Question '69 GS - Trim on sides - Option or not?

I love when we all find out more info I will admit I know very little about what happened in 1968-69 on the build sheet it shows the GS convert was built in flint ( H in the ser# ) but in the 3rd picture there is a stamp on the part 43437 cool


ken :grin:

 

Is there trim on this 1969 Stage1 advertisement???


:Brow:

 

Marco, it looks like a painted stripe to me.

 

How about this one - painted or pot metal?

 

And, another GS400

You can tell I'm busy at work today :laugh:

 

I have all those adds and they are all paint stripes at least on the two GS400 ones I will look closly at the Green GS350 add but by postion of the the lines and the width I would say a pin stripe for sure NOT a molding especiaslly on the Stage 1 add it is clear as a bell that it is a pinstripe I have had all these adds for 20 years as well

Ken

I am not disputing the trim ( ok maybe I am ) I am just as curious as the rest of us and love documentaion

 

Another angle on Rick's '69 stage1

 

Guys,
I can decode almost everything on the 69 Production Order Body Final Buildsheets, but I have never seen an "O" ornamentation code before.

Currently there is no factory info for the 69 buildsheets, so I use original buildsheets from cars with known options and cross reference them to figure out the codes. Just did one for a 69 Stage 1 car.

If anyone has any of these sheets and could send me a copy it would help.
Duane

PS. Tom, I think the code for the Wire Harness is "SB" not "S3". If you could check that and verify the "O" ornamentation code I would appreciate it. Thanks.

 

That picture makes it clear ( at least to me ) that the trim is NOT factory installed the wheel well trim is full length around the wheel and is not correct for side trim! I found a correct pic of a 69 trim

http://www.cars-on-line.com/69buick2625.html
http://www.korsgaard.us/1969_buick_skylark_convertible.htm
both of these have the correct rear tirm for a 69 skylark with side moldings


Ken

Just for your information

here is how it should look on a correct 1969 IMHO

 

I had 2 69' GSs and 1 had the side molding and the other did not. They were original from the factory and I still have 5 of the 6 original pieces (for sale if interested). I am only missing the short one from the drivers quarter panel. I think they are stainless not pot metal.


Mike
carcrazy455@yahoo.com

 

Ornamenation code "O".

Hi Duane,

It is ornamenation code "O". Easier to see in person and tuff to photo. You are right on the "SB" not "S3".

Any ideas? uzzled:

Thanks!

T

 

Tom,
Thanks for posting the picture. I started working on the decode and noticed 2 more codes that I need off it. In the middle of the sheet, just right of Electrical Options is "Color" and "Steering", I could use those codes too. Maybe you could snail mail me a paper copy for my records, hint hint.

The ornamentation codes are one of the last things I need to figure out on these sheets. This is only the 5th one of these sheets that I have. If I could get around 10 more to cross reference I would probably have all my questions answered.

It's a shame that these sheets are so rare, and that the Sloan museum has no info for 69 cars.

Don't worry it took me 10 years to get all the 70 info figured out, but only 2-3 more years to get all the 71-72 info. I am getting better at this.
Duane

 

Update,
Guys, I don't think this buildsheet is for a car with the trim, it appears to be a stripped down model, but there is one interesting thing. The code for the instrument gauges is for the police car package.

It could be a cop car.
Duane

 

Duane,

It was right on the masking tape crease :rant:

I did the best I could. I would say Color "S" and Steering "B"?

PM me you addy and I will get a color copy in the mail!

Thanks,

Tom

 

Tom,
Thanks, for the codes, and the copy. I will PM you my address.
Duane

 

Unless I'm missing it, that built sheet is not for this car. The paint on the insides of the panels is code 55 Turquoise Mist. The build sheet lists code 51 (dark blue?). Also, the body serial number didn't match the body buck tag by several hundred cars 127531 vs 127129, the VIN listed is 9H202940, vs the actual VIN 9H20293X. This could be a true factory "error".

The side trim is typically a Skylark or Custom part. Not to say that it wasn't "dealer added". Might want to drop the fuel tank and pull that copy of the build sheet (if it's still there).

The scary thing is if this car could of been "cloned" at some point in it's life. Take a good look at the rivits that hold the VIN tag down. The body buck tag looks original and untampered.


Looking at my orinial '69 GS California built sheet. The aircleaner should be
R 9 for the fresh air hood. I'll post again after I figure my build sheet out.

Jim

 

Here's the breakdown of my '69 GS California;

Line number = 0520
Date = 09 10 (September 10, 1968)
Body Serial number = 013233
Model series/style = 35 27 - 2 dr post
Heater = H4 - 3spd heater unit, non a/c
Instument Panel - trim J4, clstr AH, Wire harness SA, Top cover AJ - standard instrument cluster, no gauges
Brake Pedal = A P - car has power drum
Shift Linkage = B - colum shift auto
Wiper = D - 2 speed hideaway wiper
Color = K - Turquoise Mist
Strg = P - power assist steering
Fan - shroud = B - car has 350 cu engine
Mirror = R - manual driver side mirror
ANT = A - power rear mount antenna
Horn = 1 - single note Std horn
Whl. Cvr. = X - chrome 14x6 buick rally
Mats = 1 - black rubber (white Buick logo)
Radio = AA - am
Tape Rear Spkr = R - front mounted speaker
Strg Colum = SE - std auto trans colum
Fuel Gauge = 1 - dash mounted
Strg Wheel = 4J - Deluxe Buick wheel, not ralley wheel
Spdo Cable = B - TH350 automatic
Radiator = SK
Frt Lamp Harness = SL - std harness, no cornering lamps
Bat'ry = 4
Air Clnr = R9 - dual inlet GS breather
Tires = CW - E78 WW bias belted

The rest is vehicle specific as to keys and vin.

Based on my info and your build sheet the car should have manual drum brakes, manual mast antenna, white wall 14 inch tires, hub caps(?), 2 note horn, AM radio, auto shift steering colum, deluxe steering wheel, no cornering lamps, no extra courtesy lighting, no auto level system, no power options.

So based on this info, I'm wondering if the convertable may have been converted into a "GS". My reasoning is the fan shroud "B" is a 350 piece as is the "B" spdo cable. The manual brakes on a convertible are a little different, most GS400's I've seen have the power unit. The "add-on" side trim is another question mark. I'm probabley wrong, but it seems like it may have been a low level Skylark convertable painted Turquoise Mist. If a buyer wanted changes made, it could happen.

Is any of the other trim strange to the car, trunk trim with BUICK letters cast in? Lower spears on the front fenders? Port Hole trim holes that got filled in?

Let us know, maybe you have a factory error. That would be really neat to prove.

Jim