I am talking to someone out of my state about purchasing his car. When he bought the car, he was told that it was supposed to be a matching numbers 1971 GS455. There was no paperwork or documentation to support that fact. I have pretty much made a deal with him, but have some concerns. I am not worried about it being numbers matching car, but am concerned that it was truely a GS455 to begin with. While researching this year, I have become aware that they are extremely difficult to confirm what they were. Seems like the vin code of 434371G just tells me that it is a 1971, a 2 door hardtop coupe, built in Framingham, but it could have been a V8 Skylark or a GS350 or a GS455. I did see on this site that I can check out the steering conection for some possible identification of a small or big block car. I was hoping to find something more concrete, but notice Sloan documentation is not available for the 1971 model year. I also saw a reference to: GS Historic Society Wayne Roberts 5721 Livemois Rd Troy MI 49098 810-879-2113 I tried calling the number, but it is either wrong or disconnected. I am looking for some help in trying to figure this one out before I pay GS455 money for a Skylark. Thanks, Bruce
Gsx Society has no records for your car. Is it an automatic trans car? If so look to see if it has a TH 400 trans. To verify it belongs to your car look for the numbers just above where the pan mates on the drivers side.
Was the car ever in Canada? Original GM Canada import documents are still readily available for '71 & other years. Made in the USA, imported into Canada by GM. Easy way to verify a '71 only if it was sold new here.
434 is a factory GS or Sport wagon only, Skylarks had different #'s. No way to tell by the vin if it was a 350 GS, but if the matching numbers doesn't mean much buy it, because it certainly is a factory GS.:bglasses:
I guess the Buick GS specification numbers on Musclecarclub.com are not correct. That's were I saw the V8 Skylark listed as also having 434 as part of it's vin number. Well, that's one step closer to being what I hoped for! Now if I could only confirm it was a 455 car.........:idea2: Though it now has a 455 in it, there is a price difference in the market between a GS350 and a GS455. Then again, if I am having this much trouble, so would someone else if I ever sold it. But I am a straight shooter and I need to find out the facts for sure. I don't want the car mis-represented to me and I will NOT do that to someone else if I ever have to sell it. I still would like to track down Wayne Roberts if possible. Bruce
Why not tell us where it is, and we could probably find someone trustworthy on here nearby to check and verify in person for you.:idea2: Wayne HAS NO ANSWERS for you.
Documentation does not exist with Wayne or the Sloan Museum on 71's for some reason. No one can figure why no papers exist. Some say fire at GM etc. Duane just reminded me in another post here that the frame part number is GS455 specific. I knew this but forgotou: . You need to lay down and look at tht side of the frame behind the rear drivers wheel. There will be a part number along with a date code and maybe a manufacturers number like HAYES. It is located about a foot from the absolute rear of the frame. It may take some cleaning and some rags or sandpaper etc. to locate. Not likely that anyone would have changed the frame to a 455 from 71 because very rare so if correct part number it would be good bet it was a 455. I will post number for frame and try and post a picture of mine later.
Frame # is 1237139. Ask the seller if he can find the number and shoot you a picture of it and that would solve the problem.. Is this the same Framingham built car that is located in RI in the other post that is Dark Brown or just coincidence?
Dan & Dave, Thank you for your replys. The information provided is helpful. Just as I thought, 1971 is a tough year to figure out. It is probably why I was looking for a 1970 first and a 1971 secondly. I will follow up after I go to pick up this car. This car is not located in R.I. But, I need to ask this. Why do the vin decoders show a 1970-71 V8 Skylark as having the same "34" code as the GS? Is it correct or a typo flaw? Thanks, Bruce
If it wasn't printed by Buick, don't trust it. I quickly referenced a Buick parts catalog I have on my pc. I will go check my COMPLETE 71 Buick assembly manual (the Bible) to verify.:bglasses:
Some clues would be the big block steering shaft and the frame reinforcements on the rear upper control arms. Make sure it has the T-400gas pedal and not the small block style. The trans crossmember is unique to the big block cars as well. None of these are qualifiers by themselves, but together could prove an arguemnt beyond a reasonable doubt. Right Jim? And as Jim pointed out, if its a matching numbers T-400, then its a real big block car
Confirmed 434 is GS & Sport W, also: Skylark vin was 433 and Skylark Custom 444. Buick has more inaccurate info published out there by NON-Buick publishers than any other brand I know of. Why? Because the writer had no Buick knowledge, or referenced a book that was NOT a factory manual which had mistakes. If it isn't a factory manual, ASSUME it is wrong!:beer
A special THANK YOU!!! :beer goes to Chris Pollak for all his help in helping me find my newest addition to my collection, a red 1971 GSX clone with a 455 and console automatic. :TU: I am still doing more research on the car and will report what I find at a later date. It's a good start and a welcome addition, as I add a Buick to my mini collection. I purchased the car from a gentleman in Greenville, South Carolina (24 hr. round trip to pick it up this weekend), but it was from the Jacksonville, Florida area prior to that. If anyone might have information on this car, I would appreciate hearing from you. I am in need of some replacement parts to start tweeking it, so check out my thread under "parts wanted"---'71 GS interior parts wanted. Bruce
A minor add on to my original message: Many folks on the board here do not know Chris by his real name, but rather by his sign on, which is cjp69. Without him, I would not be the owner of this car. His undaunted pursuit of a GS that matched up with what I was looking for took me to South Carolina. As I am new to Buicks, his guidance has also been much appreciated. As I get further into the checking out of this car, it seems to be getting better and better. Who knows what I might finally find as far as numbers matching, but as it is right now makes me a happy guy. :grin: And even better...the wife likes it too! Bruce<!-- / message -->
