Turbinator Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 Gents, this is majoring in minutiae. I have 1963 Buick Engineer approved brochure showing a Dinsmore Compass being appropriate for the 63 Buick. I also have a 1963 three ring binder 81/2”x 5” size Buick spec book. Each document shows two different Dinsmore compasses as correct. Are both compasses correct for the 63 Buick? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCHinson Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 If both documents are legitimate Buick factory documentation, then you could have either compass on your car without deduction for authenticity, as long as you have the document showing that particular compass in case you are asked for documentation. As a practical matter, unless the compass is in perfect, as new, condition, you would be better off without the compass for judging purposes. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted February 21, 2022 Author Share Posted February 21, 2022 3 hours ago, MCHinson said: unless the compass is in perfect, as new, condition, you would be better off without the compass for judging purposes. Thank you very much for helping out on this item. It would make sense anything you have on your car for judging would be in new like condition. However more information about the nuance of judging can only help. Thank again. Bob Burnopp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCHinson Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 Probably easier to express in conversation than by typing but, in judging, often the concept has been expressed that "Less is more". If the car has zero accessories, it loses zero points on those accessories because they are not there to be judged. Any accessory has the chance of costing a point if the judge sees an issue with the condition of the accessory. With that said, if an accessory is correct (with documentation) and perfect you can certainly enjoy having the accessory on the car and have it judged along with the car. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted February 21, 2022 Author Share Posted February 21, 2022 I never thought of it that way. I might and might not have my car judged on a 400 point basis. I modified the exhaust and the fasteners under the hood are not factory correct. For instance the hose clamps are not Corbin style clamps. I’ve had my plug wires changed so they are routed different than the original plug wires. Little things like that keep the car from being original. Still, it might be a sales feature to have a score card to point out things to a prospective buyer. Bob Burnopp PS the original question was based on one gent saying only one of the compasses was correct for the 63 Riviera. The accessory book he had might well indeed only shop one type of compass. However my document came from a 1963 Buick spec book showing another style compass. My friend maintains his info is correct and my info is not correct. It is hard to refute the written word showing two different items on two different pieces of authentic literature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
61polara Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 Welcome to the world of factory documentation. Many times you will find that a factory accessory, especially one from an outside supplier, changes during the production year and nothing is absolute. Factory documentation is your friend. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walt G Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 things get changed to availability. If the one style compass was ordered in a quantity of 600 but they were not available then perhaps another style that was, was used to replace it rather then have to tell a customer " no we can't sell you one". 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted February 28, 2022 Share Posted February 28, 2022 Is your '63 Spec Book actually published by Buick? Is your "engineer approved" brochure published by Buick? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted April 10, 2022 Author Share Posted April 10, 2022 Restorer 32, the spec book is published by Buick as well as the brochure. You raise an idea that is food for thought. Are the documents authentic? I believe the docs are the real deal based on my experience pouring over factory manuals and brochures of different sorts over the years. I can be wrong, but I believe I have the correct information. In addition the Buick Spec book I viewed and copied is owned by a long time collector of literature and parts for first generation Buick Rivieras. Thank you Turbinator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted April 10, 2022 Author Share Posted April 10, 2022 On 2/21/2022 at 9:41 PM, Walt G said: " no we can't sell you one". Walt, that is truly the last thing any dealer wants to say to a buying customer. Turbinator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted April 10, 2022 Author Share Posted April 10, 2022 On 2/21/2022 at 3:07 PM, 61polara said: Factory documentation is your friend. gents, I found a gent that said he had an original factory brochure showing the color of a certain item in a 63 Riviera. The gent claimed the proof was in the visual of a 57 year old plus color brochure? I did not think so. For sake of common sense the factory documentation is the best we have in writing. Friendly help and support helping find a solution to a problem that is hobby based is typically met with "Thank you". Color needs to be defined with paint codes as far as I'm concerned and sometimes the codes do not exist. For instance color codes for dash color in 63-65 Riviera eludes me. I'm probably not looking in the right place. Turbinator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95Cardinal Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 Are both compass styles shown for the same Buick model? Perhaps both ARE correct, depending on the model. If you are going to get the car judged, the above advice regarding accessories is on point. