Hi Guys, I need some advice. I am restoring my GS to drive. I have found most of the correct parts to make it numbers matching( I still need a choke and a set of wheels). I have repop 15” wheels and the correct choke for an automatic now. The frame is in very good condition. No rust but it has been under coated and looks good. I am at a point where I can still do a frame off but am leaning toward not doing it. The car doesn’t have any rust and all of the chrome is excellent. I was painted about 25 years ago in urethane enamel. I am definitely going to repaint it. I will have Todd Miller rebuild the engine and will rebuild the rear end with correct 3.64 gears. Mark Northcutt is rebuilding the carb an Todd Miller did the distributor. The Transmission was rebuilt by the previous owner. The car currently has power windows, a dash tach and AM/FM radio all correct for the car but not on the build sheet... I like those features and have a clock and all the parts to put the crank windows back in the car. I don’t plan to sell the car. I bought it to drive and am feeling funny about not putting a rare car (1 of 67) back to original. My car is at the body shop now and they are stripping it down to bare metal. The car could be a concours restoration if I wanted to go that direction I am probably 90+ % of the way there, but I might feel funny driving it. I didn’t buy it to trailer. I have never restored a car before. I will attach the Sloan doc for the car. I am looking for some feedback for the experts on the board. Thanks, Marc
If the car is not stripped or painted yet, and the frames not done, you're not 90% there yet! Not even close...don't kid yourself. While it is a very rare car, I don't think it will bring 100K when done. So it depends how much $ you have into it at this point. I wouldn't worry about the options if you plan to keep it, they are all reversible, but it's a lot of work to reverse the windows.
I apologize I may not have been clear about the 90+%. I meant that I am committed to doing 90+% of the work toward a concours restoration. As to the value of the car. It only matters when you are trying to sell, which I am not. I am looking at it from a nostalgic point of view. Thank you for your feedback. Marc
Marc, You say you have never restored a car before, would you be doing the restoration yourself or sending it out to a shop? IF you do/have done a concours quality frame off restoration, you will have a car worth well in excess of $100k when done. You are correct in thinking there may be some hesitation in driving it afterwards. I know there would be for me! :>)
Cheers Marc,there is a guy all us Buick guys know named Marco.He has a stage 1 convertible 4 speed and will drive it anywhere.I am a bit jealous of him,I have a concours restored gsx I drive a bit but it spends most of its time in a trailer.Dont get me wrong I love my car and wanted to do a concours resto ,but I'm a nervous wreck when I drive it(I'm getting better with time) .So build it like you want and use it.I do think you should do the frame because then you will have new brake lines ,bushings,fuel lines etc.You will also be able to paint and preserve the car better so when you get caught in a rain storm you wont have to worry. good luck ,Tim
I think it comes down to money and what you really want out of the car when its done. If money is not a issue then it's really about time and how you want the car completed. I have way more money in my project than I will ever get out of it but I started down a path and I believed the car being a low number production unit deserved to be done correctly, although I have gone way overboard but that's how I want the car to turn out. Unless you are doing everything yourself then the probability of breaking even on a sale is zero. Someone else doing the frame off, body work, engine work, paint etc will be a price tag that will exceed the selling price, but if your alright with that then go for it, it's a hobby. My 2 cents If you are already removing engine, rear, stripping the body to bare metal might as well pull off the body and preserve the underneath. I agree new brake lines, gas line, mounts, etc will be worth it in the end even if you want to drive the car regularly. After all that money in rear, engine etc, new ball joints, tie rods, brakes, brake lines/gas lines, bushings make sense but again its all up to how you want the car represented and how its looks in the driveway.
I would leave the options on the car if I was keeping it. I am adding the Rallye Steering Wheel, 15" chrome wheels and A tilt column to my Stage 1 because that is what I want. For something you are driving, a few extra options you like only make the car more fun.
The car deserves the best you can afford, you'll see a better return in the future, at some point whether its you or your kids selling, skimping isn't an option, you'll always know what's not "right" with it IMO. Besides you're already going 90% whats another 10%? Nobody goes to the Olympics shooting for a Bronze medal right?
I would like to thank all of you for the input. It was very helpful to hear from so many of you that have been there and made these types of decisions. I will post pics and let you all know how it goes. This is a wonderful community. I really enjoy being part of it.
I went through the same thing with my convertible. Was just going to make a driver out of it Cruising and racing, local shows and picking on tuner cars. I did not take the car off the frame and never regretted it. If the frame is good just spot blast it, paint it then mask it off and spray the floor boards with bug bomb undercoat. Do it your self. Do the best you can then run the snot out of it have FUN while other people have a fit that you need to stop doing burnouts with such a nice car. Buick put 455s in these cars for one reason to go fast!!! The big thing to remember is It's YOU'RE car do what you want!!
The last two that were sold restored were $170,000. and $185,000.00 respectively plus 10% commission. Only around 20 of the 67 documented as of now. I know the other equivalent A body's have sold upwards of $350,000.oo
I know some cars can be an investment. Looking at any car as an investment, takes all the fun out of owning them! I want to have fun with my cars.
Some really good valid points guys! Here' my two cents........ Your car done right is a 6 digit car when done in my opinion. A car done to that level ( for most guys) will be tough to drive and enjoy like you want to. I've been there. Go out to eat for a nice meal and you're more worried about the car than your steak dinner. I would restore it to a level you're comfortable with for now and enjoy it!!! There are already to many of these cars sitting in garages not being driven which is sad. Give it some TLC and enjoy the heck out of it!!!
["For me, it seems like the crappier the car, the more fun I have with it." Jason] I had the most fun with the 71 Stage 1 in the following photos that I bought back in '85. VerdiMist Green, primer gray, primer red, no trim, no grille, gutted interior, etc. I never worried about door dings or paint chips. Did smoky burnouts whenever I wanted, raced whoever wanted to race. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate a nicely restored or original GS, but for fun with no worries, this car was the best!
