65GS.com - Buick Gran Sport Enthusiasts!
Projects & Restorations => Projects & Restorations => Topic started by: Rollaround on February 21, 2016, 08:08:57 AM
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Before I get into the rehab discussion I’d like to share some back ground information. As some of you know, I bought this car from a member of 65GS. He is a friend and I hold him in high esteem; during his ownership he made several improvements to the car. Prior to buying it I had it inspected by a very experienced Buick friend. When I purchased the car I knew its condition
Having said that, it is what it is; a fifty year old car that needs lots of love. We have all had moments during a resto when we look at something and say “I’ve never seen it done that way before.” So when those pop up, understand it’s a fifty year, old four owner car, and it was an eyes wide open purchase.
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I've taken the step and started on the red car. I'll try to consolidate several other posts into this one. I want to try some things on the project, like doing my own panel replacement, and some body work.
The engine is out and will be on its way to the machine shop this week. It was previously rebuilt around 1985 and was taken out .030 at that time. I wanted to start with the floors because, I've never replaced floors before, in fact I've never welded before but I did watch the Eastwood tutorial. I thought I may as well try it, if its beyond my capability's I'd have it done however, the cost of having them done would come out of some other part of the resto.
So gentleman, my first floor pan replacement.
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Glad Kevin you are getting started on this restoration!
You've always got to start somewhere!
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Will be following along, glad to see you are working on the car. You're right, they're over 50 years old.
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The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. I'll be following along with you. I've not done any welding, but will be happy to help in other areas if I can.
To the beginning of a great project! :cheers2:
Chuck
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We always find some interesting things when we work on old cars.
Firewall markings, not sure what 82 represented but it was written on the firewall before the heater box was installed. Possibly an option code? Or maybe it just told the guy down the line what they where serving in the cafeteria for lunch.
More markings on the inside heater box. B for Buick? Thoughts?
Rat poison, found this in the AC ducting; good thing the AC didn't work someone would have been breathing the nasty stuff.
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Kevin,
Please post a picture of the trim tag - the one on the firewall. That may help with decoding the other markings.
Dan
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Here it is.
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Thanks. Thought was 339 might be the production number (its 1111) or the B-8 might be build date (Feb 8) but that's doubtful as the cars build date is the first week of June (06 A). Back to the drawing board. LOL
Dan
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I have had the same experience with mouse/rat poison. They don't eat it--the hoard it and stash it somewhere. I found some stashed down in the front frame rails of one of my Buicks. Had to fish a small shop vac hose down in the frame to get it all out. Have two cats that live outside at my house now. Haven't seen a single mouse nor any evidence of them in any of the building since. All I see now are dead mouse and mole carcasses laying around the yard!
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After a brief interruption to to finish a remodeling project in the house I've moved over to the drivers side. I have a question about the flat wiring harness or strip that runs to the rear of the car. How does it disconnect from the fuse box? Are there individual spades that plug into the back of the fuse box or a single plug? Do I need to remove the fuse box to disconnect the harness?
I know, so many questions. I just hate working with 50 year old wiring, sometimes we create new problems where none existed before. If it's easier I could just work around it.
The good news is, I think my welding skills are improving and cutting out my second floor board wasn't nearly as scary.
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As I fuddle along with the restoration of my GS I’ve also been researching the cars past ownership. I have spoken with three previous owners including Milton. Last night I spoke with the original owner. We had a great conversation. He’s a little older now but he clearly remembers walking into Gribbe Motors in Parsons Kansas and going through Buick brochures then ordering the car. His new Buick GS was delivered on June 12 1965. He was 27 years old then. He’s now a retired doctor.
He told me a great story, here’s the Readers Digest version. In the spring of 1967 he drove the car into Mexico. South of Mexico City while driving in the mountains the temp and alt lights came on, the engine had badly over heated. He pulled the car over shut the engine off and secured a ride back to Mexico City. There were no Buick dealers in Mexico City so he went to a Ford dealer. The dealer went out with a wrecker and brought the car back to the dealership were it was diagnosed with a failed water pump. A new pump needed to be shipped from Huston Texas. He spent a week in Mexico City awaiting repairs.
The Ford dealer replaced the water pump and he began his journey back to Kansas. On the return trip he said the car lacked performance and the engine just didn’t run right. On his return he took the car to a local Buick dealer were it was determined the engine block was cracked and needed to be replaced (this may explain the LT engine code). With the car just over two years old he traded it in on a new Buick.
He has fond memories of the car and greatly appreciated the current pictures I sent him. He is going to dig out his old photo albums and have copies made of some Kodak Instamatic pictures from 1965-67 and send them to me.
