1937 Buick 46 - Sport Coupe

Dual Sidemnt Coupe

8 - Cyl.

Manual

C3045449

Gasoline

Up for auction is a 1937 Buick Model 46 Sport Coupe with dual side-mounts. The car is equipped as you see in the pictures; the entire drive train, body parts, and interior are original to the car. Please read this description of what I know of the car’s history carefully, and if I miss something pertinent to your interest, e-mail me and I will get you the info you seek, if it exists. In fact, I have asked my father-in-law, Jim, to prepare a complete history of the car as he knows it, which I will provide to the successful bidder upon purchase. Jim’s history will be very detailed, but I do not have it in hand yet and need to get this auction going. Since I was limited on the number of pictures for the auction, I have included the ones I believe give you a general idea of the car’s condition, and completeness; I have several more pictures of everything except the under-carriage, which I will be happy to e-mail to you. Please also note: The mileage listed in the general info above is just what is showing on the speedometer. Actual mileage is unknown. This car belongs to Jim, as you can see from the Minnesota title. Jim is an electro-mechanical engineer, and worked for much of his career for Safetran Systems, a manufacturer of railroad grade-crossing safety equipment. Safetran has facilities in Rancho Cucamonga, California, and Jim (and his family) lived in Upland from about 1971 to mid-1975 while he was attached to Safetran’s Cucamonga facilities. Jim found the car literally in the desert outside of Upland, California, near the California Railroad Museum (where he spent a ton of volunteer time, and you have to know Jim to truly understand and appreciate what that means), partially covered in the desert sand. The spot was also near March Air Reserve Base, and Jim’s kids got to watch the paratroopers practice jump while Jim worked on the museum pieces. Jim could never determine exactly who owned the land the car was on, but he took all necessary steps under California law to obtain title to the car. I know that the car was essentially complete when he found it, though of course very rusted and weathered, and sporting a few bullet holes from plinkers. Jim is a passionate and meticulous collector and restorer, with encyclopedic knowledge based on actual experience, and study. The Buick, like everything he collects, became a family member. Jim completely restored the Buick, over the course of several years. It moved with the family from Upland to Crestwood, Kentucky in mid-1975 when Safetran relocated its corporate headquarters to Louisville, Kentucky where it also has facilities. I first met the car in 1978, when Jim and my (future) brother-in-law were rebuilding the engine. The paint (and all of the chrome accoutrements) that is on the car now was on it then; the pictures I have here make it look better than it actually is, though it is serviceable if your goal is simply to make the car roadworthy and drive it. Keep in mind that the paint (and body work below it) and interior work is over 40 years old. The paint has some cracking and spider-webbing in the usual stress spots, and places where the body leading was done to smooth dents and welds before paint. The chrome is fair at a distance, but far from show standard. The Buick moved from Kentucky to Minnesota in 1983, when Safetran moved its corporate headquarters back to Minneapolis, where it had been originally. By that time, my wife and I were married and had established here in Kentucky. Jim narrowed his automobile hobby interests to Brass Era cars, but kept his hand in the Buick and a Model A he owned, for sentimental reasons, and to hopefully pass to whichever of his children might be interested in keeping the cars’ heritage alive. In 1998 or 1999, I thought I would like to restore the Buick and both learn and teach my kids along the way, so I took my then 8-year old son and trailered it from Minnesota back to my home in LaGrange, Kentucky. At that time, Jim had just retrieved the car from a garage where he’d had the engine rebuilt by a fellow he knew personally, and by reputation, as an excellent and original mechanic. Jim was in no hurry, and the Buick engine was rebuilt, re-installed, and sat in the Buick for a couple of years, never having really been run, when I retrieved it. By that time, unfortunately, the fellow who rebuilt the engine had died, so I had no reference for the work that was done. The car has been garaged in one place or another for the entire time I have known it. Before the Buick can be driven, at a minimum, the following items would need to be addressed: When I first started the car after bringing it back from Minnesota, it ran beautifully as long as I let it idle; and overheated immediately when I tried to drive it. A life-long friend