Many mods, but very nice car. I think he dosn't really want to sell however with the asking price that high. Here is the link http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/2236506350.html
can someone explain what Stage 2 means ? I see Stage 2 referenced for numerous cars, and often not even Buicks.
High??? I was thinking that's really low for a real GS 455 convt. (IF it's real!) Add in the Stage 2 heads, etc, etc, then it's a low price in my book. Wish I had the extra $$$$.
Stage2 was Buick's race-oriented designation for "off Road" use only High HP / speed parts. First offered in 1968 as just a cam/carb/ and other internal parts for higher RPM and HP, in 1970 the real jewel was introduced - the Stage2 heads with modified ports and much better breathing requiring different exhaust manifolds than a normal 455. There were only about 70 or so sets of heads ever produced. Stage2 equipment was only offered "over the counter" at the Buick parts dept. and was never "factory equipped" leaving manufacturing. TA Performance later introduced aluminum Stage2 heads with all the benefits of the original design and then some. Even the Stage1 TE heads they make use some of the redisgned port work from the original Stage2 head.
thanks Alan and I don't mean to hijack the thread, but how about Stage2 builds for other brands ? Seems to me Stage2 may be loosely used to describe street/strip upgraded equipment without referring to any particular make.
The first brand to use the stage designations that I recall was MOPAR, in both the 1963 Dodge and Plymouth B bodies. After the late model year (1962) introduction of the 413 short cross ram engine, MOPAR came out with the 426 cross ram wedge in the 1963 model year. It was called the 426 stage II. There was no stage 1 although some will contend there was. After making some more improvements like bigger carbs for the 1964 model year, these engines were renamed 426 stage IIIs. Today they are now commonly referred to as 426 "max" wedges --meaning the maximum number of stages or maximum output. Per Bob Hoover these Max wedge cars produced 490 horsepower on the factory dyno but for PR reasons were sold as in the showroom as having 410 or 415. The Dodge engine reads on the valve cover "426 Ramcharger III" and the Plymouth reads "426 Superstock III." Then in the spring of 1964 the 426 race Hemi was introduced as a completely different engine. The Hemi replaced the max wedge 426. There was a single 4 barrel 426 street wedge that was offerred into the 1965 model year but it was yet another engine. These staged MOPAR engines ruled the drag strips back then. Many records were held by the Dodge factory team, The Ramchargers, led by Tom Hoover, Jim "Thunder" Thornton, Mike Buckel and others. I saw many of these guys last fall at a reunion. Here is a picture of my spouse's 426 Ramcharger engine bay.
yes it has alum TA stage 2 heads and alum intake and big fat nasty headers. i have original heads ready to go with car. this GS is not # matching but is a real GS. it won best of show at Charlotte auto fair. we all know the 72 didnt quite have the torque the 70/71 had however this car is bad. and the way i got it set up it will make your heart pound!!! i dont know if the price is good or bad but i got more in it than 35k. dont try and build one like this unless you got deeeep pockets.
