04-17-2019 Inner Circle

Greetings Turbo Regal Inner Circle Members 04-17-2019 –

IMPORTANT NOTE - CLOSED – GOOD FRIDAY – APRIL 19TH –

We will be closed this Friday for Good Friday. No orders will ship Friday.



LAST WEEK’S TURBO REGAL TRIVIA QUESTION ANSWERED –

The correct answer for last week’s trivia question is the braces that form the pattern in front of the AC condenser. It is also the first thing you see behind the grille.


PHOTO 1 – We show the factory two rods that form the X pattern, which helps stiffen up the front area of the frame and core support. You can see why it makes sense to install our rear seat cross brace system, part #1586, to help retain the stiffness of the body to the frame.



THIS WEEK’S TRIVIA QUESTION –

It is getting difficult to keep the trivia questions related to the Turbo Regals and worded in such a way that it does not give away the correct answer.

Here are the clues to this week’s Buick Trivia question.

This part was usually destroyed and could not be easily repaired when the 1986-1987 Turbo Regal had this performance modification done. The replacement part was not available soon after production stopped in 1987. The standard V6 and V8 Regals used a different one of this same basic part.

Name the part I am referring to.

Your answer must agree with mine. Email your educated guess to me [email protected]



UPDATE ON 1986 GRAND NATIONAL PARTS CAR –

Most of the big parts we listed list week have been sold. However, we have priced the few remaining parts and they are listed under the Rare Parts. Those prices reflect what the price is without shipping unless noted otherwise.

I have now removed almost all the good parts that we plan to sell from this 1986 Grand National. The drivetrain remains mostly intact as does the steering, rear, and wheels. The remaining car can be purchased with a clear PA title.

I am open to offers on the drivetrain with rear intact, 4 tires, and clear PA title. Motor needs to be rebuilt as it leaks oil from every possible place it can leak. The motor is fairly complete and totally stock. The body parts I am leaving on the car are junk. So, if this perks your interest, email me a reasonable offer. The key parts are the complete drivetrain, the desirable 8.5 rear, and to a lesser extent the ATR stainless 3-inch exhaust system.

Email me [email protected] with your offer. Car is at our house and is not in our way so there is no hurry to remove it. It comes with a one-year-old AC Delco battery! Otherwise the car is gutted inside and out. What is your offer? I am seeking a reasonable offer above $2,000. Car rolls and steers so it can be put on a trailer.



GNX #206 FOR SALE –

We are selling GNX #206 for one of our long-time customers. While several GNXs can be found for sale on the internet, what separates this one from the pack is not only does it have the GNX book and GNX jacket but the trunk is full of everything associated with a GNX and all the documents back to the original owner in 1988. It is a 2-owner car. This GNX has never been advertised since the current owner purchased it in 1998.

It has been garaged with the wheels off the ground. Even the steering wheel was covered. Most unusual is that the little rubber bumpers are on both doors that came on the car when it was shipped is still on the car! I did not count them but Molly’s signature appears on a dozen or more items, including the GNX jacket. Car has 100% original paint and 100% stock. Front and rear fillers have just been replaced in the last 30 days.

The car still smells factory new. Mileage is 23,839 and original. Car has the latest PA inspection. It’s close to 100% perfect in every regard. The factory paint is outstanding, a term you seldom see used on a black Regal of any version. The price tag is $99,900. To help ease the pain, since I hold a license, I am open to consider any car or cars in partial trade. Trade value cuts down the sales tax bite and out-of-pocket money. Remember, a partial trade car need not be a Turbo Regal. It can even be more than one car. Buying this example eliminates any surprises that some of the other GNXs seem to have that are for sale. This GNX is one that can only advance in value. You can email me for more photos. My email is [email protected]

PHOTO 2 – We show 4 various photos of the underside of this well cared for 23,839 miles GNX #206. I did not wipe anything down under this car. You can virtually read all the paper decals on the coil springs. NOTE - Like all the others, this car lacks the lower #4 and #5 lower body bushing. One photo shows the #4 missing body bushing that is centered under the door. Note how the bolt is slightly twisted since Buick did not install that lower body bushing,



WE4 FOR SALE –

The same day we took in the above GNX, we also took in a super mint WE4 from another customer. This WE4 is one of the very rare ones. It is a hardtop. I have owned this car twice. It also is a National winner at the GS Nationals several years ago. This WE4 has always been garaged and has 100% original paint. Mileage stands at 50,345. To be pristine, it needs front and rear fillers. Whoever buys this WE4 would get 10% off on any parts for the first 30 days.