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted April 10, 2022 Author Share Posted April 10, 2022 8 hours ago, 95Cardinal said: If you are going to get the car judged, the above advice regarding accessories is on point. Thank you. I’m not getting the car judged. I was after which document had the answer. I believe both documents are correct. The two compasses are made by Dinsmore in Flint MI. My compass has a bracket that mounts with my rear view mirror. The compass has a small incandescent bulb that lights at night. I like that sort of accessory in a car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted April 10, 2022 Author Share Posted April 10, 2022 8 hours ago, 95Cardinal said: Are both compass styles shown for the same Buick model? Perhaps both ARE correct, depending on the model. If you are going to get the car judged, the above advice regarding accessories is on point. As a matter of fact, one Buick brochure is for the Riviera only. The Riviera only shows a dash mounted compass. The 1963 Buick Engineer approved accessories brochure are for all Buicks. Since the Riviera is a Buick I would think all the accessories apply to the 63 Riviera. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dynaflash8 Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 I won a Senior award with a Buick Riviera that had one of those compass's in it. Mine said BUICK right on the front of it. I also had black vinyl rub strips down the side of that car which were shown in one of those booklet's, as well as a correct accessory unmarked stainless license plat frame that also pictured in the booklet. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted April 18, 2022 Author Share Posted April 18, 2022 15 hours ago, Dynaflash8 said: I won a Senior award with a Buick Riviera that had one of those compass's in it. Mine said BUICK right on the front of it. I also had black vinyl rub strips down the side of that car which were shown in one of those booklet's, as well as a correct accessory unmarked stainless license plat frame that also pictured in the booklet. DynaFlash, congratulations on you senior award. Your car was obviously in tip top condition to earn such an award. i believe I viewed a BUICK marked compass that was barrel shaped as opposed to the modern “Star Wars “ like dash mounted compass design. In any case I’m certain the appearance was right snappy. I’m partial to the Dinsmore compass design that can be mounted under the rear view mirror. The Dinsmore that lights up with the tiny incandescent bulb adds to the compass. Nothing like outfitting your car the way you, the owner, likes to see the car. My 63 Riv is not 100% stock, but I am 100% Buick. Thank you for your comments. Turbinator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted April 18, 2022 Author Share Posted April 18, 2022 Was the stainless license plate holder for front mounting on your Riviera? Thank you Turbinator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dynaflash8 Posted April 19, 2022 Share Posted April 19, 2022 11 hours ago, Turbinator said: DynaFlash, congratulations on you senior award. Your car was obviously in tip top condition to earn such an award. i believe I viewed a BUICK marked compass that was barrel shaped as opposed to the modern “Star Wars “ like dash mounted compass design. In any case I’m certain the appearance was right snappy. I’m partial to the Dinsmore compass design that can be mounted under the rear view mirror. The Dinsmore that lights up with the tiny incandescent bulb adds to the compass. Nothing like outfitting your car the way you, the owner, likes to see the car. My 63 Riv is not 100% stock, but I am 100% Buick. Thank you for your comments. Turbinator The one I had was attached under the rear view mirror as well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dynaflash8 Posted April 27, 2022 Share Posted April 27, 2022 On 4/18/2022 at 10:45 AM, Turbinator said: Was the stainless license plate holder for front mounting on your Riviera? Thank you Turbinator No, the rear. Had snaps on the inside that held it to the pull-down license plate over the gastank filler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted October 10, 2022 Author Share Posted October 10, 2022 Happened to find a Dinsmore I have with chrome like finish. This compass was described by Buick in a 1963 Buick spec book for all 63 Buicks. According to the book the compass in the pic is Buick Engineer approved. In addition I have 1963 Buick Engineer approved brochure showing the “ Star Wars “ style dash mounted Dinsmore Compass as Buick Engineer approved. I am of the opinion Buick had two approved compasses for 1963 Buicks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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