I've been pondering this lately. And this makes the most sense. I have an offer to purchase from a very, very reliable source the prototype GSX grille emblem that came from this car. It's made from brass and is different on the back side, but from the front side it looks like any other GSX emblem. What I would do with this thing is beyond me...I guess just to display it? Anyways, my point is if car #4085 came with a ptototype emblem then the car must have started life before the GSX run... Make sense?
Hey Guy - did you see the Sept 2010 issue of Hemmings Muscle Machines yet ? There's a story in Jim Bell and it has this picture in it - thought you'd enjoy if you haven't seen this one yet.
Yes, but thanks for the heads up! Dennis Manner sent me a letter last week telling me of it, and with contact info of the editor there that wants me to call him. So I thought that was pretty nice of Dennis! But thanks! I would not have known about it. ps. thought it was a very interesting article pps. they didn't get the year of the car right...doesn't anyone edit these things!
Notice the rear wheels? And what kind of air cleaner is that on the motor in the foreground? Fly-Eye?
The picture was taken in front of Jim Bell's house in Glendora, California. Kennedy-Bell Enterprises was born there in Jim's single car garage when they decided to finance their racing efforts by selling Buick performance parts. I spent a lot of time hanging out with Jim and his family as I was single back then, new to California and will always thank them for making me a part of their family. Doug Jones
455 Iron Stage 2 with 1st Gen (freezeplug) on exhaust & standard intake ports, Kustom Headers, Stage 2 pistons (455) 660 cnt squirt holleys ,Offenhouser Intake, Vertex ronco magneto , Kenne Bell valve covers, pulleys 308s cam , T/a rockers & timing cover M22 Muncie R/c & a 4:78 Buick rear
That aircleaner is the style I believe that Motion Performance put on their cars.It was available in the late 60's early 70's,a cool aircleaner for sure.I have one on my 69 GS400 Stage2 car.I've had it since 69 or 70. gary
Just pray the carb doesn't backfire! :laugh: I thought that's what it looked like, but it looked bigger than normal for some reason. Maybe I'm just used to seeing it on big block Chevs?
Looks good, Very impressive! Notice how that the only Header will fit those early heads are the Kustom brand? TA's straight style flange would not work because of the vertical boss in the way.
The thing that I regret the most about missing this years BPG is seeing your car...really But sometimes life gets in the way...
Thanks guy,maybe you'll get a chance in the mag that covered the event,they took lots of pics and interviewed me for quite some time. missed seeing you again too. gary
Has the B4B intake manifold changed over the years? I have one on my GSX Stage 1 but don't know for certain how long it's been there. Would be nice to know that it was put on back in the day or is at least genuinely from the era. If not do I try an find the correct Stage 1 inlet? Were Stage 2 packages purchased mostly as a complete kit or did some pick and choose occur? Did guys buy a GS Stage 1 back in 1970 and ask for one or two Stage 2 bits? Can I have a Stage 1 with a Stage 2 cam and pistons please?? I know it makes more sense to do the whole Stage 2 kit but were individual Stage 2 bits sold by dealers 40 years ago?
You can search through a number of threads on here, thats how I have learned so much of this rare engine option. The Holley carb and Edelbrock B4B intake could be bought at any speed shop back in the day. The Headers, as I have read on here, were made/sold by a few manufacturers most notibly Kustom. As for the stage 2 heads, pistons, cam, gearset they could be ordered at your Buick dealership at the parts counter in pieces or together, again as I have read here from the ones who did purchase back in the day. With the pistons made in only standard bore, and forged aluminum, they had to be installed into a new(er) block for clearance issues due to their slightly smaller "cold" size - can't remember offhand the measurements I made a while back.
Thanks for the replies, I think that clears up the Stage 2 parts issue, but I would still like to know if my B4B is 1970 or if it is 2004.
I believe that's correct. I have an early one like that as well with the stepped flange where it mounts to the head.
