Greetings Turbo Regal Inner Circle Members - 11-14-2012
MORE ON THE SALESMAN’S POCKET BOOKLETS -
Perhaps the most useful booklet that was part of the Salesman’s Pocket Booklet Set was the Price Directory.
Fortunately, I have one for every year 1984 thru 1987. These contained all the important facts related to Buick models’ available options, the order code for each option, and the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for each option. This handy pocket-size booklet is one of the few places all this information appears.
For the year 1985 Buick produced two versions. The later version had the added Somerset Regal model. This was the revised Price Directory and came out after the previous 1985 Price Directory. I also have 3 individual directories for the model year 1986 - one shows just the Riviera, one shows just the Lesabre, and one shows all the models.
PHOTO 1 - In the top photo we show all the 1984-1987 Price Directories minus the single 1986 ones for the Riviera and the LeSabre. We also only show the1985 Revised directory. Each of these Price Directories are approximately 50-68 pages in length. The booklets provided a quick reference guide for all the Buick models for that given year at the salesman’s fingertips.
In the lower photo we show the 1985 Price Directory and the 1987 Price Directory open to one of the Regal pages. They are arranged in categories. They first show the Order Code, then the Description, followed by the Price. The Order Code is the same code that would appear on your trunk ID label, also known as “Service Parts Identification Label.”
In all my years of searching for various Buick Regal literature related to the 1984-1987 years, these booklets are extremely difficult to find. This is probably because they were basically thrown away after the model year, since the information was no longer needed by new car sales people.
IN RECOGNITION OF VETERANS DAY -
I am sure many of our readers have either been in the military or have parents, siblings, or close relatives who have served in the military.
I would like to share a few stories with photos of some of our family members who have served in World War II, and me who served in the Army with a tour in Vietnam (1966-1967.)
My late father-in-law, Nick Tinari, was actually stationed in Hawaii in the Army and witnessed the attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor that fateful Sunday morning, December 7th, 1941. He witnessed first hand one of the biggest war news event of the century. It would be years later before he would eventually talk about it. A few years ago my mother-in-law gave me a souvenir from that day, a piece of a Japanese plane that Nick had saved all those years.
PHOTO 2 - In 1998 I did an audio interview with Nick about his Pearl Harbor experience. This lower left photo shows a copy of this CD I did and a photo of Nick in uniform. The top photo shows the piece of a Japanese aircraft that came from that fateful day over 71 years ago. I consider it an honor that the Tinari family has given it to me as a keepsake.
NOTE - Some segments of that audio interview with him have been posted on You Tube by our niece. These were recorded as I typed in the background, as I was interviewing him for an article.
Here are the links to the 3 segments, if you would like to hear them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JUm-5U4P8c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvkADFBxuu0&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neXwUC5gZOQ&feature=relmfu
As many of you know, we have a strong connection with Hurst Performance going back to 1969 when my wife Eileen actually worked at Hurst.
A few years later I would start to get shifters rebuilt for our GTO customers. During the 1980s we became good friends with Bob Held. He was the art director at Hurst from the early 1960s until he retired in the early 1980s. Those were the good old days for Hurst. Bob did all the original Hurst ads and the popular logos, as well as all the various decals that Hurst produced during those years. This was back when art and printing required a lot of hands-on work and skill.
Bob served in World War II and I remember him telling me he was part of some of the first Army troops to march into the concentration camps. He witnessed first hand the horror of what Hitler had done to the Jews.
PHOTO 3 - During World War II Bob Held did many cartoons for the Army newspaper. The photo on the left is just one of them. His artwork also made the cover for the December 23, 1944 issue of Collier’s Magazine, as seen in the photo on the right. Collier’s Magazine was similar to Life magazine and Look magazine, popular back in the day.
The next person I would like to recognize is my own father, Salem Kirban, who also served in World War II in the Navy.
When I got my orders for Vietnam in 1966, my Dad started to plan a trip around the world, making a stop to see me in Vietnam. My Dad was a private citizen and used his own money to fund the trip.
I was merely a PFC in Vietnam when my Dad actually came and stayed in my barracks for a week. I was stationed in Nha Trang and was the photographer and newspaper editor for the 17th Aviation Group. (I guess that is where I got my writing experience).
PHOTO 4 - The experience led my Dad to write his very first book, Goodbye Mr. President, which I show in the top photo. The first edition version appears on the left and a later reprint on the right. My Dad would later go on to write over 50 other books, some of which hit 1/2 million in sales.
