05-02-2018 Inner Circle

Greetings Turbo Regal Inner Circle Members 05-02-2018 -

T-TYPE AND GRAND NATIONAL LUG NUTS -

Most of you realize that GM used different lug nuts for the T wheels and the steel chrome-plated Grand National wheels. In the case of the Grand National steel wheels, it is the sides of the lug nuts that secure the actual plastic center cap. In both cases, the original lug nuts had the word METRIC on the top going across the diameter.

Over the years, I have stumbled on slightly different lug nuts for both the T-Type wheels and the Grand National wheels. GM used similar lug nuts for various car models after 1987. Currently we only offer the T-Type lug nuts and it is a reproduction that lacks the word METRIC on the top center surface of the lug nut.

A new reproduction Grand National lug nut will soon be available and I am told it will have the proper word METRIC across the top surface.

PHOTO 1 - On the top of this photo we show 3 different versions of the T-Type lug nut. The first and second one has the word METRIC on the top flat area. The one to the far right does not say METRIC and that is the one we currently carry. The first one on the left almost appears to be chrome. On the bottom of this photo we show 3 different Grand National style lug nuts. As you can see all 3 vary in height. The one on the left and the one in the center have the word METRIC going around the circle, which is not correct. On the one on the far right (shorter one) it has the word METRIC going across the top, which is correct. The one on the far right the raised hat area is not as tall as the others either. So, you can see how many possibilities exist for lug nuts. Plus, this may not be all of the different lug nuts out there. These are just the ones I have found. Again, I am unsure what lug nuts GM used after the 1987 models.



MORE ORIGINAL MATT BLAIR TURBO REGAL CARTOON ARTWORK -

PHOTO 2 - We show 4 more different original Matt Blair Turbo Regal cartoons from the 1990s that he did for us. We will continue to feature 4 more each week in the Inner Circle until they are all sold. Each of these original illustrations is listed for sale in our Rare Parts section. This is a great opportunity to own original Turbo Buick artwork.



BUICK ARTWORK BANNER AND BUICK CARTOON BANNER -

We made a few of each of these vinyl banners in the small 12 inch X 18 inch size. Currently, we have no plans to produce any more.

PHOTO 3 - We show both the Buick cartoon vinyl banner and the Buick artwork vinyl banner. The artwork was originally done for us around 1990. I have the original artwork framed in my office and it’s autographed by Molly. This smaller size vinyl banner fits perfect in the trunk for display. See the Rare Parts section for prices.



SPOOLFOOL’S NEW DRIP-LIP FLYWHEEL COVER -

Spoolfool’s newest product cures that nagging issue of oil stains on your driveway and or in your garage. It’s called Spoolfool Drip-Lip Flywheel (Torque Converter) Cover. See the New Products section for more information.

PHOTO 4 - We show this new Spoolfool product called the Spoolfool Drip-Lip Flywheel (Torque Converter) Cover. This is a neat new product that solves the oil drip problem and is easy to install.

Here is a link to this Drip-Lip cover on our website.



YOUTUBE VIDEO OF OUR RECENT OPEN HOUSE -

Below is the link on YouTube to see how one of our customers filmed at our recent Open House, complete using a drone for overhead shots of the various parking lots that were packed with Turbo Regals. This is very well done!

I got a kick out of a segment toward the end when he hits one of our PA potholes on his way home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABapNokI-AM&feature=youtu.be



UPDATE ON REPRODUCTION SPID DECALS -

ECS Automotive is still working on making SPID Decals 100% like the originals. The decals they first did were not exactly correct. Remember the 1984-1985-1986 is one style and the 1987 is another style. Besides having different part numbers, the actual size and color are different.



UPDATE ON THE 2004 CADILLAC CTS-V - FOR SALE -

Within 2 hours of last week’s Inner Circle going out, we had two people that expressed an interest in buying the car. Currently, we have a deposit on the Cadillac. It appears this Cadillac will be heading to Indiana shortly.



2018 Turbobuick.com NATIONALS -

I hope all those that are attending the 2018 TurboBuick.com Nationals in North Carolina this week has a great time and enjoy good weather. Unfortunately, I am not able to attend this year.