who is smarter than I, but keeps me around for comic relief, worked with me to diagnose the problem. It has a new radiator core, etc., as part of our efforts, and we managed to clean about a yard of mouse nest out of the water jacket in the block. The water spotting you see on the firewall is remnant of some of our diagnostic efforts. The car continued to overheat, and I knew I would not resolve the issue short of at least taking the head off to have a look inside. I’ve talked with folks in the business and Googled over time, and there are a number of possible causes and solutions. Jim told me about a month ago that he'd talked to another collector (Jim has gone to Hershey, and Carlisle, and Chicasha, every year for as long as I can remember, and keeps up with all things automobile) that the head gasket can be installed incorrectly and fit, but there are two holes in it that correspond to holes in the head and block that are part of the coolant circulation path, which can be blocked if the gasket is installed incorrectly. Possibly that is the problem. The master brake cylinder is bad. When filled with fluid, it will work the brakes, but the fluid will leak out in a short time. The gas tank has a leak; I believe it is the original tank, was rusted, fixed with sloshing compound, which gave way when the gas I thoughtlessly left in it 10 or so years ago turned to shellac and ate through the sloshing compound. That same gasoline will have sat in the carburetor and all parts of the fuel system, so that will need some work as well. Finally, though it does not affect the driving, the synchronizer between 1st and 2nd gears (3-speed tranny) is pretty worn. Patience wins the day there, and otherwise it works fine. Caveats: If you are bidding on this car with the thought of making it immediately driveable, and perhaps restoring it over time, aside from what I have described above that I know about, keep in mind that the car has not been started or driven at all in over 10 years. I have not checked to see if the engine turns free, but I would not be surprised if it is a bit frozen, since it has not been turned in over a decade. The car is a project, and needs a thorough going through before an attempt to put it on the road. Pros: This is as complete a specimen of this make and model as you are likely to find, and Jim’s original restoration was just that: he knows and loves the details, and is faithful to them. It was not a show restoration nor was it meant to be, but it was solid work, and if you are looking at this auction and happen to know Jim, you will understand. I have included a picture of an appraisal I had done about a year ago while Jim and I were debating what to do with the car. I will never have the time for this project, and cannot justify spending the money it will take to make it what I would want it to be, and what it should be, because it will not be worth in my lifetime what I invest in it. That would not be an issue for me if I liked driving the car enough for recreation, or if either of my sons and I were likely to ever have enough time together to do the work and keep it in the family. But my tastes have changed, too, I’ve learned to adjust, and my association with Jim, and the graciousness of my brothers-in-law, has provided me a smaller project that I can handle, and enjoy more with my wife and sons. We are therefore converting the Buick to dollars for Jim’s use on another project. I have included basic pictures of the following parts which are included in the auction, with no representation as to condition unless I note it below. I have a couple more pictures of these, except the coil springs: 1 Ignition coil 7 used Delco-Remy voltage regulators 1 refurbished Delco-Remy voltage regulator, in plastic + housing 3 vacuum switches 2 knee-action shock absorbers 3 wheel cylinder repair kits Miscellaneous brake parts (including springs, and one new shoe) 2 sidemount badges 4 dash speedometer/instrument clusters in various states of repair, including one with good chrome bezel and glass intact 2 Speedometer cables 3 spotlights (two complete units in picture, one light only [no arm] in a box that also contains principally headlight parts (reflectors, buckets, bezels) 2 tire tubes 2 pieces of window channel 1 short length of door bead 1 door sill plate 1 unidentified pan 1 complete hood 1 NOS generator (in box) 1 fan or generator belt 1 and ½ grills (the full grill is broken, each side is in 2 pieces) 1 hood ornament (used, good condition) 1 set of hub caps in decent condition 1 set of hubcaps painted green, chrome condition unknown 1 Bag of miscellaneous springs, screws, bolts 1 door weatherstrip 2 NOS Coil Springs 2 door handles (one fair chrome, the other poor/ 2 trunk handles (fair to poor chrome) 1 oil dipstick 1 rear-view mirror (poor finish) 2 unused windshield wiper blades 1 ignition switch 