Forum members, I have decided that the time is right to attempt the sale of my 72 GS Stage 1. I cannot thank the many forum members enough for their support and tolerance of my learning curve with these awesome cars. I did not really appreciate some of the import differences that exist between the Buick muscle cars and their more readily available competitors like Chevelle's etc.. and learned a ton of information to make sure my car was put back/kept correct whenever changes were needed. I truly appreciate the help. This is an honest 72 GS stage 1 4 speed car. V code to verify the Stage 1 option and two copies of the original build sheet ( one better than the other) to verify the 4 speed option. It is also Sloan documented. I will try to describe as much detail as possible and may go too far in some items, perhaps miss some others. Questions welcome, of course. I am intending to be completely honest and completely transparent about the car as I know these purchases are difficult over the miles. I purchased this car about 5 years ago and have spent that time sorting out various body, interior and mechanical needs, all with the goal of bettering the car and making it a bullet proof driver. I have owned many cars of many types, and I enjoy them and use them. This was the case with the GS. That said, I have only driven it about 1200 miles per year, so by no means a "daily " driver. Body - The car is its original color - Cortez Gold - and the paint is very very nice driver quality. It does have several small chips from years of use since the estimated 2000 or so restoration ( I do not have specifics regarding that earlier restoration). The car shows very nicely and gets many compliments everywhere I go. It is not concours paint and neurotic folks like me can see every flaw, but it is very nice and would serve as a perfect start to a concours resto if that were of interest. The body is very solid throughout without any signs of rust. This was a Freement California built car that was originally delivered to Denver and returned to California for most of its life. Solid trunk and floors and solid panels. I had the hood and trunl painted when I first bought the car to correct some imperfections and the result was outstanding. Perfect match and excellent quality. Trim quality is good to excellent throughout and the bumpers are excellent ( rear N-25 was rechromed by TriCity this past winter). Wheels are very nice as well and placed into BFGs which have less than 5000 miles. N25 exhaust tips are original to car and tired, but show well. Panel fitment is very good as well. Interior - I have done extensive work to the interior to refresh and correct. The interior was completely recovered with correct white Legendary interior components three years ago. New foam and springs in front seats and new door panels throughout. Headliner is excellent. New carpet from ACC and new repro shift boot. Shifter is original Hurst shifter and numbers verified. Dash pad is perfect. I had the dah bezel replated by Then and Now. Gauges all work as they should. Tach has been replaced with a repro unit, but I have the priginal to be rebuilt. Original white head rests are excellent ( not re-dyed). Radio is correct AM/FM for the model and year and works great. New repro seat belts from a California based resource ( very pricey, but very nice) have been fitted. Original steering wheel is nice. I have added a short console for some storage and for looks, but it is not correct to the car as built. I fabricated a bracket to install it so that the carpet would not be compromised. It can be easily removed. Very nice repro GS mats have been installed. Drivetrain - Original, numbers matching 455 Stage 1 motor. I do not have any rebuild info, but assume it was rebuilt along the way as the Stage 1 ID code was decked off at that time. Engine serial number is still clear and readable on the motor to confirm the original block. The motor currently wears 1970 stage 1 heads and intake from the earlier resto, likely a change made to eliminate the smog pump and inefficient heads. Also, 1972 4 speed cars were all equipped with EGR valves ( along with all CA built cars), another reason to convert. Stock manifolds are ceramic coated and look new. I have 1972 heads and the correct 72 intake with EGR to seel with the car. Also have smog pump and related hardware plus various EGR related parts to return to stock spec. I also have the correct 72 Stage 1 California spec Quadrajet that needs rebuilding. The 73 QJet on the car was rebuilt by Cliff Ruggles and is perfect. Car runs extremely strong and smooth. More importantly, it runs amazingly cool ( 180 degrees all day long and during prolonged idle) and has solid oil pressure always. Timing chain and related hardware updated when I bought the car along with numerous mechanical updates using stock compnents in most