'71 GS RPO Codes and shorthand, anyone?

[halfmoontrail]

I have my '71 GS455 Stage 1 Fremont build sheet from the top of the gas tank, but it is in pretty bad shape. Luckily the "L75" is readable!

However, I'm trying to decipher the other codes as shown on the build sheet, like K45 which generally means heavy duty air cleaner, but I can't tell if the shorthand is GS AIR CLEANER, or what.

Anybody have a list? OR, a clean copy of a 71 Fremont GS455 Stg 1 loaded auto car that they'll share what some of the RPO codes and shorthhand is.

Thanks in advance,

Steve

[robs71redriv]

http://boattail-riviera-by-buick.com/library/owner%20info_manuals/option%20windows%20stickers/index.html

has the 71 riviera codes - many are the same the master options lists availabily on other Buick it wont include any that were standard or not available on a riviera - there are also some other model sale code on the various order forms
http://boattail-riviera-by-buick.com/library/dealership%20pubs/inspection%20forms%20%20invoices/index.html

has 71 skylark and skylark custom order form

http://www.buickgsx.net/ (http://www.buickgsx.net/) has a GSX

[copperheadgs1]

Many of the codes are in the assembly manual. You have one correct?? The heavy duty GS air cleaner was BU. Standard GS air cleaner was BC. What code is your fan clutch??That would be great if you can read that as I would like to know for my car. Most likely a two letter code starting with B

[copperheadgs1]

Also see if you can find the post of the 70 Freemont GS I posted. Some codes may be same.

[dynaflow]

Also see if you can find the post of the 70 Freemont GS I posted. Some codes may be same.

Here...http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=229523&highlight=build+sheet

And, here's one I'm using for my dealer/shipping research...plea...anyone have shipping info to Schuman in Hawaii...especially from Flint...

[halfmoontrail]

Thanks, Rob, Dave, John. I have the Assembly Manual, and it answered all of my questions. I also have the Fremont build sheet from the Stage 1 registry, and it gives the "shorthand" I was looking for, although the car has options mine doesn't and vice versa.

I appreciate the helpful replies. Unfortunately my original motor and trans are long gone, so no help on actual codes.

Steve

[copperheadgs1]

Wow, John than for posting that. You just proved they were using side post cables at least as early as April 5 1971 on 455 car at least in Freemont as the codes RC and JF are there. ..Steve any chance of posting yours? I would love to get a look at a 71 Stage-1 Freemont Build sheet as Flint did not have that type.

[halfmoontrail]

..Steve any chance of posting yours? I would love to get a look at a 71 Stage-1 Freemont Build sheet as Flint did not have that type.

Here it is, pretty cool that such a crappy piece of paper contains just enough legible detail to probably double the value of the car.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/halfmoontrail/buildsheet.jpg

Steve

[dynaflow]

Dave - glad useful...for me, got zone/dealer#/shipper for Schuman and learned how Buick did delivery to HI...2 steps, truck delivery to pseudo dealer (shipper), then container to real dealer. Assume done that way for accounting dept. Now, if could only find Flint-Honolulu delivery charge, could get Mike to make a window sticker...

[dynaflow]

...pretty cool that such a crappy piece of paper contains just enough legible detail to probably double the value of the car...

...with no official info source for '71s, every scrap is meaningful...

[halfmoontrail]

...with no official info source for '71s, every scrap is meaningful...

I know, I was very surprised when I purchased the car to learn that the '71 records are gone. After a lot of online research I learned that Fremont cars often had tank stickers, so I dropped the tank and you see what I found. The detective work is fun. I'm working my way back through previous owners and asking each for affidavits stating Stage 1.

I know what you mean about too many interests, I'm heavily into Olds, working on a '70 Rallye 350 now. Your BSA sounds cool, I have 2 vintage bikes: a 1968 Harley Rapido (Italian 125 2-stroke) and a 1974 Penton 125 Six-Day (early motocross/trials bike, Penton was bought by KTM).

Steve

[BUQUICK]

A documented '71 Stage 1 is really unusual, so if you haven't already, be sure to register your it on the Stage 1 registry. You were very fortunate that L75 was one of the codes that you could read.

If your car's interior is original, there's a very good chance that there will be 1, 2, or maybe even 3 more buildsheets inside the car. Our Fremont-built Stage 1 is a '72 model, but I imagine the assembly process wasn't much different from '71, and we found 3 inside our car. Funny thing is that we haven't taken the time to drop the tank yet, so there might be a 4th sheet there since that is the most common location to find one of the sheets.

If you are interested in seeing where we found the 3 buildsheets inside our car, there are photos in the thread: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=71909

[copperheadgs1]

I often find them under the rear seat on Framingham cars. I found a huge Fisher build sheet for my car under the sound deadner at the passenger foot board. Mine is Flint built. I still believe someone out there has 71 records.

[copperheadgs1]

So John, That was your original build sheet? How orignal was the engine compartment when you got it?

[halfmoontrail]

A documented '71 Stage 1 is really unusual, so if you haven't already, be sure to register your it on the Stage 1 registry. You were very fortunate that L75 was one of the codes that you could read.

