BUICK CRASHES!!!

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

No this is not a thread alerting everyone that Buick stock has hit rock bottom.

Sent to me by a friend from across the big pond, thanks el diablo

Anyone else got anything.

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

OK I guess I'll go again then...

JohnD, Budd, Derek here's one for y'all Or Derek is this actually yours <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

and Ye ol' Centurion (and Dave, if you're still gracing us with your appearance <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />)

[Guest El_Diablo]

I looked over my images folder and found some other Buick 'crashes'...

In most cases I can't remember where I got the images from. But the last one is from eBay, the car is currently for sale. ;-)

Ebay link

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

Geeez "friend" that shot oughta really make it sell, thanks a lot. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> I guess if I can dish it out I can take it. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">JohnD, Budd, Derek here's one for y'all Or Derek is this actually yours</div></div> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

[Guest El_Diablo]

You guys should really buy the book "vintage car wrecks", it's worth the money. Here are a couple of pictures...

[jscheib]

Well, the one of the (I think) '54 Hardtop hit by the Dodeg Aspen makes me think those of us with Hardtop models should be on the lookout for side impacts, so we do not wish we had a pillar there.

John

[JohnD1956]

The one with the 56 wrapped around the telephone pole is way scary. As a matter of fact, they're all way scary! As big as the front bumpers appear to be, apparently they are no match for sticks.

But I sure do wish I could snag those damn J bars!!!

JD

[Dandy Dave]

I don't have any photos but here's a story that a good friend of mine likes to tell. The Setting, Bates Brothers Excavating was in Banksville NY from the 1950's until the early 1980's. There was a lane that ran behind the houses and shop to a shack out back where the previous property owner still lived and his name was Lenny. The Characters, Lenny like Buicks and drove one for most of his driving years. Lenny had a late 50's Buick at the time and a German Shepard that he named Shep, but he could not pronounce it like so many who came to Ellis Island from the old country, So the dog answered to "Shoppy". The Story, Lenny was in the Big Buicka comming up the lane as Jake Bates was stepping out of the door of the house. Jake also had a dog in the yard that Shoppy didn't like very much and he went after the car and Shoppy saw him he made a lunged toward the driver side over the top of Lenny who inadvertently stepped on the gas. The two dogs were going at it. Grooowwww, Grooowwwwww, Rrrrrrooowwwww. And poor old Lenny didn't make the corner and hit a big old tree dead center with the wheels spinning and dirt flying. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Lenny sat there with his glasses half falling off yelling at the Dog " Shoppy, look whata you makea me do. Smash all a big a Buicka. @##%^@@*** Shoppy. @%&, %#@$ Dog! Get ta @#%$ off. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Jake said he coulden't help but laugh at the sight! Lenny was alright and the Buick was repaired to drive another day. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> The story live on! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Dave!

[TG57Roadmaster]

Post deleted by TG57Roadmaster

[JohnD1956]

TG: I offer my condolences for the loss of your uncle, but had it not been for the accident, anything else could have happened and claimed his life. There are accidents in all walks of life, and life sure isn't fair by anyones stretch of the imagination.

I would respectfully add that these pictures do indeed tell a story. A sad one indeed but one that should not be hidden from the light of day.

So what's salvageable from these pictures?

First the thought that ours is but a short and fragile existance. Still, it is existance, and as sure as you draw your next breath, you owe it to all of us to live a full life. Your Uncle had those momentos of those trips and things he did in his short time. Thank God he at least had that.

And in the worst of these pictures the occupants were reported to have survived. Folks, I would say share these pictures with your kids. It's overdue that kids started to gain some respect for the power in all automobiles. There is a lesson to be learned here, and better here than on the streets.

TG, if you feel I have offended you, I apologize right now.

John De Fiore

[TG57Roadmaster]

No offense taken John, truly. What's ironic is that, one week before, a businessman on his way home to his family had struck the same tree and died. Only after the boys' crash did road crews finally cut it down. So, perhaps, those three were sacrificed so others, ultimately, could live.

