65GS.com - Buick Gran Sport Enthusiasts!
Projects & Restorations => Projects & Restorations => Topic started by: dl7265 on August 04, 2012, 11:57:10 PM
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This one was assembled the 4th week of April in Baltimore. It was purchased by Dr Wilson from Maple Buick Inc in South Orange, NJ. Shortly thereafter he moved to the DFW area for his practice. The car essentially has been in Texas its entire life and garaged. The second owner purchased from the Wilson estate in July 1997. Mr. McCurry Had an earl scheib type paint job done. He also enjoyed going to swap meets and obtained several used and nos parts that were included. After Mr. McCurrys death his son inherited the car. He is into motorcycles and was anxious to sell.
After a test drive and inspection by my painter who assured me the car was rock solid, no filler ect. I consulted John E and Dan A, who both helped me determine the car was numbers matching throughout, alternator, voltage regulator ect.Other then the aforementioned re paint, the car had later model 14 rallye wheels on it. It was delivered with steel wheels and the knock off hubcaps. Otherwise the car is very much unmolested.
I was able to strike a deal, and last winter I disassembled the car and it was delivered to my body man. The same gentleman restored my 68 GS400 convertible that won Senior Gold Concours its first showing at the BCA in Ames, IA. The car is documented by the protect-o plate, and all manuals. I have not found a build sheet. It currently has 61,500 miles.
This photo was after driving it home last spring. Nice 10 footer eh ?
DL
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Hope there are there more pictures and information coming. Remember seeing the pictures of this car on Craigslist before the purchase. Nice solid car in need of paint, etc. Great story on the purchase too. It was listed with Don's favorite New England broker. Right ?
Dan
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That is a Beautiful GS Convertible! Hope you have many years of enjoyment with it! and drive it! That is what I miss the most is not driving my GS as it has been apart many years! Jon
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Don,
Your restoration looks to be going very well. The devil is in the details, but you have that under control. Those NOS seat belts are absolutely beautiful. Want to part with them? You'll have plenty of takers. I can't wait to see it all back together again. My favorite color combination. Thanks for the progress report and photos.
John
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Thanks, that is the plan for this build to be my driver. It will still have all the proper plating ect,,,
Seatbelts. hard find. Actually the buckles were nos in boxes, and they were re webbed new black webbing. I'll forward you the sellers info, not sure has anymore.
DL
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I dis assembled the venti-ports and had them triple chrome plated. I have them re assembled( not pictured) and shipped to the painter.
Also this weekend, I restored the center console. And installed the NOS tachometer that I was fortune to acquire. Sorry have not posted more. My files are 10x larger then this site allows :nono:. Trying to downsize them....
DL
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I Acquired a couple more parts while it's at the body shop.
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If y'all are bored of my little projects, a few updates from the body shop :icon_biggrin:
Even being born in Balt, and Delivered to NJ. Spending majority in TX it's very rust free. Just a few typical patches required .
Core support.
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Wheelhouse
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DL,
Was there ever a battery in that car ? LOL Those wheelhouses are sweet. Is your painter using GM Reconditioning paint or does he mix his own. Satin finish looks just right. Nice extra pieces !!! Get that NOS hood emblem on eBay ? Coming along really nice.
Dan
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WoW Dan you're good ! It is GM restoration paint! He uses Dupont for paint, but my friends convertible he just finished got him to try the GM for the Black.
The Hood Orn, showed up in the mail one day ! I was opening packages and there it was. A gift from a dear friend.
It came with a battery, but it wasn't the original :icon_biggrin:. Did you find an aftermarket battery that is tall enough for the factory clamp ? I'd like to use the battery topper on it. Other option is the full restoration battery, $300 bones.. ugh
DL
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Went through about 4 gallons of it on the convertible so I am familiar with the look.
Have a restoration battery in the convert but using a topper in the red post car. Never found one tall enough so my clamp goes downhill towards the rear of the car. Seems to keep the battery in place.
Dan
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Went through about 4 gallons of it on the convertible so I am familiar with the look.
