12-16-10 Inner Circle

Greetings Turbo Regal Inner Circle Members - 12-15-10

MY TRIP TO GBODY PARTS -

I thought I would show some photos and information about my recent trip to North Carolina two weeks ago.

I rolled into downtown Bethel, North Carolina on a Tuesday afternoon (November 30th). It's a very small town. It has suffered, like many small towns, with the down turn in the economy. The Chevrolet dealership in the center of town is now vacant. Interesting enough, a huge banner over the garage bay doors promotes that fact Mr. "GoodWrench Works Here."

Years ago, at the far end of town there was a Ford dealership, which is part of the complex Brian Weaver of GBodyparts.com has purchased.

The dealership is a huge complex of about 30,000 square feet. This is where Brian has set up his Buick and GBody business operation. Not only do they work on cars and dismantle parts cars, but the place is also well stocked with new and used parts of virtually anything you would need for any Turbo Regal. He has also branched into some of the other popular G-bodies, such as the Olds 442 and some Monte Carlo models as well.

He has about 13 acres total and behind the Ford dealership sits another 35,000-square-foot building. It was once a one-story school used until the mid-1960s when it was closed. This building is in need of major attention. Currently it is not really used for anything. Off to the one side of Brian's complex is a cemetery.

PHOTO 1 - The top photo shows the front of Brian's shop. Note the various Turbo cars parked across the front. The lower photos show some of the whole cars he has sitting on the property. Some are fairly rare examples of T-Types.

PHOTO 2 - Photos of early Buick Turbo race history. The upper photos show another famous piece of Buick Turbo race history - Vic Guilmino's original white Turbo-T, which Brian now owns. The lower photos show the GNX engine out of Buddy Cox's GNX. Buddy was one of the very first to tub a real GNX and race it for several years during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

PHOTO 3 - Need an interior part? The upper left photo shows a shelf full of complete dash pads and consoles. The upper right photo shows a large array of door panels in every conceivable color. The lower left photo shows one of the rare 1982-1/2 Grand Nationals he has for parts. The lower right photo shows various intakes and cylinder heads.



GUESS HOW MANY M & Ms - CHRISTMAS CONTEST -

PHOTO 4 - Shows the actual container filled with the standard size M & Ms. The only clue we will give you is a hint as to the size of the container. We picture a 12-ounce can of Pepsi alongside the jar filled with M & Ms.

Here are the rules. Please read them carefully!

Contest is open to all Inner Circle members except winners of our recent Thanksgiving contest, employees, or owners of any business related to Turbo Regals.

You get 3 guesses in one single email only sent to me directly - [email protected]

Email must have your full name, your state and your 3 guesses.

Deadline - This coming Saturday, December 18th, 2010 at 5 pm eastern time!

Closest 3 guesses UNDER the actual count are the winners. In the remote chance of a tie, earliest time email is the winner.

First place value is $100 and includes the M & Ms container, second place value is $75, and third place value is $50.

Winners will be notified by email and announced in our next Inner Circle.

Good luck.



EXPENSIVE INDOOR PARKING

There is an indoor parking facility in the Upper East Side of New York that gets between $900 and $1200 a month for 1 parking space. One can clearly see how this can add up quickly times 12 months a year.



CUSTER'S LAST STAND -

We all know the story of that fateful day when a poor estimation of the number of Indians was made, and the battle became know as "Custer's Last Stand." I remember a hit rock and roll song from the 1950s about General Custer. At a recent Sotheby's auction the flag from that battle fetched a cool $2.2 million. A few years back on that long road trip I took in our Corvette, I stopped at the Memorial they have out west for that battleground.



