And Cole... if you like this thread you also might like this one: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=100774&highlight=ken+lisk
Congrats on the GOLD Ken it was nice meeting you and WOW your car is AWSOME Nick nice meeting you and GREAT job on Kens GSX Congrats to both PS Ken I found the vin # stamped on my transmission that is one day from yours and is correct for my GSX
Hey, thanks Cole. I'm glad you enjoyed reading this thread. It must have taken you awhile as it's gotten pretty long! While money was an obvious input to the restoration of my X, there was an equal part of emotion. Yes, my dad is smiling up in heaven and driving his own copy of the X up there (only his is faster ). I haven't said this before in full detail publicly, but when I pulled into my mom's driveway (same house I grew up in) to show her the car, I was completely and unexpectedly overcome and wept for at least 10 minutes inconsoleably. You know, men don't cry, so.... well, that day I think some latent grief over the loss of my dad came out in full. When I finally got myself reasonably back together (thanks to my wife), I rang the bell. When my mom came out and I saw the look on her face when she saw the car, the waterworks started again. Both for her and I. This isn't just a car to us- it's a very deep connection to my dad. And Yardley is the finest friend you could have. He rants, raves, points out all my flaws, tells me I'm too slow, etc. :bla: but he's a 100% true blue do anything for you kinda friend. We talk nearly everyday whether it's about some Buick issue or some idiot that just cut one of us off in traffic. I can lean on him and he can lean on me. There's a reason I asked him to be my best man when I got married- he's my best bud. And without him, this resto would never have happened. This starts with introducing me to Nick. And then being at Nick's nearly everyday for over a year to give me updates as well as give a hand where Nick allowed it- like thrashing last year to get the chassis ready the last few days before Ohio. I'd jump through hoops for him and I know he'd do the same for me. Naturally, even jumping through a hoop there would be a lot of sharp barbs being thrown both ways accompanied by smiles and laughs. And when I say where Nick allowed it, that's no poor reflection back at Yards. Nick is a consumate perfectionist. When I took all the parts, bags, bits, and pieces down to Nick the frame had already been sand blasted and painted. I was pretty proud of the way it came out. Nick took one look and it and said "No way that's good enough!". Most of the chassis reassembly was done alone at night in his private shop behind his house. He didn't want distractions and didn't want anyone else to possibly mess up a task. Same thing when, after a fantastic prep job by both he and Kenny, he painted the car. Done on a weekend, alone in his paint booth, no one else working in his main shop to cause a distraction. Absolute concentration. This was followed by meticulous reassembly using original harware and strict adherence to the assembly manual- which he needed mainly to verify what he already knew. Everytime I thought I saw something painted wrong, it turned out I was wrong- and I thought I knew these cars pretty well! There isn't a single thing I look at on any area of the car that I think "I wish Nick would have done this better". And I have a critical eye for detail and correctness. There are many qualified true Buick retorers (is that a word?) around the country. In our area I don't think anyone can hold a candle to Nick. Aside from that, he's a really great guy to be around. Cole, I had taken my car apart myself and planned to do most of the reassembly while farming out engine rebuilds, body and paint, etc. Then life got in the way with work, kids, house upkeep, etc. I'm in my late 40's and finally decided I wanted to have this car to enjoy before I got so old I was too weak to push the clutch in! :laugh: Then Yards introduced me to Nick, I had the fortune of a getting a modest work bonus, and I took every penny I could as a 401k loan. But was it worth it? Absolutely 100%! I've been dreaming of the sound of the Muncie going through the gears- now I just have to go out to the garage, turn the key, and live that dream. Best of luck with your 'vert. I hoped you're blessed with a great friend like Yards and true talent and friend like Nick. I would be nowhere with my car without them. Sorry if this is long winded, but I guess that wouldn't be the first time for me...
Thanks for the kudos, Marco. You know the time and effort it took (7 years?) to get this car done. I think of the car as Nick's car that I have the good fortune to drive. Nick deserves 100% of the credit for the Gold in Ohio. Absolutely.
Hey, that's cool Dwayne! I haven't had any problem with mine and I hope you haven't had any problem with yours, meaning the quality of the parts and assembly were exceptional on those two days way back when! :bglasses: Likewise, it was very nice to meet you and talk for a while. The Ohio event is like Christmas as it comes only once a year. But, while the cars are a great part of it, it's seeing old friends and making new ones that's the real present. I look forward to it every year. Just have to wait a whole 'nuther year now... In the meantime, there's plenty of great NE events like Englishtown, Cecil, and Atco coming up to keep the ball rolling! :beer
Yards you made me laugh out loud! I missed that typo until you pointed it out!:laugh: And Ken, thanks for the rest of the story:gp:
