Needs some fuzzy dice hanging from the rearview mirror…
Ken Brunt said:And a coons tail on the antenna
Needs some fuzzy dice hanging from the rearview mirror.........;)
Excellent job Jerry. Beautiful resto.
Man, that is one big piece of chrome. Looks like it turned out real nice. Beautiful work, Jerry.
Jerry, You did that ride justice! VERY smooth resto. Nice work! Kudos. Can I have a ride?
Chas
Thanks guys, I’ve been driving it around. Might get it to a car show on the 11th, if it’s not too hot. Neither of us likes the heat.
“Neither of us likes the heat.”
Jerry;
I remember that my Dad’s 1955 Roadmaster had AC, but current systems have to use a different freon formula. Does your statement mean that your classic car no longer has AC or perhaps did not get built with it? Or does the cooling system get overworked on hot days?
Understand where you are coming from; the AC quit in my 1997 beater this past Saturday, and I’m not sure that I want to throw good money after bad. Don’t drive the Sportage that far anyway, and plan to replace it in December. Just trying to figure out what you meant by the car not liking heat.
Best,
David Meashey
Jerry,
Just do like we did back in the '60’s, remove the thermostat. 
It does not have AC, was available, but was not equipped with it. I did put on the 13lb radiator cap that the AC cars had. Also had it flushed again, seems to be doing okay. Steve, I remember my grandpa pulling the thermostat in the summers on his Buick. Seems I read someplace that does not do you a lot of good? Not sure why…
Jerry Barnes said:Coolant flows through the radiator too quickly, not giving it enough time to cool. Even an open thermostat restricts the flow, keeping the coolant in the radiator longer. Ralph
Steve, I remember my grandpa pulling the thermostat in the summers on his Buick. Seems I read someplace that does not do you a lot of good? Not sure why....
Jerry;
If you remember back in 56 AC was a add-on most people could not afford or even wanted.
Just roll the window down open the wing an roll.
Nice ride!
Removing thermostat insures free coolant flow without the restriction of the bi-metallic valve. Here in Socal, we always left them out of the muscle cars and hot rods we build/worked on at JTM’s. How vintage is the radiator? Nice aluminum replica would work magic or a thermostactially controlled electric fan also. Does it have a fan clutch? Just several possibilities.
Most of the guys I know use a company called “Vintage Air” on their rides.
And use re-pro radiators with electric fan(s),
but now you are not original and starting to “retro-rod”.
I myself, lean toward a retro-rod, than an original. Originals seem to have inherent prollems, like they had back then.
I want to get out and cruise without any prollems, but still look original.
I had the radiator re-done. Looking at electric fans. It’s just the stock 4 blade fan. Rainey today, so did not drive it any. Should get those wipers on! I did put on a electric wiper motor. Someone had cut all the vacuum lines anyway.
With the size of that grille and as long as it’s not too hot of a motor, electric fans will be fine and much cleaner looking as well. Now if it is a hot motor then stay out of long idle traffic conditions. If you wanna remove the t=stat install a restrictor ring in the water neck housing or just put in a 160degree t-stat…I would not run nothing.
Back in 1956 back up lights were an option if at all?
Not sure David. It does have power windows/brakes/steering.
Buick won Best of Show on it’s first outing. No other Buicks there, so not much competition!
(http://forums.aaca.org/attachments/f163/93275d1310249766-my-56-won-best-show-buicktrophya.jpg)
Jerry,
Congrats, it must not just be the pictures that look good. Your work and investment paid off.
Wow Jerry,
A home run first time at bat
Ralph
Congrats Jerry, all that effort really paid off, beautiful car 