Time heals all wounds; but the scars remain (unless you hook up with a good plastic surgeon). And merely "surviving" such crashes doesn't mean that those involved walked away, miraculously unscathed. You're right, these images shouldn't be swept under the rug; <span style="font-style: italic">anyone</span>, <span style="font-style: italic">anytime</span> can be maimed or killed in a moment of inattentiveness. If I over-reacted, then <span style="font-style: italic">I</span> apologize, but still stand by every word.

Gotta run now, the "Chariot Race Scene" from <span style="font-style: italic">Ben Hur</span> is on in a few minutes...

TG

[Guest my3buicks]

It also offers us a great reminder to drive our classics safely - it shows the horrific consequences that could await if we are in an accident. The cars of yesteryear do not offer us the same walk away protection of our newer rides.

[Guest sintid58]

Driving truck to over 2 million miles I have seen some very bad accidents over the years. One of the strangest however didn't involve a Buick but a Corvette. Back in the late 80's I was traveling across southern Ontario on a 2 lane highwas and came across a new corvette standin straight up against a telephone pole. It looked literally like someone had taken a crane and stood the car on its rear bumper with the bottom of the car against the pole. I didn't stop to look or take pictures but could not see any major damage to the car from my point of view in the truck. Always wondered how the driver did that.

[Guest imported_Thriller]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">OK I guess I'll go again then...

JohnD, Budd, Derek here's one for y'all Or Derek is this actually yours <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

</div></div>

Nope...that there's a hardtop...I have a lowly 4 door family sedan.

[Guest 70 Electra]

While I can't explain it, I know many car buffs (including myself) share an odd fascination with vintage car accidents. Witness the commercial success of the multiple Krause books dedicated to the subject.

Who among us hasn't wondered about wrecked cars in a junkyard? As a kid, I used to ride my bike over to the local storage lot where crashed cars were towed. Few were fatal accidents, but many likely involved injury. It was always a sobering experience that convinced me of the potential danger of 4000 pounds of steel. It also convinced me, years before I was old enough to drive, that seat belts were smart.

Recently,I met a collector that had an incredible personal collection of insurance photos from car accidents. A few were quite gruesome, and actually included the victims. The owner of the collection was not morbid, but an enthusiastic hobbyist that found the period photos to be rare and interesting history of some cool 40s-50s cars. He kept the pictures on a close leash, lest he offend someone by the graphic nature of some of them.

When there is no personal involvement with the accident, I suspect we find the "technical" aspects of it to be interesting: how did it happen? how crashworthy were the cars? what equipment/accessories are on the subject cars? Who was hurt and how badly? One thing's for sure: they certainly offer insight into how poorly cars of yesterday held up in crashes!

For those that are interested, there are several pictures of 1960 Buick crashes on one of the last pages of my website, www.the1960buick.com

[Guest Dans 77 Limited]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

</div></div>

When I was younger a friend of mine did an almost identical thing to a 69 Dodge Coronet. We were loading my Dads fishing boat onto a trailer when his girlfriend got in the car. Being a stick HE should have had the emergency brake on but he didnt. She was just enough (along with gear , boat trailer etc) to overpower the cars transmission and it started rolling into the lake. She jumped out and he grabbed the front bumper. The car started dragging him into the lake. Where was I you might ask. I was actually attempting something even dumber than what he was doing. I was in the boat. An oar powered boat !. I was behind the Coronet in the row boat thinking I could actually push this 4000 pound car back up on to shore with this rowboat <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />.It ended up sinking into 40 feet of water and required a tow truck and a diver to get it out.(the state had just dredged the boat ramp that spring) Needless to say we provided humor to many who knew us for years to come. He actually got that Coronet road worthy again .... but it was never the same. Kinda stunk like fish, he changed out the complete interior and scrubbed all surfaces while the interior was out but the smell just lingered. It always reminds me of that line in "Risky Business" " So whos the U-boat commander ?"

Dan

[JohnD1956]

Speaking of the technical aspects, it looks like the guy in the picture is trying to wedge the car up over the curb using a 2x8 or something? I bet he got hurt with that manuver!

