Is my 67 Buick Special pretty much the same as a 70 Buick 455 GS?

Discussion in 'The Bench' started by Jahimbi Blammo, Jun 16, 2017.

  1. Jahimbi Blammo

    Jahimbi Blammo Well-Known Member

    So my 67 Buick Special has a Stage 1 455 out of a GS (not sure what year and don't know how to identify yet, still Google searching that). I was looking at all the specs like width, wheelbase, overall length, and they are basically the same, or fairly close, to a 1970 Buick GS. I'm having trouble finding a thread or article about the differences between the two cars.
     
  2. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    64-72 A bodies (Chevelle, Cutlass, Lemans, Skylark) basically share the same frame, and suspension components. Sheet metal is different. Hood clearance is different.
     
    Jahimbi Blammo likes this.
  3. 455monte

    455monte Well-Known Member

    The 1967 has a 115 wheelbase
    The 68 up are shorter. I believe 112 but not 100 pct sure 112 is the correct number.
    Larry is correct that the suspension components do interchange. Some earlier bodys like 64 to 66 do have narrower rear axle housings tho
     
  4. philbquick

    philbquick Founders Club Member

    Yes, 64 to 67 all had 115" wheelbase except the sport wagon that had 120" 68 to 72 2 door cars had 112" wheelbase, 4 door cars had 116". The rear upper control arms are shorter in the 68 to 72.
     
  5. Smokey15

    Smokey15 So old that I use AARP bolts.

    The upper control arms I did not know about. So, lowers are the same?
     
  6. philbquick

    philbquick Founders Club Member

    Yes, in the front they are the same top and bottom, rear bottoms are the same and the uppers are about 3" shorter. They did that to keep the rear seat room the same even though the wheel base is shorter. They made the "kick" (the part of the frame that goes over the rear axle) a sharper angle so it wouldn't intrude into the rear seat space and that made it necessary to shorten the upper control arms.
     
  7. My3Buicks

    My3Buicks Buick Guru

    Frame would be more rigid on a real GS
     
  8. Smokey15

    Smokey15 So old that I use AARP bolts.

    Thank You.
     
  9. My3Buicks

    My3Buicks Buick Guru

    Since he was talking Stage 1's and 455's I stayed on that line, that's a whole lot of engine for an unboxed Special frame
     
  10. Jahimbi Blammo

    Jahimbi Blammo Well-Known Member

    I can already see my pocket book getting lighter. So what does this "boxed" post mean? Keep in mind I'm running 275/40/ R18's at the rear. It breaks them loose with no issues so I'm pretty sure I'm NOT putting the power to the ground therefore minimizing chassis flex issues....but please (no sarcasm here) comment away because I'm all ears and I absolutely love modifying this car. At the same rate, I'm getting a bit burned out on wrenching on her. In 6 months I have upgraded the drive train, gears, complete rear end overhaul, brakes, exhaust, wheels, top end of the engine, fuel injection, fuel system, electrical, air ride suspension, the list goes on and on. I just want to go to car shows at this point LOL LOL LOL.!!!!
     
  11. RG67BEAST

    RG67BEAST Platinum Level Contributor

    Running 18" rims aggregravates hooking up. No hop bars or adj. upper arm set up correctly will force the rearend down to the pavement rather than up like stock. Do a google search how the IC (instant center) changes. Metco has nice adj. for 67's. Lots of cheap junk on the market be careful. Until your into the 11's changing the IC works well. Real well with street tires.
     
    Rick@Metco likes this.
  12. no boxed frames on GS except convertibles after 1967
     
  13. RG67BEAST

    RG67BEAST Platinum Level Contributor

    The trans. crossmember is shorter as well than a c channel frame x.member once the inserts for the frame are welded in. A worthy expense. I twisted my 67 Special body. Driver's door was way out of alignment. No fun moving the cowl forward too realign the door gaps.
     
  14. My3Buicks

    My3Buicks Buick Guru

    There is a reason 67's are best LOL
     
  15. I could be wrong( it wont be the first time) but i'm nearly positive that only convertibles got boxed frames from 68 forward.
     
  16. Nicholas Sloop

    Nicholas Sloop '08 GS Nats BSA runner up

    You're not...
     
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  17. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    No, I am confused. Sorry for putting that out there. I got my old vert and HT mixed up in my head. Age does funny things to ya sometimes.
     
  18. no harm, a little refresher course is good for us all every now and then.
     
    Smokey15 likes this.
  19. Smokey15

    Smokey15 So old that I use AARP bolts.

    And, who knows, we might learn something new!
     
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