2014-12-16 1956X Buick

Subject: 56 X BUICK SESSION DEC 16 2014

Al again works to continue the photograph history of the restoration of the Bill Mitchell 1956X Buick.

Photo #1 shows the rotating drivers bucket seat in the 90 degree position for the driver exiting the car.

Photo #2 & #3 shows the hands of Ken as he continues to simplify the wiring for the seat. You are looking at the underside of the seat.

Photo #4 shows the back side of the fiber glass surround for the rear passenger bucket seats. Chuck has made these surrounds. The rear bucket seats Jim Baker is positioning in place with the necessary fastening.

Photo #5 & #6 shows the process to duplicate the parade boot latch. The car came with only one of the pair of parade boot latches required.

These were originally used on 1956 Cadillac Eldorado cars which were very low production. We have not found one so we are making one. Jerry Bush and Don Feutz are working on this project.

Photo #7 show Dick Saddler's hands as he holds up the wiper vacuum motor that is now ready to install. The wiper shafts now have to be cleaned up for installation.

Photo #8 here is the wiper shaft that now have to be cleaned up for installation.

Photo #9 shows the small springs that will be installed in the handle for the latch that holds the convertible roof in place.

Photo #10 shows the typical rear seat method for holding the seat in place. We were attempting to make fastening the rear seat in the same manner to avoid complicating the upholster and his job. Jim Baker continues to work on perfecting the head rest system which includes the drive system. This system requires a motor for each of the head rests multiplied by 4.

Chuck Snow has been going through the original SO list for this car and has come across a part description for some type of a pair of signal lights mounted in the wheel house. Since there is only a pair of these lights it has to be the front wheel house. After consulting with retired stylist Larry Faloon it has been determined most likely the lights would have shown through the fender port holes. Another project. I guess once Chuck is done with the console he can take on this item.

Bob continues to work on the instrument panel. Today he wanted to paint the recessed part of the instrument chrome panel of this part. We did locate the correct paint but since neither of us knew the mixing requirements we called Art and he volunteered to came in and mixed and painted for this part. Let the experts do what they are experts in doing. Thanks Art for coming in.

Dick Chambers and Ron installed one of the log thin trim pieces that go onto a spare hood. This piece is so flimsy that we were concerned that it was going to get bent in storage waiting to be installed on the car after painting.

Connie has been having major dental work but he also stopped in today.

Chuck had the wood base for the front console and today was establishing the fact that there was enough clearance for the console with the driver's seat rotated.

Del continues to work on some small jobs along with the rest of us asking questions about so many details. Del always has the answer as we work through all these problems. Today Del and I sorted out which of my battery chargers, three exactly, were really working. It seems like battery chargers and I do not get along. The results were one charger simply was not putting out on either the 6 or 12 volt setting. Another newest charger's ampere meter was not working. The previous week I had taken a large 6 volt battery to the Adema in Coopersville because I could not get any of my 3 chargers to charge this battery. At Adema's the employee stated that the battery was too new to be bad. He said let me put it on charge here. Two days later he called me and said that the 6 volt battery tested out for 1100 cold ampere starting.

The following day Del loaned me a 30 year old Sears charger and it really works well on both 6 volt and 12 volt batteries. Yes, after I put the battery in my 1942 Buick straight 8 those 1100 amperes turned that car over like I had a 12 volt battery installed. Neither the 6 volt setting or the 12 volt setting worked on mine. Another problem solved with Del doing all the thinking.