Hello, I haven't posted for at least six years, I am looking to purchase a 71 Stage1, 455 convertible, driver condition. Sloan has said that they are the most difficult year to determine if it is a Stage1. It was from Flint Michigan, has a BB trans, Fender emblems and air cleaner sticker which doesn't mean too much. It is a matching numbers, unmolested driver with a greasy, never removed engine. Should the carburetor have special Stage1 serial numbers? Distributor? Are there any other indicators on a factory stock car that would help verify or reject it as a Stg1? Dan
Carb should be 7041242 and distributor ending in 016. Looks nice! Mine was that color but I painted it 98Buick midnight blue....my son keeps kicking me .....
Stage one documentation for a 71 was lost in the fire. If the Vin number matches the car on the block and transmission it’s the real deal there should be a TS stamped by the five and seven cylinder spark plugs on the deck of the block. Depending on when the car was built, the Vin number should be stamped on the front of the block behind the power steering pump, or on the deck of the block right above the number one to spark plug. Distributor should be a June built 1970 stage 1 distributor. I don’t remember the Stage 1 Carburetor number.
Thank you I didn't know that the burnt orange was called Bittersweet. My 1954 Mercury Monterey is also called Bittersweet orange!
Appreciate it! So the question is..repaint? 20 footer but orig. paint. Us Buick guys seem to be the only ones who like both both speed improvements and beautification. Not so much original chalk marks like the Mopar guys. But it is a rare vehicle so maybe originality counts more in this instance.
For original paint it's looking good! More and more people are appreciating flawed/patina originality vs a repaint. Remember, once you repaint, you can't go back! Congrats on a great find. I'd do everything necessary to make it safe & sound, then drive it as-is for max fun factor and enjoyment. You can always change your mind "down the road". Devon
I love originality as long as it’s not trash. Rust and torn up interior isn’t appealing to me though. what you have there is a 1 of 81 Stage 1 convertibles in 1971 if I’m not mistaken.