instances. Petronix installed for reliability. Repro correctly stamped distributor as well that was built to Stage 1 spec. The engine uses no oil whatsoever and always has teflon additive. Transmission is not original to car and was replaced at some point with a 1968 M20 Muncie. Shifts perfectly and makes no noise at all. Very nice to drive. Only GL-4 used in it to prevent synchro damage. Rear end is original to car (3.42) and was disassembled and cleaned when I bought the car. Posi works as it should and is quiet. I do not race the car, only cruise ins, etc.. Brakes, shocks , springs all replaced 5000 miles ago along with miscellaneous mechanical needs like caliper, brake lines, etc.. that were in need of service. New Magnaflow mufflers are a good sound for the car and tail pipes to the N-25 tips are new as well. Nice lopey idle suggests a slightly bumpier cam was installed ( maybe), but idles fine and makes good vacuum for power brakes. I also replaced the starter very recently due to bendix failure. Summary: there are many, many other items that have found there way onto the car and contribute to its genuine appearance. As with most of these , dollars invested well outweigh market value. We'll never learn, I guess. My passion for cars and my desire to have the car be correct and presentable well outweighs any notion of recovering from the many thousands spent on this GS over the past five years. I did this because I always wanted a Stage 1 GS from back when I saw them cruise through my home town as new cars and knew I wanted to own one some day. Well worth the money to me. Someone else gets to reap the economic benefit in the end. This is, as we all know, a limited production car with only 101 Stage 1 4 speeds built in 1972. As such, it could be used as is for many years to come or be brought to a new level of restoration. Either option is a good one and either ends well. I have thought long and hard about what to price the car at and sure wish it were 2007 again. But, those days are gone (for now). Given that, I am trying to realistic and fair about the price. Goal is to sell the car, not to try to raise values in the marketplace. As a result, I am asking $28,500 for this nice GS. Worth more, I think, and certianly has a huge bit more in it. Car is located in southern Maine and I would, of course, work with purchaser to ensure safe transport at buyers expense. Thanks, Steve
Thanks Brian. Been a really great experience and the car has been excellent to own. Your email reminds me that I did not mention the fact that the car has a new ( last year) Center Force clutch. I struggled at first with chatter, but with use, it has gotten much better and is quite drivable now. Nice clutch feel with awesome grab. Thanks , Steve
wow great car BUMP for you. I claim limited knowledge on Buick compared to most. I did not know you could get a GS 4speed car with out boxed control arms or sway bar. Also I thought all 4 speed cars came with the upper control arm braces? Again great car, its tempting!
Thanks Mike. I am less of an expert than most, but have not encountered such requirements connected to 4 speed cars. Several Buick gurus have worked on this car over time without indicating that, but you could certainly be correct. I have a refinished pair of control arms for this car as well as a very nice oil pan that I intended to put on the car as time went by. Those would go with it as well. I appreciate the bump. Steve
If i win the Fla Lotto consider your car sold not because its a great deal but it a great looking Stage 1. Good luck with the sale hopefully you'll be hearing from me.
Thanks Pete. Hope you do - on many levels. Always good to know a car guy wins the lottery. That is good Karma all around. Appreciate the comments on the car. It is noce and hopefully something of interest in the Buick community. Take care, Steve
May take a shot at ebay. Not my preferred route, but an option. Just wanted everyone to know. Not an easy care to part with. Too much fun....... Steve
I had a 72 Stage-1 that I sold to a board member about 10 years ago. He promised me first crack at it when he sells it. Well he didn't. I'd do anything to get that car back, just can't find it. I've been looking at 72 Stage-1's ever since. I'll tell you what, NONE have looked as nice as yours! If it looks in person like it does in the pictures that would be the car for me! I sure wish your location was closer. I really, really like your car!
Thanks GS Dutkowsky. I appreciate the compliments on the car. Would REALLY prefer selling to a forum member , knowing the appreciation folks here have for these cars. Clark, I have replied to your PM. Thanks, Steve
Steve, Thanks for showing me your great GS. I'll get out of line for now, but if I can sell a car or two, you'll be the first to know. Guys, this car is everything Steve says it is and more. Clark
