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Other Buicks and Years => Other Gran Sport Years => Topic started by: GS66 on May 12, 2018, 09:11:08 PM

Title: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: GS66 on May 12, 2018, 09:11:08 PM
Well, the project car is on the way home. Can?t wait to get started on it. Step one will be just to get it reliable and put some miles on while we decide what color it should be, inside and out. Opinions welcome!

Title: Congratulations! (Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car )
Post by: elagache on May 12, 2018, 09:50:23 PM
Dear Jim and mid-60s Buick owners who's cars are members of the family,

Well, the project car is on the way home.


Congratulations!  :hello2:

Can?t wait to get started on it. Step one will be just to get it reliable and put some miles on . . . .


(http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/wink.gif) . . . I dunno' . . . perhaps the first thing you should do is make sure he or she is comfortable and introduce he/she to the rest of your automotive family. . . . You don't want to he/she to be unhappy and run away from home do' ya? . . . . By the way, how do you tell if a 1966 Buick GS is a he or a she? . . .  :laughing7:

while we decide what color it should be, inside and out. Opinions welcome!


(http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/big_grin.gif) . . . Deciding on a new color is easy. . . . . Making it so, that usually takes considerably longer! . . . . . (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/th_smiley-fingertap-gigi.gif) . . .
 :laughing7:

Once more congratulations! . . .  :icon_thumright:

Cheers, Edouard  :occasion14:
Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: dsags on May 12, 2018, 10:45:44 PM
Congrats Jim !

Dan
Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: cwmcobra on May 13, 2018, 06:13:20 AM
Nice Jim.  Can't have too many Buicks!

Enjoy the journey!

Chuck
Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: Rickesota on May 13, 2018, 06:47:45 AM
One more for me to come down and see!
Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: GS66 on June 14, 2018, 04:59:45 PM
I ordered Cragar 510 wheels for the project car. I may change out the centers to the 66 thin bird, looks like they will fit. Just mocked up for now.

Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: GS66 on June 14, 2018, 05:02:40 PM
With the Cragar center.
Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: cwmcobra on June 14, 2018, 08:56:56 PM
Those sure look alot like Buick rally wheels Jim.  Nice!

I'm partial to the skinny bird centers, but the Cragar centers have a certain nostalgia as well.

 :cheers2:

Chuck
Title: I second the motion! . . . (Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car )
Post by: elagache on June 14, 2018, 09:52:53 PM
Dear Jim, Chuck, and mid-60s Buick exterior designs!

Those sure look alot like Buick rally wheels Jim.  Nice!

I'm partial to the skinny bird centers, but the Cragar centers have a certain nostalgia as well.

 :angel4: . . . . Yeah, just what he said! . . . . .  :laughing7:

Cheers, Edouard  :occasion14:
Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: GS66 on June 14, 2018, 09:54:47 PM
Thanks. I was looking for a (factory + just a little bling) and I think these will fit the bill. Car is still in the shop so I have to wait to put them on. If I decide to go more patina on the Project I will use these on the 4 speed car instead.
Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: GS66 on July 05, 2018, 07:43:15 PM
The car is running great and does not overheat so far. It?s now at Midas for new Flowmaster mufflers and new pipes. They will also install the AM/FM radio for me and put on the new wheels and tires. I didn?t have an appointment so they are working on it in between jobs. After that I need the headliner installed and will drive it like that while we decide what to do.
Title: AM/FM Radio ? ? ? ? ? ? (Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car )
Post by: elagache on July 05, 2018, 09:29:06 PM
Dear Jim and mid-60s Buick caregivers,

The car is running great and does not overheat so far . . .


That's good to hear!  :thumbsup:

They will also install the AM/FM radio for me . . . .


AM/FM radio?  What kind of AM/FM radio?  Is this a period upgrade?  Is it perhaps a later year Buick radio?  Is it an aftermarket radio?  Do tell!! :director:

Curious minds want to know!

Cheers, Edouard  :occasion14:

P.S. A fresh picture is always appreciated! (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/kodak.gif)
Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: GS66 on July 05, 2018, 09:44:36 PM
In 66 they were a factory option and they work great. They sit at an angle so to read the dial you need the correct radio. They are pretty rare as they were a costly option at a time when not many FM stations were around.

Title: Thanks for sharing! (Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car )
Post by: elagache on July 06, 2018, 11:10:28 AM
Dear Jim and mid-60s Buick owners who are also audiophiles,

In 66 they were a factory option and they work great. They sit at an angle so to read the dial you need the correct radio. They are pretty rare as they were a costly option at a time when not many FM stations were around.

