08-14-2013 Inner Circle

Greetings Turbo Regal Inner Circle Members - 08-14-2013

A BUSY WEEK FOR US -

As you know, we have been writing about a nearby automotive graveyard that is getting cleaned out.

I knew several Turbo Regals were in this yard, since the owner always liked those cars.

A total of 6 Regals have surfaced thus far, three of which are regular Regals and three are 1986-1987 Turbo Regals. I made a deal last week on all 6 of them. Of course, several were so far gone, they would have basically just been an eyesore on our property. So, I am having items I want removed at the yard.

One car was a 1987 Grand National with T-Tops that had been hit in the passenger’s side front. This Grand National only had 8,600 actual miles. It still had the black brake switch on the powermaster unit. The engine was untouched, 100% complete.


PHOTO 1 - The top left photo shows the 8,600-mile Grand National after they had pulled it out of the weeds. The top right photo shows the actual speedometer cluster and the miles reading “8614.” The bottom left photo shows the wasted interior. The bottom right photo shows the original powermaster with the original brake bowl and the black brake switch. I estimate this car has been sitting since around 1989. As I write this, I am pretty certain I have the entire drivetrain and rear end sold already.

One of the Turbo Regals that I did get that we will be cleaning up proved to be quite interesting. In the car was one of our “KIRBAN REUNION” car show dash plaques from 1990. The real find was in the trunk. Besides several new GM center caps and a set of new GM air dams, there were three white boxes still sealed. I immediately recognized them as the shipping boxes we would get our Kirban-style GNX wheels in.

PHOTO 2 - The photo on the left shows the open trunk of the one 1987 Turbo-T Limited that I bought. This car has less than 25,000 actual miles. You can clearly see the three white boxes. The photo on the right shows the three boxes on our driveway. They show our name and our old Sugar Bottom Road address and the old-style UPS stamped shipping number. These would be shipped to us double boxed from California to avoid any damage. I would then open each box, inspect it and reseal it.

Fortunately, these boxes were in a dry trunk and not exposed to any elements. It’s amazing that it appears the owner bought them from us and never took them out of the boxes except for one wheel to examine.

PHOTO 3 - The photo on the left shows all four of our Kirban-style 16 x 8 wheels that I removed from the boxes. The photo on the right shows the center caps with lug nuts and valve stems still packaged like we shipped them last week. I can tell by the decal on the center caps these are the very early American Racing decals as the later decals the logo was changed to ARE and it was embossed. If I had to venture a guess I would say these were purchased from us around 1990-1992 and have been in the trunk of the Limited I bought since then. We last sold these wheels around 1999-2000.

It’s been well over a year now that we can’t obtain the other style GNX wheels that we offer on our website. They have the proper offset to fit all the 1984-1987 Turbo Regals without having fender flares on your car. These are the same wheels that are on our white 1987 Turbo-T. (They really look good against a white car). NOTE - These wheels have been sold.



CLOSE OUT SPECIAL -

We recently bought out another company’s billet-style oil tube and breather assembly. This fits all the 1986-1987 Turbo Regals driver’s side valve cover. All billet construction with o-ring and a new chrome-plated top breather is included. Overall height is 4 inches.

PHOTO 4 - Our left photo shows one of the close-out special billet oil tube and breather assembly. The photo on the right shows it installed on our personal Turbo-T Regal.

We have 25 of them at $34.95 each. You must call Christiana - 215-766-1611 or email - [email protected] - to purchase this, since it has no part number and supplies are limited. The company has no plans to make this part again. It normally sold for over $40 each.


IN CAR CD PLAYERS ARE GOING AWAY -

I just read in a recent newspaper that the CD changer will soon become obsolete as an option in new cars.

If you’re around my age, you have witnessed a multitude of changes in the audio systems in cars. From the single am format to am/fm to reverb, to am/fm stereo. Then came the 8-track, which was quickly followed by the cassette deck, which later gave way to the CD player. Our cars were close to the end of the cassette format, as CD players were just coming out. Two other lesser-known formats happened in the mid-1950s. Chrysler had a record player and GM (in the Oldsmobile and Pontiac) had a clever removable transistor am radio. I have one of the removable transistor radios in my personal collection.



