'71 Electra restoration. Doing it in less than 4 months!

I think that striping would work on an Electra equally as well as it does on a Centurion.

 

Sunday I am going to a BOP swap meet and I want to find a pair of fenders. Are 71 Electra fenders all that will work for me, or will 72 work as well? What about 71-72 Centurion or Lesabre fenders? Were they different?

 

Mike,
I am 99% certain that '71-'72 fenders are the same for all the full size models.
The difference would be if they have openings for cornering lamps or not.

 

Dale, you are exactly right!

 

I LOVE that car Brian!!!

 

I see. by cornering lamps do you mean side marker lights at the bottom of the fenders in front of the wheels?

 

Mike, he is referring to the optional lamp that was offered to provide side illumination when the turn signals are used and the headlamps are in use. Smartin's former Centurion convertible had this option:



As you can see, this lamp / side marker unit is located in a different front fender position than the standard side marker lamps.

 

I see. So as long as I find a fender that doesn't have the optional cornering lamp, regardless if it came from a Lesabre, Electra, or Centurion, it will work with my car.

 

Or if I find a matching pair of fenders that already have the cornering lamp assemblies in them, I will just use those. It depends what I find, if I find any.

 

Made some more progress. All the trim is now off the car along with the lock cylinders, door handles, and door panels.









To save time, I'm not going to jam the doors since the jams are ok. I may spot in a few areas to make them look a little more presentable.
The moldings you see below are the only trim pieces that are going to remain on the car and be masked off.





I thought it was funny how much trim was left on the car the first time it was painted. Even the hood ornament! Whoever did the car last masked off everything. Literally the only thing that was removed what the "Electra" signature on the deck lid.








Some nice boogering on the pass rear "tail fin"'

 

I was wondering where I can find a few items. First of all, both the front driver and passenger door strikers are worn out. As you can see in this pic the P.O. used electrical tape where the poly bushing used to sit.



Secondly, does anyone still make the window felt for these cars?



And what about weather stripping? I need body and door weather stripping along with the trunk.

 

Mike, your progress is looking great!

Regarding the parts you're looking for, you might start with Smartin's Buick Parts Directory, which lists out the reputable vendors for various kinds of parts for our Buicks: http://buickpartsdirectory.com/

 

Steele Rubber has all the rubber except the window felts. The prices are through the roof though so don't plan on dropping a hundred bucks and getting everything you need. The strikers should be the same as the other Buicks which means you can hit up yearone or classic industries and snatch them from an A-body of the same year.

 

Hi all, it has been nearly 2 months since my last post. I have been very short on time with helping my fiance plan our wedding, a lack of computer access, and a move. Alas, the car sat untouched for several weeks. As the 2 month deadline to the wedding passed on the 9th of this month, action was taken. Due to a lack of a camera I have no pics to update. I have some I uploaded to my facebook page via my android phone that I may try and link to this page in a few days.

In short, the entire car has been sanded, minus the passenger doors. The cancerous spot at the bottom of the driver's fender has been patched and welded in with fresh sheet metal. Not a whole lot remains before primer and sealer start spraying. Looks like I might make the deadline for the wedding!!

Also, the Roadmaster in my sig has been sold due to the need for better gas mileage and a core support/inner fenders that were beyond repair. Thats about it for now.

 

Here are some up to date pics:














---------- Post added at 10:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:49 PM ----------

I do need a pair of fender skirts though. The ones from the car really aren't savable. If anyone has a pair or knows of where a pair is please throw me a bone. I need the trim and all. I need them before June 9th since that is my wedding day and the car's first appearance.

I also posted a request in parts wanted. I pay cash.

---------- Post added at 10:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:56 PM ----------

I do need a pair of fender skirts though. The ones from the car really aren't savable. If anyone has a pair or knows of where a pair is please throw me a bone. I need the trim and all. I need them before June 9th since that is my wedding day and the car's first appearance.

I also posted a request in parts wanted. I pay cash.

 

Drove up north yesterday to visit Rob (GoldBoattail455) and pick up a set of clean fender skirts FOR FREE! Rob, I am beyond greatful! They will go to good use.

Just got done with a spending spree buying a varitey of repo weather stripping off of ebay this afternoon. I also got my digital camera back so now I can finally document some better pics.

Does anyone know of a good shop in Chicagoland that still does vinyl tops? My top is a 10 footer right now, and I want to have it redone before I paint the car. No one around here seems to do vinyl tops anymore.

 

Mike,
You need to empty your PM inbox.
I replied to your message a few times until I realized that was why it wasn't going through.

 

Crap, ok Dale I just emptied it now.

 

Just a little update here. My Radial T/A's showed up at work today so I took the liberty of putting them on my rallys. I copied Dale's tire size and went with a set of 235/60/R15's. I just hope they clear the skirts ok. The rims & tires look great, my set of 4 NOS ebay caps topped it all off.







I also ordered a pair of Magnaflow mufflers and I bought a centrifugal advance kit by Moroso. More to come......

---------- Post added at 08:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:33 PM ----------

Oh, almost forgot to mention. Today is the ONE MONTH mark to the wedding. Looks like I shall finish on time (knocking on wood).

 

My Magnaflows came in a few days ago. I'm going to run 2 1/2" duals from the manifolds back with an X pipe.



It's almost done! 1/2 of the car is painted. My dad had to paint half at a time since the car is so large. I don't trust myself with the gun enough to spray this beast. The driver's side will be painted tomorrow and then assembly statrs this weekend.