This car is 99% stock. To be 100% it needs the catalytic converter put on and a factory correct oil fill tube and cap. The catalytic converter is in the trunk. We have the Window Sticker. What makes this WE4 unusual that is it has virtually every option. Most WE4 models had very few options. Options include power seat, power windows, power locks, EQ radio, power trunk release, tilt, cruise, delay wipers, factory alarm, limited slip rear, and concert sound II.

The first time we sold it, the car had 34,500 miles on it. I bought it out of Delaware. It then went to Tennessee. The next time we sold it the car had 41,700 miles on it. Back then I stated without any exaggeration that this is the best Turbo-T we have sold in the last 5 years. Richard Lasseter had appraised it for $16,800 back in 2001.

This is the WE4 Pete Serio and I went to Tennessee. This was the same day 911 attack happened. The seller sold this WE4 to me because he found a super mint brown Turbo-T. Few years later, I would go back and buy the brown Turbo-T from him as well!

This car is top notch. It needs a few very minor things to be 100%. If you have ever seen my white Turbo-T that I got $21,000 for, this car is nicer with fewer miles. This is one of the best of the best in a WE 4 model. The deal includes a 3-ring binder of info and documentation, which goes with this prime example. This is a Kirban Quality car that I have owned twice. Proof of this comes with the car as well as the Window Sticker and other information. This WE4 has never been advertised for sale since the current owner bought it from us in 2001. In photo 3 below we show just a small part of the documentation with is extremely nice WE4.

PHOTO 3 – The photo to the left shows the Window Sticker listing all the options. The top right photo shows a copy of the original Delaware title. The bottom left photo shows one of the times the car was titled to O’Neil Buick thru me. The bottom right photo shows the judging form from the GS Nationals. This car won the stock class with 90 out of 100 points. It is hard to beat those accomplishments and documentation.

This WE4 and GNX #206 will be at our Open House next month, if they have not been sold prior to this event.

PHOTO 4 – The photo on the left shows the Broadcast sheet in perfect condition, still intact taped to the driver’s inside door panel of the wrecked 1986 Grand National. The photo to the right shows the 100% stock 1986 turbo engine that we are selling, intact with the transmission and rear.



CAT FOOD IS A TAX DEDUCTION –

I read last week in the newspaper where a person in the Carolinas successfully was able to claim $300 in cat food for the year as a business tax deduction. He fed the wild cats that patrol his cars in the yard and they, in turn, keep the snakes and other rodents away. This is a legit expense. I wonder if I can claim it as we have 2 security cats that perform the same duties in our pole building keeping rodents out of the building. One is a gorgeous long hair cat that is quite friendly. If I sit down outside she immediately jumps on my lap. The other cat won’t give me the time of day unless it’s dinner hour.



ANOTHER 3-DOOR STATION WAGON –

Robert Erick, one of our many customers, informed me that a 1972 Chevy Suburban 3-door stationwagon recently went through a Barrett-Jackson auction. It appears it was used as a school bus in the rural areas. It was built so the children could only exit from the right side for safety reasons. So, if you are seeking a rare 3-door stationwagon, you now have two options!



LAST C7 CORVETTE BEING BUILT –

What makes this C7 Corvette special is that it is supposed to be the last Corvette prior to the new C8 going with a mid-engine format. It will be a black ZO6 auctioned June 28th on to benefit the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation which helps pay off mortgages for the families of first responders that were killed in the line of duty and build mortgage-free accessible-smart homes for injured service members. It was named after Stephen Siller, a New York City fire fighter, who died on September 11, 2001. GM has been a supporter for the last several years. A worthy charity, and I would think this Corvette would easily fetch 6 figures.



URGENT REQUEST –

We have an urgent need for usable 1986-1987 Turbo Regal steering wheel cores. Each acceptable core is worth a Letter of Credit of $100. Help us help others by sending us any acceptable cores you may have. The cheapest method to send them is by mail. Ship to Kirban Performance, PO Box 1199, Plumsteadville, PA 18949. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number.



IS YOUR TURBO REGAL PROPERLY INSURED? –

Classic car enthusiasts know that it is sometimes difficult to reach an agreement with an insurance company on the value of a collectible car or truck. It is always better to agree on that value as soon as you arrange to insure it, rather than wait to argue it out when trying to make a claim. It is also a good idea to periodically re-evaluate the worth of your classic car or truck as the value will change as time passes.

ALS Appraisal and Litigation Services is the right choice to appraise your collectible vehicle for this or any other purpose. Get your Turbo Regal/Grand National appraised at 20% OFF at Kirban’s upcoming spring Open House event on May 4, 2019.