JD

[Guest Dans 77 Limited]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Speaking of the technical aspects, it looks like the guy in the picture is trying to wedge the car up over the curb using a 2x8 or something? I bet he got hurt with that manuver!

JD </div></div>

Being a tow truck driver myself , Im willing to bet that hes got that car hung up on that long 4x4 and hes trying to pick up the front end enough to get a J hook on the control arm to hook to the cable laying there. But your right it doesnt look real safe and I dont think I would do it. I think I would just rather get wet and go in and hook it from the side. Once you start pulling again its all gonna play out the same. And unfortunately my friend is one of the very few that would go to that much trouble to get a "used car" running again. This was probably that Buicks last hurrah.

Dan

[Guest Dans 77 Limited]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">OK I guess I'll go again then...

JohnD, Budd, Derek here's one for y'all Or Derek is this actually yours <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

</div></div>

Wow look at that car in the background, you cant even tell what it is. These are the kind of scenes I hate getting called to... you know something bad happened

Dan

[Dandy Dave]

The back of it looks a little like a 58 Chevy with the gull wings. Dave!

[BamaWildcat]

I've got crash pictures at my website at www.1964buick.com. Here they are:

<p align="center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><font face="Verdana" size="6">Wrecks and Fires</font></span>

<p align="center"><font face="Verdana" size="2">A collection of Buick mishaps</font>

<p align="center"><font size="2" face="Verdana">1963 LeSabre

</font></p>

<p align="center"><font face="Verdana" size="2">1964 Electra Convertible

</font></p>

<p align="center"><font face="Verdana" size="2">1964 Wildcat Convertible;

rear-ended another vehicle

</font></p>

<p align="center">

<font face="Verdana" size="2">1964 Wildcat; was rear-ended, Rockland County, NY

</font></p>

<p align="center">

<font face="Verdana" size="2">

</font></p>

<p align="center">

<font face="Verdana" size="2">1964 Buick Wildcat Sedan; Driver side damage

</font></p>

<p align="center">

<font face="Verdana" size="2">

</font></p>

<p align="center">

<font face="Verdana" size="2">1964 Buick LeSabre; in Canada

</font></p>

<p align="center">

<font face="Verdana" size="2">

</font></p>

<p align="center">

<font face="Verdana" size="2">1964 Buick Wildcat; front bumper damage, Atlanta,

GA

</font></p>

<p align="center">

<font face="Verdana" size="2">1964 Buick LeSabre; Washington State, fire damage.

Believe electric heater caught seat on fire.

</font></p>

<p align="center">

<font face="Verdana" size="2">

</font></p>

<p align="center">

<font face="Verdana" size="2">

</font></p>

<p align="center"><font face="Verdana" size="2">1963 Wildcat 2 door; South

Dakota, side damage

</font></p>

<p align="center"><font face="Verdana" size="2">1964 Electra, side damage

</font></p>

<p align="center"><font face="Verdana" size="2">

</font></p>

<p align="center"><font face="Verdana" size="2">1964 LeSabre Sedan; Illinois,

front passenger side damage

</font></p>

<p align="center"><font face="Verdana" size="2">

</font></p>

<p align="center"><font face="Verdana" size="2">

</font></p>

</body>

</html>

[Guest imported_Thriller]

That's quite the lift kit on that '63 'Cat <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

Tom, Hopefully you are not even reading this as I hope you bypass this thread because of your feelings but if so please believe me, if I had known these photos would have brought back such bad memories as they apparently did with you or any one else i would not have started the thread to begin with. I'm sorry that you think I am callow/callous but I don't think I am. Hopefully after you get to know me you will realize I am actually a very sensititive and life loving person.

And yes you are right, not many of these cars had seat belts. One of my 54's have what appear to be factory seatbelts but none of the others. And thus far I have not installed them but yet very STUPIDLY drive them. These pictures have made me commit to not driving them anymore without seatbelts. We have used seatbelts religiously in our daily drivers since the 70's but I have just not "gotten around to" putting them in my Buicks. So for that alone I feel these pictures are of value. I enjoy pictures of old Buicks anytime I view them. i collect pictures and postcards of anything with a 54 Buick on them. These wreck photos are just another historic record of old Buicks that I enjoy. And yes I do often grimmace when I view and wonder what happened to the people that were in them, but that is not why I veiw them, I am not some morbid guy getting off on old wreck photos.

