Help with buying - 72 Buick GS

I really don't know a lot about Buicks so I thought I would ask the guys and live and breath them. I'm looking at a 72 Buick GS that's for sale and I'm wondering what you think. It is a 350 car with ram air hood, 4-speed manual tranny, buckets and console, and vinyl top. The car supposedly runs although not too well I'm sure. I dont' know what type of brakes it has but it doesn't look like there is a booster in the engine bay picture. As far as rust and repair it looks like it needs a windshield, quarter panels, a fender if the dent can't be worked out, and possibly a hood if the corner can't be fixed. They are asking $3,000. Would you go for it?

 

its hard to say...post some pics here if you have


check for core support (battery side) situation and if you could window channel rust...rust in trunk and floors ....



72 ? ....booster it should have ...

bottom line ....original gs with 4 speed is more desirable ...even the 350gs
...and $3,000 for a running and descent looking original gs is not bad at all ...

besides ..you have this great forum to help you out :3gears:

 

I have more than 3k in 4 spd changeover parts so I think its a good deal. Maybe if you show up with cash you can do a little better. There are parts available for this car!

 

I know right? I thought all '72 cars had boosters but it doesn't look like this one does. Could it be an earlier year? Check out the engine pictures I attached. Here is a link to the listing.


http:/ /anchorage.craigslist.org/cto/1208964728.html

 

Car has a '72 breather on it. LH breather intake substantially smaller than the RH & triangular in shape vs. rectangular. This was '72 only to make room for the AIR (smog) pump.
My '71 Skylark was shipped new with manual drum brakes, no booster. This isn't highly unusual.
Someone here was asking recently about which cars had oil fill tubes on them.
Looks like this one does.

 

There are going to be a lot more rust issues than you listed. And fixing it is going to be a lot more expensive than you are figuring.

 

I was asking, and this 350 indeed has the oil fill tube. For that money, I'd try to lowball him with cash, and make it safe to drive, ie run good, stop good , all lights function and then just drive it. If you ever need to get rid of it, the 4 gear stuff will be worth money.

 

Yeah, I'm sure there will be some floorpan work and such. How do these cars normally hold up? Do the frames usually stay solid?

 

Yes most of the time the frames are solid. Let me know where it is if you decide not to buy it.

 

Hmm. Not sure what I'll do. It's in Anchorage, Alaska. A ways from you lol.

 

Yeppers that to far. I wonder if this is the same red or orange car from ebay last year? Cannot be too many 4 spd GS's out there.

 

According to the internet there were only 353 350 4-speeds made. One is currently on ebay right now and then this one.

 

That looks like a pretty good deal, I'd take it

 

To me, it depends on how much you want the car. If it were repaired correctly it would be a fun car, and one that you won't see. A major overhaul adds up to more than the value of the car a lot of the time, unless you are skilled at doing it your self.
If you want an original 4 speed GS like that, the production numbers say to buy it. If it's just a car that could be fun, then look for another one.
That's the way that I see it, but like with women, when it comes to cars every man has their own threshold of what they will tolerate when looking for one.
Parts are available, which is more than you can say for 64 - 67 so it's worth doing to the right guy. You just have to ask your self if it's worth it to have a nice car that's one of about 350.

 

if I were you i would be prepared to exspect alot more work than you think.

next I would buy it and restore it to original condition. A 72 GS 4-speed can only go up in value once the econonmy gets better.

 

And THAT, ladies and gents, is the quote of the day.

 

Oh for f@%$ sakes, just buy the damn thing!

 

:laugh: ..Later,Tony.

 

That old girl has been sitting awhile..(not in a dry environment probably) all that surface rust in the engine bay for example probably has to be blasted. Looks like a "frame off" to me!! $$$$..get ready!!! Later,Tony.

 

my car is one of 351 with the 4spd and I have looked at quite few over the years.I have never seen another w/a manual.

If I'm not mistaken that car should have 4G37K at the beginning of the VIN.

Good luck with her!