I look forward to talking with him in the future and sharing my progress with him. Time to get back to work, hope to finish the trunk floor replacement this week.
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Kevin,
Great story and thanks for posting it.
Loren
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Kevin,
I agree that this is a great story. Can I ask how you were able to research past owners? Does the DMV just cough that info up?
Thanks
Rob
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Rob,
DMV does not cough up that info in my experience. LE or other gov. entities may be able to get it, but I think they track those inquiries now.
Dan (dsags) helped me by having an Ancestry.com account available and searching for the name that was in the owners manual.
Kevin, getting the history of the car is great, and getting vintage photos way better. Nice Story.
Mark
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The original owners name and address as well as the delivery date was written by hand in the owners manual by the dealership. The protect-o-plate also identified the first owner, the selling dealer and again the delivery date.
While removing the interior, under the drivers seat I found a personal check written by the third owner who had the car for almost 30 years. The check was dated July 15 1986 and was payable to Bobs Standard in Minnesota. Interestingly it was never cashed, but it did give me a 1986 name and address.
The rest was internet search's, phone calls, letter writing and luck.
I don't think I'll ever find the second owner but he had the car for some time.
Based on the June 12 1965 delivery date and a 06A production date wouldn't this make the car a fairly early production GS?
Note:The delivery location Parsons Kansas it only 130 miles from the Kansas City plant.
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Dear Kevin, Loren, Rob, Mark, and mid-60 Buick adventurers,
Thank you for passing on the story! The first owner was a bold person and very lucky to have managed to have recovered from a mechanical problem like this in Mexico in 1967! My wagon went into Tijuana once while I was living in San Diego to visit an orphanage with a church group around 1996. My wagon and I were extremely happy to be back on US roads once the visit was over!
Cheers, Edouard
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Kevin, thanks for sharing! Looks like you're making progress!
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The car is now in the body shop to repair the rear pass door seam. At some point it was hit just aft of the door and not repaired correctly. I want to have the seam fixed before I remove the door.
Trunk and floor pans are installed less some touch up welding.
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Good to know someone is making progress :thumbsup:
Have a great weekend!
:cheers2:
Chuck
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Does anyone have any idea on how much just the body weights? Convertible shell with top off the frame, doors and trunk lid removed. I'm guessing 650 to 700 lbs. Am I close?
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Does anyone have a source for the square captive nuts used on the fenders to secure them to the inner fenders? They are also used on the core support to tie the inner fenders and fenders to it.
I've tried to post a picture but am unable to do so.
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Making some progress, slow but moving forward.
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That is progress, looks good!
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Moving the right direction. Looks good.
Dan
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Kevin , its looking good . Is that a one piece trunk pan ? if so who did you get it from if you don,t mind me asking ?
I like the rotisserie too.
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Looks good Kevin! :icon_thumright:
Keep plugging at it!
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Kevin , its looking good . Is that a one piece trunk pan ? if so who did you get it from if you don,t mind me asking ?
I like the rotisserie too.
Thanks John. It is a three piece pan plus the fuel tank and body mounting brackets. I got the kit manufactured by AMD from Tamraz's parts.
I needed to rebuild the lower aft wheel well housing in conjunction with the trunk pan install. The kit fit very nicely.
As mentioned in another post I'm in search of what Loren tells me is a trunk extension panel.
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Car is looking good!
Nicely organized garage too. I'm jealous of all that empty floor space you have!
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Kevin, how many of the square nuts do you need? I think I have a couple of extras you can have when you visit.
Chuck
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Kevin, I may have several. Will have to check.
Glenn
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Thanks Chuck,
We really do want to get up there very soon, little things keep popping up.
I located the square nut's at AMK Products exact match for the originals, fit perfectly. $15 for a box of 50 http://www.amkproducts.com/bulk5.asp?part=B-10557 (http://www.amkproducts.com/bulk5.asp?part=B-10557) much less than buying the 3 or 6 at a time.
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Glad you found them at AMK. That was going to be my next suggestion. I'm in the process of ordering a bunch of fasteners from them.
Have a great weekend!
Chuck
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You're progressing very nicely. :thumbsup: Keep those updates coming. :occasion14:
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Today Vinnie stopped by and we broke down the frame. It still has the original springs and shocks. We almost finished it up but other priorities popped up. Hope to have it blasted and painted before years end.
The frame is in excellent condition. Anyone know it if they stamped the vin on the frame in 1965.
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The frame is in excellent condition. Anyone know it if they stamped the vin on the frame in 1965.
Yes, the VIN was stamped in the top of the frame about where the drivers door opening would be. Sometimes they were also stamped in the rear drivers side frame rail behind the rear axle.
