Looking to do the GSX Theme on the 72 GS 455. The one change I would be made is the way the stipe went into the hood molding, looks unfinished to me and like the GSX proto type ended the stripe before hood molding.
My opinion is if you want to stripe it as a GSX then you should do just that. Anytime you change/modify something from what is considered as “year correct” it affects the value upon resale, especially with paint. It’s one thing to install a part that can readily be changed out, but if you change the painting design that makes an issue. Having to re-paint a car, if you want to make it year correct, really turns people off and often kills a sale. Just something to think about. Duane
It definitely just adds something for the potential buyer to obsess on but if it’s a car for you, build it how you like it.
Phoenix graphics makes the strip kit and makes a decal set for a GSX. Its very very nice. Only part you paint is the hood.
Phoenix’ old kit that I bought in 2007 required painting all the GSX stripes, so that’s a nice change! Side note … I bought my 70GSX in 2015. The original owner had completed a frame off resto. He painted the hood factory matte black, but the side & over the spoiler stripes gloss black? He had passed so I never got to ask him why? Then in 2018 I saw Brad Conley’s GSX prototype for the first time at the MCACN show. Low and behold, the side stripes were gloss black … and I actually like them better! Easier when waxing the car too. I get “dinged” a few points in concours judging, but so what. Same thing with radial tires …. The Polyglass GT’s look great but they really don’t drive very well! I’d say make it the way YOU like it!
You cannot use my car, and the finishes on it, to say this is correct. While mine does have "glossy" stripes, the correct factory stripes (no matter what anyone else says...) is a semi-gloss finish on a production GSX. They used one paint gun to apply both hood and side stripes. This was verified by Duane with the GUY THAT PAINTED THEM on 3rd shift back in the day.
Here are some measurements for the hood stripes. This is hard to read here because the board reduces the image size. Send me your email address in a private message and I'll send the full size versions that are clearer if you want them. The Magazine article shows different measurements than Dave's car on the distance from the tip of the stripe to the front edge of the hood. This weekend I'll compare to my original paint car and see what it tells us. Hood photos from Dave Knutsen Here is some side stripe info from the Guide to Muscle Cars magazine article as well.
Hey Brad, was just saying I liked it better … and that is probably why mine is the same way, the previous owner must have liked it better too! Not implying it was correct. T
When we “cloned” my wife’s 72 GS into a “GSX” (that’s what she wanted) from sunburst yellow/brown vinyl top/brown interior, now 10-10 and a black interior we did it mostly “by the book”with a few exceptions like an upgraded radio, usb plug, etc. You know the drill, happy wife .. happy life! That’s the beauty of building a tribute car that you’re going to drive and enjoy! Make it the way you like it. Concours Numbers matching “401k” collector show cars are an entirely different animal. T
Their decal kit looks a hell of a lot better than the stencil kit I bought a couple years ago. The stencil kit was complete garbage.
When me and my dad done my GSX back I. High school circa 2000,...we rounded the hood stripes like the prototype,...and used 3/16 for the red stripe,...also we buried them in the clear,...painted the stripes first,..then the body color,..couldn't feel the edge anywhere,..and never buffed it,...little more bold and in my opinion looks better
As far as value goes,...I wouldn't let that deter you,..1 it's your car,..build it for you 2 it's a 72 455 car,....not a real valuable example 3 modifying the stripes to suit your taste is of no consequence,...only people that will know it's been changed is SOME buick guts Make it yours,..
