1970 Buick GS Stage 1 (Orig. Show Car?)

Discussion in 'Cars and Parts For Sale Leads' started by Dano, Jun 11, 2017.

  1. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

  2. mrolds69

    mrolds69 "The Cure"

    Yes, real deal I believe. It's been kicked around on here before.
     
  3. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    I had been absent from here for quite a while, but now that you mention it, I kinda' remember stumbling across a thread @ some point in a search for something else.
     
  4. TWO72"s

    TWO72"s Silver Level contributor

    John Chamberlin owned that car and I believe had it restored. Then he sold it but not much info of where it ended up after that. Absolutely going to be worth a ton of money some day , it really belongs along side Brad Conleys prototype for years to come
     
    john.schaefer77 likes this.
  5. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    That seems like a reasonable price unless I'm missing something - I'm suprised Brad doesn't own it already. Hopefully he'll chime in here.
     
  6. Brad Conley

    Brad Conley RIP Staff Member

    Yep, real deal. Only a couple of numbers in VIN and body number from mine. I've got all I can handle now as it is.
     
    Brett Slater likes this.
  7. Brian Albrecht

    Brian Albrecht Classic Reflections

    IIRC John sold it at Mecum some years back and it's been in auction/sales limbo since. With any luck, it will end back up with a Buick enthusiast some day. Knowing John, the thing probably ran really well!

    https://www.mecum.com/lots/CH1014-195840/
     
  8. TWO72"s

    TWO72"s Silver Level contributor

    Just hard to imagine that one of the buick guys in a comfortable financial position does not own this car. I guess maybe the spotless white interior and the rarity would make stand alone as a trophy only though , really cant be driven
     
  9. TWO72"s

    TWO72"s Silver Level contributor

    Anybody know the actual sale price at the Mecum auction ?
     
  10. TWO72"s

    TWO72"s Silver Level contributor

    Quick question for you Brad . On the prototype cars , can they ever be registered and driven ? Or are they off road display legal only ?

    Thanks
     
  11. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest

    $72.5K at Mecum. Before it sold at no reserve for this it had no saled for maybe 125K-135K due to not meeting reserves at two other auctions.
     
  12. Brad Conley

    Brad Conley RIP Staff Member

    Sure can. Mine is, at least. They were titled, VIN'd etc. I have plates on mine and have since I bought it in 1978. I now have Permanent Historical plates. "Back in the day", things were a lot looser with these types of things.
     
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  13. yachtsmanbill

    yachtsmanbill Well-Known Member

    Rare as can be, but I would feel weird riding in it. It makes me think of that poor puppy from "The Fly" that got transported and back turned inside out. Buicks' advertising manager mustve had a fight with his wife before he OK'd that red thing. I'd think Buick would've put out the hottest number that he brain-stormers could've come up with for the "drool" factor instead of the hurl one. Sorry, just MOHO.... ws
     
  14. Thumper (aka greatscat)

    Thumper (aka greatscat) Well-Known Member

    Ah, but it was driven. Fast Eddie Balling in Columbus owned it prior to John,he sold it to john needing full restoration,which John did an exceptional job. The car was part of Columbus based Len Immke Buick's acquisitions along with Brads. Eddie picked it up sometime after Immke had it and street raced it. I'm pretty sure my facts are correct, Eddie or Brad can correct me if not.
     
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2017
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  15. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    I seem to recall that story. John said that he drove it in his socks so he didn't get the white carpet dirty:D
     
  16. Brad Conley

    Brad Conley RIP Staff Member

    Yep. That was s correct. Mine was also driven as an everyday car for several years. Street raced too!
     
    Brett Slater likes this.
  17. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    I remember seeing yours in one of the muscular publications back in the 80's (along with the black GSX) but forget how you stumbled upon it? Or them?
     
  18. Brad Conley

    Brad Conley RIP Staff Member

    Well, no real mystery, just at the right place at the right time. A good friend (Kevin) of mine had bought the Prototype from a friend of his (John) who, neglecting to tell mom & dad he had dropped out of school, needed to unload the car. He had bought it from Greer Rouda, the son of Harley E. Rouda, a prominent realtor in Columbus. Kevin needed to sell something as he had the GSX, a 1969 Boss 302 and a brand new (at the time) 1978 Ford Econoline 1 ton box van and was making car payments on all three. Remember, 1978 was dismal as far as the economy was concerned. Interest rates were in the teens, at best. It was not a good time to be heavily in debt with car loans. Something had to go. I was there and he named his price, which was to pay off the GSX's loan ($1850.00). I had to borrow $2200 as the GSX needed tires...badly. Borrowed the money (I was 20 years old at the time...my parents were having a fit!) and never looked back. True story.

    The Black GSX also was owned by a good friend, Marty. A mutual friend of Marty's and mine (Mike) saw the Black car in a used car lot near Ashville, Ohio, between Columbus and Circleville, Ohio. Mike reported back to us his findings and Marty and I went down to check it out. We were prepared, as I had hooked up my open trailer behind the '72 Electra, ready to take her home. This was about 1981 or so. I need to say, Marty owned a 1979 Mustang GT 5.0 that was a giant turd. He was ready to see that thing go bye-bye in a big way. Well, when we got to the used car lot, there was this 1971 GSX painted Black. Never had seen one, but it did look correct. Back in those days, no one had heard of a GSX in any color other than white or yellow. Well, like I said, Marty was ready to DUMP this turd of a Mustang and was willing to PAY to make the switch. The old guy that ran the car lot offered to PAY MARTY money to make the deal. Titles flew and, while Marty was finishing up paperwork, the owner told us we had to get the car out of there...NOW. Someone else was supposed to come and buy the car in 15 minutes. Being the good friend I am, I offered to drive the car a couple of miles up the road (to Ashville, Ohio), park behind a gas staton and Marty would meet me there. I flew up the road, ditched the car behind the building and waited for Marty. About 25 minutes later, he pulled up in the Electra with trailer in tow. He got out of the car, busting out laughing, telling me the guy SHOWED UP as he was walking out the door!! We switched keys and drove home. A few years later, Marty decided to sell the car. I had always told him I wanted to buy it when he was ready. He let me know he was ready and I talked my dad into buying it so we could enjoy a hobby TOGETHER. Dad traveled a ton when I was growing up and I really never got to see him too much. That car was the means for me to get to know my dad really well.

    That's my story and I'm sticking to it. :)
     
  19. TWO72"s

    TWO72"s Silver Level contributor

    Awesome story Brad thank you for sharing . I have been drooling over your 1971 Black GSX most of my life !!!! Thank you for preserving the best of Buick GSX History for us all to enjoy
     
    Mike Sobotka likes this.
  20. 72STAGE1

    72STAGE1 STAGE 1 & 2

    If I could buy the Red 70 Proto today I would, but they're again wanting $89,900, doubt they'll take the $72k I would offer.
     

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