05-16-2018 Inner Circle

Greetings Turbo Regal Inner Circle Members 05-16-2018 -

Here is the link to this Inner Circle and photos on our website

1984-1987 BUICK TURBO REGAL REPLACEMENT RADIO KNOBS -

We were finally able to find a source for these exact replacement tuner and volume knobs with the correct brushed-aluminum-style disc on them. See New Parts section for link. These are in stock.

PHOTO 1 - Shows the pair of the reproduction 1984-1987 Turbo Regal radio knobs. These fit various different 1980s and early 1990s GM radios.



THE LAST OF ORIGINAL MATT BLAIR TURBO REGAL CARTOON ARTWORK -

PHOTO 2 - We show the very last 3 of original Matt Blair Turbo Regal cartoons from the 1990s that he did for us. The artwork in the bottom right is from another artist we used in the early 1990s. Each of these 4 original cartoon illustrations is listed for sale in our Rare Parts section. This is a great opportunity to own original Turbo Buick artwork. These is the very last ones we have for sale.


POWERMASTER CORES -

Once in a while we get in a powermaster core that looks like it has been at the bottom of the Mississippi River for the last 30 years.

PHOTO 3 - Here are 3 photos of one such powermaster core that can best be used as a door stop!



ON THE NEWSTANDS -

The Saturday Evening Post recently published a Special Collector’s Edition magazine entitled, “American Cars 1940s, ‘50s & ‘60s.” The magazine runs 112 pages, mostly in full color. A trip down Automotive Memory Lane.

The magazine includes a lot of automotive trivia. For example, in 1954 Nash introduced the all weather eye single heating and air conditioning unit.

Volvo invents the 3-point safety belt. Honda opens its first US subsidiary. In the 1960s the average cost of a new car was a mere $2,816. Ironically, most of the highly sought after collectible cars came from that era and would have been a great investment! The magazine is a good read!

PHOTO 4 - Shows the cover of the American Cars Magazine. We also show one of the pages from the magazine featuring the VW bug.



UPDATE ON REPRODUCTION SPID DECALS -

ECS Automotive is still working on making SPID Decals 100% like the originals. I recently sent them original SPID decals for them to get the size and the color of the paper correct.



GM BANNERS -

I still have not received any word yet if GM has approved the new banner samples that the company I am dealing with has submitted for approval. They feel confident that GM will approve most of the designs since the cars are now 30 years old. This company we are dealing with has the contract for Buick-Oldsmobile-Pontiac for offering various banners. These things just take time.



PARTS ISSUES AND DELAYS -

As of this writing there are several parts we sell that we currently are out of stock. Many of which come from various suppliers we deal with regularly. Because most of these items come from overseas, delays can run 3 to 6 weeks. These include #7600 radiator overflow bottle, #7305 22-piece body bushing kit, and #7170 window rattle kit. These are just some of the popular items that we are out of right now.

We are almost out of the brake pedal kit we offer with the vacuum brake kit, #7625. Vacuum brake conversion kit, #7679, which gives you the proper size pin and specs on where it goes on your brake pedal, is available.

Finding a constant supply of proper vacuum brake pedals is the issue for part #7625. Years ago, vacuum pedals could be bought quite reasonable - $15 to $25 each. Now, because of the demand from Turbo Regal owners, this same brake pedal can be found on ebay for $75 or more, making it difficult for companies like us to purchase them. I find very few in junkyards since these cars are 30 years and older. Eventually we may just offer the kit #7679 that includes the proper size pin for that gets welded on the factory original pedal. You would then have the larger wrong pin cut off the stock pedal.

Even some of the various gaskets we carry for the engine and turbo can be difficult to get at times. In order to keep a constant inventory, we deal with many different sources. While it’s true several major companies are getting more and more parts made for these cars, it all takes time to go from idea to a finished correct tested production part.



2018 TURBO BUICK RELATED CAR SHOWS EVENTS -

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 914-447-6068 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.
PRICE REDUCED - The price is $25,900
Dan Varner Delaware, Ohio - 740-972-2470 [email protected] 3 of 4.

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



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 -

As we pointed out in this issue, some parts are getting difficult to find. It’s important not to delay ordering some of the items you need for your project to be certain you have them when you need it.



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 -
REPLACEMENT RADIO TUNER KNOB (1) & VOLUME KNOB (1) SET 

In many cases, the original brushed disc may be missing from the factory radio knobs or the brushed disc may be discolored.

This is a brand new correct replacement for the 2 outer radio knobs - tuner and volume knobs. These are every hard to find today since they were last used over 20 years ago on various GM radios. These are correct for other GM applications as well, including all the G-body models.

Another excellent replacement for any interior restoration.

7824 - 1984-1987 Buick Turbo Regal - Replacement Radio Tuner Knob (1) & Volume Knob (1) Set - $12.95

Here is a link to these radio knobs on our website.



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 is 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 Flywheel 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 -

Hope everyone is enjoying the Spring weather.

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