UNUSUAL WORDING IN A PRIVATE CAR FOR SALE AD - -

If you spend any time looking at private car ads on Craig’s list, in newspaper or magazine ads, it sometimes makes you wonder how some of these sellers expect to get any interest in their car or truck.

I read one private car ad recently in a magazine. In the first line they put the words “pay attention.” I had never seen this before in a car ad. In my opinion, the car it was advertising was nothing special or unusual, but I must say it caught my eye with the wording the seller used.



COMING VERY SOON - UPGRADED HEADLIGHTS -

We have our supplier fine tuning the directions for the plug-and-play upgraded headlight harness. It will be based on installing it in a Turbo Regal model, as I used his harness on our personal car. He just had to make a few changes, to be sure everything is the proper length, and the main three-wire plug is in the correct order. This is quite an improvement over the sealed beam format.



URGENT REQUEST WE NEED STOCK 1986-1987 TURBO CORES -

We really need stock 1986-1987 Turbo Regal cores in order to keep getting them rebuilt and used for our TA 49 rebuilds. You will received a worth $75 in Letter of Credit for any acceptable Turbo core. Help us help others



ANOTHER URGENT REQUEST -

Once again we find ourselves needing original stock AC Delco correct 1986-1987 Turbo Regal mass air flow sensors. The housing CANNOT be broken. Screens are not important. Each one that meets these requirements is worth $40 in Letter of Credit to us. Help us help other owners keep their cars original.



KIRBAN PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS ON YouTube -

Here is a link to the videos we currently have up on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/KirbanPerformance?feature=guide



NEW PRODUCTS FROM US -


1984-1987 Buick Regal (All Hardtop Models with the Standard Circular Ceiling Light) -
AFTERMARKET LED INTERIOR LIGHT

This aftermarket LED light can replace the fuse-style bulb found in the stock circular ceiling light in all the 1984-1987 Regal hardtop models.

This provides a whiter bright light, which does not get as hot as the factory glass tube bulb.

Our first photo shows an original glass bulb on the left and this LED replacement on the right.

Our second photo shows a comparison of lights. The top left photo shows the original fuse-style bulb in the ceiling light without the cover and lit with the cover on the top right. The lower left photo shows the LED light in the ceiling light without the cover and lit with the cover on the lower right.

Another great interior restoration item.

7520 - 1984-1987 Buick Regal (All Hardtop Models with the Standard Circular Ceiling Light) -
Aftermarket LED Interior Light - $14.95

Here is a link to this LED Interior Light on our website:
http://www.kirbanperformance.com/product/44100/AFTERMARKET+LED+INTERIOR+LIGHT+%237520.html



1984-1987 Buick Regal - All T-Tops Models -
REPRODUCTION T-TOPS PARTS - 8-PIECE KIT

If you have any rust issues with the factory T-Tops, these are the critical parts.

This is the complete kit to replace all the removable parts related to the T-Tops framework. Everything is made in steel and powder-coated black, which is superior to what GM did originally.

The kit includes the main center rail, the center top portion, the left and right front top windshield plates, front and rear weatherstrip retainer parts. A total of 8 parts in all, exact reproductions of these parts.

It’s best to purchase the entire kit, if you have major rust issues, especially due to the age of these cars.

Our first photo shows the various pieces in this kit. Our second photo is an illustration of an exploded view of the typical T-Tops on a Regal. We offer this book, Part #7196 - 1987 GM - 1987 General Motors BODY SERVICE MANUAL for Passenger Cars."

These are made in steel, and then powder coated black, and made in the U.S.A.

NOTE - We highly recommend this kit be installed by a professional body shop.

Another great exterior restoration kit.

