When he did his modifications to the listing, he should have taken out "california" from the title information. Other than the emblem in the photo, that's the only place that is calling it a CA anymore. Wrong, none-the-less. Only a few more days to go to see where it ends.
I think Mark Reeves is Stage-x and is currently the high bidder. Hope he is reading this (Mark????) It's originality?? that's a different story. You know at a minimum that the carb and intake (Edlebrock) aren't 'Buick issued'. Wonder about the other codes (as Alan so eloquently stated above). The motor code is also a big factor. The car is worth the current bid price because it is at least a GS and looks to be in good condition, even if it's a Stage1 clone (now that we know it's not a GS California )
I just sent this: Thanks, it's a GS400 like I thought. The California should be 43327******** To further determine if it's a stage 1 there are certain 2 letter codes on the tranny ID plate which denote what it is and the block is stamped with a 2 letter code between the two rear driver side cylinders. This will tell you if it's a 400 or a 400 stage1. If you still want to advertise it as a "California" stage1, whatever, if it's legal that is. People who were willing to bid a lot more will shy away from it because they will wonder what else is tainted on the car. Obviously you've been getting your share of emails on this. So I don't have to tell you what you're doing is misleading. Good luck anyway I guess.
Ken - FYI - Only the TH400s are coded 'BB' (or 'OW' in 1971 only). Manual transmissions don't have any significant codes to identify which motor it is mated with.
oops, I forgot it was a 4 speed (if it really is), so the TH400 data plate info I asked him about would be irrelevent. But the original Carb numbers would tell that story, as well as original rear gears.
"HI, The VIN# is 446379H343631 and the body plate number is ST69 44637FL1292915BDY I HOPE THIS WILL GIVE YOU SOME INFO YOU NEED I will try and lift the car all the other numbers you want today before 6.00pm thank you and good luck bidding. "
As you've all figured out, this is not a GS California. I remember seeing this car on eBay a while back. I don't remember whether it sold or not, but this isn't the first time it's been listed. If anyone is looking for a "true" California GS the one that Chris Waters has for sale on this board is a real steal! I've seen pics of it and it's well worth the $4200 asking price. Ken
The thing that irks me is, nowhere during this whole thing has this guy once even hinted that he was the least bit mistaken in his description. We have all told him it's BS, yet he still keeps saying "here's the numbers, good luck bidding". Is this guy jackass or what? Alan, I wouldn't waste your time or money buying a car from someone who won't admit his dishonesty or refuses to be honest in the face of all the feedback he's had on the errant description. Just my humble opinion. Of course the car is really nice and it IS a 4 speed and all you'd need to do is get rid of the Cali emblems. I guess I'm stubborn and just wouldn't want to give this guy dime one. I'd rather pay more money to someone who's honest. Maybe I'm just naiive. o No:
Hello, I bid on anything that I believe is nice and priced where it doesn't matter if the guy knows what he is talking about or not...Plus I'm a sucker for black 4 speed cars. How did you like the story in the Buildsheet about the GSX I am restoring for the found owner...What I didn't mention was that this guy was given the car for a graduation present when he finished high school...His family was the last car owner for Bill Elliott before he went solo (before dodge)....I was informed that my upper bid was above the new reserve and all I had to do is add $1.00 to confirm... Mark
I agree with you, Mark; a nice car deserves respect. However, it is illegal to give false information about a car when selling it. In many states, a seller is not obligated to volunteer information about a car on issues that are not material (of reasonable importance.) And even on material issues, they can escape responsibility of something they did not know (for example, a cracked head that was not issuing mechanical problems at time of sale, but began to afterwards.) However, they are obligated to answer any questions truthfully to the best of their knowledge. If they fail to offer information contrary to their knowledge, they are in violation of the applicable law. Furthermore, they are acting unethically and should be considered an unreliable partner in a purchase transaction. The person selling this car on e-bay may not be obligated to produce documentation on the specifics of his car from a legal standpoint (such burden of proof often is left for the purchaser), but would be wise to do so if wanting to attract smart buyers. On the same note, he should amend the description for his car if he is provided proof supporting it contains false information. After all, if such a car doesn't exist, how can you sell one? And at an inflated price of an imaginary car no less! Hopefully, he did not pay a premium from someone else under these circumstances. His car does deserve a good price though. It appears to be very clean; a sweet ride. Hey, it's a Buick GS!
No, had already started work on a white 70 GSX..too many projects. Plus, the fun is in building them. Bought his original car intending to keep it, oh well. He is a really great guy who now has gotten fired up about Buicks again. He is sparing no expense on this car and intends to keep it forever. We are building the car concours, and he then intends to drive the car on rod runs, power tour, etc.....If I could ever figure out how to downsize pictures to fit the board, I would attach pictures throughout the restoration. Mark
Mark, if you need any help downsizing photos just give me a hollar. I can usually have it done within seconds and send it right back to ya. If you'd like, I can also size up an "avitar" picture for you too. Just PM me or zap me an email.
I don't necessarily NOT bid on anything if the person doesn't know what he's talking about. I and many others just felt compelled to educate this man on a car that he's selling that doesn't exist. It's when you inform them and they want to keep on being dishonest in spite of the corrective info you've supplied them with that annoyed me. I stated in an email to him that he actually might do better if he drop the California BS because if it really IS a Satge1 4 speed car, it's rare as hell. It would be to his advantage to have anything shady out of his description. I know this person knew this wasn't a "California" but he had no intentions of making it right in his description. At least up until the last time I checked the auction. I agree with Brent. You know, it's up to this guy what he wants to portray this car as. But I'd be willing to bet that if he trimmed the BS out, he would have gotten more for this car in the first place. Honesty rules. I'm not a dope, and I'm not naiive. I know all people aren't honest and some don't give a rats ass what I say about it. Why should I even care you wonder? I don't like liars and I'm gonna let him know if he yankin people's cranks or not and if he wants to keep doing it, so be it. I just wanted to let him know there's somebody out there who doesn't buy his story, maybe it'll keep him on his toes if he tries next time to sell an all original 63 1/2 Ford Galaxy 500XL with a 426 Hemi.
Wow - so now this guy has two 1971 Cortez Gold GSXs, with the second being a Stage1? Cool! :bglasses: Please let him know about the factory Stage1 registry. Thanks Mark!
"69 California GS400 Stage 1" What is the final consensus on this car? Did someone add the California badges to a GS400 (discounting the Stage 1 for lack of positive proof) to enhance the car in their own eyes? I would guess from the VIN that the car is probably a true GS400 and from the fact that the car is not a piller coupe that it is not a California GS.
Ken: I e-mailed this guy last Wednesday posing as an interested buyer, wanting more information on his car and some documentation on the specifics. The e-mail was in a positive, non-confrontational tone. He's yet to even respond. Yeah, it's kinda of annoying! :af: I'd move one to another car if I was really shopping. Maybe he's already sold it or is tired of being told he's wrong. o No:
I'm not surprised. He's obviously a scum who just wants to deceive people. How did a dreg like that get a hold of such a nice car. He sent me an email at my home email address yesterday....I don't think I saved it, but it was something to the effect of "and by the way, it IS a stage1 because the numbers blah blah" something or other. So I replied that may very well be. That's not the point. The point is that the VIN still says it NOT A GS CALIFORNIA. That's what I've been trying to tell you all along. I think this guy wasn't at the top of his class when SAT's came around, lets just put it that way.
