I try to keep the original owner in the loop with the restoration progress. I realized today how much it means to him. I sent him an update complete with pictures of the current status; below is his reply. I think he is the single greatest motivating factor in this restoration.
I share this with you because I think it represents a piece of history of which this car was only part of.
Hello, Kevin,
Again, i’m mostly.in a state of shock in hearing from you regarding my Buick. The fact that you “found” it and my name and address was in the glove compartment just blows me away! Of course I have no memory at all of that note being there.
I had just finished my master’s degree in fine arts with a major in opera at Wichita University and was traveling on a State Department tour of Europe, was making contacts in Paris with the Sorbonne University to do a doctorate there and teach and coach opera at the Paris Opera at the same time. I celebrated the master’s with the drop dead gorgeous red “Buick Gran Sport.” I literally don’t recall what I paid for it; however, i do remember at the time it seemed like a dream and I obviously went for it. Within a year of purchasing it, i planned a trip to Mexico taking a lady friend and my aging mother for a vacation. Big mistake as it turned out. On a day trip southwest of Mexico City almost to Taxco (Sp?) we were going up a fairly steep mountain road when every red light came on on the dash. I stopped immediately, pulled over to the side of the road. The engine was starting to steam so I left the hood up. A road crew was working nearby and I was able to beg a ride back in to Quarnavaca (Sp?). Of course there was no Buick garage there but there was a Ford garage. There, I met a Mexican movie star who translated for me and we made arrangements to have the car towed back there. I rented a new Volkswagen bug — bright blue and we kept it for several days while a new Auwabomba (water pump) was air shipped from Houston, Texas. We drove it back to Wichita, but I could tell it was not right. We drove slowly all those thousands of miles home only to find the block was cracked. Long story, I bought a new Ford station wagon and traded in the Buick. And that, my friend is the long and short of it. I loved the car. it was a dream to drive. The power steering was one of best I ever had. I loved the braking system, the gear shift on the floor. (My first like that.) I’ve never had a car since that I loved as much as that one. Driving down the street even at home, folks would holler over to me and say, “Tell me about that car. It is so gorgeous!” Those white sidewalls really showed it off I remember. The bucket seats were new to me to. The white vinyl top just set it all off. Kind of like icing on a cake if you know what I mean.
To say I am thrilled that you have it and are restoring it with such love, attention and care makes me so proud and truly happy. Would love to be able to meet you.
Tell me again, please where you found it. What the circumstances were that you were looking and how much you paid for it. I love the photos so very much. Please keep me posted and send more pictures. Truly, I almost get misty eyed when I see the pictures and “remember” the times that were associated in owning it.
I had been living in Wichita and going to the University in Wichita and starting my career in opera when i ordered the Buick. I had moved to Wichita from Parsons in the far southeastern corner of the state where my family lived; consequently, that was where I went back to order the car. Of course they did not have it on the lot and I had to wait several weeks maybe a month or two or more for it to come in. I remember how genuinely excited I was when the phone call came that it was in. Parsons is about 150 miles southeast from Wichita. I got there as fast as I could. Gribben Motors there had it “centered” in the middle of the show room and had been taking dozens of photos. It obviously had been causing quite a stir. Later I was told it had even been photographed for the Parsons Sun, the local paper. I financed it with Parsons Commercial Bank, the bank I had been using all the while I lived in Parsons.
Much fun, Kevin. Now, you’ve got to keep me posted on your journey and the fine old car’s progress.
You’ve got an old retired (80 years this past December) new friend in the north end of Wichita, Kansas. I live on a five acre private compound in a beautiful Adirondack style lodge and am alone now that my partner has died. I have gorgeous gardens, meadows and woods, a 20,000 gallon koi pond and a state-of-the-art greenhouse filled with my private collection of rare and exotic tropical plants gathered from all over the world. This is how I spend my days now. I have engaged Ryan Bina, a personal assistant who checks on me once or twice a day to see how I am doing and I try to be as happy as I can be, having lost all my family and loved ones. I do pretty good most of the time. At other times I struggle. I suspect you understand.
My very, very best to you always. I will look forward to your keeping in touch with me.
