WTB 70-72 GS 455

Discussion in 'Cars wanted' started by Nittany_Hawk, Feb 5, 2021.

  1. Nittany_Hawk

    Nittany_Hawk Member

    Hey all, I have been looking for the past couple of months for preferably 1970 GS 455. Based on what I have come across , I would prefer the 4 speed but realize I will likely only be able to find an auto. Not looking for numbers matching or already restored, want this to be a project for about the next 5 years. However, I also realize where my skillsets end so I would prefer something that needs minimal body work, all for working on mechanical problems and doing interiors. Does not have to be running.

    Trying to spend around the $20k mark. I found one that is around $13k, but it probably needs more body work and rust removal than I would prefer.

    Let me know, as I realize the large online consignment marketplaces only show a little of what is available. Not concerned about location.

    Thanks all.
     
  2. Mike Sobotka

    Mike Sobotka Founders Club Member

    Where you located?
     
  3. Nittany_Hawk

    Nittany_Hawk Member

    Currently in the San Diego area, at least for the next 18 months.
     
    Mike Sobotka likes this.
  4. grisby

    grisby Well-Known Member

    Sent you a PM
     
  5. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    Stage 2 iron likes this.
  6. Nittany_Hawk

    Nittany_Hawk Member

    Replied, thank you
     
  7. Rich Johns

    Rich Johns Platinum Level Contributor

  8. Nittany_Hawk

    Nittany_Hawk Member

    Thanks Dano. The one in Torrance is actually a member here who already reached out to me, so hopefully will check it out next weekend. I can't get the first link to open, but will try later once I get home.
     
    Dano likes this.
  9. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    Yw. I think that 1st one has a lot of potential. Lmk if you can't open & I'll re-post the link.
     
    Nittany_Hawk likes this.
  10. Nittany_Hawk

    Nittany_Hawk Member

    Got it to work. Thanks. You're right, potential and to my understanding, the bucket seats and auto shifter on the floor aren't common. Will definitely watch for it to actually go live.
     
  11. chiefsb30

    chiefsb30 Gold Level Contributor

    To qualify this up front, it isnt my car, I don't know Tom (the owner) and I've never seen it in person. What I will say is if that car is around down the line, I myself may be interested in it. I'd like to get my hands on a 72 and I am not interested in non-Stage cars. It's just a terrible time to do that for me.

    https://v8buick.com/index.php?threads/72-stage-1-4speed-1-of-101-for-sale.365810/

    Its gonna take some money, work and time. But heres my take on redoing cars. A straight 455 car and a Stage 1 (let alone a 4 speed) cost the same to redo. At least assuming you aren't missing a ton of Stage specific parts, and it sounds like this one isnt. One is worth a fair amount more when its all said and done. As long as the block isnt hurt too bad on that one, when you're all done you'd have a really rare car worth some money.
     
    Daves69, Dano and Nittany_Hawk like this.
  12. Nittany_Hawk

    Nittany_Hawk Member

    Thanks chiefs, appreciate the thoughts. I had already reached out to Tom and we have been exchanging PMs. I am working through about 5 options, and trying to make the best decision for me, my capabilities, and the challenges of my chosen profession. You are correct about the rarity, and having the 4 speed is really important to me.

    I admit my main hold up on a lot of these options is, as per my original post, not being super experienced with body work. I don't want to screw up one of these cars that someone could do better, at the same time, I want to do the work and not just take it to a shop and hand over money. I think it's an important skills set to have, and one that is getting quickly lost. Some days I cannot believe how many of the younger people I work with don't own hand tools, can't drive (period, let alone a manual transmission), and would rather wait for someone else to come fix things instead of figuring it out themselves.
     
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  13. chiefsb30

    chiefsb30 Gold Level Contributor

    For sure man, its important to know your limitations, and you know your budget, and situation more than I do. Body work is more of an art, that's for sure. I'm comfortable handing it over to a professional for that. I think its harder to find 455 cars (original ones anyhow if this matters to you at all) in the under 20k range that don't need at least a little body work.

    Regardless of what you decide, I wish you luck. I agree its kind of a dying art. I'm no master mechanic, but I'm a young-ish (I'm the only guy under 40 at my chapter of the BCA) guy with a few older cars and I do at least some of my own work and troubleshooting on them.
     
    Nittany_Hawk likes this.
  14. Nittany_Hawk

    Nittany_Hawk Member

    Thanks Chief. I would join you in that under 40 club, for at least a few more months....

    I know they will all need body work, and I am all for sanding, painting, minor adjustments, dents etc, just not a welder (yet). Not as concerned about all original, numbers matching , because I plan on driving it and not tricking myself into believing this is an investment that can be flipped, so it's all about the right mix. Not trying to cheap out, you get what you pay for in the end. Just trying to find the one that hopefully will be driven by future generations.
     
  15. chiefsb30

    chiefsb30 Gold Level Contributor

    If you aren't worried about numbers, why not maybe look for a GS-350 car. Enjoy it a minute, save some money and gather some parts. And then do a 455 swap. It would make it much easier to find something fairly clean, and that gives you your 4 speed easier too.
     
  16. Nittany_Hawk

    Nittany_Hawk Member

    That would be the smarter way to go, but I prefer to keep things as original as possible. Maybe because I am around too many people that buy a car, debadge it, modify it, and spend money trying to make it something it is not, rather than just doing it right the first time. I am not in a hurry, and this is something I have always wanted so if nothing is out there I will continue to wait. I have my hands pretty full keeping my Dad's early 90s Jaguar going, so I have plenty to do in the garage. I do appreciate the thoughts and ideas though, that's why you join these types of forums.
     
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  17. Nittany_Hawk

    Nittany_Hawk Member

    Just a update. First off, thanks to everyone that reached out to me to offer options and leads. Have met a lot of great people on this site, and gotten to see a lot of great cars. Those who have gotten to know me a little better are aware that I slowed my search this spring because of the possibility of a move. That is happening, so I am going to hold off on anything further until I get settled and established hopefully by August.

    Again, appreciate everyone here and look forward to resuming the search.
     
    Dano and chiefsb30 like this.

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