I have a '69 GS 350 and am undecided on whether or not I want to restore this car or sell it and wanted some opinions. It is Verde green, pearl interior, black vinyl top, AT on floor, AC, rebuilt tranny and motor. Interior is original nice shape but showing age. The body has rust through in lower 1/4's and some in rockers. What would you do? If you would restore it would you go back with original color? Or some other more attractive color? I planned on Aqua Mist but didn't know how this would affect value. Or, would it not be very cost effective to restore and sell it. Sheet metal for '68-69's don't seem to be plentiful. I don't plan on keeping car for the rest of my life if I fix it up so I guess making back a reasonable amount of money would be a priority. What would you do? Thanks, Dan
Sounds like a neat car. Can you post any pictures? They are worth a thousand words. Personally, I love Verde Green! The bad news is the rust. If the rockers are actually rusted out, that probably means a lot of other major repairs are necessary since the rockers normally hold up pretty well. If you part it out I would be interested in the rear decklid molding and possibly some interior parts like the dashpad. Thanks!
Brian, Are they reproducing any of the 1/4 panels or rockers for '68-'69's? I would have no problem spending $5K or so for paint/body if the sheetmetal was available, doing some work myself that is. The car in mechanically sound and runs great, it would be a shame to give up on if there is no way to replace sheetmetal. :ball: I can shoot some pics. Dan
**My opinion*** Go over the car with a fine tooth comb. Start with the grille, grille surround and work your way back over the hood. Pull the stainless steel trim piece that is at the base of the windshield and inspect the top of the cowl. Look at the underside of the radiator support. Pull the battery out and the battery tray and inspect both the inner fender AND the radiator support. Then, take a flashlight and inspect ALL of the corners of the radiator support. Pop the trunk and LOOK at the corners of the lid. Run your hand under the area where the back window meets the trunk. Look at the trunk pan. Look at the corners around the inner wheelhouses. If you can, rub your hands on the outer wheelhouses where they meet the quarter. Then, go outside of the vehicle and feel the lip of the outer wheelhouses. Inspect the package shelf tray area for leaks. Run a GLOVED hand across the bottom of the door. Open the door and feel the inside (backside) of the fenders. Use the flashlight to inspect that area. Make sure it has the correct, ribbed centercaps. Also, make sure it has the trunk trim piece (sans 'BUICK' logo) and the extensions that are on the lips of the quarters. Of course, check the FRAME.. Yes, I would NOW do this with ANY Buick I buy. Trust me, it'll save you ALOT of headaches in the end... I am sorry for the long post. GS 350 prices are all over the radar. Up here, a nice driver would get you $3500- $5000. The high, HIGH end would be $6500. The parts I have listed SPECIFICALLY will cost you the most. Grille- $400+, radiator support- $400+, the center caps- $100+, the trunk lid trim piece- I have No idea- maybe $200+? Personally, I would buy it. I love the 69 GS's- no matter what size engine. If you do buy it, paint it what ever color YOU want. It's YOUR car :3gears: Good luck :beer :TU:
ok, i am biased, but green with a black roof and pearl white interior ? the car must be saved at all costs. it's too cool to do otherwise. as you may have guessed, my car is green w/ black top, white interior. seriously though, they aint making em anymore, and if people keep parting them out, they will soon be all gone. edit: cost is not something to be considered. its all about dying with the most toys. get a second or third job, live in a junk car, paying taxes ? cheat for a few years, its only illegal if you get caught. dont waste money on things like healthcare, and remember, dumpsters are a great source of nutrition. no sacrifice is too great if a Buick GS is the trade off. :grin:
George D, I am not buying the car, I have owned it since '96 but have not been able to do anything with it until now. I appreciate the advice on what to check, I wouildn't have known to check some of those areas. :TU: The car is in great shape and runs great but has those pesky rust areas down low and I am not aware of any sheetmetal being reproduced so I am unsure what to do. Thanks, Dan
Sounds like your car is a lot better than a few I've had to work with. If you decide not to invest the money to fix it, I would suggest you sell it to someone else who will. Take the money and find yourself another car. Every so often it's nice to change. Nothing wrong with that either. If you've already decided you want a change sooner than later, then make it and enjoy your new ride.
Mike, No, the car isn't bad if I can get the lower 1/4's fixed. I had always planned on painting it Aqua Mist, redlines on 15" chrome ralleys, putting a TH-2004R in and keeping for several years atleast. Would be a sharp looking car for sure. Dan
Reproduction 1/4s are available through OPG. I think there about 400.00 each. The only downfall is that they will fit 68 and 69, meaning YOU have to cut out a hole for the rear marker lamps. Round for 68 or rectangle for 69.
that is incorrect - I looked at the OPG catelog and they are stamped with the '69 rectangular marker openings Furthermore, I JUST called OPG and THEY ARE NOT AVAILABLE WITH NO ETA LISTED FROM MANUFACTURER ....it was reported several months ago that the Die used to stamp these '69 quarters was damaged and they are no longer available. Someone else recently told me that the die is being repaired with no time frame involved. As to what color to paint your car ?? WHAT EVER YOU WANT !!! While painting a car is not cheap, it is easily reversable by a future owner if he wants it the "correct" color. YOU have to live with the car and Like what it is. Sticking with a '69 production color is a "safe" way to go....but feel free to make the car whatever color your heart and eyes like.....just dont go too radical as that may definately affect future ability to sell it. Personally - my Convert. was also Verde Green from the factory. The First '69 I owned was Verde green and I lived with it for 5 years.....when it was time to paint the Convert. THERE WAS NO WAY !!! it was going to be Verde Green (Obviously Im not a "Green" fan FOR MY CAR) As far as fixing it up to sell it ?? You'll be lucky to get out whatever you put in....and might not even get it to that point. For example - lets say the quarters were availalbe for $800 for the set. add ~ another $800-1000 for a good shop to weld them in (and we're not even considering if the inner/outer wheel houses are good....or any other problem areas). Prep and paint for a quality (but not Show stopper) job will be anywhere from $3,500-$5000. Just doing those things ALONE, on the high side, and you've got $7,000 into it not including your initial purchase price. Now you have a beautiful outside wrapper - every part that is substandard is going to stick out like a sore thumb....and they're not cheap. '69 GS's have alot of one-year only parts on them - alot of which are not reproduced. To say it simply - restore the car if you're in love with it, not as a business proposition to make money.
George....if you're going to do that you should also buy my SportWagon as you'll need a place to sleep uzzled: :eek2: :rant: :rant: :moonu:
What the other have already said about the quarter panels are true. I think Alan's numbers for getting the work done are on the low side but generally you've been give some good feedback already. Good Luck!
How about TABCO for Qtrs? Just got the OPG catalog for spring 2005. The rear qtrs are in it. Whether they are available or not is a different story. Also, you might want to try TABCO for your qtrs. I think they sell them for the 68/69 cars.