Nice progress. Keep up the good work and keep the pictures coming.
Dan
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Looking good Kevin! I see a lot of familiar parts there..... :-)
Chuck
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Dear Kevin, Dan, Chuck, and mid-60s Buick "take 'em apart to put 'em back together" types,
Congrats on finding the frame in such good condition! Do let us know if you find the VIN number after all!
Best of luck in getting it sand-blasted and painted before the end of the year but beware of d'em holidaze! . . . :tongue3:
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Looks good! Let us know where you find the VIN and maybe post a pic. I know they can be hard to see.
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Here's what the two VIN stampings looked like on my car. My frame was in very good shape, so pretty easy to find and read, except the one behind the axle where the stamping didn't quite get located right. This was a Fremont-built car, if that matters.
Chuck
Edit: Confirmed this is a Fremont car, not built in Flint. Duh.......
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I believe "Z" in the vin indicates Fremont built. My vin is real close to yours, maybe built the same day. Z123008
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Z = Fremont. Mine also built close to these 2 - 123537
Mark
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I grew up in Santa Clara, Fremont plant was about 20 minutes away. Took a tour in the early 70's, pretty cool to see. Now the plant is where Tesla is manufactured.
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Dear sjfd04, Dan, and knights of mid-60s Buick honor!
I grew up in Santa Clara, Fremont plant was about 20 minutes away. Took a tour in the early 70's, pretty cool to see. Now the plant is where Tesla is manufactured.
(http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/wink_smile_triangle.gif)
Oh da' shame! :nono: My trusty wagon was also born in the Fremont plant the first week of May 1965. To think of the monstrosities (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/troll.gif) being made in the very same work where my beautiful wagon was once born! (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/Angelic_smiley_small.gif)
Makes it hard for a self-respectiing "mature" Buick station wagon to show her face in public!!
:overthetop:
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
P.S. I must have toured the plant at about the same time you did. Indeed it was very interesting but I would have gotten so much more out of it had I know were I would end up with my trusty wagon!
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I wanted to preclean the frame around the engine and front suspension area to remove oil and grease before it goes to the blaster. Using Dans advice I wired brushed the area under the drivers door just aft of the body mount and located the vin stamping. It's not very detailed in the photo, the last six are 126090
While cleaning the forward frame cavitys I found this little stole away and his stash of food.
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Dear Kevin and mid-60s Buick caregivers,
I wanted to preclean the frame around the engine and front suspension area to remove oil and grease before it goes to the blaster. Using Dans advice I wired brushed the area under the drivers door just aft of the body mount and located the vin stamping. It's not very detailed in the photo, the last six are 126090
Glad you found the VIN numbers after all!
While cleaning the forward frame cavitys I found this little stole away and his stash of food.
In the voice of Jimmy Durante . . . . .
(http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/wink_smile_triangle.gif) . . . Everybody wants to get into da' act!! . . . . (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/Laughing_LOL.gif)
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Kevin, Where did you find your friend? Was he or she there while we were working on the frame?
Glenn
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Drivers side frame horn (I think that's what it's called) just aft of were the bumper bracket bolts on. He's been there for some time; I think he may have stole away on the ride from Minnesota. He looks like a Minnesota mouse.
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Could be from Minnesota, but he looks like a mole or vole to me.....
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Looks like a vole.
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It could be a vole or a mole, I seem to breed them in my yard.
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The frames home and I'm very happy with the workmanship. The finish looks much shinier in the photos than it is. It was blasted primed then two coats of epoxy satin finish where applied.
Can anyone interpret the stamping on the rear drivers side frame rail? Mfg date, time?
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That turned out great!
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Dear Kevin, Jim, and mid-60s Buick bringing them back to life types,
Your photos may not be perfect, but it does look great!
Can anyone interpret the stamping on the rear drivers side frame rail? Mfg date, time?
We'll need the resident cryptographers to answer that question for you!
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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.....Can anyone interpret the stamping on the rear drivers side frame rail? Mfg date, time?
The top is the date code, 05145 = May 14, 1965
Bottom number is the part number.
Looks nice! Now you can start putting it back together!
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Really nice Kevin. But, I have to ask, where are the "factory runs" that we expect to see??? :evil6:
Looks great!
Chuck
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Looking great Kevin . Keep up the good work !
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Kevin, frame turned out great. Their shop turns out good work. Will stop over to check it out in person.
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Kevin
All I can say is WOW!
Congratulations.
Milton
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The frames home and I'm very happy with the workmanship. The finish looks much shinier in the photos than it is. It was blasted primed then two coats of epoxy satin finish where applied.