7519 - 1984-1987 Buick Regal -
All T-Tops Models - Reproduction T-Tops Parts 8-Piece Kit - $479.95 / kit

Here is the link to these T-Tops Parts on our website:
http://www.kirbanperformance.com/product/44099/REPRODUCTION+T-TOPS+PARTS%E2%80%888+PIECE+KIT+%237519.html



1984-1987 Buick Regal (All Models) -
Reproduction WINDSHIELD PLASTIC TRIM - 3 Piece Kit

Here is a part almost every Regal is missing due to age and heat.

Originally GM had a thin plastic trim molding, which was between the metal molding and the front windshield. It went on both vertical side pieces and across the top. Without it there is a gap between the metal molding and the windshield.

This is a reproduction of that plastic trim molding. You have to remove the original trim pieces in order to slide this into each molding.

If you need to redo both the front and the back glass trim, you will need to purchase two kits. The material can easily be cut to size.

NOTE - When you install the trim pieces, some of the original plastic clips may break due to age. We recommend you also purchase our Part #7199, 1975-1987 Buick Regal (All Models) - Exterior Reveal Molding Clips (30) Set, in case you break any original clips.

Another great exterior restoration item.

7517 - 1984-1987 Buick Regal (All Models) -
Reproduction Windshield Plastic Trim - 3 piece Kit - $21.95 / kit

Here is a link to these Windshield Plastic Trim on our website:
http://www.kirbanperformance.com/product/44097/Reproduction+WINDSHIELD+PLASTIC+TRIM+-+3+Piece+Kit+%237517.html



CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS FOR 2013 -

EAST COAST BUICK REGIONALS - Cecil County Dragway, MD - September 20th & 21st, 2013 -

The East Coast Buick Regionals are held at Cecil County Dragway, Maryland. Saturday, the 21st, features a judged car show for all Buick-powered cars.

For more info, contact Doug Doughtery at 302-653-2201 or email - [email protected], John Csordas 914-447-6068 or email - [email protected]

The website is - tristategsclub.com



KIRBAN SEPTEMBERFEST OPEN HOUSE - SATURDAY - SEPTEMBER 28TH - 9 am - 3 pm

We will be holding our annual fall “SEPTEMBERFEST” Open House on Saturday, September 28th, at our Plumsteadville location - 6201 Kellers Church Road, Plumsteadville. Rain or Shine, 9 am until 3 pm. Open to all cars, not just Turbo Buicks.

Free Yum Yum donuts and coffee will be provided in the morning.

Pete and I will have our usual array of used parts. Some of the highlights for the Open House will be the raffle prizes, M&M contest, and a no reserve auction. We will have some really neat items for the no reserve auction including several items from Jays GN that we purchased.

Our personal Turbo-T will be on display and I will show our new plug-and-play H4 headlight system.

Once again, Chef Russ and Nancy will be preparing a full-course gourmet luncheon, like they did at our Spring Open House. This time the menu will be expanded. We are very fortunate to have Nancy and Russ, our local Turbo Buick Chef who loves to cook, generously offer to prepare the entire luncheon menu. So bring your appetite.



2013 GS NATIONALS - October 16-19, 2013 -

This is the 33rd Annual consecutive event held at Beech Bend Raceway, 798 Beech Bend Road, Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Jim Bell, of Kenne-Bell fame, will be in attendance to present honorary car and race show awards to both V8 & V6 cars.

Also attending is Art Carr and his wife. Art is one of the top transmission specialists for many years.

Working on having the 2015 models of the new GNX and Grand National display along with a GM rep to hold a seminar on the car's development and performance capabilities.

For more info log onto - http://www.gsnationals.com/



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 WORKS -

Got any turbo parts you are not using? Why not cash them in for parts you need with a Letter of Credit. 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 PHOTOS ON THE WEBSITE - We have heard from a couple people that have viewed the photos on the website. Because these have to 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 -

Remember to mark your calendar - Septemberfest Kirban Open House - September 28th 2013 - rain or shine - luncheon once again prepared by Chef Russ and Nancy, featuring a variety of food prepared on location and free! A real treat! The no reserve auction will feature several neat items. Don’t miss this event!

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