I'm Confused Regarding the "VIN" on this GS

Discussion in 'The "Paper Trail"' started by Craig Balzer, Jun 27, 2019.

  1. Craig Balzer

    Craig Balzer Well-Known Member

    I am considering a 71 GS Stage 1 Convertible but am confused on the number on the car.

    434367FL1 000174 is on the data plate riveted to the cowl.
    4343671H 000576 is the VIN (in the recess on the dash top oriented so it can be read through the windshield).

    I know how to decode the first 8-9 digits which confirms the car is a 71, a GS, and a convertible that was built in Flint.
    BUT -- -- shouldn't the last six digits match when comparing the two number??
    Any help out there?

    Craig
     
    Mark Demko likes this.
  2. Brad Conley

    Brad Conley RIP Staff Member

    Craig, the data plate is not the VIN and has no relationship with the VIN. It is the Fisher Body number used by Fisher for their internal purposes.
     
  3. Craig Balzer

    Craig Balzer Well-Known Member

    Brad

    Thanks for the quick reply. I knew there had to be a logical explanation.

    Craig

    Brad -- a follow-on question (since I know you have an unparalleled knowledge of GS's).

    This car is touted as being: ". . . reportedly one of 25 Stage 1 “zone demonstrators” built on August 5, 1970, all of which were finished in Cortez Gold over Pearl White vinyl and distributed to GM executives before going to dealers and the general public."
    Was there such a thing and is there a way to confirm this is one of the 25? . . . the VIN is pretty low.
     
  4. Brad Conley

    Brad Conley RIP Staff Member

    It could be, but I have no idea how you can prove or disprove. Very low VIN and body number, I will say. Many other folks on here with much deeper knowledge than I on the stepchildren (68-69's). What's the rest of the body tag say? That's a start.
     
  5. Craig Balzer

    Craig Balzer Well-Known Member

    The Body tag and photos:

    1971_buick_gs_Body Tag.jpg 1971_buick_gs_Body Tag.jpg 1971_buick_gs_Side View.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

  6. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest

  7. cjp69

    cjp69 Gold Level Contributor

    Craig, check the block stamping real close on that car. Several members have mentioned that it appears like it may be a restamp.

    Also, the dealer bought it last month at Indy for $55k plus commission, apparently is looking to get $90k for it.
     

    Attached Files:

  8. Craig Balzer

    Craig Balzer Well-Known Member

    Thanx everyone -- especially for the link to the details on the Zone Demonstrators.

    Re flynbuick's comment (Someone added the GSX stripe scheme on the car later in life) it is my understanding that the rear wing was never added to the GS conv. The ad does state the GSX stripes were added by a PO.
     
  9. Craig Balzer

    Craig Balzer Well-Known Member

    Chris

    The bidding - with 3 days remaining -- is only at $20K.
    Not sure he's gonna reach $90K much less his $55K+ purchase price unless things really start to pick up for him.

    Craig
     
  10. cjp69

    cjp69 Gold Level Contributor

    Agreed, I would be surprised if it gets past his purchase price, much less meets his reserve
     
  11. dynaflow

    dynaflow shiftless...

    ...stock rear spoiler doesn't fit convertibles due to different slope of top rear quarters...

    71gsxletter1.jpg
     
  12. Craig Balzer

    Craig Balzer Well-Known Member

    Just to close out this thread, the auction really took off in the last hour or so and peaked at $49,000.
    No SALE.
     
  13. cjp69

    cjp69 Gold Level Contributor

  14. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    In the drive ad it states a 700R4/4spd. trans. In subsequent ads states it has the ORIGINAL TH400 matching numbers trans.
     
  15. Stage 2 iron

    Stage 2 iron 480 IRON HEAD STAGE 2

    Last couple 71 GS Stage one convertibles been topping out at 70 K this is a nice car but you can deduct 5 to 10 grand for the GSX stripes..
     
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2019
    69 GS 400 likes this.
  16. copperheadgs1

    copperheadgs1 copperheadgs1

    I’m not sure the engine stamp vin is bogus. Some were pretty crude
     
  17. Dan Healey

    Dan Healey Well-Known Member

    The vin doesn't look like my 71 built 1-2 weeks later, however it does look similar to early 70 models. I would have to do more digging...
     
    Stage 2 iron likes this.
  18. copperheadgs1

    copperheadgs1 copperheadgs1

    Different plants may have had different stamp sets? Just a thought.
     
  19. dynaflow

    dynaflow shiftless...

    ...weren't all '71 GS convertibles Flint...

    Angle picture taken likely accounts for apparent wonkiness, but looks stamped one at a time. Can't imagine doing 9 individually on assembly line. Is that how was done?
     
  20. Stage 2 iron

    Stage 2 iron 480 IRON HEAD STAGE 2

    Craig, that engine Block is a re-stamp not even close here's pictures of a numbers matching 71 GS 455 convertible which was for sale in New Mexico not too long ago I wish I bought it. There's a picture of the cowl tag an the block stamp on the block. IMG_3111.JPG IMG_3112.JPG IMG_3113.JPG
     
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2019

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