08-15-2012 Inner Circle

Greetings Turbo Regal Inner Circle Members - 08-15-2012

REPORT FROM THE 2012 BUICK PERFORMANCE GROUP NATIONALS - PART 2 -

We had one customer show us at the Buick Performance Group event three extremely rare HO scale diecast Turbo Regals.

PHOTO 1 - The most rare HO scale diecast produced by Tiger Wheels can be seen in this top photo. It is a white GNX, which I assume is based on Rick Hunt's white GNX. Unopened and it is just one of 100 produced, making it extremely rare. In the bottom photo is the other two I saw, which are made by the same company, first the GNX and then the Grand National. Each of these was limited to 1,500 produced.

I must confess, I have none of these in my private collection and was not even aware of them. So, for any of you collectors of Turbo Buick diecasts, here are three that you may want to hunt down for your private collection.

In last week's Turbo Regal Inner Circle we highlighted the GNX 001, which was built using a 1986 Grand National.

At the start of the production ASC made another GNX to use as a guide and check against each of the production GNXs. This was something I didn't know about.

Normally a car like that would then be destroyed, however this GNX ended up in private hands, according to Pete Hoffman who sat in on the seminar at the event.

PHOTO 2 - In my opinion, the most unique feature about the GNX that ASC used to check each production GNX against was the dash number plate that they put on this GNX dash trim plate. The top photo shows this as GNX 000. Again, like most of our readers, I had no idea this car even existed until I saw it at the Buick Performance Group event in Ohio.

Precision Turbo and Engine was set up and had a very tempting display of various turbos for sale. This bottom photo show an array of seven different turbos they had on display.


BACKTRACKING TO THE HURST/OLDS NATIONALS -

Hurst introduced their version of T-Tops in the mid /1970s. At the Hurst Olds Nats it provided me with an excellent opportunity to show the difference between the Hurst-style T-Tops, which are called Hurst/Hatch versus the T-Tops found as an option on the Turbo Regals.

PHOTO 3 - I took these photos on a rainy day standing on the balcony of the second floor of my motel room. The photo on the left shows the Hurst Hatch Tops on a 1974-1977 style Hurst/Olds. You can clearly see how the Hurst Hatch-style of tops did not encompass as much of the roof as the GM-style of T-Tops. In the right photo we a 1983-1984 vintage Hurst/Olds with the factory GM-style T-Tops, which you can see cover more of the roof and meet in the center. Unfortunately, I'm not sure of the exact years of the Hurst/Olds in the these photos.

The downside with the Hurst Hatch style is new weather seals are very costly to find today, if you need to replace them.

The Hurst/Olds and even the Olds 442 model is quite similar to the Turbo Regals of the same vintage (1984-1987).

In case you're wondering, the first GM car to have factory T-Tops was the 1968 Corvette. Years ago my wife and I had a 1968 Corvette silver with a black interior factory 4 speed.

PHOTO 4 - In this top left photo we show the Harrison label on 1983-1984 Hurst/Olds. It should look familiar to most of you as it is positioned on the heater box exactly like our Buicks. The only difference is ours would say "Turbo 60" or "Turbo 68" for the Touch Climate Control option. The area above this decal normally is the emission label on our cars, however on the Oldsmobile model the emissions label is on the radiator shroud, at least on some of the years. Again, I am not an expert on Hurst/Olds and 442 models.

In the top right photo we show the windshield washer bottle, which is identical to the bottle we have in our Turbo Regals.

The next two photos are quite interesting as it shows both styles of radiator overflow bottles that Olds used in 1983-1987. The bottom left photo shows the bottle most common in our 1986-1987 Turbo Regals. The bottom right photo shows the one that I have seen in about 20% of the 1986-1987 Turbo Regals. In the Olds Cutlass models, you can see in both photos why they can use either bottle. It is because they had this thin metal tube brace that ran from the inner fender to the radiator support on both sides. That may explain why the more common radiator overflow bottle in our 1986-1987 Turbo Regals has that step down area on the top. The overflow cap is identical to the one in our cars as well.



