03-28-2018 Inner Circle

Greetings Turbo Regal Inner Circle Members 03-28-2018 -

MINI CONTEST UPDATE -

We have no winners! The closest wrong answer was a 1989 Pontiac ASC Grand Prix. That model may have had that style gauge in it, but the car I removed this Systems Check gauge from was a 1987 Pontiac Grand Am.

What makes this rare is this option was in a Grand Am, which was not a popular option in a low-budget model. The reason I say that is, this is the first one I have come across in a Pontiac Grand Am. According to the Owner’s Manual on the non-turbo Grand Am they also offered a optional gauge cluster. You had to step up and buy a Turbo-powered Grand Am in order to have 110 mph speedometer, otherwise 85 mph was the maximum.



FIRST DAY OF SPRING 2018 -

The east coast got pounded with the 4th nor’easter in less than 3 weeks on the first day of spring. The only minor advantage was, since we had moved the clocks ahead one hour, it gave us another hour of sunlight to shovel the heavy wet snow.

PHOTO 1 - I show Trey’s old Regal GS that sits alongside our pole building covered in snow. Normally our cats sit on the hood soaking in the bright sunshine. Our cats hardly ventured out of the pole building that day! The 18-inch ruler shown sticking up on the hood shows the snow was almost 14 inches. It must have snowed for a solid 6 hours. It was our largest snow fall for this area this year.



OUR SPRING OPEN HOUSE - APRIL 21ST- UPDATE -

Here is a current list of companies that have responded about donating something for our Open House door prizes. I am sure several more companies will respond as the date gets closer. Here is the current listing:

Casper’s Electronics, Castle Performance, Cold Case, Max Performance, Gbodyparts.com, Limit Engineering, Lorenz Racing & Performance, Metco Motorsports, REM Automotive, Russ & Nancy, Spoolfool (Mike Barnard), and Yum Yums.

Special Guest Terry Shaw from Auto Legal Services (Appraisal Information) will also be there to answer any of your questions.



CARDBOARD STAND UP RICHARD PETTY DISPLAY -

We recently acquired 4 of these 5-foot high Richard Petty cardboard stand ups from a friend. Three of which are brand new that I just took out of their original box. He is promoting Champion spark plugs in his right hand. These will be for sale at our Spring Open House, since they are too costly to ship.

PHOTO 2 - We show the 5-foot tall Richard Petty cardboard stand up. If you are coming to our Spring Open House and want one, you can pay us now and pick it up at the Open House. The price is just $25 each by Paypal. The one that has been out of the box for years is just $15. These are ideal for your man cave or home office. I have no idea what year these were produced.



TURBO REGAL POWER TRUNK RELEASE UPDATE -

Last week we showed a Turbo Regal power trunk release that we had. It has been sold. We said it was available as not only as a factory install option but also as an accessory after you purchased your car. I recently found the instruction sheet that comes with the power trunk release when it was sold as an accessory.

PHOTO 3 - The photo on the left shows the main sheet of instructions, which basically tells you how to wire it from the trunk latch up to the dash. The photo on the right shows the various dash locations for the different GM models and how to power it from the fuse box. It does get wired along the same route as the trunk light does, down the right trunk hinge. The single wire runs up the floor pan by the body edge. The other sheet that comes with the kit shows the locations for the trunk release button on the bracket in the glove box. The wiring from the release button to the fuse panel varies depending on the car line.



VALUABLE ORIGINAL ARTWORK FROM ONE OF MY DAD’S BOOKS -

While I was searching for something in our basement, I came across a box of huge drawings that I recognized were from the one comic book my Dad did back in the 1970s. It was based on his best seller book “666.” Each poster board measures 15 inches by 22 inches. At first, I did not realize that each board was original art for each page in his comic book. Once I had it examined by an art studio, she determined indeed it is original art.

I was also later told it was common practice to do the artwork for a typical comic book on roughly a 15 by 22-inch poster board. I assume this was so the art would stay nice and crisp when it was reduced to a typical comic book size. It makes sense as I remember when I was a photographer in high school and later Vietnam, the German camera I used took bigger negatives instead of the popular 35mm negatives that regular cameras used. I was a wedding photographer when I was a senior in high school. If my Dad had two weddings on the same day, I would shoot the one wedding by myself. My Dad had a Hasselblad camera. I believe at the time it was one of the best cameras you could buy. I had a German Rolleiflex camera.

