2011-11-29 56X BUICK

BUICK CENTURY 1956X WORK SESSION - 11-29-11

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

Jim continues to refine his rotating bucket seat mechanics. He is working to get the mechanism lower so it can fit the space we have.

Al continues to do the photo documentation. He has been working in conjunction with Chuck to get all these photos on a computer disc.

Dick Chambers and Art continued to prepare the inner front fenders for the final color coat of red. Ron then did the final spray painting. Once the painting was complete these inner fenders were stored until the assembly takes place.

Don F. worked on soldering the studs that the hood center piece is used to attach it to the hood. When we received the car this piece was chrome plated. The GM Styling Studio photos show this piece as painted the same color of the car on the hood area. Another change from the original production car to the car as Bill Mitchell had the car built to another change once the car was released to the public.

Ron and Dick Saddler completed the final fitting of the driving light bezels into the front bumper bombs. They also worked on welding on internal fasteners to hold the bezels in place. In order to drill and tap these internal fasteners they needed a 10" long drill which was not in my inventory. I had to special order a drill which should be available for next weeks work session.

Another operation that had to be done was some body work on the bumper bombs. However with the hard chrome this could not yet be done. We tried to have the chrome sand blasted off but that did not work. Today, (12-1-11), I took the two bumper bombs to Proctor Plating in Muskegon and waited the 2 hours as they had these bumper bombs chemically stripped of chrome.

Bob continues to remove parts from the instrument panel and sort out the electrical changes that must be made to accomodate the special items such as driving lights, rotating bucket seats, .power operated head rests, etc.

Dick Chambers alsoe worked on preparing and polishing trim

pieces that will have to go to the plater.

Connie has leaded the top tank of the radiator. This top tank had many bruises and bumps that had to be repaired in order to be in show condition. The radiator shop told us to use lead as body filler would not stand the radiator's heating and cooling cycle over a long period.

Chuck worked on the two aluminum rocker panels doing body work and well as repairing the inner slots where the fasteners are attached. Once all this repair is accomplished they can be taken to the person that will be doing the aluminum welding.

Ryan contributes by helping us find methods, products, and places to sort out our challenges.

Don