Greetings Turbo Regal Inner Circle Members - 01-16-2013
TURBO REGAL REAR RADIO SPEAKERS -
Recently we found a source that had purchased original Delco radio speakers, which are the correct 4 by 10s for the 1984-1987 Turbo Regals.
Aftermarket speakers can pose a problem. One issue can be the connecting plug may be different, requiring you to cut the plug end off the factory harness. A bigger issue may be the magnet size. It may be too big to fit the factory cage holder. If that is the case, the speaker will not fit properly in the cage fixture that GM used in the back package shelf of the 1984-1987 Turbo Regals. The cage holder would then not snap back into position.
The cage holder actually was a pretty neat method for making a quick release to replace the rear speaker by having the fixture or "cage" spring loaded at one end and two tabs at the other end. In other words, no hand tools are required to remove or re-install it.
PHOTO 1 - In the top photo we show the factory fixture or speaker cage that GM used to secure each of the rear speakers behind the rear seat. The magnet actually seats between the two upright small tabs in the center of the fixture (see arrows). In the lower photo we show the factory plug, which is what is at the end of the speaker harness and would plug into the factory rear speaker.
Part #7456 - 1984-1987 Buick Regal (All Models) - 10 ohm Delco Rear Speakers (2) - $89.95
MORE ON THE WINDOW RATTLE GUY PETE SERIO -
In last week's issue (01-09-13) we mentioned Pete Serio's uncanny ability to rectify rattling window issues in the Turbo Regals. I found a few photos that may bring back memories to some of you.
PHOTO 2 - In the top photo we show Pete finishing up a window fix on the driver's door of a grey Turbo-T. Notice the dog standing guard on the front seat. Pete also did repairs at our house by appointment. The lower photo was taken at our old house on Sugarbottom Road. I assume the car owner is in the car working on a trim panel. Pete can be seen kneeling on the ground. The person standing and probably providing directions is my Dad, Salem Kirban.
Over the 25-plus years we have known Pete Serio, he has been to my parent's house on numerous occasions for dinner over the holidays and when we did trips together. These are all memories now, since we no longer reside on Sugarbottom Road and my parents have both passed away.
ONE WAY TO DISPLAY TURBO REGAL DIECAST CARS -
In the last year or so, many of the GM dealerships have been completely remodeled. The dealership that I have a salesman license with is O’Neil Buick/GM and I am good friends with the owner, Mike O’Neil. For a short period of time, they also sold Pontiac. Although I hardly do any more Turbo Regal sales, I do stop there once in awhile.
They do renew my salesman license every year!
Years ago I had started to get Mike some of the 1:18 GMP Turbo Regal diecasts. When they had their showroom completely remodeled, his son searched and was able to get probably all the other 1:18 GMP Turbo Regals in the series and they moved the display into the showroom.
This is probably the only Buick dealership that has a complete GMP diecast collection in their showroom. If and when Buick brings back the Grand National and GNX nameplate (as it has been rumored,) potential buyers can see a bit of history.
PHOTO 3 - With the sunlight and clear glass display, it was difficult to take these photos. The upper two photos show the GMP 1:18 scale Turbo Regal diecast in Mike's collection. I counted 15 in all. The lower photo shows the complete display. The bottom shelf is equally impressive as he has a bunch of awards he has received over the years from GM.
ANOTHER AUTOMOTIVE FEATURE BITES THE DUST -
I just read recently that the 2013 Impala will be the last American car to offer a bench seat as an option. I am not exactly sure, but I would also think hand crank windows are either on their way out or almost out of most American production cars.
Some of us remember when car makers built business coupes. For you youngsters, business coupes were bare bone 2-door coupes, usually with a small side window, no rear seat, and even a heater was an option. Basically a no frills car in basic black. Sometimes they were referred to as "Salesman's" cars.
I had 2 of them back in the day. One was a 1940 Studebaker business coupe and the other was a 1949 Ford Club Coupe. The Studebaker had wood where a back seat would normally be.
PHOTO 4 - Here is a photo of my 1940 Studebaker coupe. That is my oldest sister Doreen standing by the back of the car. This photo was taken around the summer of 1965, prior to me entering the military. I can’t recall what I paid for it back then, but I am sure it was only a few hundred dollars. At the time I also was paying on a 1961 Corvette.
