I am looking at a '70 GS 455 Conv. that's all numbered and original that needs a full restoration. It needs a frame due to rust issues. The frame could be repaired but I think replacement is best fo the caliber of the rebuild I would do on it. Here are a few specifics on the car. It runs and drives out well according to the current owner. All original numbers matching on everything and appears to be in solid condition other than the frame. This car is supposedly all original except has had an aftermarket starter put in place of the original. The car has been repainted once in its original blue, it has all original interior in Pearl White and what appears to be a working original power black top that appears in really good shape considering the age. It has had the brakes completely gone through and the guy even kept all of the OEM parts he took off of it when doing the brakes. It's complete but a low optioned car with no A/C. I haven't gone to look at the car yet but would like to get a feel of what it may be worth in its current state. Thanks to anyone who wishes to leave comments here as far as value or anything else that comes to mind regarding this.
The body is supposed to be basically rust free with no cutting on the panels what-so-ever. It has buckets with the horseshoe shifter. Also has the turbo 400.
This is a really good question. Lets assume were talking about the blue one..... If Im correct, the goal after all the smoke clears would be to get into a sweet 70 GS455 convertible well under market value by investing a lot of sweat equity right? That's the only reason I would contemplate this ordeal. I can definitely see the allure of it. So lets assume there's a guy in NY with a good frame that would be perfect for this car and you could beat him up and get the frame for 1700. Add up all the costs involved in getting the car and the frame back to home base. Then add up what your going to have to put into the project as far as parts plus all the 'while its apart" stuff you'll likely do like repainting the engine red from that hideous blue. Remember, whatever you think its going to cost, double it and that what its probably going to wind up costing. Im sure your going to run into unintended costs. Now add in all the labor, cursing and sweating and late nights in the garage which is worth exactly zero. So whats your final tally? Now....what can you sell it for with it all put back together as a turn key car with a good frame under it? Bearing in mind it still looks a little rough around the edges with a ripped top, mediocre paint and a ratty interior? The difference between those two numbers will determine if its worth all the labor involved or if its easier and cheaper in the long run to just buy one that has a good frame under it.
You can get I 100% rust free, not original but swapped, in really good condition gs455 for less than $13000..
Yes, it is that one. It's only about a 3 hour drive for me to go see. Do you know anything about this car?
Jason Cook, You are correct, it is the blue one from ebay. I think it is priced way too high but wanted to get an idea of what people thought it to be worth as a current status purchase price. I figured up what think I would have in it and added a lot of fluff $$ in to come up to a total investment of around $40-$50k based on the current asking price. My figures came based off of what I spent on the red one in my avatar picture. I went WAAAYYYY overboard on that car and had around $55k in it. Anyone care to give an idea of what you would pay for this car? Thank you all for the input. John
What would I pay? As little as possible. Lets look at it not from a frame off restoration standpoint. Lets just add up what it would cost to make it into a car that has a good frame under it. What would that car be worth if it looked exactly like it does but with a good frame under it? Sren says under 13k. I'll say 15-17k. lets figure it out based on a total frame off like you did on your other car. Lets say you put 50 in it, what can you realistically sell it for in the end? Was the profit worth the investment in parts and labor? Or is it a wash? In other words, the money invested is what the car is worth You really have to look at these things pragmatically from a dollars and cents perspective.
I am presently restoring a 1971 Stage 1 silver fern complete of frame the money going out the door is insane . Profit what is that? Do it because you want to Alain
I appreciate that sentiment but I just hate losing money. Everyone says they're never going to sell it, but things always change in life. It's no fun being upside down on a car and losing your shirt in the process.
How much does a golf membership cost? Play for 4 or 5 years how much did you loose or did you enjoy the golf?Same math for a restoration did you enjoy the challenge and driving the car for those years? Alain
I don't play golf I get where your coming from Alain, but Im not going to buy a stock high and sell low just because I really like buying stocks. Like most of use here, Im not independently wealthy. I cant dump 60+ grand in a car and then lose tens of thousands when I eventually sell it. The hobby wouldn't be very much fun for me if I constantly lost my shirt. I sold my GN two years ago and essentially broke even on it. Even that bothered me!
This is a hobby enjoy for what it is a passion loads of fun I play golf but I do not belong to a club. Bread and potato guy .I enjoy the hobby. We are getting near the New Year so health and happiness to all.Just a regular guy Alain
I hate to say it, but it's a well known "fact" that, dollar wise, you're much better off buying a vehicle that's already done than restoring it yourself. If you think you're going to buy it for $10K, put $40K into it and it'll be worth $60K+ in the end, you may have difficulty with that in today's market. At their peak, 1970 convertibles were bringing upwards of $175 for a Stage 1 and/or 4-speed car. Now, really nice regular ones can be had for $50K or less. So if you love doing the work, get the car, restore it and enjoy the project. But it you're buying it to restore it and sell it for a profit eventually, you may find yourself in a no-win situation. Good luck. Here are a couple of examples: https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1970/buick/gran_sport/100834343 https://www.cars-on-line.com/gen3-cars/col1/posting/82545 https://www.cars-on-line.com/gen3-cars/col1/posting/92403 https://cars.trovit.com/listing/1970-buick-gs-455-convertible.5Pc1t1F1Nv18 http://topclassiccarsforsale.com/buick/203096-1970-buick-gs-455-convertible.html
It all depends on the person. I have cars I love and cars I like. If it is one that I really love, or is rare and unique or just weird I probably will put whatever money I can afford to make it like I want it. I have a couple of these that I will probably die with and I will have too much money in. So be it. But I don't love every Buick GS. I have driven and sold quite a few small block hardtops and 1970 or 1972 models since I like the 71 better. I would not buy a rust bucket or spend too much on these because I know I would never "keep" something that doesn't have a big block or a folding top. If I know it is going away someday I will purposely be more selective on the project so I don't lose money. If you do bodywork(or in my case a brother that does) or own your own machine shop then a project car can make sense financially. Everything costs more than you think and when you take it apart, it always gets worse. But through personal experience I can tell you that unless you really love restoring them - save your dough and buy the best one you can. A convertible with a bad frame would be more than I would want to tackle I think unless I got it for super cheap.
I do not know the car personally ,watched it on ebay , i thought it sold ? was wondering how bad the floors and trunk are, i would think if the frame has to be replaced ,they would all need replacing also, but it is a 70 gs convertible , bucket seat car , numbers matching , what its worth, will be decided by how many panels need replacing , and if you can do the work ,or you have to pay to have the work done , at the 10600 i thought it sold for , i thought good deal , but i do body and paint work for a living, so it looked like a good deal to me , there was one that sold here in Michigan a year ago , good frame but needed both 1/4 s replaced everything under side replaced, not numbers matching ,very very rough car sold for 17000
