1925 Buick Model 40
Restoration
1925 Buick Model 40
Restoration  
10/22/06  Car is loaded into the
van for its trip from FL to CT.
Frame Adjustments
Fender matching
Separating body from chassis and placing body
on a body jig.  Next step is to remove the body
sheet metal and start on the wood replacement
Upon arrival at Academy Auto, the car was fully examined,
the frame was adjusted, body aligned, fenders were
straightened, and parts were removed and inventoried. The
body was separated from the chassis.
Radiator shroud and shell
separated from radiator core.  
The shell heads to the plater to
be re-nickeled.
From rear, lower body
sheet metal removed.
Wooden frame, with
rolling chassis on
elevated platform in the
background.
Metal work began almost immediately and continued for several months.  Rust, pitting, and metal loss were all
replaced with new metal, fitted, welded, and smoothed.  The process began with removable components such as
fenders, and continued with body panels once the car was disassembled.   Some hidden rust was found and dealt
with and there was damage from an apparent accident in the left rear body panel.
What is shown here is a representative sample of the work performed.
Body sheet metal is soda blasted, then epoxy primed and put away until
the body work finishing.  Panels needing metal work, rust remediation,
etc. were identified.
Lower rear body panel repair
Fender
repair
Splash apron repair
Sun visor layout; create pattern from old
sun visor; transfer to sheet metal.
Right side rocker panel had rust damage that was
discovered only after blasting.  Cut out bad metal, cut new
piece, weld, grind and prepare for epoxy painting.
Replicating
Original
Finger Joints
Academy Auto performed a complete
reconstruction of the wood body frame
in our Buick.  Knowing that Old Hagee
would require some extensive wood
replacement, we wanted a shop that had
the sophisticated tooling, expertise in
superb wood workmanship, and
experience with 1920s and 1930s Buicks
to enable undertaking such a complex
task.  We visited Academy Auto in July,
2006 to see the facilities, and we came
away with complete confidence in the
entire operation, which included a
dedicated wood working shop.
WOOD REPLACEMENT
We had initially estimated that we would be able to save approximately 50% of the original wood.  But after
disassembly, we decided to replace all wood, including the wood for the doors.  Although there was some wood rot,
the principal culprit was wood termites.  The termites had made the journey from California to Florida and were
fumigated into oblivion several years ago.  But the damage had been done.  
DELIVERY
METALWORK