Buicks and Bug Screens

[Centurion]

As a kid growing up in rural Eastern Oregon, my best buddy was Timmy McJunkin. Timmy's parents had a beautiful 1958 Buick Special (pink with white roof) sedan that was maintained in flawless condition. (Actually, this was the second of two new '58 Specials the family purchased in 1958; the first was destroyed when Timmy's dad fell asleep at the wheel on a straight stretch of Nevada highway. The Buick plowed into the back of another car, whose driver reported that it was "the first time he had ever been rear-ended while driving 80-mph!")

Timmy's dad lovingly cared for the '58, and it looked like a new car the day it was traded in for a new '65 LeSabre at Bunny Buick in Caldwell, Idaho. The car was so nice that someone purchased it on the spot when it was traded in.

Among the things I recall about the '58 Buick was that Timmy's dad often mounted a bug screen on the front to protect the gleaming paint and chrome Dynastar grille from the flying insects of summer. The bug screen was clearly designed specifically for the 1958, and I always assumed that it was fairly easy to install and remove. I never thought much about it for the last 40 years . . .

. . . until I began monitoring Ebay as a source of parts and literature for my '59 Buick. Recently, a new, never-used 1959 Buick bug screen appeared on Ebay. This was an after-market accessory designed for the '59 Buick, and was not a Buick Motor Division accessory. I could see from the photos that it was designed specifically for the '59, including cut-outs for the canted headlights. There was a decided lack of bidding activity for this item, so I picked it up for $10, thinking it might be a fun item to display with the car.

It has occurred to me since that this could be a highly-useful item. On the long drive to Flint, for example, this could spare me from the nightly ritual of cleaning the squashed bugs off the front of the hood and the grille. I figure that it would be easily removed upon my arrival in Flint.

Finally, here's my question. Somewhere among memories of the distant past, I recall hearing a conversation regarding the fall of the bug screen from popularity. (In fact, I recall seeing these only on cars of the 1950's.) The comment was that the screens restricted too much of the airflow to the radiator, and could cause a car to overheat. Does anyone else have any recollection of these bug screens? Can anyone confirm that there was a problem with restricted airflow? I'll discuss it with my radiator guy, but welcome your input. Thanks!

[Dave@Moon]

Bian, did you buy that bug screen from a vendor in Louisiana ("laboola") who sells little else but these screens? He screens were made by Jax Manufacturing. If so, I'm the guy that bought the 1960 Buick screen she had for sale! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Have you trial mounted your's as yet. It looked on mine that the front edge of the hood might be in contact with the screen, which I'm obviously not wild about. My garage still isn't straightened out from a frozen pipe incident, so I haven't had a chance to mount mine yet.

I drove my Ford Falcon all summer long for years with an aluminum screen unit that I made myself, and it had no effect on the engine temp. As long as the screen allows a reasonable air flow, I can't see how there'd be a problem. At 70 mph, a screen isn't going to be stopping too much air.

[Centurion]

Dave, mine was purchased from an Ebay seller named "jjnik" who is from Nebraska. I have not yet received mine, but have wondered if the screen will be touching the front of the hood. As soon as I receive mine, I will give it a trial fit and let you know how it works.

Thanks for the recollection from your Falcon days.

Anyone else familiar with these bug screens?

[NEW1966]

I have a few NEW Bug Screens for 1957 Buicks. Perfect Condition.

Special & Century HEMCO Screens Henry Mfg. Co. Minneapolis, Minn.

Also have 1957 Pontiac/Chevrolet/Ford/Chrysler/Plymouth

Greg...NEW1966

[Guest 70 Electra]

Much like the "bra's" that are available for cars today, I'd be concerned that the bug screen might do more damage than it prevents (from chafing, etc.)

I know a guy that made a screen for his car, just for driving to car shows. It's made out of a couple of poles with a piece of screen in between. He fabbed a couple of brackets that attach under the bumper or frame. The key is that it sticks way out in front of the car, so the screen doesn't come close to the paint or the grille. Looks kinda dorky, but works really well. When he gets to the show, he pops it off.

If the primary purpose is temporary protection of a cherished vehicle, and if you're not worried about looks, this might be a good alternative.

[Centurion]

Greg, I agree with you. If the screen is not supported in a manner to prevent it from rubbing the front of the hood (either the stainless or painted surfaces), then I will opt against using it. Instead, I will simply display the screen in my garage as a period accessory.

I'll let you know what I find when I receive the screen and attempt to fit it to the front of the car.

NEW1966, since you are selling screens for the '57 Special and Century cars, can you address this question for your screens? Do they chaff against the front of the car, or are they designed in such a way to prevent that?

[NEW1966]

I don't have a clue. I will provide as many pictures as needed to answer that problem. They are manufactured in 3 sections. The 2 outer sections fold in to make 1 section for storing. The screen "frame" is covered in a vinyl type material. There are springs, rubber type bands, and hooks that help secure the screen to the front of the car. It looks quite nice, actually. I assumed that they would be great for highway driving in the country when the bugs are so thick. Also for pea gravel & small stones that chip paint and crack windshields.

I would also be interested in any info regarding rubbing damage to the front of the car. Greg....NEW1966