So with that being said, let's get on with the shoe.

can anyone ID these?

[Dandy Dave]

Just saw this photo on ebay of a 1914 B or 1915 C-37 Buick that was involved in a crash. Item number is 220092926189. I think that bumper saved the radiator. Oh my! You already found it Mr. Earl! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Dave!

[Dandy Dave]

I see that the photos did not sell. The reason that I could pin this down to a 1914 B-37 or a 1915 C-37 is because the bodies were the same for both years. Flat fenders, Hubcaps are six sided, The hood is too short for the big 6 cylinder B-55, C-55. Now if I could only open that hood??? The 15's were the first year to use a vacume fuel pump. The 14's used a small air pump that worked off of the cam and pressurized the fuel tank to about 3 pounds to push the fuel to the carburetor. Also the starter generator was a different design each year. My 15 has a regulating system that was totaly different from the 1914's and used a "regulating resistance coil" that was incorperated in the starter generator. The 14's used a mercury filled regulator. Dave!

[TG57Roadmaster]

Hi Lamar,

It was boorish on my part to co-opt your thread of these crash pix, and for that I apologize. I spent about 12 hours on the road this weekend, and had decided to delete my somewhat <span style="font-style: italic">over the top</span> initial post, which I've done. The Roadmistress doesn't have seatbelts, either, and I've promised to buy factory-correct ones when I find them. Been looking for 15 years and still haven't found 'em.

This thread and its ensuing dialog will jumpstart my effort to locate belts for my '57. Sorry too, for the "callow" crack, it was harsh and inappropriate, so please feel free to flog me with your avatar's mannequin next time I'm down Athens way.

TG

[imported_75RivGS]

A 73 Centurion on fire last year in The Netherlands:

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

Hey Tom, no problem, I'd never been referred to as being that before so had to look it up in the dictionary and believe me I've been referred to as worse. So we cool man. I knew where you were coming from and I respected it fully.<img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

Not a Buick crash but let this be a lesson to all of us!!!

Picture of a horrible highway accident in Germany.

The picture may be kind of hard to take.

If you look closely you can see what appear to be some

survivors of the accident still in the wreckage. Although

the picture is quite graphic, it makes you realize how

quickly our loved ones can be taken from us.

This is really gut wrenching so I will not openly display it here. If you have a strong stomach and can handle it you can open the attachment on your own.

[Dandy Dave]

Mr Earl, You are too much. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> LOL. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> All we need now is dancing girls!!! More LOL. Ha haa hee! Your right! What a waste! Dave! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

The Centurion picture reminds me of one time long ago me and a friend pull up next to a little Mercedes convertible in a fast food restaraunt. We notice smoke coming out from under the hood so I go in and yell "someones Mercedes is on fire" This cute lil chick comes running out and tries to pop the hood and I grab an extinguisher from the store. Well, she can't get the hood to pop up so my friend starts kicking the **** out of the front of it leaving several foot size dents in tne hood. It finally opens and all it was was the battery cable was shorted and smoking. She ain't none to happy about the hood but I'm over there laughing my *** off at the sight of my friend trying to impress that girl. me and my friend still laugh about that. of a rare once in a lifetime experience of getting to kick the **** out of a Mercedes while the owner is looking on in asonishment. Well, I guess you woulda had to been there. It was funny at the time.

Dang, Tom maybe I am callous or whatever that term was... <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

[brad54]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Not a Buick crash but let this be a lesson to all of us!!!

Picture of a horrible highway accident in Germany.

The picture may be kind of hard to take.

If you look closely you can see what appear to be some

survivors of the accident still in the wreckage. Although

the picture is quite graphic, it makes you realize how

quickly our loved ones can be taken from us.

