1970 GS455 Stage 1 "Bimbo"

Discussion in 'Members Rides' started by JesiM, May 16, 2018.

  1. JesiM

    JesiM Well-Known Member

    So, a little bit of backstory here. This car belonged to my dad. He bought it in Spokane, WA in the mid 70s (1975, I think), the original owner was selling it due to rising gas prices. Dad bought the car right away and drove/raced the hell out of it for the next few years. Somewhere around 1980, he blew the radiator in a street race and parked the car till he could get the radiator replaced. During that time, there was a house fire that consumed the keys and melted most of the paint off the car. The GS hasn't moved on her own since then. She's been sitting in pastures and yards. Dad always said he was gonna fix her up and turned down several offers of people wanting to buy her. I begged dad for years to let me start the process of restoring her, but he never gave in.

    At the beginning of this month, my dad passed away suddenly from a heart attack. I have 5 brothers and am the only girl, also the only kid who kept turning wrenches. I worked with dad for quite a few years doing backyard mechanic stuffs. So I now have the pleasure of introducing you to Bimbo. My dads 1970 Buick GS455 Stage 1. It will be a process to get her back to how she was, but I'm up for the challenge.

    The plan is to restore her back to how dad had her, with a new paint job, vinyl top and interior. I'll post pictures of the progress as I go.
     

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  2. JesiM

    JesiM Well-Known Member

    Working on stripping the interior
     

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  3. JesiM

    JesiM Well-Known Member

    Getting the engine ready to pull
     

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  4. JesiM

    JesiM Well-Known Member

    Pulled off the valve covers and found beautifully clean rockers. I couldn't have been happier. There was also bright green coolant still in the water pump. Got real excited when I saw that.
     

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    Last edited: May 16, 2018
  5. JesiM

    JesiM Well-Known Member

    And here are some random photos or the VIN, Fisher tag, rear diff..and yeah random photos!
     

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  6. docgsx

    docgsx It's not a GTX

    Great Thread! I would be tempted to just clean everything up and refresh it mechanically and drive it as it is!
     
  7. StagedCat

    StagedCat Platinum Level Contributor

    Very ambitious, this forum can be a good resource.......good luck
     
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  8. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    Jesi,

    An ambitious project. Good luck!!!! This forum is a WEALTH of information. USE IT!!! Don't be afraid to ask questions. There are NO dumb questions. The ONLY dumb question is the one you don't ask.
     
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  9. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    Early "dropped sides" B4B.

    Good stuff!
     
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  10. My3Buicks

    My3Buicks Buick Guru

    There is nothing better than having a "family" car.
     
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  11. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    This just keeps getting better and better:)
    Hoping you just might come across a local track "time slip" somewhere!! although you've gone through it pretty good now..
    Loving the name "Bimbo"!
     
    Last edited: May 16, 2018
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  12. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    Glad to see another young face interested in the Buicks, I'm 35 and we are very much in the minority, but growing in recent years, look forward to seeing the progress, it's a daunting process at times but stay with it. Build it for your Pop!
     
    no1oldsfan, Dwayne B, BUQUICK and 3 others like this.
  13. Mike Sobotka

    Mike Sobotka Founders Club Member

    This is just AWESOME. Build date 2nd week of January, 01B. Still has the correct original brake master cylinder too.
    Keep up the amazing progress, Jesi!!
     
    DBS, STAGE III, docgsx and 2 others like this.
  14. docgsx

    docgsx It's not a GTX

    I love the vintage racing parts stickers done in the engine compartment on the wheel houses! I would have to leave them in place knowing that my dad stuck them.
     
    no1oldsfan, STAGE III, JesiM and 2 others like this.
  15. JesiM

    JesiM Well-Known Member

    Oh, absolutely! All the modifications that dad made are staying. Just going to restore her back to how she was for dad. Definitely need new seats though!
     
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  16. brands5.0

    brands5.0 Well-Known Member

    Very cool project
     
  17. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    I'd unbolt that overflow tank and get it out of harms way. Also, get it soaking in some vinegar or dish soap and be very careful when taking that top off.
     
    Weisguy184 likes this.
  18. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    Stripped down bench seat interior with a 4-speed. Doesn't get much better than that.

    I sometimes wish Lord Vader was a bench seat car but then again, I couldn't stand in a bread line and ask for toast. :D
     
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  19. sriley531

    sriley531 Excommunicado

    Very cool! Bench seat 4 speeds are near and dear to my heart as well!

    That is definitely a pretty ambitious project, but it can be done, and the sentimental value is a great motivator!

    If you've got time to kill, take a look through my "Rusty Hulk build thread" in members rides, looks like your going to be following a somewhat similar path.

    And as these guys said, this forum is an excellent tool for not only knowledge, but sourcing parts as well.


    Ethan, you're 35?? Crusty old fart.....:p:D
     
    JesiM likes this.
  20. JesiM

    JesiM Well-Known Member


    It's very brittle. Been nervous to touch it
     

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