1 dimmer control switch 1 heater control switch Documentation Included and pictured: 1937-1938 Chevrolet-Pontiac-Lasalle-Cadillac Manual of Construction and Service 1937 Buick Shop Manual Parts booklet for door sill Buick Technical Tips booklet Bob’s Automobilia Master Parts List for Buick, 1920-1953 Cars, Inc. Parts Catalog 1936-1960 Buick Motors Auto Repair Manual (Published in 1947, 2nd Printing, 10th Edition) Car Title AACA appraisal depicted. Payment: The winning bidder will need to deposit $500 through PayPal within 48 hours of the auction end, with the balance payable in cash, certified or cashier's check (to be verified by me) at the time of pickup. Shipping: Local Pickup, or if Buyer engages a hauler to pick up the car, I must have payment in full before I release the car. Title Transfer: As you can see, the car is currently titled in Minnesota, and is clear. I'll obtain Jim's signature and ensure that we complete any other paperwork necessary to transfer title to the Buyer.On Apr-08-12 at 18:24:50 PDT, seller added the following information: Up for auction is a 1937 Buick Model 46 Sport Coupe with dual side-mounts. The car is equipped as you see in the pictures; the entire drive train, body parts, and interior are original to the car. Please read this description of what I know of the car’s history carefully, and if I miss something pertinent to your interest, e-mail me and I will get you the info you seek, if it exists. In fact, I have asked my father-in-law, Jim, to prepare a complete history of the car as he knows it, which I will provide to the successful bidder upon purchase. Jim’s history will be very detailed, but I do not have it in hand yet and need to get this auction going. Since I was limited on the number of pictures for the auction, I have included the ones I believe give you a general idea of the car’s condition, and completeness; I have several more pictures of everything except the under-carriage, which I will be happy to e-mail to you. Please also note: The mileage listed in the general info above is just what is showing on the speedometer. Actual mileage is unknown. This car belongs to Jim, as you can see from the Minnesota title. Jim is an electro-mechanical engineer, and worked for much of his career for Safetran Systems, a manufacturer of railroad grade-crossing safety equipment. Safetran has facilities in Rancho Cucamonga, California, and Jim (and his family) lived in Upland from about 1971 to mid-1975 while he was attached to Safetran’s Cucamonga facilities. Jim found the car literally in the desert outside of Upland, California, near the California Railroad Museum (where he spent a ton of volunteer time, and you have to know Jim to truly understand and appreciate what that means), partially covered in the desert sand. The spot was also near March Air Reserve Base, and Jim’s kids got to watch the paratroopers practice jump while Jim worked on the museum pieces. Jim could never determine exactly who owned the land the car was on, but he took all necessary steps under California law to obtain title to the car. I know that the car was essentially complete when he found it, though of course very rusted and weathered, and sporting a few bullet holes from plinkers. Jim is a passionate and meticulous collector and restorer, with encyclopedic knowledge based on actual experience, and study. The Buick, like everything he collects, became a family member. Jim completely restored the Buick, over the course of several years. It moved with the family from Upland to Crestwood, Kentucky in mid-1975 when Safetran relocated its corporate headquarters to Louisville, Kentucky where it also has facilities. I first met the car in 1978, when Jim and my (future) brother-in-law were rebuilding the engine. The paint (and all of the chrome accoutrements) that is on the car now was on it then; the pictures I have here make it look better than it actually is, though it is serviceable if your goal is simply to make the car roadworthy and drive it. Keep in mind that the paint (and body work below it) and interior work is over 40 years old. The paint has some cracking and spider-webbing in the usual stress spots, and places where the body leading was done to smooth dents and welds before paint. The chrome is fair at a distance, but far from show standard. The Buick moved from Kentucky to Minnesota in 1983, when Safetran moved its corporate headquarters back to Minneapolis, where it had been originally. By that time, my wife and I were married and had established here in Kentucky. Jim narrowed his automobile hobby interests to Brass Era cars, but kept his hand in the Buick and a Model A he owned, for sentimental reasons, and to hopefully pass to whichever of his children might be interested in keeping the cars’ heritage alive. In 1998 or 1999, I thought I would like to restore the Buick and