'71 GS 455 CONVERTIBLE LEAD

Not mine, but does anyone know anything about this one? Please share your thoughts here.

https://www.garagekeptmotors.com/vehicles/1195/1971-buick-gs-455-convertible

Price seems high to me but, I don't know much about the '71 as my year of choice is '70.

 

If it's real, and I didn't look through all the pics for documentation, then I don;t think it's out of line assuming the body is not all bondo. 4 speed, big block conv are few and far between. Vin in 71 didn't distinguish big block or small, so it could be a 350 car, now with a 455. Looks to be a 72 engine, and the top will need to be replaced.

 

Limemist is an awesome color! Why would someone change it to red...

 

Originally a green interior too. Personally I'd prefer Lime Mist and the green interior but I like green cars.

If the engine isn't #'s matching and there's no docs (sure would be nice if that '71 microfiche you say exists would surface) the best one could do is prove it's a 455 car by the frame part #/VIN. Couldn't prove it's either a Stage 1 or a 4-sp. unless it is actually an orig. 4-sp. car and that VIN matches.

I thought there were some documented original '71 cars that had the "72" cast into the heads but I could be thinking of 350's.

 

I see lots of “backyard mechanic “rush to sale issues.
I can see holes in the underbody, spray bomb technique on the air cleaner assembly is horrible, emergency brake cables, clips and fasteners are all missing. Looks like it would be a restorable car if the build sheet is available. Price is probably within reason for some. Without a build sheet for 71, it’s nearly impossible to document a true big block car.

 

Agree! It orig. had a green interior too.

Back in '88 IIRC (could've been '87 or '89), at the Nationals there was a '71 Lime Mist hardtop with a Verdemist Green painted top and I believe a green interior. I only remember seeing the car there one year. We were there with my friend's '71 Lime Mist GS 455 w/black top/interior.

 

The frame part #/VIN would verify it as a BB.

 

I was there in '87 and '89, I'll have to look and see if I have pictures of both of them.

 

Sold at Mecum 2018 for $28k plus commission.

https://www.mecum.com/lots/SC0518-326762/1971-buick-gs-convertible/

 

I don't think it is an original 4 Speed. Shifter looks too centered in the transmission tunnel.

Were the convertible frames different between the big block and small block?

 

Thanks Mike! I'd love to see a pic of it. I remember talking to the owner. We may have had the only 2 Lime Green Hardtops there that year. We definitely had my friend's car there 2 out of those 3 years.

The hardtop and convertible frames were different for SBB vs. BBB and hence carry different part #'s - The horns are slightly thicker on the BBB frames.

I doubt it's an original 4-sp. car either. Only way I'd believe it is w/docs or if the VIN matched.. Brake pedal pad is wrong too which leads me to believe the pedal assy came from a different make car.

 

Can you tell form any of the pics of it has a big block steering shaft/rag joint?

 

Was also on AutoTraderClassics within the last twelve month's for $27,000

 

Tried to blow-up one of the engine pics to see ...

 

Used the photo app on the phone to try some different lighting & contrast settings ...

 

The ad does mention it originally being a 350/4 speed car.....

 

I don't think I read the ad & usually I do before looking at pics. So in my mind it's worth what a comparable 350 car would be. Afaik, the highest selling one (a #'s matching 4-sp.), which was a beautiful example, sold for $36k. I still wouldn't believe this was an original 4-sp car w/o some level of docs.

There was a SCO bucket/console car on eBay a few years back in AZ @ a consignor (ad didn't even mention the SCO) - Same colors as this one and orig. 350 w/a 455. Not as "nice" as this one but they wanted big $ for it considering the condition. IIRC about the same price as this one which was about $20k too much. Had a hood tach too which I suspected was orig.