2012-10-30 56X Buick

Subject: 56X BUICK SESSION OCT 30 2012 1st 6 of 12

Volunteers: Jim Baker, Al Batts, Jerry Bush, Del Carpenter, Dick Chambers, Connie DeJong, Ron Elzinga, Don Mayton, Art Meidema, Dick Saddler, Chuck Snow

Again our photographer supplies the photo historical record of the Buick. This allows us to use the disassembly photos and then all the steps it takes to do the complete restoration.

Photos 1, 2, & 3. Are of the deck lid and the process of doing the color coat. The original photographs from the GM Media Archives shows a two tone blue on every exterior body panel. In meeting and having council with retired GM Stylist Larry who worked directly for VP Bill Mitchell a question was asked if VP Bill Mitchell used production colors. We received an emphatic "never". Larry stated often a car went through several variations of colors before VP Bill Mitchell approved of the specific paint for that vehicle. So Larry instructed us to sand down multiple coats of paint on the body to find the original paint. The original body had been painted so many times we could not find the color. We did discover the lighter of the two blues on the door face.

Later as we had disassempled the rear bumper, sent it to a chrome stripper to remove the chrome we discovered the two blue colors where the lower part of the bumper had been painted. This area had been protected from sun fade as it was under another bolt on piece of the bumper. We took the bumper to the local paint store and they were able to create the two blue colors. Next we decided to paint one large exterior part to see how the two colors would look on the car. We chose the deck lid as it has both horizontal and vertical surfaces. These photos show that process and here is the darker of the two blues.

Photos 4 & 5 show the hole location and where the larger "Century" script was located on this car. The location as VP Bill Mitchell had placed it was about 5 inches from a production 1956 Buick Century.

Photo #6 shows the left, drivers, door that Dick Chambers has been board sanding to get it perfect.

Photo #7 shows Art and Connie working on the deck lid for the painting project. Also, Dick Chambers is in the forground working on the drivers door to eliminate all defects.

Photo $8 shows Dick Saddler working the rear bumper metal to get it ready for final chrome plating. A one-of-a-kind bumper that was installed on the car in 1956 has over time picked up its share of dings and surface rust. It simply takes a lot of time to get it perfect before chrome plating.

Photo #9 shows Ron Elzinga with his baby. After some more torch work by Connie here you see Ron smoothing out that work.

Photo #10 shows, at least his feet, Chuck Snow checking the installation place for the under body light that illuminates the ground when the door is open.

Photos #11 & 12 is simply locating the vinyl floor covering, and the relative seat positions in order to size the forward and rear consoles that go between the seats. This work is being done by Chuck Snow as he also plans to build the consoles and the section between the rear bucket seats.

Other work progressing included the assembly of the boot latches that had been chrome plated. This was done by Don Feutz and Jim Baker. Don also worked on some small parts preparing the metal for chrome plating. Jim also continued working on the metal covering of the passenger's 180 degree rotating bucket seat.

Don