COLLECTIBLE AUTOMOBILE - AUGUST 2012 ISSUE -

The Collectible Automobile August 2012 issue is no longer on the newsstands, since it has been replaced by the October 2012 issue.

As we reported on 06-27-2012 Turbo Regal Inner Circle, this issue has a very informative 12-page article on the 1982-1987 Turbo Buicks, which includes the GNX.

It's an excellent article with lots of photos. It would be a good addition to your Buick literature collection.

According to Bob Rogacki, you can obtain this issue, #170 August 2012, for a total cost of $17.90 by calling 1-800-871-2022.



IN STOCK FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY -
PYPES EXHAUST SYSTEMS and CATALYTIC CONVERTER TEST PIPES

We have in stock for immediate delivery - #6996 1986-1987 Turbo Regal -
PYPES PERFORMANCE (Non-Polished Stainless Steel) Dual Exhaust System.

Here is a link to this system on our website:
http://www.kirbanperformance.com/product/406/PYPES+PERFORMANCE+DUAL+EXHAUST+SYSTEM+%28Non-Polished+Stainless+Steel%29+%236996.html


We also have in stock for immediate delivery - #7422 - 1986-1987 Buick Turbo Regal -
Catalytic Converter Test Pipe & 4-Bolt Flange Gasket.

Here is a link to this test pipe on our website:
http://www.kirbanperformance.com/product/43977/CATALYTIC+CONVERTER+TEST+PIPE+%26+4-BOLT+FLANGE+GASKET+%237422.html



WE HAVE ANOTHER GNX DASH AVAILABLE -

This dash is just like the GNX. It has all new Stewart Warner gauges with sending units as needed. It includes a new upper speedometer cable, directions with a copy of the original AS blueprints, a good used original gauge bezel, new applique, most important a pre-cut stock dash bezel. In other words, this is a complete kit ready to install. You do not have to cut any part of your dash, you simply remove your dash and drop this one in. All the gauges are all pre-fit properly.

The only item you will have to buy to complete it is the proper plug-and-play harness, which is available from World of Motorworks. You have to specify if you have an analog dash or a digital dash when you order the harness.

The price for this complete GNX-style dash is $1,995 plus shipping.



URGENT REQUEST - WE NEED STOCK TURBO CORES -

Currently we have an urgent need for 1986-1987 Turbo Regal stock turbo cores. They must have the exhaust housing. We will allow $75 Letter of Credit for any cores you send in.

It's important you contact our office first, so we know to expect it - 215-766-1611 x 0

By providing cores, you are helping other owners restore their cars.



NEW PARTS & NEW LINKS -

1984-1987 Buick Turbo Regal with ANALOG Dash -
FUEL SENDING UNIT

This is a brand new sending unit, complete with fuel sock and directions for 1984-1987 Turbo Regals with the analog dash. It will NOT function in a Turbo Regal with the digital dash option.

NOTE - We recommend this sender be installed by a qualified mechanic.

NOTE - If you are planning to replace the gas tank (our Part #7247), it is an excellent time to replace this fuel sending unit.

7441 - 1984-1987 Buick Turbo Regal with ANALOG Dash -
Fuel Sending Unit - $159.95

Here is a link for this Fuel Sending Unit on our website:
http://www.kirbanperformance.com/product/44001/ANALOG+Dash+Fuel+Sending+Unit+%237441.html



We now carry the Reproduction GM-style Front and Rear Bumper Filler Panels. Here's our complete description.

1984-1987 Buick Regal (2-Door Models) -
Reproduction GM-STYLE FRONT & REAR BUMPER FILLER PANELS

Over time, these front and rear filler panels deteriorate or crack.

The front body bumper fillers are the flexible parts located between the front bumper and the front portion of the car on either side of the grille opening. Over the years, original front body bumper filler extensions can crack and crumble due to heat and age. They can also lose their shape and droop. The original GM version had 2 pieces; a left and a right.

The rear body bumper fillers are the flexible parts located between the body and the rear bumper, across the back of the car. Over the years, original rear body bumper filler extensions can crack and crumble due to heat and age. They can also lose their shape and droop. The original GM version had 2 pieces; a left and a right.

The factory original GM front and rear body bumper fillers are no longer available.