Contact - [email protected] Terry Shaw - 215-659-4947 - Fax 215-657-3409 - PA License #139808.

On a personal note, I have known Terry Shaw for over 35-plus years. He has appraised several vehicles for my son as well as my personal Turbo-T years ago.



CARSMARTS RADIO IS ON THE AIR AND ON THE WEB! –

Turbo V6 enthusiast Steve Saffier (who produced “The Dennis Kirban Story” on YouTube last year) is producer and host of a new automotive radio program broadcasting live every Saturday from 11am - 12 noon on 610 ESPN radio (the old WIP 610 am for those in the area.) The show talks about different aspects of the car world and Steve’s affinity for Turbo Regals and Syclone/Typhoons often is expressed in nearly every show.

You can tune in live or livestream the show at http://www.610espn.com from anywhere in the world.



TIPS AND IDEAS YOU HAVE TRIED -

If there are any tips or ideas you want to share with our readers, email me –[email protected]



TIP FROM KIRBAN –

Remember, we are always in the market for good used or NOS Turbo Regal parts. If you are attending our upcoming Open House, be sure to bring them.



2019 TURBO BUICK RELATED CAR SHOWS EVENTS -

To get your Turbo Regal event for 2019 listed here, you must email me direct [email protected] Also send me a copy of the flyer promoting the event.



KIRBAN SPRING OPEN HOUSE –
Saturday, May 4, 2019 - 9 am until 2 pm
6201 Kellers Church Road, Plumsteadville (Pipersville), PA

This event has no rain date. Gbodyparts.com will be coming to our event as a vendor. Contact him in advance for any parts you want him to bring. Their email is [email protected] year we are combining this event with Black Ice Details, a detail shop that shares our warehouse. We will have many raffle items from various vendors that have donated to our event. A few No Reserve Auction items and our usual M&Ms contest as well. Free coffee and Yum Yums donuts as usual. Yum Yums donuts seldom last past the first hour.

Vendors that have now donated raffle prizes include: Auto Legal Appraisals, Casper’s Electronics, Classic Industries, Cold Case, Gbodyparts.com, Limit Engineering, Max Performance, Mike’s Montes, Russ & Nancy, Spoolfool, and Yum Yum donuts. We expect to hear from others as the time draws closer.

Local motels would be in nearby Quakertown, which is about a 25-minute drive west of our shop location. They would include Quakertown Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, Spring Hill Suites by Marriott, Quality Inn & Suites. There is also a Hampton Inn Warrington south of us on Route 611 in Warrington.

GENERAL DIRECTIONS -
From Willow Grove... North on RT 611 through Warrington, Doylestown and into Plumsteadville (you can take the RT 611 Bypass that goes around Doylestown - it exits back onto RT 611 north of Doylestown). Watch for a shopping center with a McDonald’s on your right. Go past that light at Stump Road and the Plumsteadville Inn. Make the FIRST left at the Shelly Funeral Home onto Kellers Church Road. Ours is the second office complex just a short distance down on the right. Our unit is at the back far corner. There’s plenty of parking, since most of the other companies are closed on the weekends.

From Quakertown... Take RT 663 east and it will become RT 313 heading east (away from the turnpike.) You will cross through the major intersection at RT 309 in Quakertown. Go through Quakertown (it will take several sharp turns). RT 663 becomes Route 313 Dublin Pike, past Dublin. Make a left onto Stump Road, left onto RT 611, FIRST left at the Shelly Funeral Home onto Kellers Church Road. Ours is the second office complex on the right.

NOTE - If you are using GPS, you may have to use “Pipersville 18947” as the town.



10TH ANNUAL BUICK RACE DAY -
Saturday, MAY 25, 2019 – Gates open at 8 am
Lebanon Valley Dragway, 1746 U.S. Route 20, West Lebanon, NY

Participants in all Buick classes must be Buick-Powered. For more information, call 518-794-7130 or call 914-477-6068 (ask for John)



TURBO BUICK NATIONALS –
MAY 23, 24, and 25, 2019
Richard Clark’s Garage & Piedmont Race Track, Burlington, North Carolina

This event is held at Richard Clark’s Garage in Burlington, NC and the nearby Piedmont Race Track. For more information and a list of their program, go to Turbobuick.com and scroll down to Turbo Buick Nationals 2019 for up-to-date information. Here is the link to this event.



