| Yes I finally
made it! The
Buick was registered on August 6, 2004, without a difficulty. I really
owe big time to Mr Joseph McCormick of Berne, NY, who had kept copies
of
all paperwork since he sold the car back in 1988, and kindly send them
over to me. Without a copy of the title, I couldn't have registered the
car. Thank you so much!
As far as I can remember, I spent the whole July doing sanding, applying plastic filler in many stages, always sanding between layers of filler. I can only say that I hated sanding even before, but now I really hate it. I can also tell you that from all the different brands, I have found Spies-Hecker's polyester filler the best. The contents of the jar are always uniform, and it applies well, sands well, and fills tiny pores, too. I shot a few layers of epoxy primer over the bodywork on Monday, August 2, and then spent the rest of the week trying to get the car technically sound in order to pass the inspection. And it passed, on Friday the 6th, only 2 minutes before closing time! Now you would think that I would be as happy as could be, right? As a matter of fact, it is now Tuesday 17th, and the car hasn't moved since that Friday over a week ago. After all those countless hours of blood, sweat and tears, the car was a disappointment. The airbags leak, the car is noisy as hell, the engine runs poorly, the 1st gear is too tall, the wipers don't work, the chrome plating flakes off on headers, the whitewalls have turned dark grey, the front carb leaks fuel on headers, the pipes scrape even the lowest speed bumps, and the list goes on. So, what's now? I am trying to find the reason for the poor-running engine. Then I will try to mitigate the noise problem, starting by installing the front door seals. But it's noisy even at idle. I will also have to install a compressor and a reservoir, so I can fill the bags whenever I want to. I am still hoping to drive it before winter. |
Early this summer, I set a goal for myself to get the Buick registered
in time to participate some of the car events. The Helsinki Cruise
Night
takes place every first Friday of each summer month, and while it's
hardly
the event I was shooting for, I'm happy I could make even this one.
Actually
this was the first time I was able to take my family with me. Up until
now, I have participated with my Cobra which is a 2-seater. This shot
was
taken at the Helsinki Cruise Night on Friday August 6th, a few hours
after
the car was registered. Some folks were impatient to see the engine. |
| You may notice that the taillights are non-Buick. They are from a 1946 Cadillac 61-series coupe, which shares the same basic fastback body with the Buick Roadmaster. I like the Cadilllac lights over the Buick lights, that's why. Trunk lid has been shaved and filled, and now operates with a solenoid. The plating shop also chromed the threads of the bumper guards, and the nuts won't engage, hence no bumper guards here. |
 No,
I didn't shave the bombsight hood ornament, I just didn't have time to
install it yet. I did shave the Buick badge on the hood. You may also
notice
that the lights have been frenched into the fenders with a '54 Mercury
kit. and yes, the front fenders and hood are sprayed with a different
kind
of epoxy, slightly different color. The fenders and hood are sporting
only
leadwork - no plastic filler yet. They'll sure need some. |
Yep, it's a real behemoth to be a 2-D fastback!
I have yet to fabricate door sills and fender skirts, among other things. Wheelcovers are 1952 Buick. Some people have been wondering if the STR-8 will have the power to move this giant in today's traffic. Trust me, it pulls hard. I cruised at 80 mph with ease. Going at 60 mph, it's lugging at around 2200 rpm with the 2.73:1 rear gear. |