Do not throw away the studs and nuts that were in the Original Plastic grill. You will probably need them. Duane PS. I never throw any original parts out, no matter how bad they are, until the resto is done. I just throw them in a pile, and you cannot imagine the number of times you will go back to that pile for reference alone.
Glad you were able to read the code in the "ORN" box. It is important, and does match your first posted photo of the car.
The G1 order code was a ratio upgrade, and included positive traction. For instance; A non air conditioned Stage 1 car which had a 3.64:1 ratio as standard, when ordered with the G1 option would receive a 3.91:1 ratio. Still with an 8.2" differential. A non air conditioned GS455 manual transmission car which had a 3.42:1 ratio as standard, when ordered with the G1 option, would receive a 3.64:1 ratio. Still with an 8.2" differential. A GS 350 which had a 3.23:1 ratio (open) as standard, when ordered with the G1 option, would receive a 3.42:1 ratio with positive traction. And so on. Performance ratio upgrades of 3.64:1 ratio and 3.91:1 were not available on air conditioned cars. There were also SCO axle ratio options available under order codes G7 and G9. When ordered, ratios as low as 3.91:1 could be installed in GS350 and GS455 cars, but all were in the specific Buick 8.2" differential.
Jim I´m really happy about being able to read ALL the codes on that sheet. Some are hard to read, but I´m pretty sure I have found the correct letters and numbers. It would of course have been easier if I had known the different alternatives. I have no clue to what that M means, so I will learn a lot when I get the decoded sheet from Duane. And his book will also come to use. Yesterday I looked at the date codes on the doors, decklid and hood, and I´m still confused. The hood is marked A 18 which I assume is January 18 (we will see), but the rest was trickier. I´m also happy about the fact that this car still had 99 % of it´s original parts with it. Many have been damaged by the elements over the years, but they are still there. For example: how often do you find the aircleaner in a car like this ? Don´t mind the car in the background !
Jim, I noticed that you used to have a 70 GS 455 Conv. 55-E/Burnished Saddle Bench TH400. I´m interested in the E for Sandalwood vinyl roof since the other Stage 1 project we have also was built with the same color roof. Our had 03A on the TT. Do you remember when your was built ?
the numbers on the top left rear frame rail are the serial numbers of the car,the code was a big paper tag behind the left rear wheel,it would be ubside down when on the car because the frames were stored upside down at the factory,the big rag was on it to makes it ezere for the assembly ppl to id the frame by the build sheet when building the car,its been alot of years but i thought the code on the frame was cw fore 455 cars,350 and 455 cars had different frames
if u got 14 inch wheels with disc brakes were they 14by7 to clear the disc brake calipers?where 7 inche wheel made to clear calipers?like the 14 inch on 67 gs with the small caps and trim rings,i dont think the early chtome 14 inch cleared the 4 piston caliper,14by 7 steely is a hard wheel to find even in chevvy land!
Some of the frames had the code letters stamped near the frame part number, some didn't. It all depended on which company built the frames. I think they all came with the paper tags. Many of the frames had the partial vin number stamped on the top of the frame below the driver side door opening and not at the top of the rear frame rail. I think that location depended on which plant built the car. I think you are right, the 70 Big Block 2-door Coupe frames started out as "C (something)", but not too far into the production year they were changed to "BW" and continued that way until the end of the production year. They were again changed for 71. Duane
I was a little to fast about this one. A Sandalwood roof on a convertible was an option from the start of the year, but not so on the hardtop. Sorry !
I don't remember if the 1967 14 inch wheels with disc brakes were 14"x 7" or 14"x6" but do know the only rims that fit over the disc brakes were the Chevy style Rallye wheels with the Buick centers. I think these same wheels were used in 68 as well, but would have to check my notes. I did an article on the 14" optional wheels and it listed all the codes etc. I do know that for the 69 production year Buick made their own wheels fit the disc brakes and they were 14"x6" rims. Maybe someone can post a link to the article. I think all this info is there. Duane
the 14by 7 chev wheels had a different code,off topic but along time ago i traded a 70 hood for a set of 67 front covers,how time flys!
Here are some pics of the 1970 WD1 /F4 wheel and tire option that was only available to order on a Big Block 1970 GS 455 or 1970 GS Stage 1 car. Plain 15 x 7 steel wheel painted 25% low sheen silver, coupled with dog dish cap, trim ring and the big G60-15 RWL Goodyear Polyglas tire. $181 option. I see people painting these wheels body color, but that is not correct, these wheels were low silver regardless of body color. See attached pics on my original paint (firewall back) 70 GS 455 4 speed car that yes, is a factory WD1/F4 car.
I don't recall the build date of my convertible, but do recall it being an early car with pointed gauge lenses and plastic radiator cover. You are correct that the Sandalwood top was offered throughout the 1970 model year on convertibles, and only for a part of the model year on hardtops. I am not exactly sure when the change took place, but at some point the Sandalwood (code E) top replaced the Dark Gold (code H) top on the option list. This car is a 12B build, 58-H / 185 paint and trim combination. One wouldn't imagine it to be so attractive a combination, but it really is quite striking.
Jim, the quote below is from another thread about that automatic Stage 1 of ours. The notes Duane has shows Jan 15th 1970 as the day which after the Sandalwood vinyl top was available. And thank you for showing the pic of the car with the 58-H / 185 paint and trim combination ! DuaneMember ...............and by the way, your car was built to the specifications as shown on the Body tag, so there is no mistake there. Plus the Wholesale Car Order Form I posted above shows that Sandalwood vinyl tops were available after Jan 15th 1970, so again there is no mistake there. Duane Duane Heckman, Owner of Classic Car Interiors
Rich, that is good info for us when we restore the automatic Stage 1 of ours, since it was produced with the WD1/F4-option. I have seen pics on the internet of 1970 Stage 1 cars with G60-15 tires on rims painted body color. They also usually omit the trim ring which is part of the F4 Sport Wheels. I have a question regarding the wheels if no optional wheels or tires where ordered. Would the 1970 GS 455 then be equipped with 14 x 7 rims painted body color and use a dog dish hubcap, but no trim ring ?
Anders, in 1970 and other years as well, a plain Skylark or any GS 350 ,GS 455 or GS Stage 1 car that was not ordered with any wheel or tire option would be delivered standard at no cost with 14 x 6 painted steel wheels with dog dish caps, no trim ring with G78-14 blackwall polyglas tire. Light colored cars would ie white or bamboo cream would have black painted wheels . Attached are pics of another 70 GS 455 4 speed car I have that is factory manual steering ,manual brakes and was not ordered with any wheel and tire option. This car is all original still has G78-14 tires on front 14 x6 painted original wheels.
A nice example of an F4 optioned (at least on the passenger side) car at the 2019 GS Nationals. This car had Motor Wheel Spiders mounted on the driver's side. And the codes on a late original F4 option 15x7" wheel.