both learn and teach my kids along the way, so I took my then 8-year old son and trailered it from Minnesota back to my home in LaGrange, Kentucky. At that time, Jim had just retrieved the car from a garage where he’d had the engine rebuilt by a fellow he knew personally, and by reputation, as an excellent and original mechanic. Jim was in no hurry, and the Buick engine was rebuilt, re-installed, and sat in the Buick for a couple of years, never having really been run, when I retrieved it. By that time, unfortunately, the fellow who rebuilt the engine had died, so I had no reference for the work that was done. The car has been garaged in one place or another for the entire time I have known it. Before the Buick can be driven, at a minimum, the following items would need to be addressed: When I first started the car after bringing it back from Minnesota, it ran beautifully as long as I let it idle; and overheated immediately when I tried to drive it. A life-long friend who is smarter than I, but keeps me around for comic relief, worked with me to diagnose the problem. It has a new radiator core, etc., as part of our efforts, and we managed to clean about a yard of mouse nest out of the water jacket in the block. The water spotting you see on the firewall is remnant of some of our diagnostic efforts. The car continued to overheat, and I knew I would not resolve the issue short of at least taking the head off to have a look inside. I’ve talked with folks in the business and Googled over time, and there are a number of possible causes and solutions. Jim told me about a month ago that he'd talked to another collector (Jim has gone to Hershey, and Carlisle, and Chicasha, every year for as long as I can remember, and keeps up with all things automobile) that the head gasket can be installed incorrectly and fit, but there are two holes in it that correspond to holes in the head and block that are part of the coolant circulation path, which can be blocked if the gasket is installed incorrectly. Possibly that is the problem. The master brake cylinder is bad. When filled with fluid, it will work the brakes, but the fluid will leak out in a short time. The gas tank has a leak; I believe it is the original tank, was rusted, fixed with sloshing compound, which gave way when the gas I thoughtlessly left in it 10 or so years ago turned to shellac and ate through the sloshing compound. That same gasoline will have sat in the carburetor and all parts of the fuel system, so that will need some work as well. Finally, though it does not affect the driving, the synchronizer between 1st and 2nd gears (3-speed tranny) is pretty worn. Patience wins the day there, and otherwise it works fine. Caveats: If you are bidding on this car with the thought of making it immediately driveable, and perhaps restoring it over time, aside from what I have described above that I know about, keep in mind that the car has not been started or driven at all in over 10 years. I have not checked to see if the engine turns free, but I would not be surprised if it is a bit frozen, since it has not been turned in over a decade. The car is a project, and needs a thorough going through before an attempt to put it on the road. Pros: This is as complete a specimen of this make and model as you are likely to find, and Jim’s original restoration was just that: he knows and loves the details, and is faithful to them. It was not a show restoration nor was it meant to be, but it was solid work, and if you are looking at this auction and happen to know Jim, you will understand. I have included a picture of an appraisal I had done about a year ago while Jim and I were debating what to do with the car. I will never have the time for this project, and cannot justify spending the money it will take to make it what I would want it to be, and what it should be, because it will not be worth in my lifetime what I invest in it. That would not be an issue for me if I liked driving the car enough for recreation, or if either of my sons and I were likely to ever have enough time together to do the work and keep it in the family. But my tastes have changed, too, I’ve learned to adjust, and my association with Jim, and the graciousness of my brothers-in-law, has provided me a smaller project that I can handle, and enjoy more with my wife and sons. We are therefore converting the Buick to dollars for Jim’s use on another project. I have included basic pictures of the following parts which are included in the auction, with no representation as to condition unless I note it below. I have a couple more pictures of these, except the coil springs: 1 Ignition coil 7 used Delco-Remy voltage regulators 1 refurbished Delco-Remy voltage regulator, in plastic + housing 3 vacuum switches 2 knee-action shock absorbers 3 wheel cylinder repair kits Miscellaneous brake parts (including