I found this 72 GS stage 1 convertible Zone car: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Buic...2263644?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item19d70ef35c
Same car that was in the thread that was started by GS44667 but that thread has been deleted now. It's one of the 25 Zone office cars. That one was not on my list so that now brings the total to 10 that I've run across in the last 2 years since I started looking. That one is also the highest VIN of any I've found.
The "Old Man" died and the kids are selling everything. Looks like Black Friday hit. I caught wind of it a couple months ago but could never get a straight answer and got the run around. . I was in for a little while, bet it finishes at $18,650. John.
I'd like to know more about the car like if it has matching #s etc. The car doesn't appear to be rusty so I guess the hood, door, and fender were damaged rather than rusted? The bumper laying on the floor appears to have come from the Titanic rather than from that car so maybe it was also a replacement to go along with the other parts that were swapped. The 8-track player and smog pump are missing but might be buried in that trunk somewhere. Cool car. I hope it gets a good new home. Of course I'm interested to see what it sells for. I bet it ends with "reserve not met."
Well there will be some strong interest in this car being a California Stage 1 Convertible. The car should not bring all that much money. My guess is that someone will go crazy and bid it way up. I agree the reserve is most likely high and if it does meet reserve I wonder if the buyer will truly buy the car after the auction ends and they get a chance to look the car over ???? my guess is 23k only because people are nuts over these Flame Orange 72 Stage1 Convertibles Should be fun to watch. buyer will have over 100k in the car if they restore it.
I guess I'm a little confused why it's only these zone car's that anybody gives any attention for 72 Stage 1 convertibles. To me, they made so many of them it wouldn't be as big of a deal to have one of them as it would the other 53 that had more "individuality" with varying colors and options. I'm not saying I don't like the Flame Orange, as it's a nice, bright color. But it seems almost every 72 Stage 1 conv. that I've seen for sale has been orange.
A lot of people get excited about the Flame Orange as its a one year only color. The Zone cars get a lot of press and thats what people like... A lot of press drives the price up.
Please forgive my ignorance but what is a zone car. I haven't been into Buick's for anything but enjoyment as in cruising, racing or car shows. I never looked at them as a means for making money or flipping them is the term some use. So some of the terminology is strange to me. Bob H.
The short version is in the attached pdf file. but basically Buick built 25 identical '72 Stage 1 convertibles and sent one to each Zone Office to use, then the cars were later sent to dealers and sold. All the cars were optioned exactly the same, just 25 copies. Stage 1 auto, orange, with white top and interior. Buick also did the same thing in 1971 but the Stage 1 convertibles were Cortez Gold with white tops and interiors. Unfortiunately the Buick records aren't available for the '71 models like it is for the '72s so the exact details of the '71s is still incomplete at this time, but several of the identical '71s have also been found (several V8Buick members have them). The full story is in this thread: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.p...-1-convertibles-Buick-Zone-Office-Cars-qty-25!
I've never thought that the 25 Zone Office cars were the only '72 Stage 1 convertibles that anyone gave attention to. It also doesn't make them any more valuable than the other 56 Stage 1 converts built in '72. I do however agree with Ryans-GSX that people do like the color of Flame Orange with white top and interior. It's bright and it's bold, which is unusual for most Buicks except the GSXs. Some people, myself included, like the Zone Office cars because they have an interesting bit of trivia about them, but that is not why we bought our car because that information came to light after we got the car. We bought our car because it was a nice solid Stage 1 convertible with all matching numbers, runs and drives very nice, and was reasonably priced. It could have been any of the other 56 cars and we still would have bought it if the price and condition were equal. Priced right, ANY '72 Stage 1 convertible will sell, regardless of color or option combination.
I've got lots of NOS GM parts I'm going to be selling off that will fit this car if anybody who ends up with it would be interested. N-25 tips, grille, marker lights, park lights, tail lights, rubber bumper strips, front hood molding, front bumper brackets, emblems, w/o moldings, rocker moldings, gas tank, and lots more.
I sent a message to the seller through ebay today, no response yet. I'll post if/when they respond. Update: I got a response from the seller last night through the ebay message system and was told they will get back in touch soon with answers to the questions I asked. I'll share any info I get.
Yeah, I got a response back saying they are testing the market, he told me that they want mid twentys for it. And they will not sell it on ebay because of the fee's. So if anyone wants it, sounds like a closed bid deal. Also said he would return email with #'s off the drivetrain. I will let everyone know what he comes back with. Also mentioned he used to drive a GS455 to school, and at one time drove a TurboGN. So it sounds like he knows whats up. Can't believe he would sell it having Buick in his blood, not to mention it was his Fathers car. Money is tight I guess.
I question the bidding, I think the bidding has gone be on the actual price the car should bring. Cool car but it needs a full resto. The market is still tanked.
I just noticed something in the pic of the engine compartment. It may or not mean much, but it's kind of strange that it has the TVS (thermal vac. switch) with the connector on top. Those were used on the full size cars and GS 350's with a/c. It's a combination TCS and TVS. So this car should actually have the TCS on the carb with the TVS that just has the 3 vac. nipples on it. Maybe it had an engine transplant out of a 72 full size.:idea2:
The fee to sell this car on ebay would only be a flat $125 fee since car sales don't have to pay the percentage like most items, and ebay states "There's no additional fee charged on the actual sale of the car after the vehicle sells." http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/motorfees.html so it would be strange to not be willing to let the auction finish as a normal auction. But I guess he can do it however he wants. Many people, even Buick guys, don't get attached to cars so there isn't much sentimental value. Our Zone Office '72 Stage 1 convert was also sold by a son who inherited it from his late father who had it along with a GN. The son knew what he had but decided to let it go to a better home.
