DIRECTOR’S THOUGHTS, AUGUST 2022

Well, I cannot believe it is AUGUST already!!  The weather certainly has not been too bad this year.  I remember I had the air conditioning on from late May all the way through September in 2021.  Do you remember?  Hopefully it will be a nice August as it has been so far! 

Has anyone attended the National Buick Meet this past June held in Lisle, Illinois?  If you did, maybe you’d like to share an article with pictures of the meet with the chapter.  Please send information to Sally, csgetz@ptd.net.

Many “THANKS” to Dave Brady for researching, conversing, ordering, & obtaining membership name badges from a company in California.  Several other members have done some research but either was too expensive or couldn’t get exactly what we wanted.  So, “THANKS” Dave for coming through w/ this project!!  So we will now have membership badges available for new members as this chapter has always had.  Also, if able, an ad may be placed in the Bugle having them for sale to other chapters.    

46th Annual Old Car Show w/ Outdoor Flea Market, Sunday, October 30, 2022       Believe it or not, it’s only 2 month away for this annual CHAPTER SHOW!!  This event is being held @ Phifer’s Ice Dam, 880 Main Road, Lehighton, Pa 1825.  Once again, this event will require much membership help to fill ALL positions needed to host a show.  At a later date, I will ask for volunteers to meet to layout the show.  1-2 food vendors will be in attendance this year.                                                                                          Your Elected Director, Sally Getz                                                                                          

“Free Spirit” Meeting Minutes – July 2022

No meeting this month, Happy Summer Vacation!!  Hope to see you all in September @ the monthly business dinner meeting.  Sally sold 2 Buick coverlets to a BCA member from California. 

“FREE SPIRIT” RENEWAL DUES

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL DUES were due 2 months ago now.  If you haven’t renewed yet, you still can.  Renewal dues are, still only $12.00!!  Dolores Kennedy, membership chairwoman will accept your dues:           

          Please submit $12.00 to Dolores by AUGUST 31, 2022.

“THANKS”

“Dear Sally, please let the members of the “Free Spirit” Chapter know that I love the beautiful arrangement & cards that were sent to me & my family.  Thank you so much,     

                                                      Sincerely, Alice Schaffer”

Das Awkcht Fescht, August 7, 2022

Once again, looking for 5 members to VOLUNTEER to park BUICK’s during DAF on Sunday, August 7, 2022.  Those who have volunteered the past couple of years have done a MAGNIFICENT job, THANK YOU!  You have been doing a GREAT job, first about VOLUNTEERING, & second, about being the early (0700) to park BUICKS.  It is not my rule of thumb, but rules on keeping our gorgeous spot under the tree comes from the Ontelaunee Region leadership.  If we do not have volunteers to park BUICKS at the early hour, we lose our spot.  Please let Sally Getz know you would like to:  1.)  volunteer your time, 2.) be there by 0700 on that day.  484-464-3418, csgetz@ptd.net.  I will be there with the chapter ways-n-means. 

Trishield – Buick’s emblem consists of three shields, each bisected diagonally to the right by a straight line, the shields arranged touching each other in a left-diagonal pattern, inside a circle. If represented in color, the leftmost shield is red, the middle white, and the rightmost blue, although white is sometimes represented by light gray. This design, known as the Trishield, was adopted in 1959 for the 1960 models and represents the three models that comprised the lineup that year—LeSabre, Invicta, and Electra. The shields are adopted from the shield of the Buick family crest, which in modified form had been used on Buicks since the 1930s. A version of the traditional crest appeared on Electras through the 1980s.

Portholes and Ventiports – A traditional Buick styling cue dating to 1949 is a series of three or four portholes or vents on the front fender behind the front wheels. The source of this design feature was a custom car (one not made by Buick, but personal car of stylist Ned Nickles), which in addition had a flashing light within each hole, each synchronized with a specific spark plug simulating the flames from the exhaust stack of a fighter airplane. Combined with the bombsight mascot (introduced in the 1940s), the ventiports put the driver at the controls of an imaginary fighter airplane. The flashing light feature was not used by Buick in production, but the portholes remained as nonfunctional ornamentation.  These were originally called “Ventiports” as they did allow air flow into the engine bay (later just “portholes”). Ventiports have appeared sporadically on several models since.

