Too bad you didn't get a picture of the data tag. If it had both the QQ code AND the 43437 body number it would prove the car was legit. Who knows what went on back in the day. Just about anything could be built with the right connections. If the car is still around it will surface some day. Try to dig up more info from the seller. Brian
Todd Funny you bring this up. A guy that I run into on occasion has a '70 X that he bought out of Missouri(I think) that was a full resto that was Apollo White with brown interior. I thought it was a clone, but never check the #'s. I don't think he knew for certain, but he did tell me that he bought it being told it was a real deal. o No:
It's been 4 years now since I originally posted this. By chance anyone on here that may possibly be the owner of this car ? ? ? It was purchased in Eau Claire, WI at (Bill)Ranneys Mobile Station. I would love for this car to resurface someday. I'd like to know the real story on it.
I looked at a GSX 25 years ago in Eau Claire, Wisconsin that had a 350 in it and was obviously a cowl tag job. The VIN started with 43437 but the cowl tag was a 44637 with the QQ code. People were faking them even back in the 1980s. It was in OK condition rust wise but in the end was just a GS 350 someone painted yellow and put some GSX bits on. I can't remember if it had a brown or black interior though. The car looked the part but fell down quickly with the VIN/body tags so different.
Well, I'll go out on a limb here with a possible explanation. I know that Board member Mark Macoubrie, also in the midwest, previously had a '70 Stage 1 with an SCO paint called Fireglow Orange ... which was a 'mid-year '69 only (officially) color, but was apparently still in the GM system (see photo). This car also had a 'Q' on the cowl plate ... one 'Q', accorging to Mark, which made his heart speed-up considering the meaning of the letter 'Q' on on the data plate of a '70 Buick. This car also had the dark brown vinyl top and interior. Hmmm.
Do you recall if the car you looked at had the motor actually in it? The one I'm referring to did not have a motor (or tranny) in it the 1st time I looked at it which was back in the late 80's. The owner was and still is a well respected Mopar guy so I don't think he himself was trying to scam anyone. He simply did not know much about Buicks. .
When I looked at this particular car in early 1985 it had a motor in it. The only reason I remember details is that this was about the time I bought my 71 stage 1 and at the time really wanted a 70 GSX.
My comment was more a jab at MOPAR guys:bla: but he might have bought it from someone that was not as honest or "respected" All one has to do is look into the stories about Hemi cars that have been stolen and re tagged. As a matter of fact it was a couple of local MOPAR guys that told me not to do the body work on my Suncoupe , just change the tags with the wifes rust free Suncoupe and repaint it. Besides the fact that I could go to jail I decided not to have to sleep with one eye opened the rest of my life
The main reason I would like to know more about this car is I felt it was un-molested and a total mystery. I remember the trunk lid being much heavier as well (meaning it was probably a factory spoiler) Even the paint was faded and looked to be original. The guy who eventually bought it to re-sell it (Ranney's Mobil Station Owner) showed me the car while it was being repainted and having an engine and tranny installed. Nothing looked "un-original" to either of us. I also remember the mirrors being different. Reminded me of Olds 442 Mirrors. They were yellow but a slightly different shape to them. But, they to looked like the original pcs since the paint on them was also a bit faded. It just didn't look like a car that had been messed with. I really - really wish I would have took some photos. Especially of the cowl tag. I think it ended up in the state of IL (according to the Mobil station owner) I was hoping a member on here ended up with it and could shed some more light on it. Maybe some day! Anyone in IL have a Saturn Yellow 1970 GS/GSX with a brown interior, 350 and a 4 Speed? ? (And a QQ Paint Code) ? ? ? ? o No: .
The car I looked at had paint and body that looked better than you are describing but was not a show car. I couldn't speak for anything other than it was a GS350, 4 speed car with what appeared to be a cowl tag that did not match the VIN. It is possible that it is the same car though I suspect there are plenty of "extra" GSX cars floating around due to the fact the real ones are pretty scarce... The 4 speed makes me think it might be the same car, however...
Not yet, but after I trade a Holley carb to the Chevy guy who has it, I'll send you pics as soon as I get it home, and start converting it to a 455 Stage 1 and Automatic, with a BLACK interior...:TU: Wanna buy the 350 & 4 speed?
My $0.02 worth: I painted my 1972 350 GS, with brown interior, Saturn Yellow in 1980. Stripped all of the paint off with Kleen-Strip. Painted GSX stripes on it myself. Added factory GSX decals I purchased from Amos and Andy Buick in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Then changed the trans to a 4-speed with parts purchased from Car Craft magazine and Hall Cheverolet in Cleveland, TN. The GM Service Parts GSX rear spoiler came off a red 1972 Chevelle I found in a local junkyard in 1978 (talk about luck!!!). The front spoiler came from some company named Mr. Fiberglass from somewhere in Michigan. Why did I do this? Because I couldn't find/afford a real GSX. Never tried to pawn it off as an original. The point is that people (me) were faking 350 4-speed GSXs with brown interiors as far back as 1980 using parts from various sources. My bet is that the Wisconsin car was done the same way.
What type of steering wheel did it have on it? Also, do you remember if it had red or black rocker molding stripes?
To many years have passed, I don't recall. I should have taken photos! At the time I remember thinking it must just be a GS therefore I lost interest. It wasn't until I read the QQ paint code was reserved for the GSX that I began to wonder more about it. I remember talking it over with the Mobile station owner who've I became friends with because of our interest in Buicks. He doesn't study the stuff like I have so I don't think he thought about it as much. He was just looking to make a buck. He's had alot of Buicks over the years and owns a real 70 GS he purchased in the early 70s. (Which ironically is also a 70 GS 350 / 4-speed car)
It may have possibly been ordered as a solid yellow coupe as an sco and then the GSX parts and mirrors were dealer installed much like in '71 and '72 but who really knows. The fact that the trunk lid seemed heavy to you makes me doubt it was authentic as the '70 spoilers are lighter than the 1's and 2's and the trunk lid springs are stiffer.