The bottom right photo is from the Philadelphia Bulletin newspaper, which published an article on my Dad’s trip to Vietnam. That's me on the left with my Dad on the right.
The lower middle left photo shows the November issue of Moody Monthly magazine, showing Chaplain Forrest of the 17th Aviation Group and myself. They featured a story about Dad's trip in this issue. Moody Monthly was published by Moody Bible Institute, located in Illinois.
The lower left photos show a man’s wristwatch and a photo of my Dad on the left and his older brother Lafayette on the right with their Mom in the middle, and his sister Elsie kneeling on the ground. It’s a very unusual watch. During the war my Dad’s Navy shipmate made the metal watchband from a metal KP pan. (NOTE - My Dad’s older brother Lafayette is still alive and well at age 92!)
So you can see, in my home office I see reminders of wars and conflicts past. I believe Vietnam was always referred to as a “conflict” and not a war among the politicians. As this year winds down I believe there are no U.S. veterans still alive that served in World War I.
TEXAS AUTOBAHN UPDATE -
Check this out. The day before the Texas autobahn opened, they allowed this specially modified Cadillac to run flat out. It hit 220 mph.
Special thanks to Joe Spradling for sending me the link.
http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/10/25/car-hits-220-mph-on-new-texas-highway/
NEW PRODUCTS -
1986-1987 Buick Turbo Regal -
UPGRADED NEW RADIATOR
Because of the age of these cars, your radiator has lost some of its efficiency. Also the factory core size is marginal at best.
These radiators are 100% brand new, and made in the U.S.A.
The core thickness is 2-1/4" wide versus your car’s stock 1-1/4" wide radiator. According to our supplier who has tested them, you can expect a 18% to 20% temperature drop.
This new radiator is powder-coated black, which holds up better than paint.
The overall weigh savings over your stock radiator is 2 lis.
This upgraded radiator is designed so it fits exactly like the factory radiator and accepts all the factory original oil and transmission coolant fittings.
It comes with a new radiator cap, which you must use.
Another nice engine restoration item.
7457 - 1986-1987 Buick Turbo Regal - Upgraded New Radiator - $539.95
Plus shipping
Here is the link to the Radiator on our website.
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].
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_
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 -
Compared to last week, we just enjoyed temperatures in the mid-to-high 60s and gorgeous weather.
MORE ON THE SALESMAN’S POCKET BOOKLETS -
Perhaps the most useful booklet that was part of the Salesman’s Pocket Booklet Set was the Price Directory.
Fortunately, I have one for every year 1984 thru 1987. These contained all the important facts related to Buick models’ available options, the order code for each option, and the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for each option. This handy pocket-size booklet is one of the few places all this information appears.
For the year 1985 Buick produced two versions. The later version had the added Somerset Regal model. This was the revised Price Directory and came out after the previous 1985 Price Directory. I also have 3 individual directories for the model year 1986 - one shows just the Riviera, one shows just the Lesabre, and one shows all the models.
PHOTO 1 - In the top photo we show all the 1984-1987 Price Directories minus the single 1986 ones for the Riviera and the LeSabre. We also only show the1985 Revised directory. Each of these Price Directories are approximately 50-68 pages in length. The booklets provided a quick reference guide for all the Buick models for that given year at the salesman’s fingertips.
In the lower photo we show the 1985 Price Directory and the 1987 Price Directory open to one of the Regal pages. They are arranged in categories. They first show the Order Code, then the Description, followed by the Price. The Order Code is the same code that would appear on your trunk ID label, also known as “Service Parts Identification Label.”
In all my years of searching for various Buick Regal literature related to the 1984-1987 years, these booklets are extremely difficult to find. This is probably because they were basically thrown away after the model year, since the information was no longer needed by new car sales people.
IN RECOGNITION OF VETERANS DAY -
I am sure many of our readers have either been in the military or have parents, siblings, or close relatives who have served in the military.
I would like to share a few stories with photos of some of our family members who have served in World War II, and me who served in the Army with a tour in Vietnam (1966-1967.)
My late father-in-law, Nick Tinari, was actually stationed in Hawaii in the Army and witnessed the attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor that fateful Sunday morning, December 7th, 1941. He witnessed first hand one of the biggest war news event of the century. It would be years later before he would eventually talk about it. A few years ago my mother-in-law gave me a souvenir from that day, a piece of a Japanese plane that Nick had saved all those years.