Lucky you!  AM/FM just have also been an option in 1965, but I see you couldn't order a Buick Special with an AM/FM.  The option was only for the "upper crust" Buicks!  I've never seen one, so thanks for sharing the picture!  :thumbsup:

Cheers, Edouard  :occasion14:
Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: Brian on July 06, 2018, 05:08:12 PM
When a 66 was ordered with the am/fm radio, it also came with a different antenna.  Instead of being sectional/telescopic, it was a solid, thin mast with a fixed length.  They are more rare than the radios!
Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: GS66 on August 08, 2018, 05:00:53 PM
Finally some progress to report. The exhaust is on, the factory AM/FM radio is in, and the wheels and tires are on.
Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: GS66 on August 08, 2018, 05:04:18 PM
Here?s the radio.
Title: Glad to see the progress!! (Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car )
Post by: elagache on August 08, 2018, 09:19:54 PM
Dear Jim and mid-60s Buick owners who are always in favor of progress!

Finally some progress to report. The exhaust is on, the factory AM/FM radio is in, and the wheels and tires are on.


Great to see! :hello2:

Here's the radio.


That's wonderful too, . . . . but

(http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/wink_smile_triangle.gif) . . . . Does it support Bluetooth? . . . . (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/Laughing_LOL.gif)

Cheers, Edouard  :occasion14:
Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: GS66 on September 29, 2018, 11:24:32 AM
Car is home, ready to get cleaned and vacuumed before storage.

Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: GS66 on September 29, 2018, 11:26:13 AM
More pics.
Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: GS66 on September 29, 2018, 11:27:02 AM
....
Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: GS66 on September 29, 2018, 11:33:51 AM
Raised the back a little.
Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: GS66 on September 29, 2018, 11:35:12 AM
Trunk.
Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: GS66 on September 29, 2018, 11:36:49 AM
Hood and scoops are very nice.
Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: dsags on September 29, 2018, 03:27:11 PM
Glad you finally got it home. Looks like a great project for the future.

Dan
Title: Thanks for sharing! (Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car )
Post by: elagache on September 30, 2018, 09:26:29 AM
Thanks for sharing da' pics! Jim!

As Dan points out, definitely a solid start for a restoration!

Cheers, Edouard  :occasion14:
Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: GS66 on September 30, 2018, 01:17:35 PM
Thanks guys, I must say it really idles, runs, and drives nice - better than expected. Also some of the chrome and other bits are just in really great condition.
Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: GS66 on January 20, 2020, 06:51:31 PM
Still dealing with the insurance company on the car. The lady who backed into it now claims she did not do it. Anyway, I did get a rechromed grille so far and am looking forward to spring to get the car out and start working on it.

Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: cwmcobra on January 20, 2020, 08:21:18 PM
That looks like a really nice grill, Jim.  I had a 65 grill rechromed and wasn't that happy with it.

Congrats!

Chuck
Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: Rollaround on January 20, 2020, 08:59:27 PM
Very nice Jim. 
Is this car the recipient of the air conditioning parts the traveled half way across the country?
Always nice to to have a project waiting in the wings just in case you run out of things to do.   
Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: GS66 on January 21, 2020, 05:58:22 PM
Probably some of them. Three of our 66?s have air so parts will get used somewhere.
Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: GS66 on April 09, 2020, 09:24:30 PM
Body guy is supposed to look at the car this week or next week and let me know when he can get at it.
Finished up the last of the side trim, found some NOS front turn lenses, and have the new Legendary seat covers, carpet, door panels, and headliner here. Will be getting vinyl top trim from Bill, Cathy wants a black top on the car.


Title: Good to hear! (Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car )
Post by: elagache on April 10, 2020, 01:17:51 PM
Dear Jim and mid-60s Buick caregivers,

Body guy is supposed to look at the car this week or next week and let me know when he can get at it.
. . . .

Glad to hear that you are continuing to make progress!  Let us know when your car will be headed to the body shop.  Since there is some much less driving these days, perhaps it won't take a long to take care of your 66!

Cheers, Edouard  :occasion14:
Title: Re: 66 Gran Sport Project Car
Post by: GS66 on May 03, 2020, 10:09:57 AM
Got the last of the parts I needed (Thanks Bill) so now the car is ready to go to the body shop. Also fixed the trans and engine oil leaks. Does anyone make just the oil filter adapter gasket?