Gentlemen, Back about 12 years ago, I went to look at a '70 GS just on a whim. I was looking for a possible future project car. The add described a 455, mostly original decent daily driver. It was owned by a couple that had just gotten married, moved from Connecticut, and were selling the wife's car (the "GS") to help with a downpayment on a house. I showed up to look at the vehicle. It was hard to miss, sitting there with all of its BRIGHT yellow paint. Well, I quickly found a Q-Q paint code on the cowl tag and 20 minutes and some haggling later, drove the GSX home. The car has sat in reasonable climate control ever since without really being touched.......awaiting time for restoration. I really don't know where to begin with it, but before I start tearing into the "hardware" of it, I would like to research the car's beginnings. With only a cowl tag and vin code, where should I begin to look for history on this beaut?? Thanks. TG
I would start with the Sloan Museum. They should be able to tell you everything about when, where, what options, etc came with your car. Find them at: http://www.sloanmuseum.com/ In addition to this site you can join buickperformance.com for $2/year. Just a couple of starting points. Ask lots of questions at both sites. IHTH
Sloan doesn't have any specific VIN information for 1970 GSXs. Contact Wayne Roberts at 248-879-2113. He charges $50 to research a VIN.
So, is the car painted just yellow? Or does it have the GSX paint scheme? Hood Tach? Dash emblem? Front/Rear spoilers? Sounds like a great find you have there. Post some pictures, if you can.
GSX web site A good place for GSX info is Mark Macoubrie's site. Here's the link: GSX site Welcome aboard! Jeff
71 GSX, Luckily, the car is not just yellow. Eventhough I don't think the original owner really knew what she had, I checked the car over pretty carefully before buying it (though, it was a great deal even if it was only a regular GS). The car has the following: -Saturn Yellow (Q-Q paint code) and all GSX striping and ornamentation -GS Hood, Hood mounted Tach and Front & Rear Spoilers - Dual sport mirrors -Stage 1 engine, air cleaner, carb, & dist. -Dual exhaust -Tinted glass -deluxe black bucket seat interior and GSX interior emblem on the dash -Full Rallye gauges -GS(X) steering wheel -AM radio -Automatic, full length console -PDB -PS -15 inch wheels -No holes in fenders, etc. for "GS-stage1" emblems -Rallye suspension with F & R sway bars -Rotted battery tray/core support (I think this was an option, as every Buick I see has it....ha, ha) The car has an IMMACULATE interior (even still has the original "wood disc" spare tire cover in the trunk), but a little fender and quarter rust (great solid trunk, floors, bumpers, and etc.). Who ever originally bought this car either wanted to save some money or just wanted to drag race. It has all of the GSX "stuff" and the stage motor, but does not have any additional options other than Automatic and Long Console (no A/C, pw, pdl, AM/FM, or etc.). Also, get this, the car has 3.91 Rear Gears..........look like factory installed.....definitely GM gears. I'd say this was ordered by one of those "original" Fast with Class guys. Anyway, thanks for the "welcome" guys. I'll have to see if I have any digital pictures of the car. I haven't taken pics of it in so long that I do not remember if I owned a digital camera back then or not. If not, I'll get some together. TG
TG, Welcome to the site.. Your GSX sounds like an original survivor. It sounds sweet. I'd like to see some pics too. BTW....where do you live? There might be some die-hard Buick boys in your neighborhood to help give you a hand if need be... When I first joined, I found 2 guys within 5 minutes of my new house that had nice Buicks...one a GS 455 convertible like the one I have and another with a sweet original Apollo White Stage 1 GSX.....never know............. Lon Bauer
Sounds awesome! And for a good deal too? Can't go wrong. Where abouts in Ct did it come from??? Best of luck with it, and let's get some pics!
TG Is the protect-o-plate in the glove box? That has drive train and paint codes on it.:TU: I would still spent the $50 for the research, even if you can verify it with what you have.:beer
TG, If you find any buildsheets when you start taking the car apart I can decode them for you. All the information and pricing is listed on my website, (classiccarinteriors.com) along with parts I reproduce for your car. Duane
Could it be a real Stage 1?? What a find!!!! Jeez why can't I stumble onto something like this?ou: :TU: :TU: :TU:
Thanks Much!! Thanks guys for all of your suggestions. I probably will do the "VIN search", but will wait a little bit until I start to tear things apart. Who knows, perhaps I will find a build sheet or something hidden inside some dark corner.......... I'm not sure what part of Conn. the car may have come from or if it was even originally sold in Conn. I just know the owner that I bought it from was from there, and frankly I was not smart enough at the time to ask much about the car. I was just trying to pay her and get the heck out of there before someone came along and said, "Gee, is that a real GSX? They are worth LOTS of money. I'll pay you more than this guy is offering.........." Anyway, I'll try and gets some pics, etc. together and keep you fellas posted. TG
Re: Thanks Much!! Good luck TG. Buick was not very diligent with regard to placing documentation within the cars. Some cars go buildsheets, some cars got many buildsheets, while others got a sheet for a different car :gt: FYI - If you do decide to go the Wayne Roberts route, sometimes he can take several months to research a VIN. I wish you luck, and I'd appreciate it if you could please register you car if it turns out to be a true factory Stage1, and also please consider registering it with Mark Macoubrie who is maintaining the GSX registry. We need to determine how many of these cars are left. Thanks! :TU:
