This isn't real important, but I see Stage II and Stage 2 used interchangeably. It's clear to me that based on the emblems on the cars, a Stage 1 was the number 1. Why would the Stage 2 be a Stage II? All the emblems I've seen are Stage2. Maybe I'm being pickey, but it's similar to Grand Sport, vs Gran Sport. One is correct and the other is not. Which is it?
I wondered some of the same thing. I've seen it both ways in Buick literature and emblems. Mopar had stage engines with Roman numerals so maybe there was a transition to using the numbers for the Buick?
Wow, I'm glad this thread picked up again! Guy, Any and every little piece of info you can provide me with about the actual Stage 2 GSX would be much appreciated! As for my car, I'm not trying to make it an EXACT replica with all the factory correct options, although I would love to know everything it did come with. By the way, you said the car didn't burn but it did throw a rod... If that's the case then what ever happened to the car??? Leo
The orginal hood scoop (and hood) off the GSX now reside on the Jones & Benisek car. The decal on the scoop is still the original one (although faded) and says "Stage2". I'll try to post a picture. Tom
Tom, if you don't have any pics of your STAGE2 scoop decal, I took a lot of close up's of it. Thank God you and everyone else had the foresight to save that original decal. Wasn't the STAGE2 fender emblem copied from your decal back in the day? Happy T/G day! ps, oops, i have to shoot those pics off to you.ou:
I have not ran it..yet. Have another letter (thanks Dennis Manner) sent to Dennis from Jim Bell, stating the car just ran a 10.89...I forget what speed. And some mention of Tom Rix's Jones & Benisek car, and also Dick Baker's car doing some kind of winning at the NHRA nats.:laugh: When Dave Johnson owned the car his fastest time, I think were 10.30's in the 130's range. Although I'm not sure if he had iron or alum. heads on it at that time. Can't wait to hear what Tom's car will run. I'm sure it will lay down some awesome numbers...and as you know, it is really close to real stage2 form
Guy, I believe you are the one who posted this pic. I was wondering if anyone had a bigger sized one ,as this is how I want to old school look on my car. I am not doing it exactly like it,but the theme is what I am after.Some of the decals are hard to read and I'd like to get some older appearing ones for my car.I want my car to look like it was raced in the 70-72 era.
Guy, Post the pic if you can. I'm having my decal supplier make replicas of the Stage2 and will have by Christmas. And yes I took close up pictures and measurements and sent to Dave Knudsen who made the first metal Stage2 fender emblems. Thanks, Tom
Tom are you going have him make up some sets I would like some sets. I would purchase them from you. Thanks Jeff
Pat...I think it's Pat(bignastyGS) I'll check if there are any better shot's of that car..I like the lettering on it also. Pretty sure this is the car that Pete Reynolds wrecked on the drive home from the track with the slicks on. I'll have to find out more details on it. Tom- I'll post them when I get back...Saturday or Sunday. Could you make extra's? I would like to purchase some also. It would save me from having them made as I knew mine were not exact. Thanks, Guy
Guy, Sorry to keep bothering you but you stated earlier that the Stage 2 GSX didn't burn but that it did throw a rod. If that's the case, then do you know what ever became of the car? I know that some of the parts (like the hood, the hood scoop, the grill emblem, etc.) migrated to other cars, but do you know what exactly happened to the rest of the car? Did Buick take it back and dismantle it, or did someone else get ahold of it? Any info you or anyone else could provide would be very much appreciated. Thank you.
Quote from Buick, Olds, Pontiac Collector Sept. '93: "How rare is it? Let's start with the hood. According to Jim Bell, Buick only made three prototype copies of this hood scoop. Once was on a Stage 2 GSX when it burnt at Flint in the early seventies. The other two still exist--one being the example shown here. While no official records exist as to how many cars came with the Stage 2 equipment, it's safe to say that you could count them on your fingers and still have a few left over. Only three are known to exist, and they remain the fastest creations ever offered by Buick." The article is followed by the photo of the Kenne-Bell/Reynolds car shown in post #14.
It looks like the Stage 2 scoops were steel. A lot of good information here and more to the story. Buick Stage 2 Engine Program by Dave Knutsen "I've heard many confilcting reports on the firey demise of the white GSX car,,,,,,,,,,,,, http://buickperformance.com/Stage2.htm
An interesting quote from the article. "I do have a letter from Buick stating that two factory Stage 2 cars were produced in 1970, but the white and red car are not them."
Here's Toms Scoop with original emblem. As posted before both his and mine are original Buick made STEEL scoops. I would think it's safe to say these are the only one's that exist. When both cars were side by side at the BPG event this past fall, I compared the scoops and air/pan...they are identical. There were always rumor of a third one, maybe out east. Believe me, I've searched, more like investigated it. Everything led to a dead end....anyone find anything different???
That would make sense then. Kenne-Bell got one, two cars were built at the factory, possibly one burnt, the other dismantled; the scoop ending up on Tom Rix's car.
So the answer to my grammer question is that no, there is no Stage II but there is a Stage 2. Just like there is no Grand Sport, but there is a Gran Sport.
