Here to introduce myself. My name is Guzz and I recently acquired a 1969 Buick Special Deluxe. Apparently, the previous owner was trying to create a replica or tribute of the GS. He did a nice job, but the car is a sedan not a hardtop, so I suppose technically it would have badging for the California Edition. Hel also swapped out the engine for a 400 Stage 1. The car is beautiful and runs great but am wondering if there were any other differences in the California model, and whether I should complete his project. It doesn't have the hood and scoops for the GS, but would be pretty much complete if I added them. Anyway, am open to any advice or ideas.
That’s a nice looking car you got there! Dumb answer to your question, I would do whatever you want to do. Hoods are kind of hard to find but they are out there.
Personally I'm with the Beatles. Let it be. Looks like a nice car, and it's already got the upgraded engine. I think it might be missing the fake fender vents from the 69 Special Deluxe?
I imagine the previous owner removed them (and the "Special" badges when he applied GS badges everywhere. Nice looking car!
Welcome! It looks great! I agree with the others, let it be. Or, build it as if Buick had offered a budget big block-no GS emblems, no ram air hood, just the lightest, sturdiest body with the biggest engine at the time, so it would be a ‘Special 400’, kinda like Pontiac’s T37. Patrick
Welcome! Nice looking car. Might be difficult to match the paint but if a nice hood shows up... Otherwise, looks very good as-is.
Nice looking car!! Build it how you like, but I always liked Tom Miller's 69 Special: https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?t...0-powered-1969-buick-special-2dr-post.323244/
Nice colour, but it's not a sedan. It's a post coupe, or pillared coupe. There was no 1969 Special DeLuxe 2 door hardtop coupe model. The sedan version came with 4 doors
Wow I'm with the others. Buick, unlike Olds and Pontiac decided not to put the big block in the Skylark unless the GS was ordered (but strangely they did have the Sport Wagon 400). I think one of the coolest things is you could get a LeMans or Cutlass with a 455. Buick absolutely missed the boat on that. I would definitely (imho) not add the GS hood. If you're going to do that, then it would be better (again, imho) to go all the way and leave no doubt that it is a GS to the onlooker. Otherwise, sleeper mode is always cooler.
Welcome from Florida to the best resource for our Buicks! I'm just going to echo what the other said... I would leave it as it is and drive it. You could add the hood later, but be prepared to spend a lot of money for a nice one with the vents and plates n stuff. Maybe just concentrate on any mechanical upgrades you may think it needs.
Nice car! I like it the way it is and recommend you leave it that way. Of course you could maybe do a few minor things to it if you wanted and it wouldn't take away from the great look the car has. Love the blue color too.