Researching older Buicks - Where to start?

[Road Hawk]

Where does one start to research older Buick cars? Things like production numbers, option breakdowns, names of personel that were instrumental in design, testing, fabrication, etc. Aftermarket companies that Buick dealt with? Etc, etc?

I've written to Buick Co and GM Canada for info and waiting for any reply, if any. I've contacted the original dealership, nothing (old records long destroyed). Tried to locate aftermarket fabrication companies that Buick dealt with but they are long out-of-business.

I'm running out of options.

Where have you guys gone for research and historical information about your Buicks?

Thanks

Bryan

[NTX5467]

Some of the information you're desiring would probably have to come from several locations and publications. Some of the production information is in the back of The BCA Roster and other similar information can be found in The Standard Catalog of Buick. Depending on the year, some more detailed information could be in the Buick Gallery and Archives at the Sloan Museum.

In earlier times, the different GM divisions looked upon archive information in a variable orientation. To some, it was just "old records" and to others it was "treasured historical information". That's why you can find information for Pontiacs easier than for Buicks or other GM carlines, probably.

Typically, some of the other information you desire has only been important to those of the muscle car or Corvette (in the GM line of things) persuasions. In those areas, correctly documenting a vehicle as "factory production" can mean lots of money when the vehicle is sold--if it's an "as produced" vehicle with particular options or groups of optional equipment instead of a "clone" or "built" vehicle that started life as a more mundane model.

And then there's the great "History of Buick" book that's been out and was recently revised. Lots of highly interesting information in there! There are several other great books out there about Buicks too (as the "Buick Musclecar" book that really starts with the first Buick V-8 cars of the 1950s and progresses into the later decades). Probably some books that are out of print too (you can search the Barnes&Noble website for their network of used book vendors).

End result, to get to where you might want to be, it'll be a multi-faceted search. One that can be highly interesting but will most probably take some time.

Enjoy!

NTX5467

[jscheib]

The previous writer provided you with excelent sources. The Bugle (asume you are or will become a BCA member) also list technical advisors for various cars. However, I believe you are interested in your Roadhawk, for which none seem listed. I think you will hear from others regarding this subject. Good luck.

John

[Guest sintid58]

A lot of Buick records are kept at the Sloan Museum. I'm sure Roberta will be able to tell you how to get in touch with them. I think that any time someone is looking for something about their Buick that is one of the places that comes up most often. By the way I always lover the Skyhawks looks. I even have a dealer promo I bought back when they were made. I know they have a somewhat bad reputation as far as relaibility but I thought they were one of the nicest looking cars from the era. I also like the looks of 75-76 Regals and they really aren't very popular either. Oh well maybe someday I'll win the lottery and will have one of each (along with a couple hundred other buicks)

[Road Hawk]

Thanks for the tips guys, very much appreciated!

Unfortunately I've come to a dead end. GM Canada wrote back saying they had nothing for me. I'm STILL waiting to hear back form Buick Motors Division though so my fingers are still crossed.

I bought the 'Standard Catalog of Buick' and that had some uselful information but only a couple items that I didn't already know so it wasn't a huge resource. Also bought 'Muscle Buicks' but they have nothing whatsoever on the Road Hawk. I was very encouraged about finding and contacted the Sloan Museum but I was very dissapointed, they also have no info (except the the Road Hawk options - which I got through old dealership brochures), no statss, no production numbers, nothing, truly a frustrating venture. I guess they only provide info for the more prominant Buick's (finding the same problem with the Chevrolet Monza).

OK, I'm out of resources here, anyone else tried a different approach, anyone know names and contact info of Buick personal that designed, assembled Buicks in the late '70's?

I will attempt to contact the plant in Lordstown, Ohio, where the Road Hawk's were assembled but I don't expect much.

Anyways, any more assistance would be fantastic, and tahnks to those that have already helped!!!

Bryan

[jscheib]

Well, if those sources did not have much info, I suppose it falls on each of us computer literate folks to go to our local meetings and ask some members that might be knowledgable on the Road Hawk. I recall seeing the logo and cars around, but thta is about all I know. I will see what we can dig up here in the Northeast.

John Scheib

Yankee Chapter

[Mrbuick714]

Terry Dunham

[Road Hawk]

Very much appreciated John. I'm certainly not going to give up and I'll continue to ask around and see what pops up. Cheers!

MrBuick714 ... who's Terry Dunham, any significance to the name in regards to Road Hawk research???

Bryan

[Guest imported_Thriller]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Unfortunately I've come to a dead end. GM Canada wrote back saying they had nothing for me. I'm STILL waiting to hear back form Buick Motors Division though so my fingers are still crossed.</div></div>

I've had decent luck over the years with the archive section of GM Canada. I think the name of the fellow was George Zapora (or something like that - I'll double-check later). It used to be that they would give you a letter something like a build sheet with options, colour, production numbers, etc. if it was a car destined for the Canadian market. This used to be available free (10 years ago). Since then they have started charging ($25). When I bought my Invicta in 2000, they told me it wasn't for the Canadian market although it spent most of its life in Manitoba and has a Saskatchewan dealer logo on it.

Anyway, the last time I requested info from them, about all they could confirm was stuff off the body plate (like colour) and then they photocopied a bunch of stuff on options and such for the 1956 Buicks.

I presume you are in touch with the archive group of GM Canada. If not, I can help you out with contact info (once I locate it).

[Road Hawk]

Hi Derek

Thanks for the reply, I have been in contact with GM Canada, I beleive it was the archives division, but they weren't able to assist me too much since the Road Hawk's were all built in the US and mine was sold in Phoenix, AZ and didn't make it's way north till I bought it in Nov.

I did get a package from them though, containing standard equipment, options packages, special editions, etc, looks like it was a delaership manual, basically a guide for the salespeople. Nothing VIN related due to it being a US car though I was told they could break it down much more if I had the VIN# from an original Canuck car. One of the parts cars (another 79 Road Hawk) was Canadian all it's life to I'll try to get them to research that VIN# for me.

Buick numbers are tougher to acquire, I have lots of info (build sheet, production numbers etc.) for my 1980 Chevrolet Monza Spyder which was a Canadian car but apparently Chevy is better equipped to deal with those type of requests.

Can't recall if it was George Zapora or not, sounds familiar but if you find his contact info, please send it along, I'd like to talk to this guy.

Thanks Again!

Bryan

[raleets]

Bryan,

Without question, all of the suggestions so far have been great, but if I were going to research MY car the starting point would be with TERRY DUNHAM. Terry is one of the foremost authorities in the world on Buick history.

Terry can be reached at: BUICKOHV@aol.com

Good luck,

Bob Leets

Flint, MI

[Guest imported_Thriller]

Bryan,

According to Buicks.net, there were 23,139 Road Hawks produced. I have the Cars & Parts ID guide for 70-79 American autos, so I could do some decoding of VIN, trim, etc. (but no option info).

As for GM Canada, George Zapora is (or at least was 3 years ago) a vintage specialist with them. Within Canada, it is toll free at 888-467-6853, 1908 Colonel Sam Drive, Oshawa, ON L1H 8P7.

I hope this helps you out.

[Road Hawk]

Hey Derek

I appreciate the offer but I've already decoded the VIN and trim tag (I have all the 2nd Gen GM H-Body RPO codes on my Chevrolet Monza website) for my Road Hawk.

Buick.net's numbers are misleading as is the picture. The number thay have (23,139) is for ALL Buick Skyhawk's produced in 1979, not the model breakdown they presently have. There were 2 base models, 4S07 (Skyhawk Hatchback - 18,373) and 4T07 (Skyhawk 'S' hatchback - 4,766) which equal a total of 23,139. The 4T07 Hatch was a cheaper bare bones Skyhawk while the 4S07 was the main model, no seperate VIN's breakdown's were available for the special editions (Road Hawk, etc). They also just happen to have a pic of a Road Hawk not the base Skyhawk above the production number they give, which is misleading as well.

Thanks again for the George's number, I will be calling him as soon as I get the chance!

BRyan

[Road Hawk]

Thanks Derek

I called George Zapora and he sent me the package you mentioned. Found out this service is good for any Canadian made and/or sold vehicles. Turns out only 2,000 Buick Skyhawk's were imported into Canada in 1979 and of those a mere 186 were Road Hawks. Unfortunately there are no U.S. figures, and according to George, I may never get them, the U.S. just "doesn't care" about keeping figures for older cars, especially underappreciated types, like the GM H-Bodies. Oh well, it is a number to start with, more digging I guess. Thanks again for the tip!!!

Bryan

[jscheib]

Bryan,

One of our Yankee Chapter members has a few Skyhawks and worked for a number of years for a Buick Dealership. He does not use e-mail, so I am sending hime a hard copy of all you communications in the event he can shed some light on your questions. If he writes something, I will try to scan, or if you send my your address, I will have him write you a letter. You can respond back to me on my e-mail j.scheib@comcast.net

John

[Road Hawk]

Thanks John, you've got mail!

[Road Hawk]

John

I just received a letter from Calvin Hugins today and he wrote an entire page about his history with Buicks and contact info and some brief Skyhawk facts. I will be giving him a call and see if he can shed any light into my research on the Road Hawk (and other Skyhawk special edition cars - Free Spirit, Night Hawk, Designer's Accent Edition).

Thanks so much for getting in touch with him about me, it is very much appreciated. I'll fill you in on what he has to say, if your interested!!!

Bryan

[jscheib]

No need to write. I will see Cal, I expect, at our next meeting, or a local show to get an update. I figured he might have some info for you. I would have been glad toimr etype, and if you want to save time with some specific questions, write them to me and I will get them top him for a response, if yoiu do not get through to him on the phone.

John

[Road Hawk]

John

I'll get on making a list up for him (and maybe you - to give him) but I'll be camping for a week so I'll contact him next week sometime (just in case you see him in the next week or so). Thanks again for the contact.

Bryan