Have a restoration battery in the convert but using a topper in the red post car. Never found one tall enough so my clamp goes downhill towards the rear of the car. Seems to keep the battery in place.
Dan
The DC12 restoration battery says it's 10 L x 6 W x 9H TO TOP OF POST. Pretty disappointing they can't make it same dimensions as the original. I'll have to check the Deka batteries I usually buy, and see what dimensions they are .
DL
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DL,
I know. That's the battery I have. Didn't read the fine print. :BangHead:
Dan
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Have a restoration battery in the convert but using a topper in the red post car. Never found one tall enough so my clamp goes downhill towards the rear of the car. Seems to keep the battery in place.
Have you considered putting a 1" spacer block under the battery?
John
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:overthetop:
Kinda humorous, I had sent Dan a pm on that.
Loren
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Loren,
Quit that. :whip2:
John,
Great minds think alike. Loren mentioned that in a PM. Thanks for the suggestion.
Dan
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DL,
I know. That's the battery I have. Didn't read the fine print. :BangHead:
Dan
Well fine print says made from original cases .. So what's up with that ? Say's the owner drives a 1962 Buick Invicta Station wagon. Wonder if his battery fits ? :violent1:
DL
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If memory serves me correctly, the old school battery size is 24 for Skylarks. The heavy duty battery for the '65 GS calls for a 24T (T = tall, I assume). 15 years ago when I was looking for one for my convertible, they were not available. So I put a spacer under the battery to bring it up to the proper height. What I used was a spacer that is used in between batteries when they are stacked on top of each other for shipping or storage. The spacer was made of plastic and protected the battery posts on the bottom stacked battery. I don't know if these are still used, but might be worth a call to your local tire and battery store.
John
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John and Loren,
Nothing so sophisticated for me. Used some scrap 1 x 2. 3/4" thick and cut to 8" long. Sits nicely on the battery tray and is hidden uner the battery. Can't see it unless you really look hard.
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If memory serves me correctly, the old school battery size is 24 for Skylarks. The heavy duty battery for the '65 GS calls for a 24T (T = tall, I assume). 15 years ago when I was looking for one for my convertible, they were not available. So I put a spacer under the battery to bring it up to the proper height. What I used was a spacer that is used in between batteries when they are stacked on top of each other for shipping or storage. The spacer was made of plastic and protected the battery posts on the bottom stacked battery. I don't know if these are still used, but might be worth a call to your local tire and battery store.
John
John ,
I agree, group 24 at least for 68-70 is correct. I wasn't sure about earlier cars. And no one makes the taller T anymore . Several battery manufactures I contacted tried to sell me a group 27 for the '65 GS 6.6L . Far as I know that 27 is wider and longer, and may not even fit the battery tray.
DL
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I'll try and find time this weekend to update some pics. Today I ordered a lot of the weather strip. Boy vent window rubber alone is spendy! I have about one more batch of plating to drop off next week. Need to order a carpet set asap as well. Should be about it for parts for a while.
Has anyone had any luck finding some material that looks similar to the original trunk mat ?
DL
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try Clarks Corvair- material for Riviera trunk
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try Clarks Corvair- material for Riviera trunk
Ted - do you have a part number?
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http://www.corvair.com/user-cgi/catalog.cgi?function=next (http://www.corvair.com/user-cgi/catalog.cgi?function=next)
See page R-14 - free sample yardage available. I purchased a bunch for my Wildcat!
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Thanks Ted, so Rivi used same material as Skylark ? $325.00,,,hmm I'll get a free sample.
DL
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You can see it in Mark's post for the original 4-door-
http://65gs.com/board/index.php/topic,1415.0.html (http://65gs.com/board/index.php/topic,1415.0.html)
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Thanks Ted, so Rivi used same material as Skylark ? $325.00,,,hmm I'll get a free sample.
DL
Ordered my sample today; part number R196 (Clark's Corvair)
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Sample looks nice , just need to see if they can cut to proper size.
DL