Jump to content

1956 Buick J-Bar reproductions (no kidding...)


Budd

Recommended Posts

I received an email from a Buick owner named Thomas Lydell, who is not a member of this forum (not sure why) and he saw an old discussion about J-Bars for 1956 Buicks.  Apparently he had them reproduced as faithfully as possible, and plans on selling them on eBay.  He asked that I post a shot notice here.  I'll attach the two photos he sent.  I also asked that he provide more detail, how did he have them reproduced, pricing, etc, etc.   

 

Just thought I'd share the news about one of those "rare as hens teeth" 1956 Buick parts that apparently someone has decided to do something about it.

 

The second photo almost makes me tear up a bit -- is THAT what they're supposed to look like, versus the swiss cheese I normally see !

 

Cheers,
Budd

1956_buick_jbars_1.png

1956_buick_jbars_2.png

  • Like 3
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Repopping these has been being talked about for decades, in fact me and some buds were talking about them while hanging out in BGJYN a couple weeks ago. thanks for sharing the news @Budd  Will be interesting to see the price. I sold a a pretty decent set many years ago for like $45 to a guy in AU. Yea I know, that was before I knew what they sell for, which is typically around $100 each? 

Good to hear from you Budd, how is your ‘56 doing?

 

 

Edited by MrEarl (see edit history)
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 That's great to see. I think that my car has one of the few that are still virtually perfect, but so many are bad. I heard of someone doing tips a while ago, and I inquired about them, but it seemed to die out, so I don't know if it was on the level or not.

 Keith

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, MrEarl said:

Good to hear from you Budd, how is your ‘56 doing?

Good to be heard :) -- much as I'd like to report that she's my daily driver -- alas she sits patiently waiting for me to resume the labor of love started so many years ago.  On the bright side though, I have 3 wonderful daughters, a faithful wife of 30 years now, and a career that might actually allow me to retire in about 15 years or so !  We just paid the last check to Cal Poly and my oldest graduates in June -- and then I have a 4 year reprieve until the twins go off to college.  I might sneak in some Buick work during that time.

IMG_20190425_065334.jpg

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

An update from Thomas in Sweden -- and a website/address from where they can be ordered directly from him.  http://ormesta.com/   About $500 USD (4800 Krona) + $15 for bolts/washers, + $15 for shipping.   i have to say -- given I've seen NOS ones sell on eBay years ago for near $1000  (I bid on them and lost out at $800) -- that $500 doesn't seem unreasonable given the effort.  I actually own a set that are *cast* of solid metal, which I know sounds crazy, but some thrift shop in Europe had them posted up on eBay under the wrong title (unknown 1950's bumper pieces) and I recognized what they were and bought them for $75.  Lord knows if they fit, but they look correct from the outside.

 

The J-bars of mine was a similar story as yours and others. I only found one restored on e-bay and had to decide if I want to spend the money on restoring my bad ones, or look for other options. I am more of a doer, so I started to ask around what is possible to reproduce. After two years I found a company and a person who did not say no. He was in the position he needed jobs to his company and I took advantage of it and throw him this suggestion. But the process of developing the final product took more than 18 month. For them it was hard work and low level of satisfaction in the beginning of trail and error. Samples had to be send back and forth, and be tested on my two cars bumpers. And in between they had to think, take a step back and of course prioritize other bigger customers too. He didn´t say but I could tell this job was not as easy as he though or perhaps wanted. He said "for every setback we learn..." and finally he was so satisfied that he wanted to have this product, of mine, as a reference for future customers, what they can do. So to sum up. A normal horn for a bumper perhaps needs 2-3 different tools. In this case they had to do 7 different tools, for each side... (14 tools!) since all angles and shapes are totally different between left and right side of the J-bar. So of pure luck, I would say, we now can fill up this gap on the cars of ours. :)

IMG_0526.jpg

IMG_0528.jpg

IMG_0532.jpg

IMG_0534.jpg

IMG_0538.jpg

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, Budd said:

Good to be heard :) -- much as I'd like to report that she's my daily driver -- alas she sits patiently waiting for me to resume the labor of love started so many years ago.  On the bright side though, I have 3 wonderful daughters, a faithful wife of 30 years now, and a career that might actually allow me to retire in about 15 years or so !  We just paid the last check to Cal Poly and my oldest graduates in June -- and then I have a 4 year reprieve until the twins go off to college.  I might sneak in some Buick work during that time.

IMG_20190425_065334.jpg

 

Well, tha’s life, know it well. Thanks for the update. The one that did the Buick drawing, did she end up an Art major 😄

Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 hours ago, MrEarl said:

The one that did the Buick drawing, did she end up an Art major 😄

 

While still a great artist -- she ended up following a culinary/food career, is finishing her BS in Food Science this June at Cal Poly, and will be working as a QA Specialist for Smuckers Foods here in CA.  She interned in their labs last year and they offered her a position upon graduation.

 

Maybe I can talk her into a 56 Buick mural for the garage cabinets.... hmmm.

20141106b.jpg

Edited by Budd (see edit history)
  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Click the "Translate Page" button when the page first opens (I am using Chrome for browser).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...