PHOTO 2 - In 1998 I did an audio interview with Nick about his Pearl Harbor experience. This lower left photo shows a copy of this CD I did and a photo of Nick in uniform. The top photo shows the piece of a Japanese aircraft that came from that fateful day over 71 years ago. I consider it an honor that the Tinari family has given it to me as a keepsake.
NOTE - Some segments of that audio interview with him have been posted on You Tube by our niece. These were recorded as I typed in the background, as I was interviewing him for an article.
Here are the links to the 3 segments, if you would like to hear them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JUm-5U4P8c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvkADFBxuu0&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neXwUC5gZOQ&feature=relmfu
As many of you know, we have a strong connection with Hurst Performance going back to 1969 when my wife Eileen actually worked at Hurst.
A few years later I would start to get shifters rebuilt for our GTO customers. During the 1980s we became good friends with Bob Held. He was the art director at Hurst from the early 1960s until he retired in the early 1980s. Those were the good old days for Hurst. Bob did all the original Hurst ads and the popular logos, as well as all the various decals that Hurst produced during those years. This was back when art and printing required a lot of hands-on work and skill.
Bob served in World War II and I remember him telling me he was part of some of the first Army troops to march into the concentration camps. He witnessed first hand the horror of what Hitler had done to the Jews.
PHOTO 3 - During World War II Bob Held did many cartoons for the Army newspaper. The photo on the left is just one of them. His artwork also made the cover for the December 23, 1944 issue of Collier’s Magazine, as seen in the photo on the right. Collier’s Magazine was similar to Life magazine and Look magazine, popular back in the day.
The next person I would like to recognize is my own father, Salem Kirban, who also served in World War II in the Navy.
When I got my orders for Vietnam in 1966, my Dad started to plan a trip around the world, making a stop to see me in Vietnam. My Dad was a private citizen and used his own money to fund the trip.
I was merely a PFC in Vietnam when my Dad actually came and stayed in my barracks for a week. I was stationed in Nha Trang and was the photographer and newspaper editor for the 17th Aviation Group. (I guess that is where I got my writing experience).
PHOTO 4 - The experience led my Dad to write his very first book, Goodbye Mr. President, which I show in the top photo. The first edition version appears on the left and a later reprint on the right. My Dad would later go on to write over 50 other books, some of which hit 1/2 million in sales.
The bottom right photo is from the Philadelphia Bulletin newspaper, which published an article on my Dad’s trip to Vietnam. That's me on the left with my Dad on the right.
The lower middle left photo shows the November issue of Moody Monthly magazine, showing Chaplain Forrest of the 17th Aviation Group and myself. They featured a story about Dad's trip in this issue. Moody Monthly was published by Moody Bible Institute, located in Illinois.
The lower left photos show a man’s wristwatch and a photo of my Dad on the left and his older brother Lafayette on the right with their Mom in the middle, and his sister Elsie kneeling on the ground. It’s a very unusual watch. During the war my Dad’s Navy shipmate made the metal watchband from a metal KP pan. (NOTE - My Dad’s older brother Lafayette is still alive and well at age 92!)
So you can see, in my home office I see reminders of wars and conflicts past. I believe Vietnam was always referred to as a “conflict” and not a war among the politicians. As this year winds down I believe there are no U.S. veterans still alive that served in World War I.
TEXAS AUTOBAHN UPDATE -
Check this out. The day before the Texas autobahn opened, they allowed this specially modified Cadillac to run flat out. It hit 220 mph.
Special thanks to Joe Spradling for sending me the link.
http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/10/25/car-hits-220-mph-on-new-texas-highway/
NEW PRODUCTS -
1986-1987 Buick Turbo Regal -
UPGRADED NEW RADIATOR
Because of the age of these cars, your radiator has lost some of its efficiency. Also the factory core size is marginal at best.
These radiators are 100% brand new, and made in the U.S.A.
The core thickness is 2-1/4" wide versus your car’s stock 1-1/4" wide radiator. According to our supplier who has tested them, you can expect a 18% to 20% temperature drop.
This new radiator is powder-coated black, which holds up better than paint.
The overall weigh savings over your stock radiator is 2 lis.
This upgraded radiator is designed so it fits exactly like the factory radiator and accepts all the factory original oil and transmission coolant fittings.
It comes with a new radiator cap, which you must use.
Another nice engine restoration item.
7457 - 1986-1987 Buick Turbo Regal - Upgraded New Radiator - $539.95
Plus shipping
Here is the link to the Radiator on our website.
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].
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_
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 -
Compared to last week, we just enjoyed temperatures in the mid-to-high 60s and gorgeous weather.