Hi there! My name is Conal. I am new to the board and thought I would introduce myself. I came across this board because my brother-in-law has a destroyed (see pics) 1972 GS 350 convertible. Nothing special about it I can identify - column shift, bench seat, factory A/C. I love the car, can see the potential, would love to restore it. I just don't know if it is worth it. He says that $10,000 would take care of the restoration. It would be kick-ass car to drive for three seasons (no winters obviously). I am interested in opinions as to whether the money would be better spent finding a GS less destroyed and fixing it up or using the money to reclaim this one. Hopefully I can upload the pictures I have. I appreciate any feedback. Thanks, Conal
Photos - 72 GS 350 Convertible This only way I can think of for posting multiple photos. A head on shot - ignore the red pickup bed cover - just there to keep the elements out. Is there a way of posting more than one photo per post? Thanks, Conal
You can find one already to go for the cost of the 10K restoration. There is a GS 455 hardtop listed on here now for less than 10K. Some will always encourage resto, but that is not always the best course.
How much rust does it have? That will also dictate costs of restoration. The 70 GS455 (bamboo cream color with black vinyl top) was sold.
That's pretty bad, $10K is a low estimate I think unless you are a talented welder body and paint man. Welcome to the board! I'm sure someone here can find you a better one.
Additional info Thanks for your input I appreciate it. I did forget some important info that may make a difference (or not). My brother-in-law that has the 72 GS convertible owns a body shop. I would have access to the tools and space to work on it, in addition to having him work on it also (and paying him for it). I am not the most knowledgeable person on car restoration but he has good guys working for him and he has several nice classic muscle cars of his own that he has restored. It is a project that could be done over several years to say the least. So, for instance, I could get it to a point that it is driveable and then work on the more detailed items. To answer Adam's question of rust - there is a lot. The trunk in particular is completely rusted out. Thanks again, Conal
Conal, it sounds like you really want to save the car. If that is the case, go for it! There is a member of the board (Tim R) who is restoring a Flame Orange 72 GS350 convert here . His was in similar shape to yours, and is requiring some of the same repairs (trunk, floorpans, 1/4 panels) and he gives a lot of good information on doing this. It is a buyer's market right now, so your convert may not look as appetizing as some of the deals out there. When the economy bounces back in a few years to the point it was before, the collector car market will come back up and investing time and money into a project such as yours will look more reasonable. Convertibles will generally yield a better return than hardtops (less converts made), and this will hold true when the market comes back. If you have the connections to save this car more reasonably than someone else, and have the drive to get it done I think you should go for it. Just keep in mind how far 10k will get you right now...