BATES NUT FARM BUICK SHOW -
SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 2019 - 9 am until 3 pm -
Bates Nut Farm, Valley Center, CA

According to Mike Bernard (of Spoolfool fame), this event is the second largest gathering of Turbo Buicks in the Nation. Eric Brown and Mike Bernard deserve a lot of credit for putting this west coast event on every year. The event runs from 9 am until 3 pm. Vendors will be on hand and they will have many items for their raffles. They will update the info shortly for 2019 on the link shown below.

Here is a link to their website.



1ST ANNUAL BUICK BASH AT THE QUAKE -
FRIDAY& SATURDAY - JUNE 14 & 15, 2019
Quaker City Motorsports Park, 10225 West South Range Road, Salem, OH 44460

For more info, contact John Csordas 914-447-6068 [email protected] or Denny Moore 330-647-3615 [email protected] - www.quakercitymotorsportspark.com



EAST COAST BUICK REGIONALS -
FRIDAY& SATURDAY - SEPTEMBER 20TH& 21ST, 2019
Cecil County Dragway, 1916 Theodore Road, Rising Sun, Maryland

This will be the 23rd year. Host hotel Information: Comfort Inn located just off exit 100 on I-95. Call 410-287-7100 and mention Northeast GS/GN Club for special pricing. For more info, contact John Csordas 914-447-6068 [email protected] or Jim Chaudrue 215-266-1052 [email protected]



GOOD NEWS - WE ARE ACCEPTING CLASSIFIED ADS -

Good news - We now accept Classified Ads in our weekly Inner Circle emails. Over the years several customers have asked about placing an ad in our weekly Inner Circle.

Here are the options and the costs.

Ads can be from any individual or company. It needs to be automotive related, meaning it does not need be specifically Turbo Regal related. It can be for something for sale or something wanted.

Maximum number of words is 125 words, which is about 7 to 9 lines of copy. No photos. You can list a website. We recommend you state your name, phone number or email, a price, and your location in your ad.

The cost for 2 consecutive weeks is $25. The cost for 4 consecutive weeks is $40. You save $10 with the 4-week plan. No changes can be made to your existing running ad. You can only run one ad at any given time. We will have a code system at the end of your ad, so we will know what week number your ad is to run - 2 or 4 weeks.

It can be an ad for something for sale or an ad for something you are looking for.

We have never missed a single week since we started the Inner Circle email format in 2009. It’s something I enjoy doing and I just always seem to have enough material to write about.

Our weekly Inner Circle reaches over 3,300 members every Wednesday direct to their inbox. The Inner Circle also appears every Wednesday on our website with the related photos. Your ad would be visible to both groups of readers. So, the exposure to your ad is well over 3,200 potential buyers.

Ads submitted properly by the previous Sunday would appear that next Wednesday in the weekly Inner Circle. Ads must be submitted by email to - [email protected]

Payment by credit card must be done by phone to our office 215-766-1611 x 0.



WANTED TO BUY -

For Sale – N.O.S. Parts for the Buick Grand National. This collection was over 20 years in the making from various car shows, etc. The collection contains mostly N.O.S. parts, with a few aftermarket and used parts added. There is too much to list. I have no means to test any of the few electronic parts that I have, however, they are new in the box. It is comprised of smaller items, NOT body panels, (i.e. doors, fenders, hoods, etc.). Text or E-mail me if you are interested in the spreadsheet. Stan E., 585 727-6024, or [email protected]. Asking $6,995 for the large inventory; near - Rochester, NY. Shipping is a possible option, pickup is best. It goes to internet auction if not sold here. Week 1 of 4.



WANTED TO BUY - NOS Buick parts for 1987 Buick Turbo Regal. Will you be at Dennis Kirban’s Spring Open House on Saturday May 4th and have some NOS Buick Turbo Regal Parts you are thinking about selling? If yes, please contact me by phone or e-mail and let me know what you have as I may be interested. I am a CASH buyer and will be at the Kirban Spring Open House in person. I am not a dealer and parts are not for resale. Any parts I purchase are for my own small personal Buick parts collection. Pease call and leave message or e-mail. All calls will be returned. Jason Maxfield 416-399-7265 or [email protected] Niagara Falls, NY 14304. Thank You. Week 3 of 4.



FOR SALE - 1986 Grand National with 2.200 miles on rebuild. Rust free- car was repainted by previous owner about 12 years ago and still looks great. Have original rims if needed. Rebuilt by Anderson Performance in Maryland with upgrades. A/C and heat works fine. Tilt, posi rear, power windows, digital dash. Needs nothing, runs great. Asking $25K. Contact Fred 410 599 8002 Baltimore, MD. Email - [email protected] Week 3 of 4.