springs, and one new shoe) 2 sidemount badges 4 dash speedometer/instrument clusters in various states of repair, including one with good chrome bezel and glass intact 2 Speedometer cables 3 spotlights (two complete units in picture, one light only [no arm] in a box that also contains principally headlight parts (reflectors, buckets, bezels) 2 tire tubes 2 pieces of window channel 1 short length of door bead 1 door sill plate 1 unidentified pan 1 complete hood 1 NOS generator (in box) 1 fan or generator belt 1 and ½ grills (the full grill is broken, each side is in 2 pieces) 1 hood ornament (used, good condition) 1 set of hub caps in decent condition 1 set of hubcaps painted green, chrome condition unknown 1 Bag of miscellaneous springs, screws, bolts 1 door weatherstrip 2 NOS Coil Springs 2 door handles (one fair chrome, the other poor/ 2 trunk handles (fair to poor chrome) 1 oil dipstick 1 rear-view mirror (poor finish) 2 unused windshield wiper blades 1 ignition switch 1 dimmer control switch 1 heater control switch ADDED 04-08-2012: Jim advises that the radio is the original, factory "Centerline" radio, not an aftermarket. He also had 2 NORS vibrators for the radio, which are nearly impossible to obtain today. Also, in addition to the above parts, Jim has the following in Minnesota, for which separate shipping arrangements will need to be made: 1 starter and solenoid; 1 pair of 1938 trunk brackets (better quality than the 1937 ones); 1 radiator (per Jim, the one that was on the car when he found it); and 1 full hood (in addition to the one pictured). Documentation Included and pictured: 1937-1938 Chevrolet-Pontiac-Lasalle-Cadillac Manual of Construction and Service 1937 Buick Shop Manual Parts booklet for door sill Buick Technical Tips booklet Bob’s Automobilia Master Parts List for Buick, 1920-1953 Cars, Inc. Parts Catalog 1936-1960 Buick Motors Auto Repair Manual (Published in 1947, 2nd Printing, 10th Edition) Car Title AACA appraisal depicted. Payment: The winning bidder will need to deposit $500 through PayPal within 48 hours of the auction end, with the balance payable in cash, certified or cashier's check (to be verified by me) at the time of pickup. Shipping: Local Pickup, or if Buyer engages a hauler to pick up the car, I must have payment in full before I release the car. Title Transfer: As you can see, the car is currently titled in Minnesota, and is clear. I'll obtain Jim's signature and ensure that we complete any other paperwork necessary to transfer title to the Buyer. On Apr-09-12 at 12:53:54 PDT, seller added the following information: Regarding additional parts I added to the description on 04-08-2012: I've never added to a description in any of my auctions before yesterday, so I was a bit unfamiliar with the process. You would not see the changes I made yesterday unless and until you were to read the entire description down to the "Added 04-08-2012:" spot. In case you missed that, what I said is that the Buick has the original, factory "Centerline" radio, not an aftermarket. Jim has 2 NORS vibrators for the radio, which are very difficult to obtain today. Jim has the following additional parts for the car, in Minnesota, not with the car: 1 starter and solenoid, 1 pair of 1938 trunk brackets (better quality than the 1937 ones); 1 radiator (the one that was on the car when Jim found it); and 1 full hood (this is in addition to the one pictured). If the ultimate purchaser is interested in these additional parts, as I indicated yesterday, separate arrangements will need to be made for their shipping. I also want to be clear, because several of these items (the hood in particular) are either large, or heavy, or both, and will be somewhat expensive to ship. All shipping related to this auction is at the Buyer's expense. Regarding the hood that is currently on the car: Jim states that the original hood, which is on the car, warped during sandblasting. My own note on this is that the sides, which are the thinnest metal in the hood combo, are the most affected; and of the two, the driver's side is the most affected. Opening and closing are where you notice it the most. As it sits on the car, secured, it is passable. I can get more detailed pictures of that if anyone wants them before bidding. Interior restoration: I indicated in the original description that both the paint and interior work is 40 years old. Jim states (as you can read further below) that he actually did the interior after he relocated to Minnesota. That puts the interior in the 20-year-old range. Additional History: Jim actually sent me the history of how he acquired the Buick, which adds more detail to what I originally stated. He also goes into more detail about his restoration efforts, so I am adding that here because it is pertinent information about the work that has been done on the car Jim says: "The Buick was