Frame Off Restored Numbers Matching GS455 Convertible Stage 1 455 V8 4 Speed

Description

SUMMARY

Restoration completed in 2013 / Restoration conducted by Buick aficionado Joe Castrigano
Original 455 cubic inch Stage 1 V8
Original Muncie M21 4-speed manual transmission
Correct Sherwood Green paint / Correct White top
Correct Black interior
Sale includes Sloan Museum Documentation
Correct power steering / Correct 4-wheel power drum brakes
Correct Rallye Ride Control Suspension / Correct Rallye wheels
Correct 10-bolt rear axle
1 of only 67 4-speed Stage 1 convertibles produced for the 1970 model year
-----

Buick's mighty GS is one of Detroit's all-time automotive success stories. Spawned from one of General Motors' most conservative divisions, it built a fast reputation as one of the meanest and most revered offerings of the muscle car era. And when you take a close look at a gem like this Joe Castriganorestored convertible, you'll understand exactly why. 1 of only 67 Stage 1 4-speed drop-tops produced for the 1970 model year, it's an inherently scarce car. Naturally, it wraps a highly accurate restoration around a numbers-matching drivetrain. And, when you add in the fact that it's fully authenticated by official Sloan Museum Documentation, you get one incredible, investment grade classic that's almost guaranteed to appreciate. If you're looking for some old school muscle car attitude, but want something that's unique enough to make even the most jaded gearheads take notice, THIS is the car for you!

BODYWORK/TRIM

Born with classic good looks, this Buick's current condition comes courtesy of a complete, ground-up restoration that was conducted by well-known Buick aficionado Joe Castrigano. That professional reboot began with a complete strip of what was likely a very solid body. With its metal clean and fully prepped, the car's smooth fuselage was carefully sprayed in a correct layer of code 48 Sherwood Green 2-stage. And the result is one arrow-straight classic that displays a super-reflective finish, possesses very few imperfections and presents as a stunning muscle car that literally embodies the term 'crowd-gathering appeal'.

By 1970, Buick had pretty much perfected its top dog performance offerings both mechanically and aesthetically. At the front of the car, a clean grille hangs a bold GS emblem between a broad bumper, chrome-trimmed headlights and clear parking lamps. Behind that grille, a scooped hood hides correctly recessed wipers at the base of factory-tint glass, polished stainless trim and correct White vinyl. At the sides of that hood, traditional door handles and tri-shield stamped mirrors perfectly complement tight wheel frames, red-trimmed rocker guards and fresh GS Stage 1 ornamentation. And at the back of the car, a second broad bumper centers a classy "BUICK" script between clear tail lamps, correct deck trim and a fourth "GS" emblem.

ENGINE

While the exterior of this slick A-Body does an excellent job of upholding GM Design's world-class visual aesthetics, the engine compartment is where purists REALLY start to take notice. And for good reason too, because the 455 cubic inch Stage 1 V8 that's bolted between the car's freshly detailed fenders is the kind of killer powerhouse that makes people either put up or shut up. Turn the key and a big Quadrajet carburetor mixes air from a black, dual-snorkel cleaner with fuel that's supplied by carefully bent stainless, and shoves it into a correct, cast iron intake. That intake feeds cast iron heads, which ride between a familiar points distributor and fresh Packard TV R Suppression cables. Spent gases are jetted through correct, cast iron manifolds, which ride under polished and decaled valve covers. And a correct, heavy-duty radiator utilizes pliable GM hoses and reproduction tower clamps to provide ample cooling. The bright red block looks fantastic, framed in Satin Black fenders and dressed in an array of correct marks and decals. Correct ancillary components, like an authentic Delco Moraine brake booster, a Saginaw steering box and a high quality Delco battery topper, prove that someone really sweated the details during this Buick's top-notch restoration. And naturally, the monster mill displays a correct 1231738 casting number behind a correct "SS" assembly stamp and matching partial VIN.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Under this Buick, it's just as the factory planned, except with much more precision and, subsequently, much more appeal. An original Muncie 4-speed hangs a matching partial VIN between a correct 3925661 casting number and 1970 (0) Muncie (P) M21 (B) assembled on November (S) 12th (12), 1969 build stamp. That stalwart gearbox jerks a correct 10-bolt axle, which is finished with mild, highway-friendly gears. Holding that killer drivetrain off the ground is a tagged Rallye Ride Control Suspension, which pairs factory power steering with better springs, better shocks, a thicker front sway bar, a standard rear sway bar and boxed rear control arms. During restoration, the car's massive, power-assisted drums were completely rebuilt to factory specifications. On the outside of those brakes, chrome Buick Rallyes twist G60-15 Goodyear Polyglas GTs around red, white and blue center caps. The aforementioned manifolds dump spent gases in to aluminized pipes, which make excellent use of throaty turbo mufflers. The car's frame, free of any major damage, is painted black to match its solid, undercoated floors. And, in keeping with the 455 up top, much attention has been paid to making sure everything under this classic is clean and ready to roll!

INTERIOR

Pop the sculpted doors and you'll find a correct code 158 Black interior that's still restoration-fresh in virtually every way. Comfy bench seats complement stylish, "GS" branded door panels. In front of those thrones, a straight dash hangs upgraded telemetry above a retrofitted AM/FM radio. At the base of that dash, like-new carpet floats heavy duty, shield-branded floor mats at the sides of a familiar Hurst shifter. The driver stays connected to the road thanks to a correct Buick Rallye Wheel. And, behind the passengers, a black convertible cowl snaps tight over a restored trunk that's complete with a fresh mat, a correct jack, a full-size spare tire and a new decklid decal.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

Since the sale of this awesome Buick includes Sloan Museum Documentation, there's really no question about the authenticity of its restoration. But, for good measure, here's a look at the car's specially coded VIN and cowl tag.

VIN: 446670HXXXXXX

4: Buick Motor Division
46: GS455
67: Convertible
0: 1970 model year
H: Assembled in Flint, Michigan
XXXXXX: Production Sequence Number

COWL TAG:

70: 1970 model year
4: Buick Motor Division
46: GS455
67: Convertible
FL1: Assembled in Flint, Michigan
098636: Fisher Body sequence number
158: Black interior
48: Sherwood Green paint
A: White convertible top
11B: Assembled during the second week (B) of November (11), 1969

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION

The aforementioned Sloan Museum documents

This mean green drop-top pretty much defines investment grade muscle. It's rare... It's documented... It's numbers-matching... And on top of all that, it carries a highly accurate restoration that was perfected by a man who's known for building award-winning Buicks. If you find yourself searching for some sort of meaning in today's crowded, clone-infested muscle car market, this top-notch GS Stage 1 is, as GM marketing put it, "something to believe in"!