(a second reminder) The First Annual Malaise Invitational was a success, and there will be a second, this time in Philomath, about 45 minutes north of Eugene. The theme this year is “sleazy dealers”, as this promo video makes pretty clear.
In case you missed our coverage of the First, it’s here
Details of the show and registration is below:
https://www.eventcreate.com/e/malaise
My regrets, but will not be able to attend. However the photo shown brings back disgusting memories. Our LONG time local BUICK dealer had the franchise abruptly pulled and given to a higher volume PONTIAC dealer when PONTIAC was axed. Not only dealers can be sleazy. GM (and probably others) are all about business with no regard for loyalty. Unfortunately that attitude seems to apply to many businesses, governments, and individuals 😕.
As a kid, late Saturday night, we watched Pro Wrestling on TV. Can never forget a gangster looking guy with big cigar and female companion looking like a hook er , Stating a litany of products for customers who visited the dealership. Ended with and Mickelberrys the only baloney we hand out at Town Rambler! How sleazy can you get?
Thank you, Mr. Niedermeyer! Hope to see you there!
And maybe this time my display will be set up completely when y’all take pictures. 😀
(I have the 1980 626. I sold my 1989 Buick Ultra, sadly)
The announcer has him great acting chops. Totally hysterical video, especially the Bisque I-can’t-believe-it’s-not-leather. Funniest bit ever!
Meeting Ol Gravy makes it worth the cost of admission.
Buick, Plymouth, Lincoln is an odd combo, no?
Did you note that towards the end the dealership has a placard that says that they are a Merkur dealer? What a laugh this video is!
I’m surprised the Springfield Buick site hasn’t been redeveloped, or even had its’ signage removed.
Great commercial! The Sovereign at the end reminded me that I saw one 11 years ago in West Eugene, so I went through my pictures and found the few action shots I got. Turns out it was a different one:
That Jag looks like an XJ6 series II, from 1973-79, and a generation earlier than the 1990(?) car in the ad.
Quite a spot.
Would love to attend, Alas, am unable to. Love your promo. remindful of what our region of Lambda car club here in Phoenix, along with Great autos in L.A. and Freeewheelers in San Francisco would produce for their events. Huzzah! Have a good time.
What a great advert ! .
It reminds me of the Firesign Theater’s late night TV adverts for Highland VW in L.A., they were so funny the got the franchise yanked by VWOA .
I wish I could attend .
-Nate
Would love to go, but 2400 miles one way isn’t possible for me. Looking forward to checking out the show coverage!
Arrrrggghhh.
I would love to go, but I have nothing to drive!
Although I do have a couple of good dealership stories.
I went out to dinner with my girlfriend today. There was a white Buick Riviera convertible with a burgundy top and interior in a choice valet spot out front of the restaurant. I told my girlfriend a fair amount more than she probably cared about it. When we went to leave, the Buick’s hood was up, and there were a number of people involved in trying to get it to start. Ultimately, it was restarted after attempts with jumpstarts from a Silverado using three different sets of jumper cables, a jump box, and some work on the positive power cable’s stripped mounting bolts. The odometer showed 15,000 miles, and I suspect that was the true number based on things like unworn pedals, under-hood tidiness, and an interior that showed primarily sun damage. It was thought that the starting issue was due to the previous night’s valet struggling to start the carbureted 307 and killing the battery in the process. He might also have left some lights on, and there was something looking like a freezer lock that was or is connected to an alarm/immobilizer. It was nice seeing the car, but I think I got my fill of malaise for this year.
Might have been someone who kept a Riviera – you don’t say what generation, but I’m guessing one of the later ones? – as a “collector’s item” and neglected to realize that batteries go bad just sitting around? A 24 year old battery might not be so good no matter how many miles are on the odometer.
Buick only made one version of the Riviera convertible. They were produced from 1982 to 1985 during the Riviera’s 6th generation. The battery was from August of 2019.
I’d say they most certainly killed the battery by cranking it like crazy and probably flooding it. The amount of people who know how to start a carbureted car is certainly dwindling. Same with those who know how to drive a stick. Or get by without all the modern features. A couple smacks of the pedal to set the choke would start my old carbed car right up.
Last time I took my 80s Oldsmobile wagon to a detail shop, the kid couldn’t figure out how to get the tailgate open. He’s fishing for a button or lever or sensor under the license plate lip or bumper, and finally gives up and doesn’t vacuum the cargo area. I wanted to go in and show him but due to liability or whatever they wouldn’t let me. Should have gotten a discount but it was prepaid so I just don’t go back, I do it myself now.
Regretfully will be unable to attend, a bit far for those East of, say, Denver!
However I can send this guy, he can liven things up!
Chip off the old block, his Dad stared that lot: