1970 buick gs 455 3 speed

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/cto/5535486853.html


not mine

 

The question is, why would anyone buy a new GS455 with a 3 speed? Why did Buick even offer such a thing? Was it that much cheaper?

 

I am not a order expert by any means but I think a box needed to be checked at order time for M/T 4 speed or it showed up as a M/T 3 speed by default?

Regardless, what's with the shifter handle on backwards? Hard telling for sure, but it looks like right handle but wouldn't clear the console if on the other way, so is it not a 5335 handle?

 

Back in the day, 3 on the tree was the default. You had to pay more for anything above that, including having it on the floor. I've even seen Impalas with a 250 CI 6 and 3 on the tree! Once, and only once, I saw a Dodge Polara with a slant 6 and 3 on the tree. It went surprisingly well. Some people buy new cars and can't afford all the bells and whistles. A 455 in that car is still gonna win races, even with only a 3 speed. :Brow:

 

Insurance was a lot cheaper with a 3 speed vs a 4 speed. And yeah, what's up with that backwards shifter?!?!

 

I believe this is correct: On the GS 350, I believe the standard (default) transmission was a three speed manual on the column. However, when the big block GS 455 model was ordered, the default transmission was also a three speed, but it was a floor mounted shifter instead.

So, if a Dealer or Purchaser ordered a car and did not specify a transmission (as in actually check the box for an automatic or four speed option), then the car was built with a three speed manual and big block vs small block determined which type of shifter.

I have seen a '71 GS 350 three speed floor shift convertible before, so I assume that the floor mounted manual shifter was an option on the GS 350.

 

The option code for a floor shift 3 speed on the GS350 was B9, otherwise it was a column shift.

 

It looked better with the 3spd shifter in it. I liked it being a 3spd as it was different. Same reason I like Buicks they are rare and different

 

Is this your old car Ryan?

 

It was last owned by be before selling to current owner in early 2015. It had the three speed when I sold it. And yes, Ryan owned it before me.

 

I was talking to Ryan about this car before you bought it. Man, these cars sure get around! My old 71 Stage 1 had 3 owners in the first 38 years of it's existence (me for 23 years) and since I sold it in 2009, I think it has had 6 or 7 owners, most of them shops or flippers... I still want a three-pedal car, maybe one day...

 

Mike,

I Would have kept it except it was going to a cost a small fortune to put in A/C. I must say it was a blast to drive... The 3 speed was fantastic.

 

At BG a certain Chicago area flipper had a 4 spd 70 stage 1 and ran it in the quarter right at 14 seconds a couple years later he had the same kind of car with a 3 spd it was a tenth or so faster. Bothge S1 convertibles restored to original. I cannot verify it is faster but think about the torque less shifts and longer time pulling in each gear.

 

I loved that GS but I was tired of paying for storage and it was just to nice a car to leave outside. It was a great car when I sold it and when rjggs455 bought it he fine tuned it making it even better. I don't know why the guy put BFG tires on it. The Mickey Thompson tires I had on it when I sold it were like new and I think they were far better tires. I hate that shifter he has in it now. Parts Place inc repops the correct 4spd shifter. Some people just have to mess around with whats working great and change things. I liked it better as a 3spd.

PS John I have had 4spd 455's and this 3spd was just fine and just as fun. I really don't think the difference in speed between the two was significant at all.

 

Ryan,

The Thompson tires still had a lot of tread wear when I sold it to this guy. I agree they are much better tires than BfG's.
Also noted in his CL ad that a couple of the VIN numbers are not correct. Maybe a typo.... ? Correct VIN is 446370K116263

 

Im sorry guy's but 4 speed anything sucks..they lack kick and garnny gear.. In my family 4 speed anything was considered school bus, towing, push mobile, sunday family church car or truck..4 speed suck

 

You're joking, right?!?!

 

do you remember what the ratios were? 1 2 or 3 groove? and what was the rear end ratio? Sounds awesome. I have always wanted a saginaw three speed as well but everyone told me 3 speeds are junk and would disintegrate instantly with the slightest blip of the throttle on a 455.

 

Someone told you wrong. The strongest manual transmission, 3 or 4 speed, used by GM was the Ford 3 speed used in the late 60s.

The cast iron Muncie 3 speed used in 70-72 was also tough.

I have see aluminum case 4 speed Muncie trans like the one in our 70 GSX completely blow the case.

I think someone may have been referring to light duty Saginaw trans designed for 3 on the tree. They were never designed to handle a lot of torque.

 

The 70 GS455 3spd transmission is a one year only transmission if I remember correctly. Compare the 70 and 71 assembly manual for reference