http://www.alfaparts.net/buick.html I also placed this link in the Goodmark thread. I hadn't checked them since I used their floor in my '66 Alfa Duetto. It fit perfectly. I asked the owner at that time about possible interest in making Buick parts. I was more than pleased to see that he took me seriously. Dan
Wow! Nice goin' Dan! My list: Rear quarter panel repair sections '65-67 Radiator support repair sections Maybe '65 taillight panels, if there is sufficient demand. If there's enough interest, we could have a poll to determine what the highest demand items are.
I`m willing to provide my 66-67 NOS quarters if interested in full quarters?I`m with Walt on all those parts as well. Thanks
Dan: I clicked the links on Alfa's page to check out the website. Would it be better for all of us to send our requests to the website so the owner gets the idea that we're really interested in having these parts made? Or, do you want me to list the parts request here and you'll send all the requests together? Either way, count me in. Thanks for your effort on behalf of Buick lovers everywhere! Paul
Hi guys, At the time, I was asking him about core support repair pieces, outer wheelhouses, tail panels, etc. I got the impression then, that they couldn't make large pieces, such as full quarters, but that was in '96. I think that both approaches would work. They seem to be willing and able to do one-off work, which would really help the individual with '65-68 needs....but once they have the die, they will make as many as requested. Lets pick a few really needed parts, and see what they are willing to do. Too, the 70-72 parts would probably make them a pile of money, and with it, the willingness to try the earlier cars. We can do a poll, and submit the results, but my experience with the polls is, that we get only a few people willing to step up. If a bunch of individuals email them for a specific part, I think they will consider it a small percentage of a much greater need. I think the individual approach should be tried first, then a poll if necessary. My list of urgent needs: drivers inner fenders, 1/4 panel patches, drivers side core support, outer wheelhouses and tailpanels. As you can see, my cars have been hit in the 1/4s, bumped in the back, and rusted by the batteries. I'll bet yours have too, haha. I would also love to get door skins, which would cross to the '67's....Dan
Letter to Wolf I went ahead and wrote a letter to Wolf in anticipation of more responses fro the rest of us. I hope it says what you would like him to hear...Dan Hi Allen, I was very pleased with the full Alfa Romeo Duetto floors that I bought from you back in about ’96, and at the time spoke with you about the possibility of doing some Buick parts. Today, I was reading several rather lengthy threads at www.v8buick.com regarding the attempts by members to get Goodmark and others to make a few parts for us. Please read it, and you will sense the frustration, and possibly get a sense of the market that has developed for these parts. http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=61233 http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=61233 While reading these threads, I remembered our past dealings, and searched out your website. I was very pleased to see your page regarding Buick parts, and quickly placed the link at the Buick site. There is building excitement in the short time since I placed your link, and I expect that you will be receiving emails. Please consider our requests as only the tip of a very large iceberg, as this board has proven itself to be a place from which word-of mouth travels around to other owners who aren’t internet saavy. The current sheetmetal parts list available to us, is mainly the few parts that are made for Chevy and can be made to fit our vehicles, such as floorpans. I believe you will see a significant need, and a strong opportunity. The number of Skylarks made from just ’70-72 was over 400,000, compared to just 138,000 Dodge Challengers built from ’70-74. Despite this, Goodmark is making Challenger parts, and refusing to consider Buick parts. The need is here. I think you will also find an interest from such companies as Year One, Poston and The Parts Place to carry your parts. In addition, the Buick GSCA has shown itself to be proactive in getting the word out about new products to its members. Any help you may need in putting pressure on these companies to carry your products will be applied from our members, who number 10,314. Yes we are getting desperate, and we can afford to buy these parts, especially considering that it is now routine to see ridiculous prices for NOS Buick parts that occasionally show up on ebay. As an example: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1970...591535142QQcategoryZ34204QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem I sincerely hope you will consider the need, and the opportunity. If you have any questions, or would like to respond to the board, I will be happy to help. Thanks, Dan Konzelmann.