Lower cost models were equipped with three portholes, while higher cost models came with four. Often, people would denote their cars as “Four-Holers” or “Three-Holers” to assert the car’s class. When the number of portholes was standardized across the entire model line, buyers of the higher cost models complained bitterly that they felt shortchanged. In 2003 they were re-introduced on the Buick Park Avenue. After the Park Avenue was discontinued, Buick salvaged the portholes to appear on the new Lucerne. In a break with tradition, the Lucerne’s portholes refer directly to engine configuration: V6 models have three on each side, while V8s have four on each side.

Sweepspear – Another styling cue from the 1940s through the 1970s was the “sweepspear”, a curved line running the length of the car. In the earlier cars, this was a chrome-plated rub strip which, after it passed the front wheel, gently curved down nearly to the rocker panel just before the rear wheel, and then curved around the rear wheel in a quarter of a circle to go straight back to the taillight. During the two-tone color craze of the 1950s, the sweepspear separated two different color areas. After that, the curved line was usually indicated either by a vinyl rub strip or simply a character line molded into the sheet metal.

Taillight shapes – During the 1950s, the characteristic form of the Buick taillamps was a tier of small circular bullet-shapes. In the early 1960s, most models began to evolve a wide, rectangular pattern, until the ’65 Skylark and Electra models appeared with full-width rear lamps. Since then, wide taillamps have been a Buick hallmark.

Dollar Grin – The Buick styling cue (dating from the 1940s) that has most often reappeared, though, is for the grille to be a horizontal oval with many thin vertical chromed ribs bulging forward. This has sometimes been called the Buick “dollar grin” particularly on the early 1950s models, which had thick, highly-polished ribs that somewhat resembled teeth. The 1950 model took this tooth theme to its extreme as the teeth crossed over the bumper exposing the 1950 “grin”. The 1951 model reined in the theme bringing the teeth back behind the bumper.

Waterfall Grille – It appears Buick may be preparing to abandon this styling cue for a new waterfall grille, as seen on the Buick Velite concept car from 2004 and the Buick Lucerne introduced for the 2006 model year. This waterfall grille bears some resemblance to grilles of Buicks from the 1980s, such as the Grand National.

Nailhead – The Buick V8 engine, nicknamed the “nailhead”, became popular with hot-rodders in the 1950s and 1960s, because the vertical attachment of the valve covers, in contrast to the angled attachment of other V8 engines, enabled the engine to fit into smaller spaces while maintaining easy access for maintenance. It was also popular because the design was capable of producing much more torque per cubic inch than other engine designs.

By 1970, Buick was making quiet history with more conventional V-8s that had abandoned the “nailhead” design but made much greater power. For the 1970 model year, Buick re-named its “Gran Sport” performance models (not to be confused with the Chevrolet Corvette “Grand Sport” cars) as “GS” models, and initially this was headed up by the powerful GS455 Stage 1, so named for its 455 cubic inch (7.4L) engine, with its high performance “Stage 1” package. Built on the same “A-body” platform as the Chevelle, Cutlass/ 442, and LeMans/ GTO, the GS cars were performance-based vehicles spawned from Buick’s Skylark line and shared all of the A-Body GM offering’s tendency for good looks. Both hardtop and convertible “GS” models were offered.

GSX – Midway through that year, Buick debuted its “GSX” model, which was an appearance package rivaling that of the GTO “Judge”. GSX colors ran the spectrum that year, if that range included just yellow and white. Subsequent GSX models offered a variety of colors to go with the GSX signature hood blackout treatment and the swept wide pin striping vaguely reminiscent of the famous Buick “sweepspear”. GSX models could be ordered with 350, 455, or 455 Stage 1 engines, and were outfitted with the usual GS options such as dual hood scoop hood with functioning “ram-air” intake, and dual exhaust. Horsepower ratings for the Stage 1 455s were a relatively mild 360 hp (or 370 depending on sources) but featured a pavement-tearing 510ft·lbf (690N·m) of torque at 2200 rpm, good to propel the relatively weighty GS455 Stage 1 equipped cars to quarter-mile times under 13.4 seconds. Buick halted GSX production after the 1972 model year.