Can anyone interpret the stamping on the rear drivers side frame rail? Mfg date, time?
Very nice job on the frame. Stamping says manufactured May 14, 1965 with the part number below that.
Dan
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Much more work than I thought it would be but its ready for paint. Both head light fixture frames were replaced with sheet metal parts from Wolf Steel of Canada.
The original was in rough shape both from corrosion and a past accident.
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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.
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Dear Kevin and mid-60s Buick preservers of history,
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.
. . . . .
You’ve got an old retired (80 years this past December) new friend in the north end of Wichita, Kansas.
. . . . .
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.
Thanks for sharing that. Indeed there is a lot of human history there and like so many stories these day, the end isn't always pretty. It is an odd struggle to preserve these cars. You can't give back to the original owners the history that they didn't have with their own cars. I have e very special relationship with my trusty wagon. throughout my life, the car literally stood by me when it had very right to clonk. We are at a very special moment in the unfolding of time and perhaps we all shall understand that cars are more than transportation. But it will take a special kind of person to be open to that reality - a car guy (or gal!) :love4:
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Kevin, wow what a letter. If you didn't have a motivation to finish the car you sure do now. How about a road trip to Kansas.
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X2! I had the same thought. With a previous owner that passionate, it would be hard to resist the urge to get him together with the restored car!
Chuck
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Wonderful story Kevin. Can not imagine his feelings when he got the first letter from you.
Dan
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Rear axle is installed less shocks. Waiting on lower shock mounting bolts. Front A arms are in. Waiting on spring insulators and and steering linkage. I do need to clean up my front disc assembly's.
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Dear Kevin and mid-60s Buick "weekend warriors," . . .
Rear axle is installed less shocks. Waiting on lower shock mounting bolts. Front A arms are in. Waiting on spring insulators and and steering linkage. I do need to clean up my front disc assembly's.
Sounds like a reasonable amount of progress for a weekend! :hello2: Just keep pluggin' along as you have time!
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Not a lot of progress to report, still plugging along on the frame and waiting on parts. I did mount the rear tires to allow finish the rear suspension.
I've reached the point on the body were I need to do a lot of cutting and grinding and sanding. I want to be able to open the garage door for ventilation so thats on hold for a couple months.
In lieu of a progress report I’ll add a little more Buick history from owner number three.
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Kevin--when I get back to Minnesota and can get ahold of my records I'd love to add some history to the car.
Briefly i bought the car from a guy who was from St. Louis as I recall. It had a '66 front clip the rest is as I bought it. A year or so later I answered an ad from a guy in Duluth that had a parts car, '65 Buick skylark. I bought the frt clip and as many parts as I could salvage. It was at that time that I had it put back together and painted the original color. When I bought it, it was a deep purple, I made it Flame red from the vin number.
I had the frt buckets redone with original? cloth from some outfit in Chicago. The rear seats I didn't mess with. I replaced the hydraulic pump for the top once. After some time I had it stripped down and repainted a second time. There was some bondo in the rear quarters and on one of the doors.
Hope this helps some. Let me know if you have any specific questions I might be able to answer. Thanks for the neat up dates J
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One more.
Fiirst the picture didn't load then it did. Me and posting pictures again.
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Thanks Kevin for sharing! :icon_thumright:
So to satisfy my curiosity, so what are those white-wall tires?
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Looking good Kevin!
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I think there the same darn tires my father had on his 67 Electra 225. I hated them. My job was to wash that car every Saturday and I always hated removing those skirts and cleaning the white walls with an SOS pad.
If you mean what size...I'll check and report back.
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Looking Good Kevin , Your little bit ahead of me if thats your engine in the back round .
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Dear Kevin, John, and mid-60s Buick "spic and spam" types, . . .
I think there the same darn tires my father had on his 67 Electra 225. I hated them. My job was to wash that car every Saturday and I always hated removing those skirts and cleaning the white walls with an SOS pad.
(http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/wink.gif) . . . You would have liked my Dad better on this point! . . . :laughing7:
I'm not sure why it happened that way, but we washed our cars as little as possible. I suppose it was because we had so much to do and because they were garage kept they simply didn't get that dirty. Whatever the reason, it really seems to have prolonged the life of the paint. The original paint-job on my trusty wagon lasted 29 years and might have lasted longer if the car hadn't been in a modest accident at which point we decided to repaint.
If you mean what size...I'll check and report back.
Actually I was curious about brand and size. White wall tires are getting extremely hard to find "off the rack." I'm planning to go with Diamondback tires since they give you so much more options.
