Here it is in the ad, I picked it up for an even $2K giving the guy what he was asking for. I must have had the bug bad because the fact that the car needed so much work blew right the heck by me at 200 miles an hour. He was a really nice guy and very helpful (and a cop to boot!) just like most of the Buick people I've interacted with. He had a nice original-looking brown GS in the garage and 2 complete 455s stashed away under his bench. Maybe I'll have to try to pry one of them away soon...
Ok! So this is after minor bodywork and a repaint. I installed a new carpet, did some custom stuff for the rear package tray and the chewed parts of the door panels. New handles, cranks, misc. hardware here and there and a LOT of cleaning and reconditioning. Timed the engine, got the guages and signals working... all in about 2 months of owning the car and tons left to do.
Special thanks to Todd (pookn8or), Andy (70lark), Jon (SMOKIN_455_SEDA), and countless others who've helped me out with parts and answered all the various questions I've had. I think I need to invest in a couple manuals though. Next up are 15 inch JJ rallys, a possible 4-barrel conversion, finishing off the interior... it never ends! Thanks all.
Wow 2 months, you must have alot of time on ur hands. No seriously great job. Love the stance on ur car, looks like its lower than it should be, kinda like mine, but nice work.
Thanks for the comments everyone. Shoot, I don't have much time for this stuff actually, I work full time (most days 10+ hours) and have a 2-month-old, total of 5 kids on the weekends. I stay up late sometimes. :grin: One thing is for sure, I've worked my butt off so far. So much that I think I'm taking a break for a while. It'll be nice having projects to come back to since it won't be one of those "I ran out of money" breaks. The car does seem lower to me. I asked the guy I bought it from if he lowered it and he looked at me like I was crazy, so I don't know when it happened but I think it's lower than stock and looks good. Putting taller and wider tires on the back made it look even better I think. I'm still trying to decide whether to build up the smallblock or go with a 455...
A general concensus on the rebuild thing is that if you want power, go for the 455, but if ur just looking for a nice reliable mildly tuned motor, then the small blocks will suffice. Not to say the small block cant produce power, it just saves alot of time and $ to drop in the big block.
Looking Good! Keep in mind, that you have e fellow Skylark nut right in Daytona. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or somments, OR if you plan on visiting the area. I am a little screwed right now (I have cancer) But I am still into Buicks and all that goes with them! PM me for a phone number, etc..
Andrew, my prayers are with you and your family. I can't say that I know personally what you're going through but my family has had to deal with this more times than I care to remember and I can empathize. I can only hope that things turn out ok, keep up the good fight. My sis lives over there so the next time we hit the beach I'll give you a shout. My car is my daily driver since last week so it goes where I go! I've seen the pics of your car and can only hope mine turns out as clean-looking. It looks mighty sharp with those wheels and I bet the 5-speed is a blast. Can't wait to ride in it. :grin:
I think head-to-head this little Bu block is a little tougher than the SBCs I'm used to, that's just my opinion so far. Seems like this thing would haul some serious tail if I rebuilt it the same way I have with other engines in the past. Of course, as the Chevelle guys like to say, "No replacement for..." and I've never owned a big block. I like the idea of going fast on small block power, but if I ever drove a big block the bug would bite hard and there'd be no turning back. I think maybe I could even do it in a way that would be cheaper than a small block rebuild with the same horsepower... I can't decide! :laugh:
