very rusty 70 GS 455, what to do ?

what would you do with a very rusty 1970 GS 455 ?

i have a column shifted 446370 w/ A/C, paint code 75B, trim code 178 build date 08C, ( red w/ black vinyl top, black split bench seat ) that has no motor or fanshroud, and its very rusty. it had a bad patch riveted into the right 1/4, and a sign for a drivers floor when i bought it for parts 20 years ago. you know it didnt get any better sitting here. it does have manual aluminum front drums, but there isnt a solid panel left on the car. i have almost everything it needs to be complete, either nos or used, but i dont see how i can afford to build another GS.

i hate to part it out, but i doubt i will ever get it fixed. the frame appears to be solid. no pics at this time.

what would you do in my shoes ? thanks, henry

 

That sounds like the same shape my convertible was in, I say FIX IT:beer It's only money and you can't take it with you.:TU:

 

If doing the resto isn't an option for you, and you have all the items that would be needed, short the drive train, I say offer it all for sale as a package deal. Unless of course you really don't want to part with all those NOS and otherwise good spare parts. If you can arrive at a price you would need, and someone is willing to pay it, I think selling as a package would be cool, assuming you can find a buyer that you know won't just turn around and part it out himself.

And there are some cars that simply can't be saved, or are better put to use for parts for cars that can be saved. Tough decision to make.

 

I would hold on to it . Look for a "decent" body and go from there. The car must not be in the way,you've had it for 20 years...of course this is just my opinion.

 

thanks guys, i do have another body, motor and shroud. like they say, they aint making em any more, if i part it out, its another GS 455 gone forever. maybe i should just keep it for a project for when i get old. i do like red w/ black top. could maybe build a driver quality car, but not a showcar.

henry

 

:laugh: i dunno, even the treads on the tires are rusty on this one, well almost. henry

 

howdy
the worst case of whoop a$$ is from a butt ugly car. But it is so much fun to spank the new Honda with them!
Make it run without the danger of falling to the ground and enjoy the fun!
Mark S

 

I would look for a rust free body shell or at least a nicer shell and put that on your frame.Then put your NOS parts onto it and then(heaven forbid) get some new pop rivets and switch them tags!I would also take several pictures to document everthing,so there would be no problems down the road.You have to remember that even if you sell the car later on, you don't have to get rid of the proof of what was done.I know there will be alot of disagreement with this so....flame away.
Pat

 

Henry,
I am always accepting donations to the "Lost and Abandoned Project GS" cause!:Brow:

Good thing you don't live nearby since that GS could disappear in the middle of the night!:Brow: :grin:

I would keep it and do something interesting like a GSX clone with a blower or a street-sleeper (no options except GS hood) painted some drab color.

 

pat i agree with you about changing bodies. if a part goes bad, change it, even if its the body. the best parts make for the best cars. i saw the thread in the other forum about changing bodies, and while all numbers matching is nice, once you change the oil, or do the first tune-up, a car is no longer original. six cyl. three on the tree skylark 1/4's were stamped in the same machine that the GSX stage 1 four speed 1/4's were stamped in. they're all buick panels. people spend big $ to chase down date coded parts, but if it wasnt on that car from day one, it still isnt an original car, only a proper datecode. ( i know i just reopened the debate ) a rebodied GS is better than no GS.

george i wanted to clone a GSX, but i gave up that idea. it costs so much to tag, insure, and maintain a car. when i was young i wanted to have a fleet, but thats just for the rich guys. i decided i can only afford a couple cars, and when the stage 1 gets finished, i will want to spend my time and money on cruising in the stage 1. i still need to build my 40 coupe also. so many cars, so few $$

thanks, henry

 

This problem is why I am not unhappy to have a cloned GS. Morally I see no issue with swapping the tag, but legally....the law wasn't written with guys who wanted to preserve cars in mind, it was written with fraud in mind. The good guys always pay the price.

 

Henry, it sounds like a cool car... any chance for some pictures? I love those diamonds in the rough....:bglasses:

 

We found a genuine 70 GS455 in a junkyard up here in Maine. The only logical thing to do was build a racecar, so I could lessen the beating on my '71. Good luck!

 

Keep it and fix it. Whatever you do,don't part it out.

As it is,these cars are rare and making this car a parts car takes another car out of circulation.

 

If you don't have the money to fix it,

or you choose not to. Try to sell the whole car, and when nobody steps to the plate, part it out.:jd: :3gears:

 

chris, i sent you a few pics of the car.

henry

 

Posting these for Henry, cool looking project to me. I think this one deserves a resto. :TU:

 

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