Keep pluggin' . . . . :icon_thumright:
Cheers, Edouard
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If you mean what size...I'll check and report back.
Actually I was curious about brand and size. White wall tires are getting extremely hard to find "off the rack." I'm planning to go with Diamondback tires since they give you so much more options.
Keep pluggin' . . . . :icon_thumright:
Cheers, Edouard
[/quote]
The tires are Firestone 215 75 14s. Milton might check in with more info. I have 215 70 15s on our Special.
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Dear Kevin and mid-60s Buick "where the rubber meets the road" types,
The tires are Firestone 215 75 14s. Milton might check in with more info. I have 215 70 15s on our Special.
Thanks for the info. I made a quick web search and couldn't locate these tires, but perhaps I didn't try hard enough. The market for whitewalls is clearly down to classic cars at this point. I definitely need to replace the tires on my trusty wagon this year, but that will have to wait for the weather to improve.
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Kevin
I thought I recognized the tire tread pattern in the picture.
Is there a date on the tires?
They could be the tires I got with the car when I purchased it.
I'm out of the country but will take a look when I get home.
By the way, your February 6 owner update was all new and very interesting to me.
Was it anyone I know?
Milton
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Milton check your PMs.
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Just trying to keep three steps behind John. Like John I'm down to fuel and brake lines.
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Nice Kevin ,
She's looking good ! Maybe we should have Chuck stay on vacation another couple months so we can catch up to him . ( or maybe like 3or4 months )
LOL
The guy Chuck got his lines from was ( Castle Classic Restorations Llc.)
His name is Bob Castle .
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Dear Kevin and mid-60s Buick restorers,
Just trying to keep three steps behind John. Like John I'm down to fuel and brake lines.
You have had a good weekend too! That steering box looks nice and shiny! :sunny: I'll have to look into that in the not too distant future.
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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I forgot to mention. I found the perfect upper, lower ball joint holder to be used for painting. Works great!
:occasion14:
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So,one would say that you would not get as much done if you have too many ball joint holder holders?
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Kevin, you are always on the cutting edge. We on for Wednesday?
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Nice Kevin ,
She's looking good ! Maybe we should have Chuck stay on vacation another couple months so we can catch up to him . ( or maybe like 3or4 months )
LOL
I'm starting to think I should drop all my parts off at Chuck's and I go on vacation.
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Kevin , I think we need to put our heads together and come up with an idear on our transmission cross members . Either mine is in backwards or yours is . LOL :icon_scratch:
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Wow, good eyes John. I painted mine and just set it in there to dry, it is in deed backwards.
I'll be reblasting and painting it again. Everything I've blasted and painted over the last week including the core needs to be redone. I'm not satisfied with the paint finish. Just a small set back.
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Nice Kevin ,
She's looking good ! Maybe we should have Chuck stay on vacation another couple months so we can catch up to him . ( or maybe like 3or4 months )
LOL
I'm starting to think I should drop all my parts off at Chuck's and I go on vacation.
Chuck's home from vacation. Happily accepting all parts that you want me to store for you while you go on vacation, Kevin. Be sure to inventory them, you might have a few missing when you return :laughing7:
:cheers2:
Chuck
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Haven't posted red vert resto in a while, I've been making some progress recently but other things seem to have a way of cropping. The underside is close to being ready for paint, I had hoped to paint it this week then make the decision to either put the body back on the frame or paint it on the rotisserie, suggestions welcome.
At ten o'clock Sunday morning one of those things cropped up. High winds brought down a tree, it came through the roof of our home into our bedroom, one hour earlier we were in that bed.
The good news Sunday nights sunset over the river was beautiful, we were able to enjoy it together, so we'll be dusting ourselves off, finish this project and then get back to the Buick.
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So glad that you and Angie are alright.
Dan
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Scary, glad you guys were not hurt.
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Dear Kevin, Dan, Jim, and mid-60s Buick community,
At ten o'clock Sunday morning one of those things cropped up. High winds brought down a tree, it came through the roof of our home into our bedroom, one hour earlier we were in that bed.
WOW! That's one difficult thing to deal with! Indeed glad it happened before you two went to bed. These days we have an arborist check the trees around our house every Autumn. That's no guarantee either. We have an Acacia tree that was pruned back last Autumn only to lose 2 large branches over the Winter and Spring. Still with the weather getting weirder all the time, I'm inclined to take every reasonable precaution available.
Glad you'll back on the Buick soon! :thumbsup:
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Wow Kevin....your life seems to be one adventure after another. I share the view of others that you were blessed to not be in that room when the tree came down. Speaking from experience, the car will still be there when you return to it. And, if you're like me, you'll want a clean slate before resuming restoration. Doing it in fits and starts never seems to work for me. I hope you can recover soon from life's intrusions on your plans so that you can focus on the project.
