Secret experimental 1964 GX 455

[yachtsmanbill]

Diplomat Blue from Buick on my (one of my) 1970 GS 455s and my 1973 stage I-4 speed GS, was a dark blue metallic. Nowadays the colors are far more exotic without the tacky look of the 70's metalflake and weird 6 color overlays as shown on my 1953 Belair 396 gasser in '73. Bought it that way from a pals widow. Shown at McCormick Place World of Wheels, Chicago.   Bill

[Psalm65]

I like diplomat blue. Here are some other ideas. Forest green, ice blue, burgundy, bamboo creme.

[schlepcar]

That diplomat blue is code 28,which is called fathom blue on the chevys. A very nice metallic blue. I have a project chevelle that is also code 28 that I will maybe get to someday. I would definitely be keeping that as the color if I restore. I?m wondering what you did with that 73 4-speed car....that was the last of them coming out of Flint when my dad was there.

[yachtsmanbill]

The '73 was one of 16 (?) loaded, stage I, 4 speed and I was the 3rd owner in 1975. It was such a lemon that it met a justifiable end! It really had multiple issues and just would not cooperate.  Bill

[yachtsmanbill]

Had a chance to get some Buick time in today. The weather aint cooperating to get the cover shrunk on the boat so I spent the day in garage "B".  Got the rear bumper pulled off. Everything showing collateral rust damage is on the passenger sider side, bumper chrome, and rusty ass bolts that I am owing to the exhaust gases. The trunk floor is a gonner as well from the rear window leaking and soaking the floor mat for 39 years.

Also spent some time knocking tin. I think the repair is gonna be on whats there instead of disecting the corner and welding in a new section. A body guy looked at this a few months ago and said it'll all come out with an air chisel; nice and dull of course! The pic shows about 15 minutes worth of air chisel and then some hand planishing work. I hate body work; I am my own worst judge.

Customized a stock air cleaner last week as an experiment. Still looking for a GS 455 snorkel unit to adapt to this one. If any one has one thats been run over in a dark garage, I am a ready buyer LOL.

Next time out will be a trial fit on the hood to see where that goes. I think the GS cleaner and a cowl induction hood will look bad ass on the BAD LASS!

Also looking for a rubber bumper that goes on the trunk pinch weld; mines MIA on the passenger side.    Bill

[schlepcar]

Quarter looks a lot better than you had started with. Warm it up with some heat and dolly a little bit more before you grind it (not quite as much as you warmed up that 73)....you will be sanding in no time.

[yachtsmanbill]

Thanks... that '73 got its' just deserts!  I was all set to take the cut of grinder to it and hack it off, but welding on  a plane creates a whole new set of issues with warpage etc.  Ive been watching a youtube channel called Trevs' Blog about high end repairs with little or no bondo. Its all about time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdJmI3edlRw

My biggest concern was the crest on the top and that already turned out surprisingly well....   Bill

[yachtsmanbill]

So got the boat stuff just about all done, and the weather has been relentless. Howling winds and single digit temps. Changed gears and started on the BADLASS in earnest. Spent yesterday actually cleaning and painting the hood hinges. Just went with satin black to KISS. Mocking up the assembly (MU) I found an extra threaded hole on each fender by the hinge bolts. One book shows two bolts and another shows three; whats #4 for?

Siphoned about 8 gallons of gas outa the tank and removed that. Came out just like it was supposed to. Gas gage with a 1965 90 ohm sender works well, albeit "sloshy" on the dash end. May still replace with a correct unit for the 30 ohm 64 gage. Depends on finances LOL.

Started the demolition job in the trunk. Air chisel worked swell. Thats the tool of choice for cutting the junk out. ALL of the subframes were at least 95% intact. Every spot weld was an SOG to cut with the chisel. About 2 hours of fitness cutting/trimming will have the frames ready for cleaning and priming; probably tomorrow after blood lab at 0700hrs.

So now, I bought the whole BOP trunk floor kit, including replacement frames. If anyone plans on this job, the extras will be available for a screaming deal. Still wrapped like I received them. Thatll make it way easy for some one to buy just the floor tins and do the job.

Heres some stuff from today. ESPECIALLY the last one!

Also seriously considering the Power Tour this year from say, Champaign, Il to Madison, Wi. Anyone else up for it?   Bill

https://youtu.be/h3jt3G6XLZs

https://youtu.be/c1YnnQswGgI

[TrunkMonkey]

Yo Bill.

I have a rear bumper I bought years ago that was re-chromed. It has really tiny "bubbles", very tiny. It would be either a very good "driver", or very good "core" if re-chromed properly. My car wore it while I had my original re-done.

Let me know if you are interested. If you want to go with a re-chrome, might make sense to have it shipped from me to the plating company.

I am in no hurry, if it is something you are interested in, let me know.  :)

Michael

[yachtsmanbill]

Indeed Mike! At least these bumpers are fairly light in weight. Mine is pretty pitted from the exhaust, and even as a core would require a bit of filling to bring it back to par. Altho a while down the line after painting etc, Id be interested. Shoot me yer best on it and we'll go from there. Still have a bunch of stuff as take offs if anything catches your eye, let me know.   Bill

[TrunkMonkey]

$250 and shipping.

It is a good looking bumper from about 5-10 feet. You get close and can see the "tiny bubbles/pimples". I talked with guys that do chrome work and they said it is likely from setting in the tank without agitation and that resulted in the "bubbles".

If you want, I can try and get pics.

I want to be crystal clear on condition and never have anything questionable or misrepresented.

That said, let me know your thoughts and questions and I'll do my best to answer them.

Since it is straight and dent free, it would be perfect for re-chrome, but is nice enough as a driver as is.

I bought it years ago, but the blems were not disclosed. It was advertised as "show re-chrome", but I wanted "true show" quality, and once I got it, I put it on and sent my original off and had it redone.

Full disclosure. :)

[yachtsmanbill]

Appreciate the honesty pal! Youre in Florida arent you? I'd love a fresh bumper, but itll have to wait a while. pension matters at years end ya know LOL??? Whatcha think shipping would be? 100.00? Shoot me a few pics if ya can. This IS a 1964 right?

 I shipped a '72 front (BIG!) to a guy UPS and the whole deal was sour (shipping/boxing etc.) Send me your thoughts when ya can! I have a chrome guy 10 miles from here, but he's $$$$$! 

 http://customplatingspecialist.com/

 Bill at  yachtsman36@charter.net

[yachtsmanbill]

Holy Yumpin' Yiminy!!! We be chatting in the future!   Bill

To strip, metal finish, copper plate and finish with nickel and chrome plating will cost $876. This is show quality with a lifetime warranty. This bumper will take about 16 weeks to process. Thanks,

Terry Meetz
tmeetz@aol.com
Custom Plating Specialist, Inc
W797 County Road K
Brillion, Wi 54110
920-756-3284

[TrunkMonkey]

Yes Bill, it is a '64 (IIR they are the same both years on the rear bumpers)
Florida Panhandle. And $100 is probably about right.

I will be going to Bowling Green in May. If we can find someone from your neck of the woods to bring it to you, that would cut shipping.

Another possibility is to ship it direct to the "rechrome" place if you were planning on going that route and then them ship it to you.
Some of the shops do a call ticket and cover the shipping.

It's not in any hurry to go anywhere, so let me know.

I'll get some pics. :)

[yachtsmanbill]

Appreciate it Mike! The wife goes to BG a few times a year for family stuff. Her uncle lives about 2 miles from the park. I'll probably just use it as is. Hey its a beater after all haha. Shoot me some pics when ya have some time OK? Email is best! Addy is below.. TIA   Bill