The prototype GSX survived the show circuit and was a fully functioning car that beat the odds to survive not only the usual show car life of “construction-display-destruction”, but also the life of an ordinary car, as it was sold from a dealership after being on display for some time. The car survives to this day, is restored to its original condition, licensed and ready to hit the road

Current Models       

• Buick Allure (2005 — Current, only sold in Canada, same as the LaCrosse)
• Buick Enclave (2008 — Current)
• Buick GL8 (2000 — Current, only sold in China)
• Buick HRV (2004 — Current, only sold in China)
• Buick LaCrosse (2005 — Current)
• Buick Lucerne (2006 — Current)
• Buick Park Avenue (2007 — Present, only sold in China)

Discontinued Models       

• Buick Apollo (1973 — 1975)
• Buick Centurion (1971 — 1973)
• Buick Century (1936 — 1942, 1954 — 1958, 1973 — 2005)
• Buick Electra (1959 — 1990)
• Buick Estate Wagon (1940, 1946- 1964, 1970 — 1996)
• Buick Excelle (2003 — Current, rebadged Daewoo Nubira, only sold in China)
• Buick G-series (1999 — 2003, rebadged Buick Century, only sold in China)
• Buick Gran Sport (1965 — 1972)
• Buick GSX (1970 — 1972)
• Buick Invicta (1959 — 1963)
• Buick LeSabre (1959 — 2005)
• Buick Limited (1936 — 1942, 1958)
• Buick Master Six Sedan c1926
• Buick Master Six Touring c1926
• Buick Park Avenue (1991 — 2005)
• Buick Rainier (2004 — 2007)
• Buick Reatta (1988 — 1991)
• Buick Regal (1973 — 2004)
• Buick Rendezvous (2002 – 2007)
• Buick Riviera (1963 — 1993, 1995 – 1999)
• Buick Roadmaster (1936 — 1958, 1991 — 1996)
• Buick Royaum (2005 — 2006, only sold in China)
• Buick Skyhawk (1975 — 1980, 1982 — 1989)
• Buick Skylark (1953 — 1954, 1961 — 1972, 1975 — 1998)
• Buick Somerset (1985 — 1987)
• Buick Special (1936 — 1958, 1961 — 1969)
• Buick Sport Wagon (1964 — 1972)
• Buick Standard Coach c1926
• Buick Super (1940 — 1958)
• Buick Terraza (2005 – 2007)
• Buick Wildcat (1962 — 1970)

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

AUGUST 2022          HAPPY SUMMER!

• 5 – 7 – Das  Awkscht Fescht, Macungie Park, Macungie, Pa
• 14 – 46^th Annual Collector Show, Macungie,  Pa
• 14 – Classic Cruiser on Hamilton, Allentown, Pa
• 26-28 – Wheels of Time, Macungie, Pa

SEPTEMBER 2022         HAPPY LABOR DAY!

• 6 – Chapter dinner meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa.  Dinner @ 6 pm, business meeting @ 7:30 pm. 
• 25 – Star BOP Show, Rt. 33, Easton, Pa
• 28- Oct 2 – Fall Carlisle Car Meet, Fairgrounds, Carlisle, Pa  

OCTOBER 2022                 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

• 2 – Becky’s Drive-In Car show, Berlinsville, Pa
• 4 – 7 –  Hershey AACA Region Fall meet, Hershey, Pa
• 11 – Monthly Chapter Business Meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Rt 100, Allentown, Pa.  Dinner @ 6 pm, business meeting @ 7:30 pm. NOTE DATE CHANGE!
• 30 – Lehighton Car Show, Phifer’s Ice Dams, Lehighton, Pa

                    

CARS/PARTS “FOR SALE”

1972 Buick Centurion – is a project car.  Clean title.  Husband was rebuilding carb when passed away.  All body parts, engine & glass intact.  All tires hold air.  Interior all there but needs work.  Buyer responsible for all tax & transfer fees.  Must be towed/hauled.  Terry @828-610-1880.

1951 Buick Super mustache bar, $360.00.  484-948-6213.

CENTER CONSOLES

500.  1967 Skylark console w/ door, wo shifter

504.  1965 Chevy Impala SS, metal plate

505.  1970-77 Skylark, GS, Century, Regal, #1239960, bare shell only

507.  1963 Riviera, missing shifter plate

508.  1970-77 Skylark, GS, Century, #1231660, missing glove box lid, no shifter

509.   1969 Riviera, missing glove box lid

511.  1962 WC Console, NO SHIFTER

 DASHPADS & INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY

194.   1969-70 Buick Electra 225 OEM DASH PAD w/ AIR has SMALL CRACK. 

2.  #620 1966 Wildcat IA

3.  #621  1967  Electra 225 IA, #138037

4.  #622  1967  LeSabre IA,  #1380372

5.  #623  1966 Electra 225 IA w/ wiring harness, #174440/#1374439

6.  #624    1966 Electra 225 IA w/ vents, #1374440

7.  #625    1968 LeSabre inst. cluster,   #7062307

8.  #626    1970-72 (out of ’71) Skylark inst. cluster,   #1232081/DPMC/70.301

9.  #627   1965 Electra 4 dr IC,  #1357?4? or -73

11. #629  1979-81 Firebird front bumper impact absorber.   12.  #630  PADDED Black dash

13.  #631   1966 Cadillac (Fleetwood, Deville, Eldorado) Conv dash  pad speaker grille w/ original speaker

14.  #632   black dash pad w/ 3 legs

15.   #633 1967 LeSabre instrument assembly,   #1380371

16.  #634  1971-72 Riviera black dash pad, #1235521

17.  #635  1971-73 Centurion pad, has very small ding, w/ 2 speakers,   #1234713

18.  #636  Black Dash Pad, small crack

19.  #637  1969 LeSabre green pad

20.  #638  1962  Lesabre/Invicta/Electra IA, #6405046,            

21.  #639   1966 Electra blue pad

22.  #640     “            “           “         “   blue pad,

23.  #641        “         “          “          “   dark green pad,

24.  #642         “         “          “         “   black pad,

25.  #643          “         “          “         “   blue/green pad w/ speaker, small dent and crack

#649.   C   1984-85 Riviera radio, #25509697, climate control bezel, plastic wood grain

FAN SHROUDS

319   1967-69  Riviera fan shrouds (2), will also fit ’67-68 LeSabre and Electra

783   1964 – early 65  Skylark style downflow

784  1967 Skylark 300/340

785  1967 Skylark V6

786  1968 Skylark

787  1969 Skylark

788  1970 Skylark

789  1971 Skylark

790  1965 Riviera

791  1963-65 Riviera

792  1967 Riviera

793  1967 Riviera w/ air, has chunk missing

794  1966 Electra/WC REPAIRED, w/ air

795  1978 Electra 403, 2 pieces

796  1973 Centurion 350

798  1969 LeSabre 350/Electra,  #1385492

799  1972 LeSabre w/ crack, #18436572, NO AIR

800  1969-72 Chevelle 4 BBL 350

802  1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass w/ air, has chunk out 

803  1970’s Oldsmobile cutlass w/ air

804  1971 Chevy Chevelle/Malibu, #3986905

FENDER SKIRTS

768   1964 Electra 2 pairs w/ brackets. OEM + 1 single LH   $200.00/PAIR,  $125.00/1.  2 pairs = Blue n black, single = maroon

769   1965 Electra 4 pairs w/ brackets, OEM:  black, blue, gray/silver, white/black

770   1965  Electra RH w/ bracket, OEM, turquoise

771  1966 Electra 4 pair w/ brackets, OEM, black, light blue, blue/yellow. gold

772  1967 Electra/WC w/ brackets, OEM, 2 pairs:   1 pr., mint green, missing trim pieces,     1 pr. Light/powder Blue

773  1969 Electra w/ brackets, OEM,  1 pr (green)

774  1967 Skylark w/ brackets, OEM, 3 prs.:  white, blue/gold, gold, gold, light green

775  1971-76 Chevy Caprice/Impala Convertible w/ brackets, OEM, #6262354, green  1 pair

776  1971-76 Pontiac,  #2840559, 1 pr., black w/ trim/white wo trim

778  1965-66 Cadillac w/ brackets, OEM, 1 pr, brown/tan

779  1961-62 Cadillac w/ bracket, OEM, RH only, maroon rusty

780  1968 Electra w/ brackets, OEM, 2 pr: 1 pr light blue, 1 pr gold

781  1972 Electra w/ bracket. OEM, ?drivers side only

782  1968 Skylark w/ brackets, OEM, 1 pr, gold/green Pictures upon request, Sally Getz, csgetz@ptd.net