I was at a car cruise yesterday and met up with a gent with a 1970 GS350 (43437) produced late in 1970, June. It's a nice survivor and he has the original build sheet recovered above the gas tank. He says the sport mirrors and the Buick tri-shield on each side of the vinyl top were built with the car at the factory. The dual snorkel air cleaner also has "350-4" instead of "GS 350" on it. Has anyone else ever seen a 1970 GS like this? How about it, Duane? Here's the car:
The build sheet would tell a lot. Me being a skeptic, smells like something is not right. The sport mirrors from the factory would have been body color, those look black. Many things can happen to a car over 50 years.
The Tri-Shields I could believe. Very skeptical about the mirrors unless there's an SCO # on the sheet.
Sprot mirrors were not even an option for 1970. (standard on the GSX though). Doubt they could even be SCO, It would be interesting to see the mirror glass date code.
Was thinking the same on the date codes. I assume if you knew the right people that crazy things could be had but this one would certainly be out there.
What’s up with the Tried Shield medallion on the sale panel never saw one on a GS. In the wrong location too.
He says the sport mirrors are on the build sheet. I'm waiting for a copy. So, where is the date code on the sport mirrors and I'll have him check that too.
I believe the date code for the glass will be a 4 digit/letter code top or bottom center of the mirror. I am only speaking on experience with 68/69 mirrors so it may not be the case. Dealer installed, maybe, but why not body color if so?
Easy to tell by the vin on the 70,..which I see you mentioned but they's been plenty of GS350s in junkyards over the years
My 71, built in Dec of 70, had the 350-4 decal on air cleaner. Also had steel shim head gaskets. No tri-shield emblems on vinyl top sides. Here's new decal on cleaner, and what's left of original.
Well, that says the air cleaner decal is probably original. I'll have a look at the build sheet when I get it.
Csnt really see the trishield emblems but thry look like 72 style. And thryre not even in the right spot... No way on the mirrors. Added at some point.
Marts car is a 71, the one is question is a 70. Not sure if this makes a difference but in 1970 The GS350 was a separate model, in 71-72 the standard engine in a GS was a 350 with the 455 as optional so the model number was the same 350 or 455. The 350-4 decal makes sense for a 71. So I would say its not original on a 70.
D35 mirrors became available for the 1971 model year. 71 production started in August 70. So all the parts on your car should be dated 1970 even though it's a 71
