Need stainless trim all the way from front to rear on passenger side at the belt line. Just that thin strip of stainless that tops the panels which run the length of the body. Any help in finding it would be appreciated as we are finishing floors and working on getting it running after sitting for 20 years. We have the 401 engine turning over but only half way - it hits something which will not allow it to turn over but 180 degrees back and forth. Stuck valve? Or do they even contact the valves. It is a solid stop as even the start only kicks it over to the point it hits.
OK Marrp: What body style? I believe both sides are interchangeable. As far as the engine not turning, first pull all the plugs. Put a 1" socket on the balancer bolt (1/2"drive of course) and see if the engine will turn full circle. TDC is #1 on the right bank. Also check your starter, it may be bound up. Mitch
If you have a 4 door Electra I have most of the thin parts for a 4 door. I also have the fin molding and other misc strips, window moldings etc.
Sorry I didn't get back sooner I thought I would get a notification if anyone answered the forum. This is a 2 door convertible. I think 4 door trim for the fender will work but everything else will be different. We can turn it over with the socket to the point where it stops and then about 180 degrees back the other way. If we hit starter it will spin to the same stopping point. It originally would not turn at all but we let it soak in diesel, tranny fluid, and seafoam for a couple days and got it to move the 180 degrees. ---------- Post added at 07:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:34 PM ---------- this has everything except the belt line molding on the passenger side. It is a 2 door convertible so it likely would only be the fender piece that would work. I can always start with one piece.
OK Maarp: More questions so I can dial you in better. A convert? Lesabre Invicta or Electra 225? Is it the fin peak molding you need or the body side molding that runs from the tip of the rear bumper to the front fender? Mitch
OK Maarp: The front fender spears are all the same for all 1960 Buicks, both sides. The door moldings are identical for all 60 Buick 2 doors, either side. The 1/4 panel moldings are 225 convert only. They are 3" longer than the Invicta or Lesabre. The 2 door moldings are getting somewhat scarce but still obtainable. The deuce and a Quarter 1/4 moldings are basically now made of unobtanium. They are the same for the 60 Electra coupe....still that unobtanium material. An alternate solution would be to get an Invicta or Lesabre convert, or coupe, which is the same and weld a piece from a 4-door to make the extra length. You might even mate two 4 door pieces from the 225 4-door models, either a 6 window or a flattop. Who would have thought finding these parts would be so difficult? Good luck, Mitch.
thanks for help - any idea where to look or just wait for something to come up on ebay or craigslist? Also, we still have not found the convertible top switch to run the convertible top on this car - any idea where it is located? We though it was around the emergency brake lever, but haven't found anything.
OK Marrp: The convert switch is over the radio by the map light. That can be fabricated if you can't locate one. As far as those moldings go I have never seen anything that comes close on Craig's List. There are a handful of people on CL trying to hustle that type of stuff but they seem to be no better than the majority of people hustling old parts at swap meets. They say it's for sale but they really aren't interested in selling it. Occasionally a molding will pop up on the ebay but you really have to scour the listings every day and then again, like CL, it's not likely. Sorry for the disappointing news on that. ' I think the gentleman (milo4510)who has the side moldings might be your solution here. Measure the length you need and perhaps the 1/4 and rear door pieces (make sure what he has will more than cover it) could be trimmed to that exact length. Remember, a good stainless person can weld these two pieces together and it will just about resemble what's supposed to go there. BTW, where do you hail from? Mitch
I am in rainier, wa. I had the 58 buick special conv. that I just sold and also just sold a 65 cadillac conv. We are going to keep and restore the electra as we just don't see any of them around here. I'll look into getting the 4 door trim and putting it together. I do restoration as a hobby and do body work, painting and mechanical work on the side to help pay for the habit.
OK Maarp: I am the biggest baby. I want to see pictures. Before is best because there are dozens of all fu-fu'ed 60 Electra converts portrayed all over the internet. BTW, did you purchase this car from a MC? Mitch
it's all original at this point. I would have to take some pics first and I am new to forum so not exactly sure how to post but I'll figure it out. From a MC? Got it out of Woodinville Wa. Stored way for at least 20 years in a shed. Not sure what MC is?
OK Maarp: You hit the jackpot. Titian red on that car is by far the sexiest color. Most are white....not that I wouldn't take a white one of course! I'd love it if you could post as much as the 60 Lesabre 2 door post thread. Out of all the 1960 Buicks I have I have yet to really crack open one. I'm on short punch lists for small repairs. Mitch
nice ride... maybe i misunderstood, but i thought the convertible top switch was located between the light switch and the wiper switch, with an "accessory" label over it, there are pictures in the owner's manual if you look carefully..
I have picked up some trim but still looking for the fender stainless mid fender which is very short and comes to a spear - fender spear? Ones I have are very long in comparison, probably a good 6 to 8 inches longer than what I need. Hate to cut them up if they would fit another buick? Willing to trade for shorter or if I find shorter version, will sell these. Everything on this car has come true from what I have read up in the forums. Every panel as I remove trim or dig into the paint is revealing more and more rust. Luckily, this is not an issue for us other than we wanted this to be a little shorter resto. Floor panels, lower quarters and rockers are almost finished, still have to do the bottom of fenders and any rust that may be hidden behind the fenders. Still checking on what the interior color is if exterior is Titian Red so we can finish the painting of the interior and will likely be looking for a crankshaft as this one spun a rod bearing. Engine was not turning over due to stuck valves and we are getting ready to ship block and crank with pistons and rods off to machine shop.