purchased new in Los Angeles and spent much of its life there. It was donated to the Orange Empire Trolley Museum (now the Orange Empire Railway Museum) in 1953 and was stored on their back-lot, along with trolley cars awaiting restoration. The OERM is located at Perris CA, a southeast LA suburb in the desert.” I was an active OETM member and worked on trolley restoration and operation so the Buick, and its state of neglect, became an issue and led me to purchase the car in 1972. It was almost totally complete, though very weathered from its nearly 20 years in the desert. The odometer showed 63,000 miles which, almost certainly, was original. The car also managed to attract a few desert “plinkers” who put a dozen or so .22 cal holes in the sheet metal (and many more in the adjacent trolley cars). The body was removed and sand-blasted as was the frame. NOS and NORS replacement parts were still relatively easy to find and the Buick Club of America and its founder in LA provided valuable insight and critical NOS parts. Last, but not least, Hershey, which was (and still is) an annual event, contributed many essential original pieces. In mid-restoration a corporate transfer to Louisville KY transferred the car there as well and the task resumed. Driveline and suspension parts were rebuilt or replaced with NOS or NORS components. All rubber (Lynn Steele) was replaced. Dash and interior moldings were woodgrained professionally (DiNoc was not available at that time), the original “banjo” steering wheel rim was remolded, running boards remolded, bumpers rechromed, all glass was replaced. The grille and many stainless steel or die-cast exterior parts are either original or were obtained from parted-out cars. The paint is the original color Ditzler (PPG) lacquer. Wiring harness and all other wiring was replaced (Y’nZ). Radiator was recored and all engine accessories replaced with NOS or NORS parts. Original carburetor (with automatic choke) was rebuilt, The heater and defroster (typically not California accessories) were added using NOS factory kits. The engine, which appeared to be in relatively good shape, was overhauled and all brake components rebuilt or replaced. The gas tank is the original tank, was rusted, pits soldered and fixed with sloshing compound (pre-ethanol type). The fuel pump has ethanol resistant diaphragm however. In hot weather, and when the engine is hot, the starter at times didn’t turn the engine over fast enough to start it. I located and purchased an additional starter and solenoid which came from a running 1938 Buick. A further corporate headquarters transfer to Minneapolis occurred in 1983 where the interior and upholstery were completed. The seats are tan wool broadcloth and an exact match of the original. Seat springs and molded foam rubber are original, cotton padding was new. All other interior fabric is as close to the original as it was possible to find. Upholstery was done by a professional auto upholstery shop. The brown rubber floor mat is NOS. From 1987 to 1994 the car was driven a couple thousand miles, including a couple of trips to Iola WI where it appeared in their “Blue Ribbon” show section. It became apparent that the engine overhaul of several years earlier had been inadequate to put it in top condition. Thus it was totally rebuilt by Lud Hardenburg of Frederick WI, a locally noted rebuilder who mostly specialized in building stock car engines for Brainerd and other regional speedways. The car has had only a few miles put on it since that time.” Additional info on overheating: My thanks to eBay member , who wrote: "there should be a spring loaded stopper between thermostat housing and the water pump- if it is missing water will recirc when driving and overheat-" I was the last person inside the thermostat housing, and have no recollection whether this apparatus was there. I'll try to make time to look. I think that covers my additions for now. Please e-mail questions if you have them. On Apr-10-12 at 14:09:21 PDT, seller added the following information: In response to a question from a potential bidder, I'm adding the following information: 1) my saintly friend who keeps me around for comic relief checked for me today, and the engine does turn freely; 2) though the "Buick" badge is missing from the grille that is on the car, the broken grille that I described, and which is pictured, does have a "Buick" badge on each piece. On Apr-12-12 at 20:04:18 PDT, seller added the following information: I had not wanted to add even more to my already voluminous description, but I've had a few inquiries from bidders, and potential bidders, the answers to which may be useful to others. Running Board Trim: This is stainless, same pattern as all of the stainless trim on the car. I have two pieces of trim with me in Kentucky; Jim believes he has a bundle of stainless trim at home