2013-04-30 56X Buick

Subject: 56X BUICK SESSION APRIL 30 2013

VOLUNTEERS:“ Jim Baker, Al Batts, Bob Boorsma, Jerry Bush, Del Carpenter, Dick Chambers, Connie DeJong, Ryan ReVries, Ron Elzinga, Don Feutz, Don Mayton, Art Meidema, Dick Saddler.

Again our photographer, Al, continues the photo history of the restoration of the 1956X Buick created under the direction of GM VP Bill Mitchell.

Photos #1 & #2 show the hands of Dick Saddler as he prepares some of the trim for final chrome plating. Some of this trim we had to fabricate as it was missing. Dick has managed to complete

many of these pieces.

Photo #3 shows Dick C. making his bed. Not really. He is cutting the door sound insulation pads. Dick and Ron worked on this project today.

Photo #4 shows the convertible top header, the part that latches down the convertible top to the top of the windshield frame. Jerry has been steadily gathering up and repairing the various convertible top bow pieces for restoration and eventually assembly.

Photo #5, # 6 & #7 shows Ryan D., Connie and Ron in discussion concerning the contour of the aluminum rocker trim panels. The original rocker trim panels were so beat up that they were not

repairable so Ryan has his brother, Phil, machine new rocker trim panels. Ryan then made a die and put a contour in them. However the contour, Photo #5, did not quite match the body contour. Ryan then took the rocker panels, which is a total of four parts to his shop to increase the contour.

Photo #6. The tail light assembly is made up of a very large outer casting and a smaller inner casting. These were greatly pitted and this photo show the smaller inner casting that is being prepared by Don Feutz. He is our resident expert in preparing the metal for the chrome plating process.

Photo #8 is one of our six way seat switches. We need to find a second switch exactly like this switch. Any help out there would help!

Del has been gathering up the power window mechanisms. He then will be testing out each of the electric window lift motors before cleaning, painting, and installing the entire assemblies.

Bob Boorsma has gathered up most of the parts for the assembly of the instrument panel. Already he has restored a portion of the electric antenna and demonstrated its functioning. Although he has gathered up all the parts that make up the electric antenna system, one part is so deteriorated with rust at the top where there is rolled thread we need this part. It is a hollow tube in which the antenna mast is on the inside. It is made of a thin metal that has rusted through several places.

Connie and Art again prepared some pieces for painting and that is done. They also have been working on the disassembly of window frame pieces.

Received in the mail one of the main instrument panel pieces from the chrome plate shop. It is beautiful.

Don