Stay safe and dry!
Chuck
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Kevin , couldn't agree more with what everyone else said . Glad your ok . Thats a pretty scary deal right there .
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More dusting off required.
While returning home from a family function just after sunset Friday I hit two deer, yep a real two for one deal. Actually four deer bolted out of a woods and across the road right in front of us, I was able to miss two but got the other two with right front corner of my Jeep.
I was able to reduce my speed from 55 to 30 or less prior to impact so, no airbag deployment and minimal damage resulted. Looks like a bumper, grill, light assembly and fender but no airbags and we are both ok.
I did spend some time on the red car resto this week but I need to spend time on my luck or lack of it lately. Not sure if I should see a fortune teller try some New Orleans voodoo or just by a lottery ticket.
I’ll post my trophy pictures later, the State Trooper did ask if I wanted the deer but I wasn’t in the mood for venison.
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I don't know about the fortune teller, but some New Orleans voodoo may be in order. Followed by a night on Bourbon Street to break the spell.
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Not sure about Bourbon Street but the bourbon part sounds right. Once again, so glad you two are OK.
Dan
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I’ll post my trophy pictures later, the State Trooper did ask if I wanted the deer but I wasn’t in the mood for venison.
Venison on the grille is good,... but not the car's grille. Geez Kevin, something has to change here, you've had a real run.
Glad you and Angie are safe once again. Your guardian angels are working overtime.
Loren
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Hey Kevin, I've been there and done that except my venison ran away. And on my last car I had two different deer run into the sides within a week. Different sides of course.
Just glad you and Angie are OK! Maybe you can find a house repair contractor that has a body shop on the side and make a package deal [emoji6].
Keep the shiny side up; your luck is about to change....it simply has to! We're all pulling for you.
Chuck
Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
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I was able to break away from other tasking just long enough to spray the bottom of my project. Looks a little glossier in the pic than it really is. Still lot of things to do but the body can go back on the frame.
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Very nice Kevin, especially with all you have going on. Congratulations !
Dan
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Nice Kevin. Putting the body back on the frame is a major milestone. Good progress!
:cheers2:
Chuck
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Kevin
Really nice to see things in motion and heading in the right direction once again.
Milton
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Nice work Kevin !
looks like I need to get motivated here , you and chuck will be driving your cars in 2019 and mine will still be sitting on the rotisserie .
Keep up the good work , life throws us curve balls once in awhile but hang in there bud . seems theres a few of us on here that are going thru some rough times this year , but hopefully next year we all get back out in full force .
It would be cool to see about 3 4 or even 5 more restored buicks on the road .
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Glad to the see the progress Kevin! :thumbsup:
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Looking good!
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Testing, testing...Inserting photos...
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Hey!! it worked :hello2: :hello2: :hello2: :hello2:.
I bought an inexpensive digital camera so I could post some pictures of my resto, just couldn't make the iphone work, heck it took me a week to figure out the camera.
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With Glenn's (Vinnie) help I finally have the body back on the frame, the body mated to the frame perfectly. We used a body to frame alinement dowel and all fourteen body mount bolts went in perfectly. Then back into the trailer the body went for a month while I used the shop for a woodworking project. That's done now, so I hope to get back on the car doors, fenders, hood and trunk lid....
Loren has agreed to post the last of the pictures I'm unable to post. From here on I'll use my new handy camera.
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Good progress Kevin! I'm a bit jealous....
Keep the updates coming!
A great weekend to all!!
Chuck
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Kevin
I can hardly wait!!!!
Milton
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Congratulations on the progress!
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Dear Kevin, Chuck, Milton, Jim, and mid-60s Buick restorers,
I'll gladly chime in to congratulation you on your progress! :hello2:
I bought an inexpensive digital camera so I could post some pictures of my resto, just couldn't make the iphone work, heck it took me a week to figure out the camera.
Sorry that you had to go to such lengths to finally get pictures on the forum, but I'm definitely looking forward to see photos on your progress!
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Hello from sunny and very busy Florida,
Sorry for the delay in getting Kevin's pictures posted for him. I didn't get them in perfect sequence for Kevin, but here is the final picture of the set.
It sure is looking really sweet Kevin. It has come a long way from the time we were at your place for the Ohio meet.
Loren
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WOW Kevin , You've been busy . Its looking great . Keep us posted with the progress .
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I've cut out the reinforcement steel used with the rotisserie. Today I painted the trunk with splatter paint, looks good, I'm pleased with the results.
