Hi, I'm Bill Buttermore from Ames, Iowa. I spent 34 years working as a research scientist (coal research) and retired in '96 at age 47. Now I piddle around reconditioning 2 or three cars a year, sing in an acapella quartet, and build leaded glass windows. My kids are up and out with kids of their own. I helped my boy pick out his first Bonneville: a '92 SE that he bought with a 100k (now has 280K on it and still going.)

The first Bonneville I drove was my Dad'* '61 389 4-bbl convertible. What a ride! Wide-track, grab bar, bamboo cream with a black top and leather seats. Positraction axle made the strips double when you put your foot in it. Took my girl out in it, she'* now my wife of 35 years. I have owned a '65 Bonneville Black 2-door hardtop, red interior, a '65 Bonneville convertible blue/white top, an '87 Bonneville LE garnet/gray and most recently last fall purchased a '97 SSEi Gold?/Tan

The current Bonneville in residence was purchased from a dealer with 101K mi, for $4k with a rod (#6) knock. I pulled the engine, had the rod journals turned .030 under and the mains polished. Cleaned it up inside, put it back together and re-installed it. Just about the time I finished the detailing, winter came and I didn't want to drive it on salty roads, so it has been mostly sitting waiting for nice weather.

I've owned caddies and mercedes and porsches and cop cars, but never a new one and very few under 100K on the clock. This SSEi is a very nice car that I had purchased with the intention of selling, but now that I have driven it around for a few hundred miles, I'm thinking maybe I'll just hold on to it for a while. The engine is really a beautiful piece of work.

I think this may be the best auto forum I have encountered on line. I am really happy to have found you folks.

Bill Buttermore

Welcome Mr Iowegian (Or do you prefer Southern Minnesotan??)

More folks from the upper Midwest is a good thing!!!

Bill, put that car year and model in your signature It'll help alot! Great to have you here. You sound like a real gearhead!

Hello and welcome.

welcome!! Check out www.mnbonnevilleclub.com!

There are two of us in Mankato, maybe close to you!

We both just drove back thru Iowa from the big BC meet in T.O.

welcome!

Let'* see...you retired at 47 after 34 years. Damn! A scientist at 13(I know I'm missing something here) But I really have to congratulate you for being able to "retire" early and now have time to do what you really like to do

Yep! My father had a '61 Star Chief 4-Dr Sedan. Sort of like a poor man'* Bonneville. It wasn't nearly as nicely appointed as yours. But it did have that 389 with a 2-bbl. The trunk slept about 6 people and the tank held 25 gallons of fuel. Who cared. Gas was about 30 cents a gallon then.

Welcome to the club

Welcome aboard Bill, sounds like we'll here more of your projects

Cheers,

Welcome

Geez! You are right Ol' Timer, I should have said after 34 years working for others. Started at 13 cutting grass and shoveling snow, then worked for a florist, worked in an MG/Austin Healy (BMC then) dealership sweeping the shop floor and running parts, worked in a steel mill, worked on a railroad, worked in a cafeteria, then started at the Coal Research Lab in which employ I spent a mere 27 years.

Thanks for keeping me honest.