in Minnesota, including the end pieces for each side of the running board. His intent was to essentially take two pieces, cut off an end, and braize and polish into one piece for each side. He thinks he has what amounts to about 20 feet, since all of the stainless trim is of the same pattern, and usable all over. Jim is at the Bakersfield swap meet this week, so I cannot confirm what all we do have until after the auction. So, please note, this is what we think we have, not what we know we have. 1 Pair of new door sills: While searching for the aforementioned stainless running board trim in my garage, I discovered a pair of new door sills, wrapped in newspaper, stored in a heavy cardboard tube that I thought contained my house plans. I have no plans, but I do have two beautiful new door sills for the Buick. I assume they are repro; Jim told me he bought them new, but had to ring off the call before I could get the whole story. Missing Running Light Lens (bullet shape): My thanks to member , who advises these are available from Bob's Automobilia in California. They are otherwise scarce, and something happened to the one that is missing. It was not missing when I took possession of the car from Jim years ago. Additional Radio, Heater and Defroster Information: Jim also told me, for the first time that I can recall, that the radio in this car is a deluxe model, with an external 10-inch speaker mounted to the firewall under the dash. If you are familiar with it, he states it is the rarest of configurations for the radio for this car. Also, he bought the heater and defroster NOS from the fellow who actually founded the Buick Club of America, who lived in Los Angeles at the time Jim and his family were there, which is when Jim got the Buick. Jim sourced a lot of parts and information through him. Jump Seat Supports: thoughtfully asked if the chrome supports for the jumpseats are present, and attached to the seats. They are. has seen a disc in the floor of other Buick coupes so equipped, that the chrome support rod fits into. I discussed the jump seats and supports with Jim, who says that while restoring the car, he talked with various BCA members, and other collectors, about many things, including these supports. He was told that there was not reinforcing or sufficient support for the chrome rod right from the factory, and under a heavy load, they were prone to poke through the floorboard. Many dealers installed their own fix for that. He suspects the disc in the floor that and probably others have seen, is one of those fixes, and was probably a popular one. However, this car did not have those, so Jim ultimately implemented the remedy that the people he talked to referenced as a common fix, and welded steel plate to the floor panel, centered over the spot where the chrome support rests, and drilled an impression into the plate to position the support. The carpet covers these plates. Floorboard: asked whether any of the floors, rockers, or bottoms of doors were rusty, and replaced during restoration. Because the car sat in the open, in the California desert, there was very little rust. I included Jim's brief description of the bodywork earlier. However, Jim advises that the floorboard did suffer some from what little moisture did manage to collect from time to time in that climate, because the floor mat was in the car throughout the time it sat there, and was present when Jim found the car. Any moisture that did collect there took extra time to evaporate. Jim states that the floorboard was not rusted through anywhere, but was thin in places, and he reinforced the thin places. It has not presented any issues since the restoration work was done, but it is also not new, and it is not perfect. Please keep the questions coming, and I'll do my best to answer them. I'm learning along the way, and I'm humbled by the craftsmanship I've seen in the items several of you have been kind enough to share with me. On Apr-13-12 at 19:35:39 PDT, seller added the following information: Water Pump: I think this is my final revision. Earlier this week, a potential bidder asked if the engine is free; I reported that it is, after my friend hand-turned the engine using the fan belt. Today we noticed some antifreeze beneath the car (very clean antifreeze, by the way), which has never appeared before. It is leaking from the bottom of the water pump; apparently the seal or packing is dry from sitting so long, and turning the engine with the belt was enough to set the antifreeze free through the packing. This may clear up when the engine is run for a while, and it may not. The pump is quite simple, and common. My thanks to everyone who has bid, asked questions, and asked for additional information. You have kept me on my toes this week, I've learned a lot, and I've met some neat people, at least on the phone and electronically.