just fine and started right up like I had hoped she would. My wife knew the plan was to run with the top down and fortunately the overnight temps didn't get below 60 so with the heat on and her hooded sweatshirt on too, off we went to meet up with three other cars at the Tim Horton's Coffee shop on the way. Edited May 27, 2018 by dei (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted May 27, 2018 Share Posted May 27, 2018 The Special seems to love the morning cool temps and with high test supplying the 2 barrel carb it felt powerful and comfortable at 60 miles per hour. Picked up another friend in their '66 Cadillac convert 20 more miles up the road with their top down also and made Chatham in good order with no issues. Met a fellow having the red Galaxie 500 on the right and seemed to fit right in with the colour pattern! He said this was his first showing of the car as he had just purchased it a week or two ago and it was a beauty! It was a nice show which had about 400 vehicles of all kinds (including real antiques) and we stayed for supper at a great Italian Restaurant. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted May 27, 2018 Share Posted May 27, 2018 (edited) Must mention that part of my reason to make this Show was to meet up with a fellow '58 Buick owner who had looked me up from the Forums and after many emails back and forth, knowing they were coming, I just had to be here with my car too! Tony and his wife Sue own a BEAUTIFUL Limited four door hardtop and live three hours away from Chatham. I almost missed breakfast after meeting them and spending time looking over their car! This was the height for my day, besides the fact the Special performed as well as it did till... Not a block down the street isn't there a Special four door sedan from Brantford sitting there in her glory!! Of all the shows I have been to locally, never has there been more than two 58" (let alone Limited's) and today there were three!! Needless to say I was in BUICK Heaven! MAN DO I HAVE TO GET MY BLACK LIMITED ON THE ROAD... Headed home as a group about 7pm with again no issues for anyone... Thank heavens! When I shut the car off in her garage spot the trip odometer read 256.1 making the days mileage total 128.6 miles towards the Challenge. It was the perfect ending to a fine day! Edited May 27, 2018 by dei (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian_Heil Posted May 27, 2018 Share Posted May 27, 2018 87 F and a delightful day in Michigan. Down to Bakers in Milford, MI to see some buddies. Chuck Sharpe who has a Buick F and a big Model 17 and more Ford Ts than I can count. That’s his green T. And Bill Anderson retired from Buick and has several early 30s Chevys. A good number of the folks here either work at the Milford Proving Grounds or used to. I’m part of the latter. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian_Heil Posted May 27, 2018 Share Posted May 27, 2018 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian_Heil Posted May 27, 2018 Share Posted May 27, 2018 Stopped by BillAnderson’s on the way home. I counted 9 cars in his air conditioned barn. Nice. A hoist and 3 storage lifts and a fully appointed shop including a full bath. Stopped at at the lake on the way home too. 81 miles today. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted May 28, 2018 Share Posted May 28, 2018 A bunch of driving was done the past few days trying to make sure AC and generator were working. No pictures but put another 223 miles since last report. Total of 852 miles so far. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted May 29, 2018 Author Share Posted May 29, 2018 Gas up Monday for this car. Currently at 766 miles toward goal. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted June 1, 2018 Share Posted June 1, 2018 Filled up the Special from my last driving to Chatham and back in anticipation to leaving about 4:30 in the morning to go on a two hour drive Saturday to London, Ontario. Bucket list Car Show hosting some 4,500 cars the newest being 1983. The Host is reported to be the largest private Cadillac collection in Canada. Can't wait... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted June 1, 2018 Share Posted June 1, 2018 4500? Wow. Take a couple days to even walk past that many. Ben 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted June 1, 2018 Share Posted June 1, 2018 53 minutes ago, Ben Bruce aka First Born said: 4500? Wow. Take a couple days to even walk past that many. Ben Have only one day Ben but will take in as much as possible! Making sure the camera is charged up and room on the memory card. As the saying goes, "Film at 11". 