If your car's interior is original, there's a very good chance that there will be 1, 2, or maybe even 3 more buildsheets inside the car. Our Fremont-built Stage 1 is a '72 model, but I imagine the assembly process wasn't much different from '71, and we found 3 inside our car. Funny thing is that we haven't taken the time to drop the tank yet, so there might be a 4th sheet there since that is the most common location to find one of the sheets.

If you are interested in seeing where we found the 3 buildsheets inside our car, there are photos in the thread: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=71909

Gary,
Thanks for your post. The PO said he thought it was a Stage 1, and I can see correct emblem holes on the inside of the passenger fender, so I was thrilled to find the L75 code. I've emailed Marco with the registry info. My car originally had a saddle interior, but some PO put in white buckets and rear seat, so I don't expect those will provide useful build sheets. The rear package tray is in bad shape, and I didn't see anything when looking up from inside the trunk, so I was afraid that one was MIA...but your pictures show it might be there folded in a corner. I'll check there VERY soon.
Regards,

Steve

[Marco]

Thanks Steve.

Besides the assembly manuals, some codes are found on the order forms themselves (1969 and 1970). Check it out...

http://www.stage1registry.com/BuickGS/1969_order_form.jpg
http://www.stage1registry.com/BuickGS/1970_order_form.jpg

:beer

[halfmoontrail]

Where will I find the codes that Dave is asking about, shown in the numbered boxes on the build sheet? e.g. Box 53, BU for heavy duty GS air cleaner.

Also, I'm checking out a '71 455 core engine, but the engine VIN derivative is 41H4XXXXX, most Skylarks and GS that I'm familiar with have the 6-digit production number starting with a "1". Anyone know if a different model line started with a "4"?

Steve

[BlackGold]

Steve, that's cool you can read the L75 code, but does your car's VIN appear anywhere on the scrap? (I can't see it good enough to tell.)

I'm not doubting your car's Stage 1 status -- just pointing out that you still need to tie that build sheet to YOUR car. It's not uncommon for one car to get another car's build sheet, at least outside of the Buick world anyway.

Of course, even without a VIN on the scrap, if you see enough other codes that match your car, that helps build the case for authenticity.

[halfmoontrail]

Steve, that's cool you can read the L75 code, but does your car's VIN appear anywhere on the scrap? (I can't see it good enough to tell.)

I'm not doubting your car's Stage 1 status -- just pointing out that you still need to tie that build sheet to YOUR car. It's not uncommon for one car to get another car's build sheet, at least outside of the Buick world anyway.

Of course, even without a VIN on the scrap, if you see enough other codes that match your car, that helps build the case for authenticity.

Brian,

Your comments are entirely valid. I'm hopeful that I'll find another more complete copy onthe car, showing the VIN; and I'll probably have a document specialist look at the upper right corner of this one for the VIN. Fortunately, all of the other legible codes match my car exactly; taken along with the apparent original Stage 1 passenger fender, and affidavits from previous owners i believe I have a pretty good case for authenticity...particularly for a '71.

Steve

[dynaflow]

So John, That was your original build sheet? How orignal was the engine compartment when you got it?

Not mine...don't remember where I found pic...kept for HI shipping info...still looking for shipping charge. Mine's 05B Flint build (vert). My only real doc is POP. PO replaced trunk floor/tank and changed interior, so don't expect to find build sheet...but will look @floorpan/dash/seat when I do heater core...

[copperheadgs1]

Steve, most of the codes in the boxes are also in assembly manual. I was juts looking for what letters were in those boxes I sent you.

[halfmoontrail]

Steve, that's cool you can read the L75 code, but does your car's VIN appear anywhere on the scrap?

The numbers shown in the upper right corner of the build sheet correspond to the numbers stamped on the bottom of the cowl tag! I'll work on confirming this relationship with anyone who has a build sheet for a Fremont car.

Steve

[BUQUICK]

I posted some photos of ours here: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=233958

[copperheadgs1]

GAry, can you show a picture of boxes 46, 47 and 53 of your 72's build sheet or juts let me know what codes are there?

[BUQUICK]

46= Yb Yd
47= R89s
53= Ao Ce

All letters are capitalized on the buildsheet but when I type them in as all caps and hit submit, this bulletin board changes them the lowercase.

[copperheadgs1]

Thanks for that info

[buford27]

Where will I find the codes that Dave is asking about, shown in the numbered boxes on the build sheet? e.g. Box 53, BU for heavy duty GS air cleaner.

Also, I'm checking out a '71 455 core engine, but the engine VIN derivative is 41H4XXXXX, most Skylarks and GS that I'm familiar with have the 6-digit production number starting with a "1". Anyone know if a different model line started with a "4"?

Steve

The meaning of the last six digits of the car and engine serial number varies by year:

Last six digits are basic production sequence
starting at 100001 for all U.S. built engines in 1965 and 1966, except Riviera
starting at 100001 for V8 engines in 1967-1971, except Flint built LeSabre and Centurion (1971)
starting at 400001 for Flint built LeSabre and Centurion (1971)
starting at 600001 for V6 or L6 engines in 1967-1971
starting at 900001 for Riviera in 1965-1971

So I would say that the engine is from a Flint built LeSabre or Centurion.