Documented Restored Numbers Matching GS 455 TR Code 455/315 HP V8 TH400 PS

1971 Buick Skylark GS455 Description

SUMMARY

Concours-style ground-up restoration completed in 2013
Original 455 cubic inch Buick V8 / Gardner exhaust
Original GM Turbo-Hydramatic 400 3-speed automatic transmission
Correct Cortez Gold paint / Many original and NOS body components
Correct Saddle interior / Supplied by Legendary Auto Interiors
Correct Rallye Ride Control Suspension / Chrome Rallye wheels
Correct power steering / Correct power front disc and rear drum brakes
Sale includes an original Protect-O-Plate and full ownership history
Sale includes restoration photos and restoration receipts
1 of only 1,378 1971 Buick GS hardtops produced with a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 3-speed

When you log on to www.RKMotorsCharlotte.com and peruse our vast inventory, one thing becomes very clear: from classy Cadillacs and substantial 442s to stylish GTOs and fearsome Chevelles, General Motors has built a legacy of offering cool cars for just about everyone. Quite possibly the most high-end weapon in GM's mainstream arsenal is the Buick Motor Division. And when you set your eyes on this fully documented, numbers-matching GS, you'll understand exactly why. Wrapping killer Cortez Gold paint around a high quality, ground-up restoration that makes excellent use of many NOS components, this regal stunner is clean, solid and ready to show. And if you're looking for an affordable way to score some serious Detroit muscle, it's the unique classic you've been patiently waiting for!

BODYWORK/TRIM

This Buick's current condition comes courtesy of a ground-up, concours-style restoration that was completed with an array of New Old Stock components. That 2013 reboot began with a full strip of what proved to be a pretty solid fuselage. After that blasting was finished, the car's mostly original profile was supplemented with one NOS fender and two NOS quarters. With that metal clean and fully prepped, a correct layer of bright Cortez Gold 2-stage was sealed in glossy clear. 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'.

You can probably tell from those first two paragraphs that the restorer of this GS put special emphasis on originality. That mindset certainly reflects in the car's details, where show-plated chrome and professionally polished stainless complement mostly-original glass. At the front of this coupe, 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 a fresh windshield and dent-free trim. At the sides of that hood, traditional door handles and a polished mirror cap tight wheel frames, red-trimmed rocker guards and classy GS 455 ornamentation. And at the back of the car, a second broad bumper centers conservative tail lamps and polished exhaust tips beneath a second 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 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 in to a correct, cast iron intake. That intake feeds cast iron heads, which ride between a familiar points distributor, fresh Packard TV R Suppression cables and a .030 overbored block. Spent gases are jettisoned through correct, cast iron manifolds, which ride under vivid, color-keyed valve covers. And up front, a correct radiator, dressed in pliable GM hoses and reproduction tower clamps, rides an NOS core support. Aesthetically, the red and black engine bay looks fantastic 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 reproduction Delco battery, 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 matching partial VIN.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Under this coupe, it's just as the factory planned, except with much more precision and, subsequently, much more appeal. An original Turbo-Hydramatic 400 3-speed hangs a matching partial VIN opposite a correct "71-BA" assembly tag. 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. Naturally, the car's power-assisted discs and drums have been 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 correct Gardner pipes, which make good use of throaty turbo mufflers. The car's frame, free of any major damage, was completely sandblasted and full powdercoated during the detailed restoration. And that frame supports original, Satin Black floors in front of a new, Satin Black trunk pan.

INTERIOR

Pop the sculpted doors and you'll find a correct Saddle cockpit that's assembly line-fresh thanks to the pros at Legendary Auto Interiors. Comfy bench and bucket seats complement stylish, "GS" branded door panels. In front of those thrones, a straight dash hangs restored and re-plated Rallye gauges above an AM/FM Sonomatic radio. At the base of that dash, like-new carpet floats heavy duty, shield-branded floor mats at the sides of a classy console and familiar horseshoe shifter. The driver commands the road through a correct Buick Rallye Wheel. And behind the passengers, a restored trunk holds a fresh mat, correct jack and full-size spare tire beneath a new decklid decal.

PROVENANCE

Since the sale of this awesome Buick includes major provenance, there's no questioning the authenticity of its restoration. But, for good measure, here's a look at the car's specially coded VIN, factory Cowl Tag and original Protect-O-Plate.

VIN: 434371HXXXXXX

4: Buick Motor Division
34: GS
37: 2-door hardtop
1: 1971 model year
H: Assembled in Flint, Michigan
XXXXXX: Production Sequence Number

COWL TAG:

71: 1971 model year
4: Buick Motor Division
34: GS
37: 2-door hardtop
FL1: Assembled in Flint, Michigan
015887: Fisher Body sequence number
166: Saddle interior
53: Cortez Gold lower body paint
53: Cortez Gold upper body paint
09B: Assembled during the second week (B) of September (09), 1970

PROTECT-O-PLATE

166 Saddle interior
5353 Cortez Gold paint
434371H105998 The car's VIN
- 4: Buick Motor Division
- 34: GS
- 37: 2-door hardtop
- 1: 1971 model year
- H: Assembled in Flint, Michigan
- 105998: Production Sequence Number
TR048 The car's engine stamp
- TR: 455 cubic inch V8, fitted with a 4-barrel carburetor, that was assembled for the 1971 model year
- 048: Assembled on February 17, 1970
LSB253 The car's axle stamp
- LSB: 1971-72 Posi-traction axle that's equipped with 3.08 gears
- 253: Assembled on September 10, 1970
9 Assembled in September of 1970
- NOTE: This Buick's Cowl Tag is stamped with an 09B (second week of September) build date
BA244 The car's transmission code
- BA: GM Turbo-Hydramatic 400 3-speed that's bolted behind a 455 cubic inch V8
- 244: Assembled on September 1, 1970
148 Optional equipment

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES

The car's original Owner's Manual and factory literature
A vintage marketing brochure
The aforementioned Protect-O-Plate
Copies of titles and registrations that trace the car's full ownership history
Restoration photos
Restoration receipts
Two display boards

With its numbers-matching drivetrain and unique, factory-correct aesthetics, this impressive Buick is sure to find a lot of fans. The car's high quality restoration and high level of documentation make it a very smart investment. And best of all, it's just a lot of metal for the money. Don't miss your opportunity to claim this incredible GS!