Have a question. If you started with a Base 455/350 HP engine and upgraded it to the Stage 1 455 specs. Is it ok to lable the air cleaner with Stage 1 decal? This just occured to me, because when I bought this Buick GS BB, the engine had been rebuilt to Stage 1 specs. I know a lot of guys go way past Stage 1 engine performance builds. Vet (JR)
Sure, why not, it's just an indicator of a particular engine combo. Just don't go trying to pass it off as factory delivered, and you will be fine. JW
You can make-up any story you want, you’re the one telling it. But ask yourself, do You really want To be that guy?
I disagree, it denotes a Special Car, adding anything after The fact Is called fake, clone, tribute, freugazzi.
Ok, looks like everybody is on board with the Stage 1 issue I aired. I would never try to sell a Counterfeit car. I have the built sheet and the Sloan report. Those documents are much more valuable. The only time this car gets sold is when I die. Vet (JR)
I understand what you're saying. However, i'am not liking that the engine had been upgraded to the Stage 1 level. Remember, I didn't rebuild the engine, it was already upgraded when I bought it and advertised that way.
Jim says go for it, what more do you need? Fully agree. Stil, not sure why you wasted your time and money on actual engine upgrades. Any knowledgable ricer will tell you decals on the window are what adds HP.
Here's the full story. Originally, I wanted to buy a Stage 1 Buick, however, when I found out how much a fully "Restored" turn-key Stage 1 cost, I quickly realized my $$$ pockets are not deep enough to afford a Stage 1. After looking several years for the "right Buick", I happened to come across an Ad in Classic Autotrader. I sent the Ad to a friend on this forum and asked, what do you think of this car? He said go for it, I know the Restorer and engine builder and you will love it. It's a first class build. Another forum member drove to the Classic car Dealership and checked it out for me. This 1970 GS 455 is as close as I can get to a Stage 1, the engine was rebuilt to Stage 1 specs (also ported), which I really love. The previous owner had the F-41 suspension package installed and it handles super nice. It also has a shift kit with the TH400 trans and it really shifts fast, I like it. It also has A/C which my wife appreciates. Even though at my age (74) she thinks I'm reliving my teens, LOL. Wish I could have afforded a car like this in my teens. The only draw-back, it was advertised as having a 3.42 posi and when I had the shop check it out, it turns out to be a 2.93 posi. Since I only street drive it, going to car shows and visiting a gear head friend that lives 90 miles away, the 2.93 is a much better differential to do highway driving with. However, my 455 doesn't have that throw-you back into the seat torque that I love with Big Blocks. It was the Ad stating the 455 had been upgraded to a Stage 1 engine that got my attention. However, the Color Combo got me too, it's a real eye opener. I'm sure you will agree....
With respect I totally disagree. There’s nothing deceptive about declaring a car as a tribute to a special car. By definition and inference, a “fake” is something that is declared legitimate but isn’t. I show my GS455 with a Stage 1 decal on the air cleaner ( but not on the front fenders). The story board clearly states that the Stage 1 option was added during the restoration many years ago. And my repro window sticker also omits the Stage 1 option. So, no harm, no foul IMHO.
My 69 has 70 455 built to beyond 70 Stage 1 specs and I have the 69 valve covers with standard 400-4 decals. If it wasn't for my wife, I probably would have opted for the 69 Stage-1 hood emblems and Stage 1 valve cover decals with chromed valve covers and air cleaner lid. But there's an element of sleeper cool when people think the 400 runs like this does. So to be honest, passing the 455 off as a 400 could also be considered dishonest. Right? But I don't give a $#$* what anyone thinks, so there's that.