WE NOW HAVE PRICES ON OUR BUSHINGS/CUSHIONS KITS -

PART #7304 - 1978-1987 Buick Regal (All Models) - Reproduction Radiator Core Support Bushings/Cushions (4) Kit. This would be for position #1. Kit has enough for both sides - $37.95

PART #7305 - 1982-1987 Buick Regal (All Models) - Reproduction Body Mount Bushings/Cushions (22) Kit - $249.95

PART #7306 - 1982-1987 Buick Regal (All Models) - Aftermarket 4-Piece Lower Body Bushings/Cushions (4) Kit - $29.95

PART #7307 - 1982-1987 Buick Regal (All Models) - Aftermarket 6-Piece Lower Body Bushings/Cushions (6) Kit - $39.95

PART #7308 - 1982-1987 Buick Regal (All Models) - Body Mount Frame Repair Steel Washer - $6

PART #7309 - 1982-1987 Buick Regal (All Models) - Body Mount Frame Repair Steel (2) Washers $10 / pair.

NOTE - These Bushings/Cushions kits and washer may not be on the website for a few days.

You can call our office to place your order (215-766-1611 x 0), or order through the website next week.

For many years we sold used 1986-1987 Turbo Regals and for every single one we sold, we installed the missing lower body bushings whether it took the 4 or the 6. This is something you want to do without delay. The longer you wait, the tougher it may be to remove the factory bolts due to rust. In some cases, since the bolt is simply pressing on a metal washer and can flex, a gap exists and the body mount bolt can simply come lose and fall out!

See previous Inner Circle (12-1-10) for information on determining if you need the 4 bushings/cushions set or the 6 bushings/cushions set. In either case, they are very easy to install since they are the lower exposed bushings/cushions providing you can remove the body bolt.



CHRISTMAS SPECIALS - TIME ENDS FRIDAY! - DECEMBER 17th

Unlike previous years where we listed a dozen or so parts at a special price, we decided to do something a little different this year. We will give a full 15% off many of our Turbo Buick parts. On a few items this discount will be 10%.

NO DISCOUNT on these items; #7021 - Rebuilt Powermaster Brake Unit #7273, Replacement Driver's Side Header #7274, Replacement Header and Headers Kit #7280-7295, 8-Piece and 11-Piece Custom-made & Embroidered Trunk Kits, and #7303 Upper Dash Overlay Panel. There is NO additional discount for any items already in Package Deals or items discounted when purchased in combination with another product.

These discounts can't be combined with any other specials. This discount started Tuesday, October 19th and ends THIS FRIDAY, December 17th at 4 pm. A flyer on this will be in all our outgoing orders. This is one-time discount from our company on virtually 90% of our product line for Turbo Buicks.

Because of limitations on the website, you will have to call in your order to take advantage of this discount - 215-766-1611 x 0.

Here is a link to our Christmas Specials on the web site -
http://www.kirbanperformance.com/inner_circle.php?nak=100



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]



GOOD NEWS - A LIMITED SUPPLY - 1984-1985 TURBO REGAL SPARK PLUG WIRE SET -

Because of requests, we recently had a small run of the correct length grey 1984-1985 Turbo Regal spark plug wires. They are in stock. We have 4 sets left. They are $50 per set plus $8 shipping. You must contact our office directly to be assured of getting one of these 2 sets. We have no plans to have these run again. To order, call - 215-766-1611 x 0.



DISCONTINUED PART VALVE STEM CAPS -

Part #7147 - 1984-1987 Turbo Regal - original Used Valve Stem Cap (4) Set is no longer available.

However, we do have Part #7210 - 1984-1987 Turbo Regal - Reproduction Valve Stem Caps (4) Set for $9.95 a set. These are brand new and look 100% like the originals.



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.



CALENDER OF EVENTS -

The 2011 events will be posted at the beginning of next year.

If you are involved in a Turbo Buick related event, send us complete information and include a website or promotional flyer. We would be happy to list the event on our website and in our Inner Circles emailed newsletter.



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 not remember who requested the item.



IN CLOSING -

Time runs out this Friday, December 17th on our Christmas Specials discount - 215-766-1611 x 0.

Be sure to submit your 3 guesses on the Christmas contest by this Saturday, December 18th, 2010 at 5 pm eastern time!

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