I see a lot of people asking number questions where does everyone find this info. It's a shame that it isnt nicely posted online for all to see and wonder. kinda like the rear defogger option number for a convertable... its quite unique... just random tidbits. Nate
Hi Nate - Online knowledge is not all-encompassing. At least now, with the internet, you can get a question answered much quicker than you could 10 years ago. Most of this stuff is knowledge gathered over the years, and several sources of documentation collected at swap meets. Don't worry, if you're really into this your own library will grow over time :Brow:
Nate, When I post answers to numbers questions I use many sources. They include factory assembly manuals, old Chilton books, Chassis and Fisher Body Manuals, Steven Doves buick books, and numerous other articles and Factory information I have collected over the years. I also put together a list of all the trim codes from 65-72 for GS/Skylarks from Buick upholstery books. Another group of information comes from the cars themselves. As my friends and I would get new projects, or cars to scrap, I would write down all the info from their parts. This included build dates, production plants, part#'s and date codes. I use this info as a cross reference and have been able to decipher many date codes from seemingly useless groupings of numbers. As you can tell from the above description I have accumulated a large library, and thats what it takes to answer some of these questions. Last weekend I decoded a Buick Location card for Rusty Davenport's GSX. This is an IBM card that was placed in the glove box when the cars were new. By the time I was finished I used 5 different sources and had to re-write my Decoding key to include more information. What I am trying to say is that it would be impossible for me to post this info on the net. If I have the info I can answer specific questions, but there is no "Magic" one source for the info, and I will agree with you that it is a shame there isn't. I don't know where everyone finds info like the # of cars that came with such and such option, they have information that is not available to me. Sorry about this long winded explanation, but I hope this helps everyone understand what is involved. Duane
To add to what Duane posted... Most of this knowledge was never really documented by Buick in a single source of reference. Duane's library is HUGE, as it has taken him DECADES (not that your that old Duane ) to accumulate all the information he has. He is willing to share his amassed information with the Buick community, and this is how we all learn. I have learned so much in talking with him, as it would take a book about the size of a chassis manual to document it all - and this is just the scratching the surface. In short, this vast Buick knowledge is known because of people like Duane who share their collected resources (and as you can see what he posted - it's a pretty big collection). There are many other people in the Buick community like Duane, but I use him as a reference because I have personally spoken with him on several occasions. We all help each other and we need to be thankful we have a place we can get quick answers to our questions. Sorry for ranting...
If it wasn't for Marco I still wouldn't know what all those punchouts meant on the IBM cards, I knew they were location smart but that was all. Even us OLD guys learn new stuff from the young pups. (Not that Marco is a young pup.) Ha Ha Duane
wealth of knowledge Yea I've already learned tons about my ride and other buicks and cars in general.. It's a shame I can't pick up the information in my classes as quickly. That is crazy that you've kept all sorts of numbers from just people that you meet. I suppose it is like collecting baseball cards though. although all the choices are nearly infinite and there most people are free to give you information. I just hope you have someone in the distant future to hand it off to so they too can interpret all of the information you have compiled so it is not lost. Nate
Nate, My friend Brad Conley also showed concern about all the Info I have collected through the years, as much of it is unique. Our concern was what would be lost if there was a fire or some other disaster so last year I loaned him my "Library" and he made 3 copies. He kept one for himself, the other copies went to 2 other friends for safe keeping. The library was some 1400 pages of info. Brad and his family spent 6-8 hours at a Kinko's making all the copies. I think he was surprised to see how much info I had collected. I hope you can appreciate the trust it takes to "Loan" someone the only copy of something that has taken you years to collect. If anyone but Brad asked to copy it the answer would have been no. Duane
Duane's information No one could believe what information Duane has been able to collect over the years...I'm here looking at a stack of paper 8" tall, copied on BOTH SIDES!!! The weath of information is unbelieveable. I felt very honored that Duane would allow me to borrow his library and make the copies. We had 6 copy machines going at once at the Kinko's...feed this one, pull copies from that one...feed the one over there...had the wife and all 3 kids helping out. Spent almost 7 hours making the copies (multiplied by 5 "workers" = 35 man hours!!!). Duane, you're a little short on the number of pages...1823 per copy, got the receipt in my hand. It was quite a job, to say the least. One thing is for sure, due to the knowledge and foresightedness of Duane, this information will not be lost. We've got enough copies in safe places to make sure of that. Thanks, Duane!!:TU: :TU:
Hey Brad, I was glad to loan you my library to copy, it also worried me that there was only one copy. To everyone, This info that Brad copied (1823 pages) was info I collected myself. It included build sheets, date code info for body panels, glass, wheels, engine components etc. , trim codes, and all types of buick related info. It did not include any of the Assembly Manuals or other reference materials that also make up my actual Buick Library. I figured that material was readily available so there was no need to copy that. Brad, Jodie, and family should be commended for a job that I am sure got painful toward the end. Sometimes that's what it takes. Duane
Has anyone attempted to organize this data and scan the sheets into a computer? I'd be thrilled to have all of the factory info on the '64 Skylarks, since that's my preferred car. If someone has that documentation I would be more than willing to scan it into PDF format and put together a spreadsheet or database with it.
where does everyone find this info. if you check out the web board over at buicks.net i've got most of my reference material listed in my tag line. none of my stuff is 'official' (Buick assembly books and the like) though, so i know i've got typo problems in my ref's. on the + side, you can buy all of my books new off of Amazon. i have compiled an Excel spreadsheet that covers GM vins from 1960-79 but it's so labor intensive that i've never folded the trim or paint codes into it. have you seen how many fricking crap codes Chevy has? ou: the BOPC stuff wasn't too bad.
buicks.net was one of the first website that help me when I bought my car ! Very helpfull :TU: I had my car in the virtual show & shine listed twice but I hasn't been able to delete the 2nd one ........ o No: http://www.buicks.net/show_and_shine/Donald/Skylark.html http://www.buicks.net/show_and_shine/
