2011-12-06 56X BUICK

56X BUICK SESSION, DECEMBER 6, 2011

Volunteers: Jim Baker, Al Batts, Bob Boorsma, Del Carpenter, Connie DeJong, Ron Elzinga, Don Feutz, Don Mayton, Art Meidema, Chuck Snow,

Jim continues to work on the driver's rotating and power seat assembly. Now that he has it functioning he is working to lower the assembly to reduce its height in accordance with the space he has.

Larry Faloon, GM Styling Studio retired employe that worked directly for VP Bill Mitchell has volunteered to help us recreate some of the interior of the 1956X as we have no detail photos of the interior of this car. In the process of trying to sort out the interior we did have remnants of some of the floor where the driver and passenger put their feet on the front floor. There was heal plates for both the driver and front seat passenger with a "U" shaped trim piece. Larry explained that in most of VP Bill Mitchell's cars he placed these floor pads. In fact he stated these floor pads were usually in both the front and back of these cars. Larry supplied some example photos of Cadillac concept cars that had these floor pads. In fact one of them resembled the trim that we found on the front of the 56X. We elected to copy this design.

Today Chuck worked out the details of implementating this design including a material list as well as the sequence of manufacturing this floor pad for the 56X. The next step is purchasing the materials.

Don Feutz also worked on the parts that we had for this floor pad. He along with Chuck were able to attach the accelerator pedal to the driver's heel pad. The next step is sending these parts to the chrome plater.

Don M. worked on one of the side trim pieces preparing it for chrome plating.

Connie finished up repairing the top radiator tank using the old fashioned method of body lead.

Connie along with Art also worked on the front inner fender sides that are facing the engine. They prepared the metal and then applied the first coat of primer.

Al continues to help everyone in looking at the old disassembly photos that were previously taken along with taking many new photos.

Also received in the mail was the restored powered brake master cylinder and brake booster from White Post. Del in no time had this assembly installed. He did have to call White Post about some details.

Ron was able to drill and tap the holes required for mounting the driving light bezels in the bomber bombs. Next he started the repair of the bumber bombs.