California GS?

I know in he 70's the California cars were usually weaker and had more smog equipment. Is that the case with the California GS, or was it an opion package for the GS cars? In my standard catalog of buick book, I don't think it explains what it is.

 

California GS

This is what I think I know about this subject :laugh: . There are certainly others more knowledgable.

"California" GS was a specially badged GS350 based on a sedan (post coupe) rather than the hardtop body style.

There was also a "Colorado" version, marketed by Buick dealers in that state.

Now, I hope somebody who knows what they are talking about corrects any errors in this!

 

For '67 maybe, as I understand things the '67 GS Californias were only sold in California thus they had whatever smog package Buick used back then.

For '68 1/2 and '69 Buick took it national and you could buy a GS California in any state. The GS California was basically the 350 GS drivetrain in the Special Deluxe chassis, thus the VIN sharing that confuses so many. So you got the 280HP 350 in the lightest chassis Buick made. All GS Californias came with T350 automatic transmissions and vinyl tops. Other options were as ordered though most are very lightly optioned.

 

1970 GS 350 California Convertible

For what it is worth, I just saw a 1970 GS 350 California Convertible for sale at the last car show I was at. Red over white with a/c for 23,900 obo. Detroit, MI. Don't know if it was real or not. The price sure suggests it! :Brow:

 

I would think the 68 Calif. cars came with the 2spd ST300 if you ordered the auto tranny option, like the GS350 did in 68.

I don't believe the Calif. option was available after the 69 model year.

 

Correct. 67's were a 340 4bbl with an ST300, 68's were 350 4bbl with an ST300 and 69's were 350 4bbl with TH350. They are essentially 2dr post special's with the hi-comp motors and GS hoods and emblems. I believe they all had vinyl roofs as well, although I've heard of some without. They weren't marketed in 1970, although a dealer may have done their own??

 

Yup, you guys are right the '68 had the ST300. I was too quick in my typing that they were all automatic transmissions and forgot the T350 started in '69. The order sheet and the dealer brochures state that the vinyl top was mandatory, though I have heard that some people later removed the vinyl tops. Production ceased after '69, no GS Californias in '70. I do have a '69 GS California order sheet and was AMAZED at all the options you could get. I've never seen one with more than A/C, PS, PB (even disks), AM/FM. They were marketed as a low-buck GS so the people buying them kept them simple.

 

I haven't come across a fully optioned one either, but the majority of 68-9 Cal GS's I've seen have had A/C, PS, and PB, which is more than I can say about GS's. Seems like most of them did not have A/C. I guess this makes sense when you consider what/where the market for them was..? Pretty hot/humid in SoCal. I've never seen a Colorado GS in person, but I would guess A/C would be rare for them.

 

I thought the GS had more standard equipment just because its a Buick. Going fast with leather and power everything is cool.

 

From the 69 Books....

* Custom Vinyl Top - California GS Requirement

A7 - High perf. v8 (4 bbl. Carb, 350 Cu. In)

B5 - SuperTurbine 350 Transmission

H2 - Ride and Handling options (specific front shock abs., Front and rear springs, Front Stabilzer bar and rear control arm assy.)

K4 - Depressed Park Windshield Wipers

V7 - Super Sport Wheels

W1 - GS Ornamentation Package: includes GS350 grille, "GS CALIFORNIA" emblem (both rear quarters) Skylark rear deck mouldings (2), GS on sail panel (2), Chrome Air Cleaner

W2 - Custom bright exterior mouldings (belt reveal and wheel opening)

W6 - Custom Bright Exterior Mouldings (Roof Drip Scalp and windshield pillar, Door window and center pillar scalp, rear quarter window scalp

WN = W1 + W2 + W6

X2 - Apearance gruop (carpeting front and rear floor and deluxe steering wheel
OR
X5 - Rallye Interior appearance Group (carpeting front and rear floor and Rallye Steering wheel

(X2 or X5 california GS required)

:Brow: :Smarty: :Comp: :Smarty: :Brow:

 

There's always someone here with the details!! :TU:

 

California's

I have always heard it said that the California's were only available in a sedan body. In 72, when I was purchasing my GS, the dealer had a 72 Suncoupe, hardtop California, Burnt orange w/ white top on the lot. I have also seen a documented 67 hardtop California. Maybe these were fluke cars.
Steve

 

Just to keep the California topic going, was the interior specific for the 68/69 California or was it shared w/ the Special Deluxe (as I need a door panel and some other parts)?
Thanks

 

George,

Same interior as the Special Deluxe. No rear arm rests, just extra weight anyway! Usually vinyl, parchment and blue are the two I see most with accent stripe across the lower seat back and tops of door panels. I like 'em clean and simple!

 

Didn't make a 72 California (unless it was a one-off dealer special), but they did make 67's.

 

I agree with Tim, the dealer who had the '72 found some NOS emblems and thought they'd look cool on one of his cars. Buick didn't make a '72 California.

Hey George, here's the exterior/interior color codes from the '69 Dealer order form for the California GS. It's a crappy scan but maybe you can read it. Upper left is the recommended interior color based on exterior. Upper right is the mandatory vinyl top colors based on exterior color.