More questions to ponder... Was the "early build" GSX magazine test car an auto or 4sp? Is it possible the SCO was for the GSX stripes? What was the date of this early GSX magazine test? How could this car have a build date of 12B and been available for test drives in July of 69? What is for sure, this car is an auto, it can't be the White GSX Stage 2 car as it was supposedly a 4sp car.
Is there anything about the car that would have made the addition of cruise control an SCO? Mike did not list it off Wayne's records but the hook up is there on the fender.
The test car from Road Test magazine was an automatic. It ws in the Sept 70 isssue. Someone mentioned that it appeared in another article of the time but I dont have a copy of that one. I wonder if we can all chip in an send Duane on an all expenses paid trip to Japan :laugh:
The "Freeway Flyer" test car that folks have referenced as having similar options was an automatic. From Mark's website- this was the date- "Freeway Flyer", 1970 GSX Test Report, Road Test, September 1970 I know this road test is in the Guide to Buick Muscle Car book that has the reprinted road tests.
Boy- you really do need to type fast on this one. The final destination of Zone 24 looks to be California...
So the magazine test car may have been a real GSX, since it was tested after or near the beginning of when production began for the GSX. Why the SCO? :laugh:
That is the question of the day. It could be for something totally insignificant. We have owned one and it was for some interior change or something like that.
To add to the mystery.... I do not have any dealers listed for Zone 16 uzzled: So who ordered it? Was Zone 16 and internal GM code? 7-204 Bob Armstrong Buick Detroit Michigan 24-389 Jim Retzlaff Co. Barstow, CA
Gsx I have the book "Buick Muscle Cars 1965-1970". In the back of the book they have the "Freeway Flyer" Road Test Report on a 70 white GSX. I've always wondered why this GSX in the report had a clear coolant overflow lid and plastic radiator cover, it's hard to tell from the pics if the lenses are pointed. I have never seen a GSX with these early pieces. Also the options match the one's listed by Mike. The article was most likely written months before it's September 1970 publish date so it could be early spring 1970. They don't list where the road test was performed but they do mention taking it to Lions Dragstrip. Is anyone familiar with this dragstrip location? Could this be the Freeway Flyer??????????????
Home to where Pop Kennedy & Jim Bell did most of there testing. And pretty sure where car 4085 was tested at.
The final dealer location in Barstow California is 128 miles away from Wilmington, CA. For what ever thats worth o No:
Hope I'm helping the seller here, not hurting. He's a good guy. Anyway, here's a couple pieces to the 'story' I got on the car from him in emails when I was considering it myself. There is obviously some uncertainty about the facts since nobody involved so far claims to actually have been around it in 1970 when this all originally took place: (Quote)She has 27235 miles on her. She was ordered as a Stage1 without AC. That was required to buy the stage 2 kit.That included 4B4 manifold and Mickey Tompson headers, stickers, etc. . Been sitting about ten years. Carborator is same as Stage1. Only the hood and outside mirrors have been repainted. (unquote) (Quote)The guy we got it from is a reputable source and the other cars we got are dead on. We do know for sure the headers and manifold came new with the car in the trunk and the dealer installed them. The rear spoler we also now the dealer installed. Since this car was never restored maybe I can find the build sheet? (Unquote) Subsequently, a follow up: (Quote) Got the story from Mr. Fujii who got the car in CA. The car is a Stage1 special order for show (total 4 made). To make the car look like a real Stage 2 the special order included AC delete. Since it was made before the GSX came out that year the dealer was made to produce 4 of these special cars. Only the manifold/ MT headers & decals are real Stage2. The 455 engine is Stage1. The spoiler & Emblems was also dealer installed and a correct GSX parts for that year. The car was supposed to be returned back to normal after the real models came out but somehow slipped off the lot. Supposedly one other car did the same. The remaining two were returned to normal trim and sold. The wheels he states came with the car when he bought it. This is then a real part of Buick mysterious history on these cars. (Unquote) Comment about the wheels is because we couldn't find the WG code. However, the original wheels could easily have been separated from the car during a period of racing it. The Wayne Roberts info confirmed that the Buick chrome wheels did come on it originally. Only thing I know is true for sure is the data on the Wayne Roberts report I listed above. The rest of this is hearsay and not documented. Incidentally, he also has in his inventory Basketball Sam's famous old QQ GSX restored by Dave Kleiner that Otis Chandler had in the museum for a while. It will need a good updating particularly on the underside due to being driven quite a few miles since the restoration. Nevertheless, that is a nice car too. The "combo" offer mentioned above that I had going at one stage (pun intended) was to get both cars together for $100K which wouldn't have been too bad a deal except that I just bought Al F's 10-10 GSX a couple months before and didn't need two more Stage cars... yet anyway. My self control leads me to believe that maybe I haven't gone totally crazy yet. Which gives me an idea for a T-shirt or bumper sticker.. Going Crazy in Stages
Mike - Do you know for sure it is the same seller? If I recall, the white Stage 1 you bought was from a user named "TokyoJames" or something like that. If so, I wonder why they now use a new account called "speedandsports" that has only bought two items, and sold none? I've sent two emails asking for more details on this car, and have not received anything back. Did he ever mention the condition of the body/frame as far as rust, or do you have any pics of the undercarriage? Duane - If it is the "Freeway Flyer" car, can it ever be documented if it was optioned at the dealer not at the factory? Seems to be a pretty big risk with several unknowns. Who here is willing to roll the dice?
James, All I can say is I see nothing obvious in the Wayne Roberts info to make it a SCO car, and at this point I don't know why it was one. As to it being the "Freeway Flyer" car, I have never seen that article so I don't know anything about that. I imagine if you could track down the owner at the time, you could prove it was the same vehicle. Duane
Duane, ChinaMikeM(Mike Mullen) post #59 at the bottom says -Special Car Order-. Would this indicate it as being an SCO car? o No:
