1973 Stage 4-speed Black back up for sale on BAT….

I guess the guy who bought it alittle over a year ago decided it wasn’t all that.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1973-buick-century-gran-sport/

 

Sure is pretty though, and I love those wheels!

But missing the trim around the quarter windows and how do you push the pedals with the ducts hanging down there?

 

Silly not to replace the broken duct and take a close up of it, otherwise, awesome car. Any mention of carb, distributor,block, tranny numbers? Like every other low comp 455, pistons, cam, and some head work and they come to life. They make reproduction window trim but it’s not near the quality as the one piece stainless. 200 for the repro and 400 for the stainless if you’re lucky enough to find a set. Little stuff like floor mats would help. I think you should buy this and wave your magic wand over it like you did your green gs455.

 

I always thought they showed the previous BaT history on cars that sold there but I don’t see it for this car.

 

A LOT has been written about this car here on V8. it was built and raced by Tom Miller in 08-09. It also has been up for sale at Volo since almost back then...There is a lot wrong with the car, and a ton thats right. Personally, I dig it.

 

Wrong car!!!!!!
This car was SOLID!!!!
It's a nice car, it just got represented wrong by previous owners, got a sunroof butchered in,etc.
Do the numbers match, No.
But it was a great running,driving car that was good enough to be featured in a national magazine!

 

Any questions about this car, just ask me.
I don't own it, but can tell you anything about the build.
I would own it again in a heartbeat for the right price.
As stated above, Are there some things that are wrong? Sure there are.
But......a lot is right! Other than that damn sunroof.

 

Sorry Tom , I’m thinking of a different car then I’ll delete my comments thanks for correcting me, I don’t want to provide any false information!

 

When I bought this car, it was an unfinished/abandoned restoration project.
It had already been painted several years prior and had sat in storage when the young man who owned it went off to college, moved out of state, got married, kids, and called back home to Michigan and told his Dad to go over to grandpas and sell the Buick, I'm never going to finish it.
The car had a fully built 455 with lots of kenne bell stuff underhood, as well as headers,etc.
I pulled and sold that engine and all the hotrod parts in favor of stock pieces and a stock build 1973 455.
I sourced a rust free deck lid to replace the one that was on it, which had been acid strip dipped, and left in solid surface rust in storage for years.
Had that painted black, had the roof painted white, and some additional paint repair of garage rash, and completed the car with wheels, tires, exhaust,etc.

Car was originally dark blue with black interior, and may even have been a bench seat car, can't remember.
The body was off frame at one point before me. Correct, No.
Nice, Yes.

Needs whitewalls or Firestone wide ovals.
I H A T E coopers, so ugly

 

I thank you for the history on this car, I believe the interior being blue originally then yes it would have been a bench seat, buckets only came in white in 1973 if I’m not mistaken, again.

What engine and 4-speed did you install in it ?

 

sure wish they start bringing the money this red headed step child deserve. I would love to have this car parked next to mine.

Fernando

 

Tom all the wrong stuff is basically just cosmetic stuff, right? Nothing mechanical or hidden rust as far as you know?

The motor you built, pure stock 73 or does it have some mods like a cam and what not? If stock, 73 Stage 1 stock (as was originally)?

What's the ratio in the rear?

 

Does anyone have a pic of the trim tag.

 

I believe, It was blue with black bench seat interior originally.

 

I'm basing this on prior conversations with Tom - engine is a 73 or later block, build with 70 pistons for as close to 10:1 as minor decking will bring you, TA 212 cam and not much else. Small valve heads with good valve job. Rear gear is 3.42 unless it got changed along the way. Car was very solid back when he built it, should still be as I doubt it's spent a lot if any time out in the weather. I believe Tom completed the 4 spd conversion, but recent work has been done to install correct rods and shifter. I'm sure Tom will be back on, but hopefully this answers some questions in the meantime..

 

Ok.................
The engine is a complete 1973 455 I picked up from a local salvage yard.
Run of the mill, standard bore 455.
At the time I also had a low mileage 1970 455, so I used the pistons and rods in the 73 engine to bump the compression.
I had a really good valve job done on the standard valve heads, and installed a TA212 Cam. That's it, no magic, no big dollar race build.
Previous to me, the car had already been converted to 4 spd using a rusty donor car for pedals,etc.
3.42 posi rear.
Board member Larry Gibson owned the car after me, and he installed a correct restored 1973 shifter and linkages, and may have had the trans rebuilt, or some synchros replaced, can't remember how extensive rebuild on trans was.
It is an M20 wide ratio trans, not an M21close. Thing pulls like a train in 1st.

 

Thanks Tom for your response. I am interested in the car but I've been burned by a purely online purchase before. So I'm asking questions. I appreciate your help even though its not your car anymore.

And yes I understand its been a while since you owned it.