#8 - The Debris Field

The debris field from the disassembly process is growing. Pieces of wood, metal, parts, springs and anything not related to a Speedster are accumulating on the garage floor. It is a fascinating pile of metal and wood.

So much interesting stuff.

Things like the bumpers, glass, rear body cab, radiator pan and fenders were advertised for sale. People who want to make a Buick Rat Rod could be interested.

Bumpers

Fenders

In the meantime, be prepared for your project garage space to expand until you can get the stuff you don't want out of your way.

#6 - Stripped To the Wood

It took two people to lift the cumbersome engine cover off and two people to lift the cab off the frame. Other than that, hubby did it all the break-down over a couple days...and a few loads of laundry. (Oh this is a dirty car).

The wood frame is literally sawdust in locations and will all be rebuilt. When you disassemble, just know that the coveralls you wear will look like you rolled around in the dirt for about a week.

Cab off, and ready to find a new home with someone.

Stamped Fisher wood body number from the factory.

No running boards, fenders, engine cover, doors or cab. 

Wood Removed

The next step is trying to find a new owner for the parts not required for a Speedster. Joining a Buick club is one way to find a new home, another is to advertise in one of the publications previously mentioned.

Rebuilding the wood frame will take some work, but if you have woodworking skills it shouldn't prove too difficult. Luckily hubby is very skilled in this area. 

The much harder job will be finding someone to abrasive-blast the frame. There are a few methods out there and hubs is considering them all. The most obvious and known is sand, but there are choices of glass bead, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide and even dry ice. Do your research. 

If you can't do the job at your own location and driveway, then another flat-bed tow will be involved and you'll be taking your car offsite. All things to consider. 

#5 - Disassembly Begins

The fun part: Disassembly

Hubs couldn't wait to start pulling the loose pieces out of the cab area and taking inventory.
He had been given a clear indicator of what to expect in terms of a complete vehicle but I equate his excitement on this part of the process to a man's dream of Christmas: "You just don't know what to expect"

He laid everything out on a blanket and assessed what he had.

This was the inside of the cab. It was a myriad of metal pieces, glass, springs and unknown pointy objects that had been stacked in there for safe keeping for decades. 

Much more comprehensive. But look at the upper right corner of the cardboard. 

So what is in the upper right corner of the parts cardboard? Those are called shaft bells! They were found mounted to the under carriage of the vehicle. We have no clue why but I love them. More information can be found about shaft bells at the Classic Bells website: click here to read more

The article states that shaft bells were often mounted underneath a vehicle if the car was used in city neighborhoods to sell frozen treats (ice cream). The motion of the vehicle sounded the chimes. 

Excitement of shaft bells aside, the glass from the cab was found intact inside with only a minor crack on one piece. The Speedster won't be using any of this and we will farm it out to someone who is looking for replacement glass on their Buick. Impressive though that so much is salvageable. 

Glass was intact with the exception of one piece! 

#4 - The Garage Shop

No, hubby does not have a big pole barn or five car workshop. The Buick went into the the empty spot in our garage and that's where the work will be done that he can do here. Any metal fabrication, paint or upholstery will of course be done offsite.

The flat-bed tow truck slid the Buick in like a glove. If you go this route, be sure to get a guy who knows his stuff. Our local tow truck man is a gem.

Hubby used a jack to pull, while the tow truck pushed, to inch the Buick in. 

Note the car dollies under the wheels. 

2x4's used as a cushion to inch the Buick in by the flat bed so the garage door would close. 

And we are in!

Do yourself a favor and purchase car dollies. Hubby purchased his at Harbor Freight. 

They will make your life a lot easier.