Okay, lets see what you got for X-Mas this year

[JohnD1956]

What do you say? How about a list of the buick goodies received.

Although I don't have a picture yet, I got a 1/18th scale 53 Skylark, in red...Not a top notch model, but still very nice.

JD

[Guest imported_Thriller]

Unfortunately, the closest I got was a Car Craft calendar my nephew (and Godson) sent me...mostly Chevy and Mopar...sigh...good thing I have the Yankee Chapter calendar As it turns out, most of what I got was fishing-related, so I'm not too upset...used some today.

When I pointed out this deficiency, especially after having shown my wife the chapter projects section of the Bugle and hinting, it was simply mentioned that I also have a birthday in the spring...hope springs eternal.

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

For the last two years now Rita has given me a "gift certificate" of sorts to use on eBay. How it works is, I am allowed to bid and buy anything up to $100 for two months prior to Christmas. When I receive it I am not allowed to open it but rather it gets wrapped and put under the tree.You have to be careful and not spend it too soon as I am so tempted to. This year I fell upon some GREAT deals. Some items that I have been trying for for years.I got the 1954 Match Book along with a 54 Dealer Brochure and several 1959-60 Buick Magazines and Hot Rod magazines for $10.50!!! I have bid up up to $40 on the Match Book alone before!! Got a couple of lighters for under 10 ea, the "BuickMan playing cards for under 10.I also finally got a copy of the 54 Hot Rod covering the blown 54 nailhead. I also was able to extend my postcard collection into 1957.I feel very fortunate to have acquired a much as I did for the money.

[Guest imported_Thriller]

Do I sense a modified entry '54 in a few years with a blown engine? Now that you have the article, it seems only fitting.

[R W Burgess]

Lamar, not being a Buick nut(I know, why am I "here"...living <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />), can you please tell me what's in a "matchbook"?

Wayne

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

Certainly Mr. Burgess, but since a picture is worth a thousand words... awaaaaay we gooooooo

GET THE PICTURE???

One interesting thing that's not visible in the photos is the "Cost per Pound" feature. For instance the Buick Roadmaster was 73 cents and the Chrysler Imp was 90 cents per pound

[R W Burgess]

Thank you MrEarl, and you didn't even make fun of me for asking the question. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

It's shame car manufacturers aren't making these today. Ahh, but the many national magazines are doing that for us, right.

"<span style="font-weight: bold">Buick Roadmaster was 73 cents and the Chrysler Imp was 90 cents per pound </span>"

And the Buicks of today still have a much better resale value then a Chrysler Corporation vehicle.

Thanks for the info Lamar.

Wayne

[Guest imported_Thriller]

Cool...now I can see why you were chasing one of those...it's nice to see that I wasn't the only one who didn't have a clue...I was thinking you were going to be doing some smoking

They may not do it in print any more, but some manufacturers (GM Canada among them) have a comparison tool on their web sites. You almost have to print it out to get the big picture, but it is kind of neat.

[Guest Tom]

It actually showed up a few weeks before Christmas as Santa apparently needed to get a head start.

It's a 63 Electra Sport Coupe. Mileage is actual.

I'll post some other pictures and more info on the "Me and My Buicks" forum

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

Oooohhhhhhhh, that's nice!!! And AC too, right. Congratulations Tom. We know it's in deserving and good hands now!!! Can't wait to read more.

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Cool...now I can see why you were chasing one of those...it's nice to see that I wasn't the only one who didn't have a clue...I was thinking you were going to be doing some smoking

</div></div>

I guess it does look like that with all the lighters and all. Thankfully I gave up that habit 35 years ago.Well almost, I still smoke a Cuban with my best friends every New Years and July 4th. Wow, that just gave me an idea. A chance to use my new lighter this weekend. Yeehaaaaaa

[JohnD1956]

Oh man!!! Now I'm embarassed to show my pictures... What a beautiful car that Electra is. I love that dashboard.

Anyway, here are a few of the model I received

[JohnD1956]

Even the chassis is pretty good:

And here it is in the original package:

Like I said, not the best model ever done, but it has 40 spoke Wire Wheels including one in the trunk.

It may not be as nice as Toms Electra, but it does get much better miles per gallon I bet.

BTW Mr. Earl. thanks for the insight on the Matchbook, I have never heard or seen one of them before. What a great educational group we have here, no?

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

That's purdy!!!

[Guest imported_Thriller]

Congrats Tom...so now you have a decision to make every time you go to a show...at least you won't have to compete directly against Rollie's car at every event now

[Guest Tom]

Thanks Derek and Lamar, yes it does have A/C and a host of other options. Unfortunately as soon as I got it home it went into storage for the winter, so haven't really had a chance to drive it yet. I'm looking forward to the show season next spring. Still going to be tough going up against Rollie's gorgeous '59. I've added some other pictures and a description of the car on the Me and My Buicks forum now.

[BUICK RACER]

I got a '56 Buick Dealer Promo DVD from my sister, Alicia, the Photographer for the BCA Nats in Batavia. Attached is a shot from the TV!

[Guest norb]

Hi,Roberta, the next time you look at that you will see the 1955 cars I worked on.After my shift in the lab ended I would go up stairs & work a couple of hours on the 56 show cars.These 55,s had all new front end sheet metal, new dash,bumpers & the 56 tail lights fit right where the 55 lights were.Then they were sent to Mackinac Island for photos of which I have some.They were pulled by horses on the island.

[JohnD1956]

I always thought those taillights were so big, I wondered why they were like that on the small bodied 56's. While I like all of them, the tail lights on the Super and Roadmaster are what sold me on the big bodies. If I ever get my Super painted, I have a set of Roadmaster headlight doors I plan to match and install too. I guess that would put me in the Modified class at shows, but I just love the slim chrome.

Meanwhile, looks like a great gift Roberta. Lets keep the entries coming folks. These are gift ideas for next year. Remember, it's only 360 days till next "Holiday" .

JD

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

I know somebody that got something really nice but hasn't showed it off yet. His first name starts with Rob and his last with Bud. That's all you gettin outa me.