Hey, we all like sleepers. When I was 19, I had a 64 Biscayne 230 six cylinder. 4 door grandma car. My first real hot rod. What nobody knew, I had 12:1 pistons, huge cam, tri- carbs on an Offenhuser intake. Ran out of money and had to street race with a 2-speed powerglide. Also had to run at 30+ mph. Got plenty of takers. I even once beat a 68 383 stock Roadrunner. Blew his mind when he asked me to open the hood. This car was like going back to the 50's. Had more fun with that six then my other V8 muscle cars. Vet
As far as putting a Stage 1 decal on the air cleaner, go right ahead, but……………..it all depends on what you are going to do with your car. If you decide to have the car judged then you either need it to be all the way as a 455, or all the way as a Stage 1. Otherwise you will get points deducted. So, it it’s presented as a Stage 1, then it better have chrome valve covers, chrome valve cover bolts, a Stage 1 fuel pump, the air cleaner decals, the emission decal, fender emblems, etc….and the same goes with being presented as a 455. The judges could care less what the actual performance of the engine is, they are only looking at how it is presented. As far as sleepers, I knew a guy with a 67 4-door 427 Biscuit. Duane
Hi Duane, thank you for your past help. I never got around to thanking you. (Vet) As far as car shows go, if I entered one, it would be based on a GS 455, NOT a Stage 1. It's never been a factory Stage 1 and I would never try to pass it off as one. I quick check of the vin # and the SR stamped block (never decked) would tell the real story of my car. I'm just very happy the 455 has been upgraded to a Stage 1 engine specs. I love the added power. I'm all about being happy, car shows are NOT a big deal. But I have to tell you, our local car shows have no idea what a Buick is. You almost never see a Buick. Maybe an 87 GNX once in a while. I once saw a GNX with a 455 in it, blew me away. Most people are big time Mopar, Ford or Chevy lovers. Most folks don't know what a Stage 1 Buick is. There are very few American motor cars in our area or in car shows. As the years past by and I engage with younger folks, most have no clue about American muscle cars. They can engage you with Japanese rice burners or buy a Red Eye Mopar off the dealer floor room. That's about as far as it goes in this age group. Unless their father or uncle are of the 60's and 70's age and are engaged with American muscle cars, mostly these young folks are not aware of American muscle cars. It would like to know what the average age is, in the V8Buick forum. The other issue I see in my area, most of the high schools have dropped their Automotive VoTech classes. These are the responses I get from most people in my area. (1) What is your car??? Most people think it might be a Chevelle if they have to guess. (2) Is that a new 2023 model car? That's really cool looking, what New Car Dealership did you buy it from?? (3) Love the color, what is it??? When I tell them it's Gulfstream Blue, they say, I have never seen that color before, but I love it. (4) What does GS 455 stand for?? (5) How do you open the hood?? (6) When I had my car at a Classic car shop getting some upgrades. A couple came in and when they saw the Gulfstream Blue, they told the owner, we have to get our 56 Ford pickup truck painted that color, we love it. What a nice complement to my Buick. (7) You have to roll-up the windows?? Never seen that before. (8) A radio only with AM/FM? I do have a Buick clone modern radio with Bluetooth. That's so I can listen to XM's 60's and 70's music. I do love all the attention I get. But, amazed how many people have no clue about Classic muscle cars. I guess they have their hobbies too. Vet (JR)
This is exactly why the real deal fetch’s the real money, everybody wants to be the Big boy. Put whatever you want on your car, it makes you happy so be it. I just like looking at a real 1966 Cobra and will walk right By all the kit cars. Call me a snob!
I can’t tell you how many times I have taken my X-Camino to local shows and heard “My Grandfather had 2 of those.” Many people today are clueless. As stated earlier, do what you want. Just wanted you and others to know what would happen at a real judged event. Duane
IMO, your car is beautiful. It is a well done restoration and is a wonderful color combo. It is a GS 455 and a PRIMO example of a GS 455. I'm like the judges, go all the way GS 455. Keep it as it appeared from the factory for a GS 455. Love your car! Troy
72stage1, you're not a snob, you are a purest, and I respect that. I like seeing a car that's all original. Just the way it came out of the factory. My car is all matching numbers. Great for resale, but I will never sale it or flip it. I do enjoy some nice options. I plan to add power windows even if it didn't come that way. That is a request from my wife. Like I said before, one shoe doesn't fit us all. I apologize if I caused issues, not my intent. I want to make it clear, i'am fairly new to this forum, I have received a lot of help from the members of this forum and I very much appreciate it. What's the Buick saying "Light my Fire"