I know many vendors/suppliers, myself included, donated some great raffle items for the event. Special thanks to Richard Clark and all those involved in organizing another great Turbo Buick event!



2018 TURBO BUICK RELATED CAR SHOWS EVENTS -

2018 Turbobuick.com NATIONALS -
May 2nd thru May 5th, 2018 - Burlington, NC
This event is held at two locations. The first part of the week is at Richard Clark’s Garage, 2557 Faucette Lane, Burlington, NC. It then moves to a different track - Farmington Dragway, 2992 NC Highway 801N, Mocksville, NC, located about one hour west of Burlington, NC. For more information, go to turbobuick.com and click on 2018 Turbo Buick Nationals or on Facebook.



9TH ANNUAL BUICK RACE DAY -
May 26th, 2018 Lebanon Valley Dragway, NY.
This is their 9th annual Buick event.
For more information, call 518-794-7130 or 845-528-GSGN and ask for John.



BUICKS@Bates 2018 -
Sunday, June 3, 2018
9 am - 4 pm PDT
Bates Nut Farm, 15954 Wood Valley Road, Valley Center, Californian 92082
The largest gathering of 1984-1987 Turbo Buicks and Classic Buicks west of the Mississippi! Come hang with the SoCal GS Club and Turbobuick.com South Westerners.



PYPES and MAX PERFORMANCE 8th Annual American Muscle Car and Truck Show -
June 29th and June 30th, 2018 - Hatfield, PA
This show is hosted by Pypes and Max Performance. A BBQ and cruise is Friday afternoon and Saturday is the car show. The location is at their facility at 2705 Clemens Road B103, Hatfield, PA 19440. This event draws a huge amount of all kinds of GM muscle cars, including Ford and Chrysler. The company owner has been our friend for over 30-plus years. We will be attending this event. For more information, go to their website - maxperformanceinc.com



MAGNA - MID ATLANTIC GRAND NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
22nd EAST COAST BUICK REGIONALS -
September 14th and 15th, 2018 - Cecil County Dragway, Cecil, Maryland
The MAGNA Group has their annual event September 14th and 15th at Cecil County Dragway in Cecil County, Maryland. This event grows bigger each year and is open to all Buick muscle cars not just the Turbo Regals. We expect to be attending this event. (It falls on my birthday). For more details, go to turbobuick.com - or - their website - magnabuick.com



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 3,200 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.

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

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.



THIS WEEK’S CLASSIFIED ADS -


CAR FOR SALE - 1987 TURBO REGAL WE4 -

For Sale - 1987 Buick Regal Turbo ‘T’ - WE4 option - Lightweight
SURVIVOR, 29,979 original miles
All original, unrestored, as from factory, No Modifications, Special Turbo ‘T’ Package, All factory applied paint, Factory Interior, Very Rare Power Astro Roof, Power door locks, Power windows, Trunk release, Rear window defogger, Limited slip differential, Cruise control, Tilt Wheel, Cassette tape AM/FM Radio, Concert sound speaker system, Window Sticker, Dealer Invoice, Very clean, solid, rust free undercarriage, New headliner

Overall paint quality is very good. No checking, no evidence of any repaint anywhere. NO RUST on lower fenders, quarters, rocker panels, doors, either inside or out. Bumper fillers have not been replaced and side louvers were an early add on. Retains many factory tags and labels including undercarriage labels, evidence this car was sparingly driven to avoid rain. This is one of the nicest examples of a low production, true survivor you will ever find.

To see pictures and learn more about this very rare car, google 1987 Buick WE4 Old Cars Weekly.
The price is $29,900
Dan Varner Delaware, Ohio - 740-972-2470 - [email protected] 1 of 4.

Here is a link to this car for sale on our website.




CAR FOR SALE 1996 BUICK ROADMASTER WAGON -

For Sale: 1996 Buick Roadmaster Wagon. White with wood trim, burgundy leather interior, all mechanicals done, new springs, coilovers, BFG’s, flowmaster’s, K&N kit, LT1 350 motor, 155,000 miles. Excellent condition. I take it to shows and its stored winters. $10,500 email [email protected] New Haven, CT 06512 4 of 4.



For Sale 1986 Buick Grand National - $ 24,500
Nice original, stock, solid roof car. We have owned since 1991, second Oklahoma City owner, just turned 79K miles. Paint original, good condition for miles. No rust issues, or winter driving. No smokers, wrecks or problems. Motor, transmission and posi rear, original.Car has 90 option codes on trunk tag. A few items done over the years were to replace the stock exhaust cat back, add a car alarm, additional transmission cooler, bumper fillers front and back. Recently upgraded car stereo to a GM, CD unit, original cassette stereo will come with car. Several more items done over the years that can be detailed in email. We have only driven the car 634 miles in past 8 years. Would like to see it enjoyed by others. Would welcome 3rd party inspection if interested. Email for more details and pictures. Austin Kendall, Oklahoma City, Okla. [email protected]  - 405 831-5195 4 of 4



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

If you are not able to see the 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 on our weekly Inner Circle email.



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]



TIPS AND IDEAS YOU HAVE TRIED -

If you have a tip or a discovery that you found that works on your Turbo Regal, drop us an email giving us the details so we can pass the info on to our readers. Remember, even with my knowledge, I don’t know it all. Simply email me at - [email protected]



TIP FROM KIRBAN -

Remember, as the values in these cars increase you want to always use reproduction parts instead of replacement parts. Replacement parts sometimes do not look like the original part whereas reproduction parts usually look like the original parts.



CORES NEEDED -

Here is the information on our credits for cores.

URGENT NEED - Powermaster brake units. The must be complete. We will now 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.

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 -

1984-1987 Buick Turbo Regal -
SPOOLFOOL DRIP-LIP Flywheel (Torque Converter) Cover
Mike, owner of Spoolfool, has created another great practical high-quality product. It’s a fiberglass flywheel (torque converter) cover that has a built-in drip tray. What’s even crazier is that it works.

It is a known fact that 90% of oil leaks on our cars either happen at the back of the engine or end up at the back of the engine. This clever flywheel cover with its built-in drip tray catches those drips, so the oil does not drip on the ground or on the crossover pipe.

Mike has named this new product the “Drip-Lip.” The piece is made in glossy black fiberglass and it replaces the metal or plastic fly wheel cover. Not only is it lighter than the factory metal flywheel cover, but it will not rust.

This Spoolfool Drip-Lip replaces the stock dust cover and keeps oil from dripping on the ground by trapping it in a special tray that attaches to the bottom of this custom-made cover. It has a removable cloth that absorbs any oil that would normally drip and stain your garage floor or driveway. The small cloth catches any oil from dripping and is easy to remove and replace when it becomes fully soaked. This fiberglass dust cover replaces the factory dust cover. You simply reuse the factory bolts and install this dust cover in place of the plastic or metal one.

Like all of Mike’s fiberglass products, the quality is excellent.

If you are into drag racing, this is a critical part as it eliminates dripping oil from the car onto the race track.

So far, the initial results have been that 80% of oil leaks can be kept from dripping on the ground, track and crossover pipe with it installed on a car.

Up until now, the joke has been that if it ain’t leaking oil, you might want to check the oil level. This unique Spoolfool Drip-Lip hopes to change all that.

This product is NOT FOR EVERYONE. It is only for cars with oil leaks (which is most of the Turbo Regals.)

Spoolfool Production Drip-Lip features:
*Catches engine oil from a 3.8 liter Turbo Buick engine
*Keeps smoking oil off the exhaust crossover pipe
*A must-have part for street or strip car
*Half the weight of an original metal flywheel cover
*Since it’s fiberglass, it won’t rust out
*Easy installation
*Made in the U.S.A.

An excellent way to solve the oil drip problem.

7823 - 1984-1987 Buick Turbo Regal - SPOOLFOOL DRIP-LIP Flywheel (Torque Converter) Cover

Here is a link to this Spoolfool Drip-Lip Fl Wheel Cover on our website.



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 -

Watch for new parts coming from various vendors. Some of which we will be adding to our product line.

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