70 Skylark/GS Rubber Bumper Cushions

Discussion in 'Chassis restoration' started by TXGS, May 22, 2020.

  1. TXGS

    TXGS Paint by numbers 70 GS 455 4spd

    Hi all,

    This week I had another opportunity to look at another 70 GS 455 from the Kansas City Leeds plant. I looked at the 70 Skylark/ GS Rubber Bumper Cushions. This is the fourth car I have looked at and have collected the rubber cushions for. All the Leeds Built cars were built before December 69. All of them had the referenced 71/72 style rubber bumpers but all had 70 rear bumpers attached.

    1970 GS 455 Built 9A (will look)
    1970 Skylark Built 11A 87k
    1970 GS 350 built 11c (dont remember)
    1970 GS 455 4spd 11d 44k

    I know that there is information going around that the 70 style is different than the 71/72. Is this published anywhere because my knowledge from leeds cars are not matching up. I know about different locations and manufactures and leeds was a GMAD facility. Do other GM makes use the same cushions as Buick.

    This is intended not to be a debate just curious what others have found or additional thoughts on this topic.

    IMG_5561.JPG IMG_3088.JPG
     
    Last edited: May 22, 2020
  2. TXGS

    TXGS Paint by numbers 70 GS 455 4spd

    Here is the ones from the 70 Skylark I pulled in February.

    20200503_153814.jpg
     
  3. Duane

    Duane Member

    Phil,
    I could be wrong about the years. I have been wrong in the past.
    Duane
     
  4. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    In all honesty I doubt it Duane, BUT who knows????
     
  5. Duane

    Duane Member

    No I could be wrong. The notes I used for this were from when I first started with the Buicks. I will be interested to see what everyone has.
    Duane
     
    TXGS likes this.
  6. copperheadgs1

    copperheadgs1 copperheadgs1

    I have it reversed. This is from my 70 GSX complete with yellow overspray when someone did a paint job. I used a set I didn’t have to clean paint off. E282A6C7-FCB8-425F-BEF5-58BB52DA081F.jpeg
     
    TXGS likes this.
  7. Smartin

    Smartin antiqueautomotiveservice.com Staff Member

    The ones that came with this 70 conv I'm working on look like yours, Dave.
     
    TXGS likes this.
  8. TXGS

    TXGS Paint by numbers 70 GS 455 4spd

    Thanks guys for the great conversation, I am trying to put my car back to near factory shape. But I was struggling with this topic as I was suggested that mine were wrong. I can see where a car may need one later bumper cushion due to collision damage or the like. Again I am not blaming anyone or saying anyone is wrong. I just had more than one occurrence with this issue.
     
  9. copperheadgs1

    copperheadgs1 copperheadgs1

    It’s a shame GM didn’t see fit to put raised up part numbers on these like they did the radiator rubbers. Best bet is knowing a car is untouched and that’s what you use.
     
    TXGS, mrolds69 and Smartin like this.
  10. TXGS

    TXGS Paint by numbers 70 GS 455 4spd

    Dave, I agree. One of the problems I have with my 70 455 4spd is it is a leeds car. Leeds was a GMAD plant that made more than one make and model on their lines. As a results sometimes parts were not available for certain cars so they would grab parts from other makes. An example of this is my clutch pedal pad. My clutch petal pad was installed with a chevy style clutch pedal with disk brakes. However the manuals say it should have a solid black pad. I have also heard of a chevy stamping on body bushings on some cars. I am going to look at mine once I pull it off the frame. Most of this is redundant as we cannot see them once installed but it is also good to reference what is correct so that people do not mistake parts that may be correct. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
     
    Dano likes this.
  11. copperheadgs1

    copperheadgs1 copperheadgs1

    There were two different clutch/brake pedals that were assembly line optional so maybe they are not wrong? One style has all horizontal lines and I am pretty sure the other style has a cross pattern of lines. The second type is what was in My GSX. Is that what you have? If it had a disc brake marking on it then that is wrong if that’s what you mean? I’m pretty sure mine were original. They had plenty of wear. As far as the rear bumper fillers. I think it would be tough to fit the 71 style on the 70 number. They have more of a lump on top. I don’t think they would have made them available on 70 model run for this reason. Curious to see what you find.
     
    Last edited: May 25, 2020
  12. TXGS

    TXGS Paint by numbers 70 GS 455 4spd

    Dave, mine is Definitely wrong but it is what the car came with from leeds. I have multiple references that it was on the car as early as 81. 626952583_20190706_162501_1847170.jpg
     
  13. mrolds69

    mrolds69 "The Cure"

    Despite the fact the parts book shows only 2 part #'s, I'm aware of a 3rd type. You can see the hole is like teardrop shaped on one and not the other.
     

    Attached Files:

  14. TXGS

    TXGS Paint by numbers 70 GS 455 4spd

    What vehicle did it come off of Frank and do you know the plant.
     
  15. mrolds69

    mrolds69 "The Cure"

    70 rear bumper spacer.JPG 70 rear bumper spacer.JPG I'm really can't help much on this Phil. The ones with the GS emblem were sold on ebay some time ago and the seller said they were 70 only. My car is a Fremont (GMAD) 1970 GS455. It was supposedly "restored" when I bought it, but there were countless things wrong or missing on it. One thing I noticed is the rubber flap where those bumpers are was held on with screws. All of the cars I know of have staples. A few years ago, somebody finally said their car had screws also (Fremont). So, clearly there were differences depending on where the car was built. All you here is Flint...Flint...Flint
    The bumpers? The upper 2 pics are supposed to be 70-72, but we know there's a difference. Here's another interesting pic:
     
  16. TXGS

    TXGS Paint by numbers 70 GS 455 4spd

    My 72 is a Fremont car. I bought it while in service in California. Thanks for your input on your experience with Fremont Cars.
     
  17. copperheadgs1

    copperheadgs1 copperheadgs1

    Very odd they would use that.
     
  18. copperheadgs1

    copperheadgs1 copperheadgs1

    Frank, pretty sure that one is the China special.
     
    mrolds69 and Brett Slater like this.
  19. TXGS

    TXGS Paint by numbers 70 GS 455 4spd

    Dave, I am not suprised to see it. I actually saw another one from the kansas plant as well. I think it was what they had in stock or new guy. my car was also an 11D car (Thanksgiving). Maybe tryptophan poisoning.
     
  20. copperheadgs1

    copperheadgs1 copperheadgs1

    Or leftover 69 parts?
     

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