Photographing weddings was something I did not enjoy on a Saturday. Having to wear a suit and tie and generally tell people older than me where to stand or sit to make a nice photo for the bride was not fun. In some rare cases, couples had already parted ways before we got the photo proofs to choose from to them! Unlike today where photos are instant!

PHOTO 4 - Shows one original art page of the 666 comic book on the left alongside the matching printed artwork for the same page. Also in the same frame is a copy of the comic book 666 that my Dad wrote. This will eventually be passed down to our son and his family. It was hard to take a photo of it with the glass and reflection from the light.



HERE IS A RECORD THAT STOOD FOR ALMOST 80 YEARS -

I was amazed to recently learn that the record for the fastest flying mile on a public road had been not broken since it was set by the Nazis in 1938. The record they set in 1938 was 276.9 mph. It was accomplished in a Mercedes-Benz W125 machine. That had to be a scary record run in 1938 as technology for tires could not have been that advanced to handle that ungodly speed! The driver had a lot of courage that day!

Bugatti Veyron Super Sport did come close to the record, but fell short at 267.8 mph. The new record is now 284.6 mph set by Von Koenigsegg. He did it in the Agera RS model, which in Swedish means “to act.” This car today holds the reputation as being the fastest production car in the world. Only seven were built and all seven were sold by the time they made their debut last year. The Agera RS pumps out 1,341 horsepower and 1,011 lb-ft of torque. With only seven built, I don’t believe most of us will ever lay eyes on one. Even if any of us did, if it was in motion, the car would be a blur!



UPDATE ON ANOTHER CLEVER NEW PRODUCT COMING SHORTLY -

We just tried his second prototype and it still needs a little work to perform properly. My friend assures me we will have them available at my Spring Open House.



2018 TURBO BUICK RELATED CAR SHOWS EVENTS -

Here is the current listing with dates for events to show your Turbo Regal or attend in 2018. As more information becomes available for these events, we will update them.

KIRBAN SPRING OPEN HOUSE -
Saturday, April 21st, 2018 - KIRBAN PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, 6201 Kellers Church Road, Plumsteadville, PA
This event has no rain date. We will have free Yum Yum donuts and coffee while supplies last. This event features specials on our products, M&M contest, and our popular No Reserve auction. The time is from 9 am until 2 pm. Special pricing to be announced on Pypes exhaust systems and Cold Case radiators. Spoolfool fillers can be reserved for pickup to eliminate costly shipping charges. Those are the 3 big items where you can save money by picking them up at our Open House. Many of our vendors and suppliers are donating door prizes for this event.

MOTELS IN QUAKERTOWN - CLOSE TO LOCATION of our Open House

All locations listed are about 25 minutes from our shop and are basically just 3 turns.

If you plan to arrive Friday night, let me know as we can meet for dinner as I meet Jason from Canada every year for dinner Friday night at Applebees in Quakertown.

The first three listed are all fairly new motels.

Comfort Suites Inn
Rt 663 - 1905 John Fries Highway Quakertown PA 18951 - 215-538-3000

Hampton Inn
Rt 663 - 1915 John Fries Highway Quakertown, PA 18951 - 215-536-7779

Quakertown Holiday Inn Express 
Rt 663 - 1915 John Fries Highway Quakertown, PA 18951 - 215-529-7979

Econo Lodge
1446 West Broad Street, Quakertown, PA 18951 - 215-536-2500




2018 Turbobuick.com NATIONALS-
May 2nd thru May 5th, 2018 - Burlington, NC
This event is held at two locations. The first part of the week is at Richard Clark’s Garage, 2557 Faucette Lane, Burlington, NC. It then moves to a different track - Farmington Dragway, 2992 NC Highway 801N, Mocksville, NC, located about one hour west of Burlington, NC. For more information, go to turbobuick.com and click on 2018 Turbo Buick Nationals or on Facebook.



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 845-528-GSGN, 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



CUSTOM-MADE GM LICENSED VINYL BANNERS UPDATE-

We will have actual samples of several new Turbo Regal banners on display at our Spring Open House, including two GNX versions. We are working with the company that is licensed by GM that covers Buick/Oldsmobile/Pontiac. We already have 4 or 5 unique banners that we will have available at our Spring Open House in April. We will auction off the sample ones we had done.



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 -

FOR SALE - 1987 Buick Grand National. Georgeous 1987 Buick Grand National with only 18,550 original miles. Extremely nice condition beautiful deep black paint Excellent condition throughout. Very well kept and taken care of low mile Grand National. Completely clean auto-check. Zero issues. Car has 18,500 Original miles. New radiator recently installed, wears GNX wheels now, comes with original wheels and original tires mounted. Previous owner paperwork included. Starts right up and runs excellent and drive excellent. Beautiful factory interior looks new. Fully documented with the RPO codes on the original service parts identification sticker on underside of the trunk lid. Factory overdrive automatic shifts smooth and tight. $30,000 Jim Sirotnak, Dunmore, PA Phone: 570-466-2555 1 of 2.

Here is a link to this car on our website:


FOR SALE - a set of 4 Grand National wheels and tires that were taken off a GN during its conversion to a GNX. These tires have been sitting unused and untouched since Mid-December 1987 in a windowless building. The condition is as close to new on all four steel wheels and tires as you could get. The air in the tires is believed to be 1987 air. Each tire appears to have no cracking and all of the nubs, hairs, or nipples are still on each tire. I purchased these tires and rims directly from Dennis Kirban in 2013 and never used them. They went directly into my heated warehouse in 2013. $2,000.00 plus shipping. I also have four original excellent GNX rims for sale for $5,000.00 also purchased from Dennis Kirban. Contact [email protected] 2 of 3.


FOR SALE - Remember, if you are local to us check out the inventory of used vehicles 611 Auto Sales. They are located near us at 8307 Easton Road in Ottsville, PA. Their website is -611autosalespa.com Many of the cars are priced under $3,995. Mention my name and it may save you a few bucks! They have several one-owner cars to choose from.

Their office number is 610-847-0100. Currently they have the 1987 Bronco II for $6,495. Several of their real nice 4-door sedans are priced under $3,995. These are ones I bid on that checked out as 1-2 owners, non-smoker with real nice exterior and interiors.



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 -

Remember our Spring Open House in now only a few short weeks away. If you never attended one of these events, and live in the area don’t put it off any longer. It’s a fun time regardless of the weather.

CORES NEEDED -

Here is the information on our credits for cores.

NEED - Powermaster brake units. The must be complete. We will issue you a Letter of Credit for $125 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 -

1985-1987 Buick GRAND NATIONAL -
ONE-PIECE BUCKET SEAT COVER

Because the original grey and black pallex Grand National seat material is so costly, here is a simple and inexpensive method to protect it.

We offer a one-piece form-fitting seat cover for the front bucket seat. No tools are required and it’s easy to clean. You simply slide it over the seat. It can be removed easily.

This seat cover has the same two-color color (black and grey) design, so it looks like it was made specifically for the Grand National.

The durable and breathable material is double nylon mesh cloth with 2mm thick sponge in the middle. The spandex back provides a universal fit that conforms to the Grand National’s bucket seat.

It’s an inexpensive investment to protect your Grand National bucket seats from damage.
To purchase one cover, order #7821. To order two covers, order #7822.

Another excellent way to protect the seats.

7821 - 1985-1987 Buick Grand National - One-piece Bucket Seat Cover - $18.95

7822 - 1985-1987 Buick Grand National -
TWO One-piece Bucket Seat Covers (2) - $29.95 (Save $7.95)

Here is a link to this seat 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. 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 -

Can’t wait until Spring weather matches up to time of the year! We have had a long stretch of below average highs for March in our immediate area.

If you’re planning on buying the Pypes Exhaust, Spoolfool rear filler, or Cold Case radiator, it’s important to pay for it in advance so we have it set aside for you to pickup.

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