Yep, that's me two weeks overdue for a haircut spraying Zolatone 20. I've used Zolatone before and been very happy with it, once cured (5-7 days) it is bulletproof.
Pictures don't show the splatter pattern very well but I like the results.
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Looks great Kevin!
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Nice work Kevin! That cookie smell will no doubt keep you hungry! :hello2:
:cheers2:
Chuck
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Kevin,that trunk looks great. Is that the silver grey Zolatone 20? Does that need to be mixed with a activator/hardener?
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Kevin,that trunk looks great. Is that the silver grey Zolatone 20? Does that need to be mixed with a activator/hardener?
Yes Jim, it is Silver Gray. There is a Quick Step Catalyst but it is not required, it may function more as an accelerator than catalyst. I used it right out of the can, the product is dry to the touch in two hours and fully cured in 5-7 days.
It took time for me to refine my spraying technique. Over two days, using three different spray guns with different tips to produce samples on cardboard and sheet metal until I was satisfied with the end result.
I'm not sure if Silver Grey is the correct color for my red car, my 65 Special (Yellow) had a different color.
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For comparison, I used Zolatone Medusa Gray in my trunk. Pictures attached of the Medusa Gray and the original spatter paint in my other GS. When I was looking for the correct color, it was noted that the original color was no longer available.
:cheers2:
Chuck
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Looks pretty close to me!
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Sitting at home dreaming stuff up during my stay at home time.
I've reached the point where the doors will be going on and off the body several times for fitment, alignment, block sanding, painting and finial assembly. After researching available door dollies and stands I sketched out a door dolly that adapts to my transmission jack. The transmission jack affords pitch and roll in two axis plus up and down, I added a couple more adjustment, twist and bend; this will allow me to dry fit and mark the hinges prior to final installation. If one is good two must be better and their reversible, that is the door can be mounted facing in or out. In for tweeking and installation out for painting.
All made from leftover steel used to reinforce the body when it was on the rotisserie and some left over Rustoleum paint.
Next, two more jigs, one for fenders and one bumper installation.
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Couple more.
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Dear Kevin and mid-60s Buick owners who make tools,
. . . . .
After researching available door dollies and stands I sketched out a door dolly that adapts to my transmission jack.
. . . . .
A very clever reuse of things you already had around! :icon_thumright: Thanks for sharing!
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Nice job Kevin!
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I like the revised version. Onward & upward. Stay Safe.
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Good mental exercise and your usual attention to detail.
My exercise has been inventorying and blasting fasteners. Trying to be sure I have them ready when assembly continues....
Enjoy the ride in safety!
:cheers2:
Chuck
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Installed the doors, fenders and set the hood in place to check gaps and seams, with some effort all feel in place. Then disassembled everything for primer sealer. except for some minor glazing the body work is done :blob7: :blob7: :hello2: :hello2: :occasion14: :occasion14:
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More pixs.
The doors body hinge mount nuts were striped or previously cross threaded, I drilled them out and replaced the with a 3/8' bolts.
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Great job ! If you were a few years younger the paint could stay with the matt look.
Dan
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Great work Kevin. You''ll catch up to me in no time!! :hello2:
:cheers2:
Chuck
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Great work, thanks for the update!
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Great work, thanks for the update!
x2!!
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Kevin
Congratulations
Way to go
Milton
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Hi Kevin,
I like the work on the convertible, its great to see the progress.
When you lifted the body off where did you connect you strap at the rear of the car? I've got the height to lift from above, I'm guessing its easier than jacking and blocking up from underneath?
Marcus
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Hi Marcus,
When my body came off and went back on, we fed straps through the tail light openings and lifted with an engine hoist. We did the same on the front, feeding the lifting strap through the access holes for the body mounts in the lower firewall.
See attached pictures.
Have fun and keep the updates coming!
:cheers2:
Chuck
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Marcus,
I used the same lifting points as Chuck. The only difference was I used a four post lift; there is a picture of the lift process on page 8 of this build.
Where ever you do lift from inspect the area carefully. I found cracked welds in the tail light brace area and needed to re-weld them prior to lifting the body.
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Thanks Fellas,
I was guessing the rear lifting point was through the tail light openings, was good to see the rigging.
This will test out my repair work on the trunk floor/ tail light supports.
Marcus
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After hours and hours of block sanding and shaping followed by more hours of cleaning all that dust out of all the nooks and crannies it's finally painted. But it's not red anymore! One coat sealer, two coats of black base followed by four coats clear then cut, buff and polish. The project has been in work for almost five years, still not done but this is a huge milestone.
