XLNDRVR Posted May 6, 2020 Share Posted May 6, 2020 (edited) New to the site, new to old cars. Automotive-related, I've spent the majority of my hands-on time over the last couple of decades rebuilding Mazda RX-7's for personal use, so acquiring my father's Buick when he passed away last September is a little change of pace. Dad's Buick was found in a farmer's field in 1972 and hauled home where it received a very slow body-off-frame amateur restoration. Chassis and mechanical work was spot on and body work was decent, but as time passed and my father aged, authenticity and cosmetic restoration standards slipped. So although he essentially completed the car, the interior, paint, and a few of his other "improvements" need to be readdressed or returned to original again. I grew up occasionally lending a hand with the restoration, but in very large part, this project was my father's way of getting out of the house for quiet time doing something that he loved, getting his hands dirty, using his brain, and listening to classical & 40's music - his escape from the world and likely a remembrance of what I imagine for him were some of the best periods of his life. Unfortunately, as it reached the end of its restoration, the car was never driven more than a couple of laps around my parents' circle drive. My dad never got to enjoy using it. Perhaps that wasn't as important to him as having a project and the alone time. My hope is to complete what he nearly finished, bring the things which are lacking in quality or authenticity up to snuff, and then use it to build some memories with my family. Glad to be here. Mike Edited May 6, 2020 by SH4LT (see edit history) 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted May 6, 2020 Share Posted May 6, 2020 Welcome, Mike! This is a great forum, and lots of helpful members to get advice from, if and as you need it. I have a '41 Roadmaster coupe, that I restored myself, so I know how hard it is to do. That's a great looking car, and hopefully it won't be too tough to get put right, or at least closer to right. I had to do a few compromises on mine too, mainly due to lack of money through the latter part of the work. These cars do drive nice, not the punch as an RX 7, which I really like as well, but are good road cars. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted May 7, 2020 Share Posted May 7, 2020 I will second the welcome, Mike. Unless there is something I can't see, I suggest making it drive able and stoppable and enjoy . You can always do more later. Ben 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XLNDRVR Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 Thanks for the welcomes! For sure planning to make it reliable and usable, ASAP. Got it running in order to drive it home. Currently finishing up deep cleaning the cooling system which was full of sandlike rust and overheating. Brake flush and adjustment tomorrow. Front springs are super stiff and the front sits high, so sorting that out is a must. After that, the hit list is comprised of wants, not needs, and can be worked on while we enjoy it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talarico8447 Posted May 7, 2020 Share Posted May 7, 2020 Hi Mike , Thanks for sharing your story and the great pictures. Glad you are enjoying that beautiful Buick ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Buicks Posted May 30, 2020 Share Posted May 30, 2020 Mike, Great looking car. I was looking at buying a 1940 coupe before I found this 1940 Buick 46S convertible. My question to you is I'm trying to figure out some of the dash knobs and electrical switches. I have included pictures of my dash and engine compartment to show you what might be same/different in your Buick. The question I have is the throttle knob next to the steering column is not connected to anything when you pull it out. Do you know what your 1940 Buick SC throttle is connected to? I would appreciate any information/pictures on the throttle knob and what it is connected to. I have gone through my Buick shop manuals and other books, but found nothing on the dash switches and knobs. Don (2Buicks+1more) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XLNDRVR Posted May 30, 2020 Author Share Posted May 30, 2020 22 minutes ago, 2Buicks said: Mike, Great looking car. I was looking at buying a 1940 coupe before I found this 1940 Buick 46S convertible. My question to you is I'm trying to figure out some of the dash knobs and electrical switches. I have included pictures of my dash and engine compartment to show you what might be same/different in your Buick. The question I have is the throttle knob next to the steering column is not connected to anything when you pull it out. Do you know what your 1940 Buick SC throttle is connected to? I would appreciate any information/pictures on the throttle knob and what it is connected to. I have gone through my Buick shop manuals and other books, but found nothing on the dash switches and knobs. Don (2Buicks+1more) Hi Don. Good looking car from the shots you provided. If I’m interpreting your question correctly, the Throttle knob is connected via a cable to the carb linkage as shown in the pics. There is a little piece of masking tape on the subject cable connection. I use it at startup to adjust the idle for a few minutes before the engine warms and settles in. The first three pics show the condition when the knob is not actuated. The second three pics show the condition when it is actuated. Let me know if I answered your question. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgreen Posted May 30, 2020 Share Posted May 30, 2020 The throttle knob is also good for hill starts. It allows you to keep the right foot on the brake while engaging the clutch. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Buicks Posted May 30, 2020 Share Posted May 30, 2020 Mike, Thank you for the information. I need to do some research and checking to see if my carb has that linkage on it or the carb has been changed out. Don (2Buicks+1more) 1969 Buick Riviera 1952 Buick Super 4dr 1940 Buick Special Convertible 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgreen Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 On 5/6/2020 at 4:16 PM, SH4LT said: Mike, can you give us a close up of the rocker panel area? Does this car have stream boards instead of running boards? I don't see many of these. On 5/6/2020 at 4:16 PM, SH4LT said: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XLNDRVR Posted May 31, 2020 Author Share Posted May 31, 2020 4 hours ago, kgreen said: Mike, can you give us a close up of the rocker panel area? Does this car have stream boards instead of running boards? I don't see many of these. Unfortunately, the boards were my father’s interpretation of stream boards which he preferred the look of, not the real thing. I looked into converting over to original stream boards, but it would take more than just slapping on new boards, if I could even find them, and they wouldn’t be authentic to the body code. The stream board fenders are also different and stone guards would be required. This is one of a handful of items that I’d like to correct at some point, so I’m always on the lookout for a source for used full running boards and trim. Other larger project areas which need attention are areas of the exterior paint and redoing the interior upholstery. Smaller remaining tasks which I consider more important to daily driving are replacing the oil pan gasket (waiting on gasket delivery), carb tuning (running rich), finding correct front springs, and installing front tubular shocks. I’ve gutted and freed up the original front shocks which were completely frozen along their pivot shafts and am working on a solution for a clean tubular shock install. Sorry, longer answer than you asked about... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgreen Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 (edited) Hey, no problem with the longer answer. ive got a great source for proper springs for less money than the typical go-to guys. Running boards could be tough for that body style. Running Rich? Is your choke working properly? Always helps to rebuild carb, check CarbKing on this forum. Am willing to help, I’ll pm you. Edited May 31, 2020 by kgreen (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Buicks Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 Mike, Thank you for the information. I need to do some research and checking to see if my carb has that linkage on it or the carb has been changed out. Don (2Buicks+1more) 1969 Buick Riviera 1952 Buick Super 4dr 1940 Buick Special Convertible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Buicks Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 Mike, What is that white tube, in the engine compartment, slopping downward from the firewall to the carburetor? Since my 1940 Buick does not have that, I was trying to determine what it was and its purpose. Don (2Buicks+1more) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XLNDRVR Posted May 31, 2020 Author Share Posted May 31, 2020 That is the drain from the cowl vent. Definitely not original. I have to figure out what it should be made of and where it is supposed to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Buicks Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Mike, Do you have any pictures of your floor pan, near the brake and clutch pedals? My '40 Buick Special is missing the piece (see 1st picture below). Found a 1937 Buick floor panel on eBay that looks to match the cutout in my Buick's floor. Need to know if they are the same part number. Checking out "Cars" catalog shows the floor pans are the same part# for 1937-1940 Buick Specials. I have already reviewed "Daves1940Buick56s" thread on instruments and found several floor pan pictures from his 22 Jun 2014 thread to be helpful. Your or any other Buick owner's help is appreciated. Don (2Buicks+1more) 1969 Buick Riviera 1952 Buick Super 4dr 1940 Buick Special Convertible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Group 9.038 Plate, steering column and pedal floor 1297810 1937-38 40, 60 (upper) for conventional transmission 1300239 1937-38 40, 60 (lower) L.H.D. 1312825 1940 40, 60 L.H.D. Source: Buick master parts list, 1941 Unfortunately there is no exploded view, so I cannot verify that this is the correct group number. The description sounds right. YMMV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XLNDRVR Posted June 8, 2020 Author Share Posted June 8, 2020 (edited) 12 hours ago, 2Buicks said: Mike, Do you have any pictures of your floor pan, near the brake and clutch pedals? Don, Here are a couple of pictures from the engine bay. I cannot remove the carpet to see the interior side. The panel looks to have a similar attachment scheme, but is shaped differently in that it extends upward to surround the lower half of the steering shaft. Hope this helps. Edited June 8, 2020 by SH4LT Name typo. (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Buicks Posted June 9, 2020 Share Posted June 9, 2020 Thank you Mike for the input and based on what you provided, the '37 Buick eBay part won't work on our 1940 Buick Convertible. With that resolved and the information you provided, my son (dual owner in the '40 Buick) built the following steel part that looks similar to your floor pan. See the three pictures below. I also want to thank Bloo for providing the part #. Don (2Buicks+1more) 1969 Buick Riviera 1952 Buick Super 4dr 1940 Buick Special Convertible 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Kytt Posted May 27, 2022 Share Posted May 27, 2022 I have bought a Buick Super Sport Coupe 1940 and I'm looking for a new original radio antenna and window seals. I would appriciate if anybody could give me some tips, where to find spares for this model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted May 28, 2022 Share Posted May 28, 2022 Bob's has the antenna: https://bobsautomobilia.com/?post_type=product&s=antenna Steele or Rubber the Right Way have the window seals: https://www.steelerubber.com/search?year=1940&make=buick&model=super&style=2-door-coupe https://www.rubbertherightway.com/1940-buick-4414-ctg.htm#loadContent.filterValuesRequest,filter_id_55=55|57,filter_id_41=41|153,filter_id_61=61|168,pageGroup=1,pageNumber=1,sortBy=3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Kytt Posted June 8, 2022 Share Posted June 8, 2022 Thank You for Your suggestions. Sealants are found, but unfortunately Bobs didn't have the antenna for that model available. Are there any other specialist know in US dealing with Super Sports parts - can be used part aswell. I have attached also the antenna pic to this post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XLNDRVR Posted February 7, 2023 Author Share Posted February 7, 2023 (edited) Looking for info on whether I have any chance of sourcing repro running board trim from Jim Campbell - Restoration Services, Perry, MI. Seems that I am EDIT: Moving to parts wanted section. Edited February 7, 2023 by XLNDRVR Moving this entry to parts wanted section. (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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