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted June 3, 2018 Share Posted June 3, 2018 Well it must be 11 o'clock as I have a report. Must have been desperate to knock one off the bucket list with this road trip to a car show. Wanting to be there close to the 7 am gate opening and a 2 hour drive I was up and opening the garage door by 4:30 AM! That wasn't the truly desperate part. The fact it was only about 58 degrees and determined to go "top down" is where in hind sight kinda nuts!? With heat on full blast and fresh hot coffee I was off. Not much traffic at that hour which was a blessing and the sun eventually came and was able to shed my heavy spring jacket. It was a fun full day not without some adventure and total distance covered was 244 miles. For the full story see my thread. Scratch one off the Bucket List. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmfconsult Posted June 10, 2018 Share Posted June 10, 2018 Got down to a cars and coffee this morning with the Electra. More of a sports car event so the Electra stood out a bit from the Lamborghini’s, Ferrari’s, McLaren’s, Jaguar’s and Porsche’s. I did manage to find some friendly American iron. As I was coming back to my car, a 68 Deville convertible had parked next to me and so I had a good chat while we compared lines, both cars are almost identical in length! Only added a little over 20 miles to the total but the weather at the beach was worth it! 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted June 10, 2018 Share Posted June 10, 2018 (edited) Another 80 miles for me today as I was making sure everything is good to go next week to Denver. A/C blowing 30 degree air on my wife side / 40 on mine. No generator issues and we ate lunch in comfort. Comfort, Texas that is.. 932 miles so far and will triple that by the time I get home. Ought to put me well past the 2500 mark. I put more miles on this the my wife puts on her car. Edited June 10, 2018 by Bill Stoneberg (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted June 11, 2018 Author Share Posted June 11, 2018 Filled her up today. 924 towards goal...whew! ) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 Took the snapshot before she turned to 999! Drove 200 miles this weekend. No problems. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 I love seeing all of the various Buick dashboard designs. I'm thinkn' new thread... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAD36 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 1,012 miles Jeepers, better get crackin.... Rebuilding the brake system - may be a little while. Color sanded and Buffed out the hood (my paint is so freakin tired), refit the whole exhaust system (not used to the 56 ball and socket joint design and it shifted and developed a rattle when over 70 mph since install), new rear shock links (replacing 1983 parts). Improved all the door weatherstrip seals with some EPDM bead material from HW store until it goes for repaint and correct new door & ws seal goes in Happy to report ran the car through the 95-98 deg heat past few weeks w no issues. Temps stayed 220 or below ( measured temp w ir gun shot at sender with needle at end of the safe bar on the gauge) with the HD radiator and 19 inch fan 13 lb cap with AC on. Checked the gun and thermometers w boiling water/ice as a sanity check. Temp was at interstate speeds with traffic, up couple mile hills and through town. Stop and go traffic after highway run it got a little warmer, maybe 5 deg but kept it in N vs D while stopped and worked fine.The aftermarket AC temp cycled mid 40s to 50 at the center vent depending on engine speed. Cabin went from 135 in hot sun soak stabilizing down to about 75 on max fan. That's as low as it would get in the sun. Tinted windshield (that's after brakes) might help a little more. Not take no headliner off - is what it is. Been running non ethanol gas and have had no vapor lock issues. Have not had to use electric pump in heat. However it's hard starting (long cranking) cold after sitting more than 2 days even if electric pump primes it. Overnight, no issue. Weird beans. Ethanol gas = quick cold start with approx 15 second electric pump prime + vapor lock when hot. Volatility effect? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted July 15, 2018 Share Posted July 15, 2018 (edited) Haven't been doing well lately with "the Challenge" since work has been my biggest hold back but... managed to drive the Special home from her garage today though. It Felt GOOD! The thing is, I will be out of the race for awhile due to the fact I have decided to FINALLY take the tank off, clean it out, replace the rubber fuel line and likely have to put another fuel pump on... With the help of my son and time, hope to be back with the challenge soon. Edited July 15, 2018 by dei (see edit history) 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmfconsult Posted July 15, 2018 Share Posted July 15, 2018 (edited) Way behind in this challenge as work and family have been busy. Took my father on a cruise yesterday so just round 178 miles in the challenge so far, most of them fun. Have been battling vapor lock on this car, not sure why it’s become a problem now as it’s never been the past 15 years I’ve owned the car. Stranded me and my father