QUICK MINI CONTEST -
We recently contacted a professional automotive cartoonist, Fred Boatman. He has done work for several of the Peterson Publications during the 1960s and 1970s, including Hot Rod and Car Craft magazines!
He will be designing cartoons for us and currently has several in the works. We are looking for a name to give the central character that will be featured in each cartoon.
Email me your suggestions - Example - Turbo Tim.
Contest to open to all.
All entries considered, as long as they are emailed directly to me - [email protected] - by this coming Saturday, January 19th, 2013.
We will have a special prize for the person whose name idea we select.
ATTENTION HAWAII CUSTOMERS -
My wife Eileen, and our granddaughter Devyn will be on a winter holiday for the next 10 days in the Hawaiian Islands, visiting family and enjoying the sites. It will be interesting to see if they spot any Grand Nationals as we do have several customers in Hawaii.
JANUARY WINTER YUGO CONTEST -
Once we know the results of the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction concerning the Yugo convertible, we will be announcing the winner in next week's Inner Circle. Of course, we'll let you know what the Yugo ended up selling for.
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR 2013 -
GM AT CARLISLE - June 21st thru 23rd, 2012
This event is held at the Carlisle Fairgrounds, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Turbo Regal. I have signed on to conduct two seminars on Saturday, June 22nd. One seminar will be on Turbo Regals and the second one will be on Hurst. So, mark your calendar.
Carlisle, as many of you know, puts on some of the largest car shows and swap meets in the USA and has done so for over 25 years. It is centrally located in Pennsylvania, just west of Harrisburg, PA and minutes off the PA turnpike and Route 81. Click on the link below for more details.
http://www.carlisleevents.com/ce/events/gm-nationals/
If you know of an event that caters to the Turbo Regal, email me the details so we can post it in this section for the 2013 season – [email protected]
LOOKING FOR IDEAS -
If you have any product ideas that would fit our Turbo Buick market, that we may consider 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 -
We have yet to have any major snow storms in our area.
TURBO REGAL REAR RADIO SPEAKERS -
Recently we found a source that had purchased original Delco radio speakers, which are the correct 4 by 10s for the 1984-1987 Turbo Regals.
Aftermarket speakers can pose a problem. One issue can be the connecting plug may be different, requiring you to cut the plug end off the factory harness. A bigger issue may be the magnet size. It may be too big to fit the factory cage holder. If that is the case, the speaker will not fit properly in the cage fixture that GM used in the back package shelf of the 1984-1987 Turbo Regals. The cage holder would then not snap back into position.
The cage holder actually was a pretty neat method for making a quick release to replace the rear speaker by having the fixture or "cage" spring loaded at one end and two tabs at the other end. In other words, no hand tools are required to remove or re-install it.
PHOTO 1 - In the top photo we show the factory fixture or speaker cage that GM used to secure each of the rear speakers behind the rear seat. The magnet actually seats between the two upright small tabs in the center of the fixture (see arrows). In the lower photo we show the factory plug, which is what is at the end of the speaker harness and would plug into the factory rear speaker.
Part #7456 - 1984-1987 Buick Regal (All Models) - 10 ohm Delco Rear Speakers (2) - $89.95
MORE ON THE WINDOW RATTLE GUY PETE SERIO -
In last week's issue (01-09-13) we mentioned Pete Serio's uncanny ability to rectify rattling window issues in the Turbo Regals. I found a few photos that may bring back memories to some of you.
PHOTO 2 - In the top photo we show Pete finishing up a window fix on the driver's door of a grey Turbo-T. Notice the dog standing guard on the front seat. Pete also did repairs at our house by appointment. The lower photo was taken at our old house on Sugarbottom Road. I assume the car owner is in the car working on a trim panel. Pete can be seen kneeling on the ground. The person standing and probably providing directions is my Dad, Salem Kirban.
Over the 25-plus years we have known Pete Serio, he has been to my parent's house on numerous occasions for dinner over the holidays and when we did trips together. These are all memories now, since we no longer reside on Sugarbottom Road and my parents have both passed away.