I painted the doors, fenders, hood and trunk two months ago the body was painted last Saturday. The top and interior will also be black; still not sure on the finial wheel and drivetrain selection.
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VERY nice job Kevin! You can surely be proud of this work. Did you enjoy it enough to do more? It wouldn't be a passion for me, but I sure appreciate those that have both the skill and the passion!
:cheers2:
Chuck
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Wowzer. Beautiful work Kevin ! :occasion14:
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Good work Kevin. Can't wait to be able to get over to see it in person.
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VERY nice job Kevin! You can surely be proud of this work. Did you enjoy it enough to do more? It wouldn't be a passion for me, but I sure appreciate those that have both the skill and the passion!
:cheers2:
Chuck
No. When this is done all of my auto body and paint equipment will be gone. I actually became comfortable spraying paint. I achieved a smooth uniform finish minimal orange peel that wet sanded off easily leaving great depth and shine; I’ll let Glenn be my QA. However I would prefer getting mugged in a dark cold wet alley to doing bodywork. I’ve seen professionals do in minutes what took me hours and days.
What did Clint Eastwood say....”Man’s got to know his limitations”
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Nice job Kevin . Looking great , can't wait to see it someday .
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That is really looking great Kevin!
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Congratulations Kevin! :hello2: The car looks great thus far! :sunny: Thanks for keeping us updated!
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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That is really looking great Kevin!
X 2 !
Loren
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Busy week here. Installed doors, window tracks, hardware and glass; a lot more work and time consuming then I expected, there in almost rigged and alined.
Dry fit all A/C components, worked on the control cables, vacuum switches and lines making them functional. Then using a shop vac for system vacuum and a battery for electrical, operationally checked the system air flow routing and fan speeds.
Now the system will be dismantled then reinstalled with gaskets and sealant
Cleaned painted and detailed the instrument cluster, checked the electrical circuits and lighting. If you haven’t tried the 194 LED lights, they are bright.
Installed power top hydraulic actuators and replaced all hydraulic lines then rigged a temporary power source for the pump; the top frame was repainted before the car was painted.
Considering the components have been apart in boxes for five years, things worked out well.
The top guy showed up and started on the top, so the color selection is pretty much finalized.
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A few more after the top was done.
I need to get the car outside in the sunlight both for the top and to be able to see what it looks like in natural light.
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Kevin, WOW those pictures look great.
Nice work. Your on the home stretch. :occasion14:
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Great job Kevin!
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Great progress Kevin! :hello2:
You are definitely closing in on the satisfying conclusion! :icon_thumright:
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Things have slowed down a bit. With spring I’ve been tasked with a couple domestic projects.
The interior that was ordered in June 2020 was nowhere in sight, so I cancelled it. New interior components have been ordered from Legendary with a shipping date of 22 August 2021.
A drivetrain has been selected and ordered with an earliest possible delivery date of June and that’s optimistic.
But there’s still lots to do on the car, if I ever complete these domestic projects
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Dear Kevin and mid-60s Buick caregivers,
The interior that was ordered in June 2020 was nowhere in sight, so I cancelled it. New interior components have been ordered from Legendary with a shipping date of 22 August 2021.
Sorry that the first supplier dropped the ball. I guess we cannot complain too much about delays given all the chaos we are facing, but there can be no doubt - if you have a classic car you've gotta have patience!
A drivetrain has been selected and ordered with an earliest possible delivery date of June and that’s optimistic.
Well now, so what drive train did you end up selecting?
But there’s still lots to do on the car, if I ever complete these domestic projects
Sadly, I know were you are coming from. At least in winter I don't have much to do in the yard. From the start of spring to the end of autumn, there is always way more that needs to be done than I can ever manage to find the time to spare.
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Edouard, I’ve selected the GM Connect and Cruise LS3 430hp 425tq with a Tremec five speed .67 OD setup. Respectable power and lightweight with it’s aluminum block and heads. I liked the LS so much in the Special I just couldn’t resist.
GM is backed up on LS production, it will be at least two months before delivery.
I’m excited, the car should be a blast to drive.
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Dear Kevin and owners of "assertive" mid-60s Buicks,
Edouard, I’ve selected the GM Connect and Cruise LS3 430hp 425tq with a Tremec five speed .67 OD setup. Respectable power and lightweight with it’s aluminum block and heads. I liked the LS so much in the Special I just couldn’t resist.
GM is backed up on LS production, it will be at least two months before delivery.
Wow! That's a really neat combination!
I’m excited, the car should be a blast to drive.
You said it!! (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/car_3gears.gif)
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Just checked out all 11 pages ! Great work Kevin :icon_thumright: cant wait to see
it finished!!