OT Buick Bad Brain GOOD Luck

[eric wissing]

I did everything wrong, I bought a 64 Riviera, Against someone's better judgement(I don't have any obviously) I trusted the seller. I drove it some 700 miles, got within 35 miles from home when a terrible grinding noise occured. Up to that point I was doing great. It is midnight out on the open road. My cell phone of course is dead. I flagged down a driver who gave me a ride to my front door. I offered him some money he refused it. (Was he an illegal? I would give him citizenship right now). Well I had no idea how bad the car was. It was dark and there was a cloud of steam from the radiator. I had met a few times at country auctions an older gentleman who talked about Buicks. I knew he lived somewhere in the area and that he was a mechanic. After a few phone calls I reached someone who knew who he was and where he was. I called him and told him what happened. He said he would tow it to his shop so it wouldn't be vandalized.

I waited a whole week to go up and see what the hell I was into. He wasn't around but I looked at the car and the fan had broken from the water pump housing and had gone into the radiator. Hoping that was all. I came back the next day with some wrenches to pull the water pump. He came out watched me for a few seconds and came back with a NOS water pump. He said "here this will help you to know what bolts have to come out". I pulled it and he showed me how to pull the pulley from the pump. He looked at the radiator and said it was "toast". I asked him where I could find another. He just pointed back to his shop.

His shop is filled with NOS and used Buick parts. He started 35 years ago traveling thye midwest buying out stock. He has atleast a dozen "nailheads" on rolling racks. He said the fan blade was bad too, he went to a pile of fans and handed me another. He has a Rivvy on a lift that is almost done. It looks like the day it came out of the factory. Even the fan belt numbers line up. He as a yard full of Buick he said besides the ones in his shop.

I would say I was unlucky but unsmart is closer to it. I was very luck to have met him. Thursday I will install the radiator, and yes he even has the rubber peices that sit under the radiator. His shop is filled from floor to ceiling with old oil cans. A very cool place. He had to run to the parts store, He was rebuilding a low boy's (semi-trailer) suspension. He just told me to look around and help myself to any tool I might need. Eric

[kevinanderson]

eric, is this guy in sioux city?

[eric wissing]

Kevin, no North of here, I am hesitant to name the town because I don't know what his attitude is towards people knowing what he has. He must sell some of the items because he said a guy had contacted him about some NOS Buick tailights, 1957. The guy got upset when Terry told him $100.00 each. The guy said he could get those anywhere and Terry told him go ahead then, "why call me". It is amazing the NOS stuff. Most very well organized. Parts books dating back to the 1920s. Hub Caps, wire wheels. NOS body parts from the 50s. One quick look at my Rivvy and he nicely told what wasn't correct on it. Mine is missing the fan shroud, of course he has NOS ones. I am lucky, I think with his help I can straighten the car. Never be a show car but I was amazed with its power and handling.

There sure is a difference in parts. The busted water pump I pulled off really was crappy compared to the NOS. The blade had only thress under sized blades while the right one had four beefierones. You know it has to be able to move more water.

Kevin if you are interested in Buick Parts I'll ask him. I don't think he tries very hard to sell anything. Eric

[55 Fargo]

Wow Eric, what an adventure, this is the case of it being "darkest just before dawn". Glad you were able to hook up with this gentleman, let us know how everything turns out with the car, post some pics of it when you have time.......Fred

[Rodney Bullock]

Eric, you can't go wrong with a Buick, they are better than Caddy's in my opinion. My wife swears by them. I had a 1954 Buick a man gave me, I did not know the value at the time and let it get away. He was retiring and it was in the way. This guy sounds great build a relationship with him and stay in touch!

[BobT-47P15]

Man......sounds like Buick parts heaven. Sure is great that the guy is so nice and helpful. Someone with his knowledge can save you a lot of headaches by telling you what is right and not right about the car...as he has already done. Hope your relationship with the gentleman continues and gets even better.

[1just4don]

...about myself,,,sometimes you have to MAKE your luck,,,good or bad!! I generally only have the bad kind,,,I see you get the GOOD kind!! I guess we even out then!!

Had a 60 something Buick here till a few years back,,,got tired of looking at them,,,keep them around for parts(various makes and models) (had like 10 of them all total)and NEVER use a part off of them for anything in 15 years. The crusher was here for some other stuff and my kids said,take those too!! (It is easier to mow and walk around here) I thought I would miss them,,,guess I dont!! Should have taken MORE junk,,but not cars tho!!

I have a ,what I call a parts car,,,about 49 Dodge that I dont know where to go with it. I am moving soon and loose all my shed space and storage of old cars. I have 2 good old cars I dont have space but for 1,,,now what do I do???Plus this parts car!!

Glad things worked out so well for you Eric,,,those old timers are "PRICELESS"!!! Sad when we loose them,,,in any way,shape, or form!!

[kevinanderson]

Eric, not so much looking for parts. Just curious. Am a buick guy here too. HAd a '56 Special I drove in the fields when a boy.. 100 bucks for nos 57 bezels is more than reasonable. Wouldn't mind just chatting with the guy.