2013-02-12 56X Buick

Subject: 56X BUICK SESSION FEB 12 2013

VOLUNTEERS – Al Batts, Jerry Bush, Del Carpenter, Don Mayton, Art Meidema, Chuck Snow

We had a small group as several folks headed to warmer climes in Florida. It sure was a good time to go as in the past week we have had three separate snow storms. Presently as I type this, another blizzard has been with us all day. You will notice I am a week late in doing this report. We had a little computer problem.

Again Al has done an outstanding job recording our restoration. Can you believe it that Al has had to dig out of his computer file of Futurliner photos some photos of the restoration of the Futurliner that occurred in 2002. That’s 11 years ago. These photos are helping others in restoring a Futurliner in Utah.

Photo #1 shows Jim Baker and Don M. attempting to set the position of the seat so that it can be fastened to the floor. The original seats were missing from the 56X and we are building new seat frames as well as the mechanical hardware.

Photo #2 & #3 shows Art repairing the original rear bumper. We had to take it to the chrome shop for removing the chrome so that Art could weld up all the rusted holes and then start doing the metal finish. Lots of work here as the bumper also had lots of dings.

Photo #4 shows Del mounting the spare steering wheel assembly. This had to be done to install our spare steering wheel in order to get the correct height of the steering wheel relationship to the front swivel seat. Once that is confirmed then these seats can be anchored onto the floor pan.

Photo #5 & #6 shows the work Chuck is doing in forming the two consoles that will ultimately will be built. Chuck does this work at home and then he brings it to the shop for final fit. Chuck is making great progress on the seat position and the consoles. You notice that the consoles will be small as that was what the concept cars of mid to later 1950’s had. In addition the early 1960 production cars also had small consoles.

Photo #7 shows the two hydraulic cylinders for lifting the convertible top. Jerry Bush has been gathering all the hardware to start the assembly of the top mechanism. He has also determined that these cylinders are toast so new cylinders have been ordered along with new hoses.

Photo #8 & #9 is not selling a boat. However notice the windshield with the piece of glass missing in the middle. This 56X Buick had the center mirror mounted on the inside of the glass. The epoxy was so strong that it removed the layer of glass on the inside of the windshield.

Photo #10 shows a standard mirror mount on a 1956 Buick. We have ordered a new in the box mirror but have to modify it so that it can be mounted on the inside of our new windshield.

Another great work session.

Don