NOTE - IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO SEE THE BUICK RARE PARTS SECTION -

If you are not able to see the Buick Rare Parts section at the end of this Inner Circle, it is because you are not an Inner Circle member, but instead are reading this on the website. You must subscribe to see the Rare Parts section each week. It would go directly to your inbox every Wednesday afternoon. It is FREE, probably one reason why nobody complains about what I write about. Simply email - [email protected] to get our weekly Inner Circle email.

The Buick Rare Parts section is only viewed by those that subscribe. Subscription is free, so complaints on what I write are nonexistent!



EMAILS TO KIRBAN PERFORMANCE -

NOTE- If you email us and do NOT get a timely reply, be sure to check your “SPAM” folder. Some emails do not go thru.

If you need to email us, use - [email protected]



CORES NEEDED -

Here is the information on our credits for cores.

URGENT NEED –

POWERMASTER BRAKE UNITS. Unit must be complete. We will issue you a Letter of Credit for $150 for each acceptable core. We currently will not buy any powermaster units outright, only Letter of Credit towards parts.

TURBO CORES must be the 1986-1987 Turbo Regal stock turbo. They must be complete. We will issue you a $150 Letter of Credit for each acceptable core.

If you ship to us, the post office is the cheapest method. Pack the item(s) with a note with your name, address and phone number. These are the only 2 items we are currently accepting as cores.

MAIL - Ship to Address -
KIRBAN PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS
PO BOX 1199
PLUMSTEADVILLE, PA 18949

UPS - Ship to Address -
KIRBAN PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS
6201 Kellers Church Road
PLUMSTEADVILLE, PA 18949-1199



TECH CALLS -

If you need technical information, it’s best to email - [email protected] rather than call us. We will do our best to answer any technical questions within 24 hours. Please remember I have very little knowledge of the mechanical workings of the engine.



NEW PRODUCTS FROM US –

REPRODUCTION GM LICENSED - 1987 BUICK OWNER’S MANUAL

A must-have reference booklet for any 1987 Turbo Regal owner. This is a high-quality GM Licensed reproduction of the original Owner’s Manual.

This is a great addition to your reference material.

7843 - Reproduction GM Licensed 1987 Buick Owner’s Manual - $19.95



ALWAYS LOOKING FOR IDEAS -

If you have any product ideas that would fit our Turbo Buick market that you would like to see available, email me direct - [email protected]



ALWAYS IN A BUYING POSITION FOR TURBO REGAL PARTS -

Got any Turbo Buick parts you are not using? Why not cash them in for parts you need with a Letter of Credit. We also may buy your new or used parts. Simply email me a list [email protected]

Also, we are still buying dead or partially dead 1984-1987 Turbo Regals under $4,000 that are within 250 to 350 miles of our location.



NOTE - ABOUT LINKS IN THE INNER CIRCLE -

We have heard from a couple people that have had problems with the links in our Inner Circle.

When we check the links, they work fine. However, if you are not able to be directed to the exact website page or internet site, you can "copy" and "paste" the link into the URL in your browser (such as Safari, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, etc.) If it doesn't link in one browser, it may work in another.

Most people having problems are using Internet Explorer. If you are having issues with links, try another browser to see if it works.
 
You may need to "UPDATE" your browser to be use you are using the current version.



NOTE ABOUT PHOTOS ON THE WEBSITE -

We have heard from a couple people that have viewed the photos on the website. Because these must be low-resolution photos to work on the Inner Circle segments on the website, any photos of text don't appear clear when enlarged. This is a problem when you are trying to see numbers, such as those on the VIN labels or pages from Options booklet. Also, because of photo reproduction and computer screen variations, the colors may not be true to the actual product or photo.

If you would like to have us email you any photo at the higher resolution for viewing, just email us and we will email them to you. Be sure to be specific on which pictures you want to see - Reference Inner Circle date and photo number 1, 2, 3 or 4 - [email protected]



ABOUT OUR EMAILS -

Any inquiries concerning used parts, you must email me direct - [email protected] I will answer you. However, if I fail to answer you within 24 hours, please email us again. Since expanding into used parts, I get a lot of emails and sometimes I may forget your request or may not remember who requested the item.



IN CLOSING –

This is the last week to order and pay for any big items that you want to pick up at our May 4th Open House. Big items would be the Pypes exhaust system, Spoolfool rear filler, and Cold Case radiators. This is the last week used parts will appear on this Inner Circle until after the Open House. The next Rare Parts listing will be Wednesday, May 8, 2019.

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