2013-01-29 56X Buick

Subject: 56X BUICK SESSION JAN 29 2013

Volunteers: Al Batts, Jerry Bush, Del Carpenter, Ron Elzinga, Don Mayton, Art Meidema, Dick Saddler, Chuck Snow

Al as usual did a great job of taking photographs.

Jerry and Del spent most of the day gathering up all the components to install the power pump as well as all the components to assemble the complete cylinders for raising the top with all the hydraulic lines. This is a lot of components and takes quite a task just sorting out each and every piece. They both have determined that new hydraulic cylinders are required. Also they had me ordered a Fisher Body Manual, however the closest year that the Fisher Body manuals was produced was 1957.

Also the front bumper was worked getting it ready for final chrome plating. Ron and Dick Saddler assembled the front bumper for final fit. Ron also constructed the front frame to bumper brackets.

One of the rear seat frames was badly bent and had to be straightened. In the process it was noted that due to the fact that this frame had been in an accident the sheet metal had been stressed to the point that it had some serious metal failure. After a lot of work straightening the frame and getting the cracks back together the final welding secured the seat frame for the future. To prevent any chance of the foam rubber catching on fire we had sheet metal wedged in between in foam rubber and the cracks being welded. In addition we had a fully charged water fire extinguisher sitting next to our operation. We briefly tested the fire extinguisher prior to welding.

Everyone did an outstanding job of working on our laundry list of the items that have to be done to prepare the body for final paint.

In photos 9 and 10 you see Art working to do the final finish on the interior of the trunk floor. Art does excellent work in making sure all the sheet metal is perfect. Also in this photograph is one of the front bumper components ready for chrome plating. Ron worked on this part as well as its reverse side in preparing the part for chrome plating.

The last photographs in these series shows the parts ready for chroming assembled onto the front bumper for final fit. The bumper as well as all the parts shown others were delivered to be chromed at the Kalamazoo swap meet on Saturday, February 3, 2013. Many or our volunteers worked on these parts including Dick Saddler, Ron Elzinga, and Connie.

Although no photograph was taken, the back panel behind the two bucket seats in the 56X has been worked on by Chuck Snow. He brought the entire panel and did some fitting and again took back to his house for further work. He is making excellent progress on the special parts that must be made for the interior of the car. He has been working from the sketches that retired GM Stylist Larry Faloon has made for the interior of this car.

Don