I'm ordering parts for this build, and am unsure of the call for spiral shocks. Option list has Rally ride control package. I want to get this right the first time
Spirals, I believe were early model year, Pliacell's, late model year. Similar to clear tops, pointy lens', etc.
I don't see anything about 15" wheels. It does say Chrome plated wheels for V-2. But it also says F-2 Oversize whitewall H78-14
First week of April 1970 Yep Pliacells. What I would do is buy a set of new gas shocks, install the correct looking rear shock lower studs that Steve Caruso makes, paint those bad boys "Shock Gray", (shocks, studs, and lower rubber insulators) and then stick them on the car. The shocks when installed originally had so much paint on them they almost looked like they were dipped. Then install the front nut/washer, leaving them bright in color and you are done. As long as the shocks have straight sides, ie. not bulged out in the middle, no one will ever know. You will save your customer some money, and he will have a set of brand new shocks on the car. Of course they will not look 100% correct unless you put my stickers on the shocks, but just saying...…………………………. If Steve doesn't have any in stock I still have a set I can get to you. Optional Painting Method. Also, if you are doing all the oversprays on the car, then you would install the gray shocks on the frame & rear, and then paint the lower rearward facing surfaces of the shocks black where they bolt up to the rear axle. The assembly manual states the rearward facing part of the rear axle was painted black once assembled, so the bottom of the shock got black paint as well, and before anyone starts to disagree, I have seen many examples of this on original cars. Many owners like a "clean look" under the car and don't paint them this way, but it's their call. We always allowed either look to be correct with no point deductions, and there was always the worry as to whether some other judging entity would understand the overspray, so we always left it as an owners choice. Duane
"It does say Chrome plated wheels for V-2. But it also says F-2 Oversize whitewall H78-14" Adam, If you are going to put 14" Chrome wheels on the car then you will need to find a set with the flat centers. Both the 14" & 15" Chrome wheels on the 1970 model year cars used the hubs with the flat centers. They didn't start using the raised centers until the 71 model year. I don't know if they are taking points off for this yet, but am sure this will most likely be coming in the near future. You might as well get the correct wheels now instead of trying to find them later. Duane
For 1970, At the start of the production year the cars used Spirals for both the regular and Rally ride control package. Then in mid production, they switched over to the Pliacells for the Rally ride only, and ran them that way until the end of the 72 production year. I have the info when the change-over took place at home, and can post that here later if needed. Duane
Thanks Duane. You better put together a sticker/decal/tag/etc set for this car. It's going to need it.
From my Shock article, Conclusions It appears that all 69-72 Buick A-bodies came from the factory with Delco spiral shocks; except for the mid-late 1970 thru 1972 GS/GSX’s with the F 41 suspension package. These cars were equipped with the new improved Delco Pliacell shocks. From looking at the data taken from actual production cars, the change over occurred, referencing body build dates, sometime between the 5th week of January 1970 (01D) and the 1st week of March 1970 (03A). It is also now obvious that the Buick Engineers wanted a firm but smooth ride with their 70-72 A-body heavy-duty suspension equipped cars, even during hard acceleration over rough roads. These new Pliacell shocks gave them the ability to deliver just that, and were probably cutting edge technology at that time. Below is a pic of the Pliacells and the regular Spiral Shocks. If you look at the bottom of the rear spiral you can see that the shock, rubber insulator and stud were all painted gray. The Spirals are NOS but the Pliacells were installed on a car. If you look at the rear Pliacell shock you can see that the back half of the shock was painted black from painting the rear. The Pliacells were supplied to me by Dennis Lyons. Enjoy. Duane
Thats exactly what I did- spray a set of modern shocks gray and use Steve's shock mount. Yes, I know the decal is in the wrong place!
I used a set of AC Delcos from rock auto. Just peeled the sticker off. I didnt even use real shock paint. I went to Ace and got rustoleum smoke gray. Close enough!