This is really gut wrenching so I will not openly display it here. If you have a strong stomach and can handle it you can open the attachment on your own. </div></div>

Oh the humanity! The horror!

I've got lap belts from Year One in my '62 Suburban daily driver, and I'd really like to get some 3-point harness for the front seats...it's a knee-knocker cab with a teeth-breaker dash. (The cab has a wrap-around windhshield like, much like a '54 Buick, and where the windshield frame wraps around is exposed when you open the door--and it's right at knee level when you get in. The dash is solid steel baby! With a cowl that looks like the '54 gauge area, on both sides of the dash. Solid steel baby!

The lap belts I have are with the plain latches, like on an airplane. They look period-correct, if you're not hanging around a bunch of concours purists. 98-percent of the people who see the vehicle will never think "Geez, those aren't the right seat belts!"

Best part is, they were really innexpensive, even without my employee discount.

Shoulder harnesses would keep me from messing up my face, but my big concern is always getting thrown from the vehicle. In the car you've got a chance...your skull doesn't have much chance against a tree, rock, fence post, gaurd rail or a concrete road.

-Brad

[imported_75RivGS]

crash without damage:

Toyota tried to "push" <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> my friends PA last week

and the PA??:

<img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

[Guest ZondaC12]

YEEEEAAAAARRRRGHHHHH!!!!! what a tank!!! the picture says it all. id hate to think of what would happen to a car like that if it "tried to push" my 38!!!! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

[Guest John Chapman]

Arguably, the most famous of all Buick crashes...

The early morning wreck on a narrow section of Louisiana's US90 (Spanish Trail) that claimed the life of Jane Mansfield, her manager, her driver, and dog on June 29, 1967. At an estimated 80 mph, they hit and under ran a tractor-trailer that had slowed for a mosquito control fog truck. The three kids in the back seat survived. One of those kids is Mariska Hargitay, now a TV actress on "Law & Order - Special Victims Unit as 'Olivia'.

JMC

[imported_buick5563]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> The Roadmistress doesn't have seatbelts, either, and I've promised to buy factory-correct ones when I find them. Been looking for 15 years and still haven't found 'em.

TG

</div></div>

TG and everybody else who is riding around without seatbelts in their cars,

I assure you guys I'm not on my high horse on this one, but...

http://www.julianos.com

These will save your butt and they look fine. I have them in both of my cars. My 55 is a BCA Gold Senior. As long as they are installed with quality workmanship no points are deducted. My 63 already had pre-threaded holes for front belts.

Most of us use seatbelts every day in our personal cars, why would this be any different? There aren't crumple zones or airbags in our old cars. Life is too short to take chances riding around without them.

Mike

ps. Mr. Earl, Please no more of those graphic pics. It sickens me. Plus, are you sure it was in Germany? That's my favorite Dutch product. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

[Dandy Dave]

Somehow I just cannot picture seat belts in my 1915 Buick??? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Of course no one ever accused me of being smart to collect old and tired iron either! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> If they get me someday at least I'll go happy driving a Buick! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Keep it under ninety fellers! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> Dave!

[Stripgear]

Here's my contribution, taken by my grandfather in 1952 in Georgetown, Texas.

[JohnD1956]

Train crash no doubt. There was a fatal crash here about two years ago. Seems there was a crossing with multiple tracks. A train approaches the crossing and the guards went down as they should. The train stops before the crossing and the conductor gets out of the train and hits the by pass switch since his train is not going to proceed. This would open the gates and allow the cars to progress. Apparently there is one control for each of the tracks. No one ever said so but I figure he hit the switch for his track and the gates did not go up, so he hit a few more switches. Like I said, that's just my theory. But what happens next is no joke!

A car begins to cross and here comes a speeding train which takes out an innocent mother of a few kids.

Now there was a ton of press on this. Newspapers, TV , radio, everyone had something on this story. You'd think with all the press on this, no one would ever cross tracks without stopping to make sure the gates are not malfunctioning, but I see jerks every day that just put blind faith in the gates, just like that mother. Fools!!!

JD