yesterday, but luckily I was on a quiet road and had room to pull over to a safe location (only a short push as it stalled at a red light). After 45 min it fired up and got me home. It wasn’t a long drive and the car wasn’t being pushed and the temps were around 84 degrees, so not super warm. Edited July 15, 2018 by dmfconsult (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted July 15, 2018 Author Share Posted July 15, 2018 Do you still have winter blend in the tank? 48 minutes ago, dmfconsult said: Have been battling vapor lock on this car, not sure why it’s become a problem now as it’s never been the past 15 years I’ve owned the car. Stranded me and my father yesterday, but luckily I was on a quiet road and had room to pull over to a safe location (only a short push as it stalled at a red light). After 45 min it fired up and got me home. It wasn’t a long drive and the car wasn’t being pushed and the temps were around 84 degrees, so not super warm. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmfconsult Posted July 15, 2018 Share Posted July 15, 2018 Yes, that gas was from last November but it’s non-ethanol 94 octane. I originally thought I was out of gas, but when I filled the tank on the way home yesterday there was about 8 gallons left. The same thing happened to me last November on a much cooler day. Both times I had less than half a tank, so it could be a result of old fuel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted July 21, 2018 Author Share Posted July 21, 2018 Getting back to the game. Filled up today. Up to 1,062 but I'm gonna adjust that back to 1k to account for the over zealous odometer. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted July 22, 2018 Share Posted July 22, 2018 14 hours ago, JohnD1956 said: I'm gonna adjust that back to 1k to account for the over zealous odometer. Ha -- I have one of those on my GP! It reads about 10% high. I'm pretty certain the radials on it are not quite as large as the original bias ply tires were. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmfconsult Posted July 28, 2018 Share Posted July 28, 2018 Was finally able to get some seat time in the Estate Wagon today. Once I cleaned the dust off, was able to get around to some side roads on the outskirts of the City. Added 90 miles to my combined total. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted July 30, 2018 Author Share Posted July 30, 2018 Plus 119 miles. Up to 1119... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgreen Posted July 30, 2018 Share Posted July 30, 2018 Cheering y'all on! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted August 6, 2018 Author Share Posted August 6, 2018 Added another 126 but will finish my 1k adjustment. And call it 1,200 so far. I think the more its used the happier it is. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted August 6, 2018 Share Posted August 6, 2018 Still in the Pits with the Special but wanting to get back into the Race. Glad so many of you have join the Challenge. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted August 13, 2018 Share Posted August 13, 2018 I finally made it! After my drive to and from ocean shores, I finally beat the challenge. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted August 13, 2018 Author Share Posted August 13, 2018 15 minutes ago, Beemon said: I finally beat the challenge. Congrats Ben! and I like the temp gauge location too! How did the engine perform on the long haul? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 The engine really pulls now! I was doing 5 over on 101 and this Ford pickup pulling a camper trailer ended up playing leap frog with me. Finally I got tired of him and when I went pass him the third time going up hill, we matched speed and then I effortlessly pulled away after putting my foot into it. It really is like a whole new car considering the fact that it's an 8 cylinder now instead of a 6. I couldn't be happier, except maybe for a bottom end and valve train rebuild. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 Went for Breakfast Tacos this morning and took the Buick before it gets hot today. 25 or so miles round trip. I am now at 49950, another 50 miles and I will have 50,000 miles on it. Started at 48,567 so that is 1,383 miles so far. Fall driving season is coming soon. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Welch Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 I have over a thousand miles on my Trek 21 speed this summer and 70 on my 38 Buick, something is wrong with that picture. But at least I am in shape. Fall driving coming soon. 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 Not really back in the Challenge yet but desperate enough to rig a fuel supply and put about 30 miles on even (if it was in the rain!) It started out dry but... As someone has said, "They won't melt!" 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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