I have emailed them separately. I would also be willing to support a project with upfront money if it was something I could use. I have a 70 Skylark and 70 GSX and could really use a core support as could most of us. Mark
Another strategy: First, do a poll here, to determine demand for each item. Then submit photos and a quote for 'x' number of pieces of each reproduction to Wolf's. Possibly organize a group purchase. ??? My opinion is we may receive a better response from Wolf's if we can place a single large order for an item. They may appreciate an organized request, as opposed to being bombarded with requests for 50 different items. I'm curious as to their manufacturing process....Are some of these pieces hand-formed, or machine-made one bend at a time? Or do they in fact manufacture full-size stamping dies? I can't see them making full-size dies for low production runs....it's expensive and time consuming. (or at least is used to be!)
I would go for 69 1/4's or even 68-69 wheel well 1/4 repair panels as i have several to do if the price is right i would go for 64- 1/4's as well shipping is my only concern maybe some one in montana could accept the shipment and i could pic them up from there ?? just a thought ken
I have already found a donor for my 70 for the filler panel under the back window. not sure how good it is yet but looks very promising. I CAN'T believe no on makes this filler panel/channel, for as much trouble these cars have with this area. I think they would sell like hot cakes. it is usually why the these cars have trunk floor and quarter issues as secondary effects. I have another donor car where this area was marginal. But may be good for a speciman. not sure if i may need that for my built yet though. if not it will be up for grabs for this use.
Another thought. Let's make certain that no one else is about to, or is in the proces of making these parts. such as parts place, year one, or other indiviuals. I would not want somebody willing to come up with tooling to make these parts, to have to compete with anyone else in this relatively small market place. There is definatly room for 1 vendor for each of these parts and make money. two would be marginal. So lets make sure and do our homework thoroughly for him.
Thanks Dan. I will be needing a set of rear quarter panels for my 65 too. This has been "THE" major hold-up on doing the body.
Walt, I don't know how to do a poll that would cover everyone's needs; too, we would need to alert everyone on the board to the possibility of getting some of this much-need stuff produced. Any ideas. We could do a tally. The question about asking around to see who's making what has merit, but just look at what's going on in plastics...for example, there are several people making 70-71 grilles, despite a bunch of silence on the topic to queries within the last two years. I think if something proves popular, the others will dive in after someone else has tested the water. Just my .02. Dan
I think the rear window channel for the earlier cars would sell pretty good too since its pretty common area for rust,Im not sure if any of the earliy cars are the same in this area though.Im in need of a 65 channel myself.
I think a very good starter piece to "test the waters" would be the rear outer wheelhouses for the 70-72s. A nice small piece that is in big demand. We need a part that would really kick start this whole deal so it can snowball quickly.
Reply from Wolf I got this reply this morning. They are indeed hand-making these parts.....Dan Hi Dan, thank you for the kind words regarding our products! We are definitely interested in making Buick parts; some of my best automotive moments were in Buicks. First of all let me explain that we are hand making parts. This does give some limitations; we cannot make complete fenders or hoods for example. The advantage is that it is not necessary to mortgage the house to be able to make one part! We can probably make most of the floors in these older Buicks. We can make rear 1/4 panels in 1 or 2 pieces from usually 4-5" above the wheel opening. Door opening to tail light in length. Rocker panels and lower front fender repair panels are popular. All of this depends on enthusiasts to send us original rusty and raggedy panels to copy. As long as we can see the shapes and details we can use them as patterns. We need only one side to make pairs. Feel free to post this notice on your board. Allen Hall Dan
I believe the 65-67 filler panel from rear window to trunk is already made. They have them listed for 65-67 Chevelle. I don't know if those are close to the Skylark versions. Visit www.nationalpartsdepot.com 1964-65 w/inner support $130, C-12971-100A 1966-67 coupe $70, C-12971-101A
I think an ideal test piece would be the rear window/deck lid filler panel for the 70-72 Skylark. It is a piece that many seem to need and the size would be in keeping with the physical limitations of what they say they can produce. I notice they are talking about producing quarters in multiple pieces. I am not so sure that would really address our needs as repro skins in one piece, are already being made at a good price. Don't think it is necessary to re-invent the wheel at the present time. But it would be a good time to step up to the plate with a part not yet produced. Cheers Randy
