1969 California GS

Discussion in 'Cars and Parts For Sale Leads' started by CCM, Sep 13, 2020.

  1. CCM

    CCM Gold Level Contributor

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  2. no1oldsfan

    no1oldsfan Well-Known Member

    I know I am never the popular opinion but GS California's Colorado's Carolina's are really nothing more than emblems right? Cars built in certain regions only. You couldn't option a bigger motor or other options right? You bought them right off the lot only. Am I wrong?
     
  3. 69 GS 400

    69 GS 400 Well-Known Member

    Bigger engine ,no but I have seen one with AC so that must have been ordered as most were plain Jane and built to a price point. Still would be cool to have a Colorado or even rarer Carolina.
     
  4. no1oldsfan

    no1oldsfan Well-Known Member

    There was a 69 (pretty sure. May have been a 68) GS Colorado out here for sale for awhile. It was the Firemist Orange (Is that the right name?)
     
  5. 69 GS 400

    69 GS 400 Well-Known Member

    Fireglow orange. Only offered in Spring of 69. That is what my ragtop was painted from the factory. Pretty rare color. Mine is one of 20 built .
     
  6. 4spdposi

    4spdposi Member

    I notice it has fly window doors. like the '68. Interesting. Is that a correct thing, or a mistake?
     
  7. Max Damage

    Max Damage I'm working on it!

    Not really sure on the ordering? I own a '68 GS Cal which is really the Special Deluxe with the GS 350 4 barrel. It does have the convertible frame like other GS cars and the crossed rods on the from of the core support. Also, they have the GS hood. The interior is not the GS interior, but the Special Deluxe interior, which should look like this:
    upload_2020-9-13_22-51-10.png
    Buick ONLY made the car with "California" on the body AFAIK. I believe the other variants were made by big dealers in the other areas, that ordered the California Model and swapped in the State name.

    The car isn't a hard top, but a thin pillar coupe.

    So overall, I see your point, but at this late date I think it's safe to say this car is a "real" Buick GS. It is clearly a variant, and it's fine if you want to consider less than. Not too many still rolling around and looking good.
     
  8. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    They’re built on the ‘post coupe’ body, which had vent windows through ‘72.
    Patrick
     
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  9. Redmanf1

    Redmanf1 Gold Level Contributor

    Can you tell me if the if "the crossed rods on the from of the core support" are shorter than the 70-72? If so I think I have a set.
    Thanks
    Nelson


     
  10. no1oldsfan

    no1oldsfan Well-Known Member

    Great info. Didn't know about the interior. I would still consider them a factory GS car for sure. Came with a hood... Has GS markings. Buick built.
     
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  11. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    I've always considered them GS's although I guess the VIN/Series is the same as a Post Skylark vs. a GS 350 which was it's own series so (if so) could certainly argue was "merely" an option package on a Skylark & w/o some type of documentation impossible to prove as a GS?
     
  12. 69 GS 400

    69 GS 400 Well-Known Member

    I would consider the California GS as a model even based on all the dealer brochures and advertising such as magazines adds. Probably best not to dig too deep or read between the lines after all , the GSX was a $1200 option.
    Oooooooooops ! Don't want to go there. Lol
     
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  13. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    And a Stage 1 was what, $78 (ish), lol?
     
  14. 69GS430/TKX

    69GS430/TKX Silver Level contributor

    That is a clean looking car. Only thing I don't like is the seats. You sure couldn't restore the $150 California rust bucket I posted about, to the condition of this one, for $19K.
     
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  15. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    Those '68-9 rear bumpers sure do look good the rare times that you see them when they're actually straight like the op's.
     
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  16. Daves69

    Daves69 Too many cars too work on

    Look at the placement of the quarter panel emblems.

    Right side is correct. Left is not.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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  17. gscalifornia

    gscalifornia Small blocks rule!!

    The marker lights should also be plain red, no engine designation on the California
     
  18. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    Interesting - Never realized that.
     
  19. CCM

    CCM Gold Level Contributor

    Noticed that there is a pending sale.... anyone here buying it?
     
  20. Max Damage

    Max Damage I'm working on it!

    They are also round on my 1968. They have the trishield.
     

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