We can finally offer a quality set of reproduction front and rear fillers which closely copy the original chemical makeup used originally by GM. These look and feel are just like the original GM units, but with a better chemical composition.

The new molds for this project were built off the last GM production runs of the original filler panels. These new panels do not have the pock marks in the fillers and are ready to scuff and paint. These look and feel like the GM originals.

The same size steel is used behind the fillers and, instead of bare metal that rusts quickly, these are black EDP coated to resist corrosion. Since the material is a TPO compound, a qualified body shop will need to use an adhesion promoter.

Fillers have been tested for fitted, and the fit is comparable to panels on an original 6,000-mile Grand National.

By purchasing these OE-quality fillers, the amount of expense in the preparation, fit, and paint work is greatly reduced over the various aftermarket bumper fillers. Most of the other aftermarket filler panels require sanding to fill pot marks and some body lines have to be sanded for a sharper quality look.

In order to give customers a choice, we are offering these and the ABS plastic filler panels. We realize not everyone will be building/restoring a high-end show car, which would require these new OE-style reproduction bumper fillers.

NOTE - If you are interested in the ABS plastic filler panels, see Part #7152 for the ABS plastic front bumper fillers and #7067 for the ABS plastic rear bumper fillers.

NOTE - Manufacturer’s warranty only applies if these filler panels are properly prepped and installed by a qualified auto body shop using an adhesion promoter.

These are excellent replacement items for any exterior restoration.

7438 - 1984-1987 Buick Regal (All Models) -
Reproduction GM-style FRONT Bumper Filler Panels (2) $159.95 / pair

7439 - 1984-1987 Buick Regal (All Models) -
Reproduction GM-style REAR Bumper Filler Panels (2) $559.95 / pair

7440 - 1984-1987 Buick Regal (All Models) -
Reproduction GM-style FRONT & REAR Bumper Filler Panels (4) Set
$649.95 / set (Save $69.95 on a set of 4 panels)

Here is a link to these Filler Panels on our website -
http://www.kirbanperformance.com/products.php?search_text=7440&submit_button=



REPRODUCTION GNX SUSPENSION - NOW AVAILABLE -

Pete Hoffman has a limited number of the reproduction GNX Suspension Systems available. These are the Richard Clark systems that he has had made locally.

They are nearly exact to the originals, down to the welds and material used. They come with complete detailed instructions.

Limited availability!
Call or email Pete 215-778-1036
[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].



2012 CALENDAR OF EVENTS -


2012 EAST COAST BUICK REGIONALS and FAST EVENT -
SEPTEMBER 21st and 22nd, 2012 - Friday & Saturday
Cecil County Dragway, Maryland
Event is open to all models of Buicks

Featuring the 2nd Annual MAGNA (Mid-Atlantic Grand National Association) All Buick-powered judged Car Show! All Buick's! All years! All makes!

Goodie bags for the first 50 Buicks in the show. Door prizes all day and 50/50 to win some cash. The ONLY ALL-Buick car show on the east coast!

For more information, contact Doug Dougherty - 302-653-2201 or John Csordas - 914-447-6068 or email questions to - [email protected] or [email protected]
Visit their website - http://tristategsclub.com



2012 GS NATIONALS -
OCTOBER 17-20, 2012 - Wednesday - Saturday
Beach Bend Raceway, Bowling Green, Kentucky

Racing is FREE on Wednesday, October 17th. The correct dates are October 17-20, 2012. Because of the reschedule, they have negotiated FREE racing on Wednesday, October 17th. This includes "everyone" who comes thru the gate and pays the usual nominal entrance fee. There is NO usual additional charge to race your Buick powered cars on Wednesday.

The BCA (Buick Club of America) will be joining the GSCA event. This combination will make for a well-rounded event featuring all kinds of Buicks. This is one fall event you do not want to miss!



EBAY LISTINGS -

If you would like to see any of the Kirban Performance Products items listed on eBay, here is a link to our store and auctions - http://stores.ebay.com/Kirban-Performance-Products-Inc_W0QQssPageNameZl2QQtZ km



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 -

Hope everyone is having a great summer. It will be nice to experience some Fall weather soon.

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