Just picked up my first Buick finally. a barnfind 1968 GS400 convert. I've been a long time member of classicoldsmobile.com and looking forward to getting my hands dirty on this GS!
Welcome aboard! I’ve got a 68 GS 400 convertible also. I still have to finish the interior in it, but the rest is looking pretty good. I’ll have to find a picture.
Welcome MFGUSA. If you have some photos of the '68 we would love to see them. The '68s are overlooked by many people these days but I find it interesting that 1968 was the best selling year for the A-body Gran Sport with 26,345 units sold. The next highest year was 1970 with 20,096.
Good to know they were popular. That being so, parts somehow seem to be scarce at the swap meets up here in Wisconsin (Iola & Jefferson). Its certainly not going to be like restoring a Chevy.
Hell, anyone can restore a Chevy, this will be a much more challenging and rewarding experience. Welcome aboard!
That '68 will blow the doors off alot of other cars of that era. Once you get the torque to stick to the ground, you will be a legend. That means posi, good converter, carb, timing and sticky sticky tires.
My '70 Olds is simular. Modified 461ci Olds, Monster TH2004R (2800 stall), Girdled 3:91 Posi, ET Drag radials and runs mid 12's. Great unassuming street brawler. Have owned since 1979. I expect to restore the GS back to completely stock. This 400 looks like it may have never had a valve job, but i'm sure it had to because it runs great. All the tins are there and the screws loosen up. Qjet is correct. It looks like all the original vacume lines, although there is some rust and the paint is crap. PS,PB, electric windows and top all work (top fabric in bad shape), pitting on the Faux Pas fender vents and other minor blemishes. Evidence of mice. I'll photograph and document as I go but have 2 cars ahead of it. This is such cool car! I hope it looks like this one when complete. I sure got lucky.
Great looking starting point MFGUSA. I'm curious, what dealership name is shown on this trunk emblem?
It says "Kenne Bell Buick". Just kidding. "Northland Motors, Coleman". It was a used car dealership in N.E. Wisconsin which went defunked back in 1978.
MFGUSA, That's a very cool little detail item that has survived for over a half century on the back of that car. I know that many people prefer the cleaner look of not having a dealer emblem on their car but I like them. I think it's part of their history and adds a little character. 30-863 NORTHLAND MOTORS HIGHWAY 141 AND MAIN COLEMAN, WI
I agree to a point BUQUICK but I consider them just advertisement. Of course I will retain it but not include it. I could also parade this car as a survivor and I may just do that, duck tape and all, and see what happens. But certainly not forever. I know patina'd cars get lots of attention these days.