ONE WAY TO DISPLAY TURBO REGAL DIECAST CARS -
In the last year or so, many of the GM dealerships have been completely remodeled. The dealership that I have a salesman license with is O’Neil Buick/GM and I am good friends with the owner, Mike O’Neil. For a short period of time, they also sold Pontiac. Although I hardly do any more Turbo Regal sales, I do stop there once in awhile.
They do renew my salesman license every year!
Years ago I had started to get Mike some of the 1:18 GMP Turbo Regal diecasts. When they had their showroom completely remodeled, his son searched and was able to get probably all the other 1:18 GMP Turbo Regals in the series and they moved the display into the showroom.
This is probably the only Buick dealership that has a complete GMP diecast collection in their showroom. If and when Buick brings back the Grand National and GNX nameplate (as it has been rumored,) potential buyers can see a bit of history.
PHOTO 3 - With the sunlight and clear glass display, it was difficult to take these photos. The upper two photos show the GMP 1:18 scale Turbo Regal diecast in Mike's collection. I counted 15 in all. The lower photo shows the complete display. The bottom shelf is equally impressive as he has a bunch of awards he has received over the years from GM.
ANOTHER AUTOMOTIVE FEATURE BITES THE DUST -
I just read recently that the 2013 Impala will be the last American car to offer a bench seat as an option. I am not exactly sure, but I would also think hand crank windows are either on their way out or almost out of most American production cars.
Some of us remember when car makers built business coupes. For you youngsters, business coupes were bare bone 2-door coupes, usually with a small side window, no rear seat, and even a heater was an option. Basically a no frills car in basic black. Sometimes they were referred to as "Salesman's" cars.
I had 2 of them back in the day. One was a 1940 Studebaker business coupe and the other was a 1949 Ford Club Coupe. The Studebaker had wood where a back seat would normally be.
PHOTO 4 - Here is a photo of my 1940 Studebaker coupe. That is my oldest sister Doreen standing by the back of the car. This photo was taken around the summer of 1965, prior to me entering the military. I can’t recall what I paid for it back then, but I am sure it was only a few hundred dollars. At the time I also was paying on a 1961 Corvette.
QUICK MINI CONTEST -
We recently contacted a professional automotive cartoonist, Fred Boatman. He has done work for several of the Peterson Publications during the 1960s and 1970s, including Hot Rod and Car Craft magazines!
He will be designing cartoons for us and currently has several in the works. We are looking for a name to give the central character that will be featured in each cartoon.
Email me your suggestions - Example - Turbo Tim.
Contest to open to all.
All entries considered, as long as they are emailed directly to me - [email protected] - by this coming Saturday, January 19th, 2013.
We will have a special prize for the person whose name idea we select.
ATTENTION HAWAII CUSTOMERS -
My wife Eileen, and our granddaughter Devyn will be on a winter holiday for the next 10 days in the Hawaiian Islands, visiting family and enjoying the sites. It will be interesting to see if they spot any Grand Nationals as we do have several customers in Hawaii.
JANUARY WINTER YUGO CONTEST -
Once we know the results of the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction concerning the Yugo convertible, we will be announcing the winner in next week's Inner Circle. Of course, we'll let you know what the Yugo ended up selling for.
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR 2013 -
GM AT CARLISLE - June 21st thru 23rd, 2012
This event is held at the Carlisle Fairgrounds, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Turbo Regal. I have signed on to conduct two seminars on Saturday, June 22nd. One seminar will be on Turbo Regals and the second one will be on Hurst. So, mark your calendar.
Carlisle, as many of you know, puts on some of the largest car shows and swap meets in the USA and has done so for over 25 years. It is centrally located in Pennsylvania, just west of Harrisburg, PA and minutes off the PA turnpike and Route 81. Click on the link below for more details.
http://www.carlisleevents.com/ce/events/gm-nationals/
If you know of an event that caters to the Turbo Regal, email me the details so we can post it in this section for the 2013 season – [email protected]
LOOKING FOR IDEAS -
If you have any product ideas that would fit our Turbo Buick market, that we may consider 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 -
We have yet to have any major snow storms in our area.