Hi, I'am new to the forum. I am 50 years old. My first buick(1971) was a 1965 Buick Skylark Gran Sport 401cu. 2 speed auto with an open 3:08 rear on F70 biased ply tires. It ran 15.9 AT 90 MPH. Could not keep the tire from smoking out of the hole, but I could beat any local stock442 or GTO from a 20 mph roll around town. I even smoked a 440 4 speed Dodge Charger from a roll. Never a mistake with the 2 speed Super Turbine 300. The car really pulled well through first gear shifting about at 60 Mph. My second Buick was a a 1968 GS400 Auto t400 with an open 2:93 rear, brown with a white interior and and white vinyl roof. It ran well clipping a 14.7 at 92 mph in the 1/4 on bald snow tires. My dad was a Buick salesman for years and I always got a shot at trade-ins for a good price so I had to take what I could get. The dealership was a small neighborhood shop and wasn't performance oriented in the least. Dentist's most likely owned them before me. Later I had a 1965 verde green Riviera with a white interior deluxe exterior package , standarard white interior with a Mickey Mouse under the dash air conditioner that was colder than a sub zero refrigerator. I believe it packed a 401 not a 425 and didn't have that much out of the hole but fantastic top end and stable. I later picked up a 67 Pontiac Firebird 400 Ram air III car stripper no power brakes ,steering or factory radio. It had been campaigned in F/SA by a local Pontiac dealer. When I bought the car it was smoking a little and was getting tired. It ran 13.9 at 100 mph. I rebuilt it for SS/FA or SS/GA depending if the ram air was run open or closed. By the time I completed my 2 year project the car was already obsolete . I never ran it and sold it to a local racer. I also dabbled in HiPo Chevys with a 1972 SS454 El Camino with a rock crusher M22 4 speed and a 72 and 73 small block vettes. I had a big lull in performance cars and then bought a used(all my cars were used) 1986 T/Type Regal with the Bill Blass package black and silver with the optional spoiler. I drove that car everyday until it was on its last leg. It was a great smooth powerfull machine although finicky. The power was quite unusual not like the torque I was used to from big block Buicks I always thought it felt more like jet powered. Well last year I bought the car that I would have liked to buy new in 1970 and 1971 that I couldn't afford back then. I picked up off of E-bay believe it or not a 1971 GS455 stage 1. It was reasonably priced and less than 60 miles from my residence. It is white with a green interior. The protecto plate states it was an originaly lime green. I believe a GS only color and the serial numbers reflect it as a GS. I wasn't sure it was a real Stage 1 ,but it has the H code for Flint. If it was a clone it was still a great car and looks like it had been restored and not driven in foul weather. Its as clean underneath as it is on top. I'll give you the details 1971 Buick Stage 1 , T400 , buckets .full console, front disc brakes , sway bars (thick) front and rear . I just discovered the TS code on the engine after many searches with light steel wool. I can't see or find the engine seial number on the front of the block. original air conditioned car disconected, p/s, p/b, ralley wheel. N25 bumper and exausts The following are the performance modifications I have figured out on the car so far: Headers with big collectors and long tubes into turbo mufflers Edelbrock aluminum high rise manifold Holley double pumper 850 performance series carb. What do you guys think about a worked 800 Q-jet instead? Radical cam with a severe lumpy idle. It has a vacuum canister and still not enough vacuum for the power brakes Roller rockers and and T/A black valve covers( original serial numbered chrome covers were in the trunk with the air conditioner unit. Deep 8 quart oil pan trans cooler and an obvious shift kit. Holley electric fuel pump and regulater. 12 bolt chevy rear with I believe 3:73 gears. It tachs at 2500 at about 50 mph. Unfortunately it has a stock torque converter. I believe the engine was ballanced and blue printed but I don't know the compression. I'am assuming this car was completely done over at one time. The former owner did not do the job and only changed the rear fron 4:56 and put the stock torque converter back in. It drives great, smooth and tracks real well the only minor problem is the idle. I think a 2500-2800 rpm torque converter may help this out. What do you guys think? I am sorry if I carried on but I'am quit excited about turning wrenches on a Buick again. I haven't done anything but cruise it now and again. I am looking foward to this forum for your help, tips and just general reading pleasure. I still like old nailheads too and would like to own another 1965 Gran Sport. Regards Dennis ps. My daughter bought a 1965 Riviera with a 425 and full power. It is basically straight but still need a lot of work. It has drivers side floor pan problems. I picked up brand new seat covers ,rugs and headliner so far but have yet to tackle the floor. I just am stripping the chrome off of it. I am just going to make it a presentable driver if I can, but I think I may have bit off more then I can chew.
Dennis: With such a long Buick history, I don't think you should post in Wet behind the ears :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Nice introduction :TU: !!!
Welcome Dennis, I think you will find this board full of information and helpful members. My first Buick was a nice Wildcat, I acquired in 75. My dad always drove Buicks and he passed the desire unto me. Good luck with your project Riv. Patrick
Dennis, Here's a good link for a new floor pan: :Smarty: CLICK LOGO http://www.classicfabrication.com
Welcome Dennis. If you would like to meet and mix with many of your Buick brothers and sisters come to Englishtowns Raceway park this weekend. 15th Annual Buick Performance Weekend.
Erik, Thanks for the link. I am aware of that site and I will most likely order the parts I need from them. Thanks for the welcome.
Doug , I would love to make it , but I work every other weekend and I don't think I can swing Sunday off. I am going to try to make the BOP race (Buick, Olds, Pontiac) which is in September I believe. I have not been to a drag strip in years.
I thought Buick Performance Weekend was labor day weekend (Sept 4-5).. I thought I was going on the 4th. Dennis - The P-O-P will tell you if your car's a legit stage1. Post the codes here and we'll tell you. i run a factory stage1registry, trying to document the survivors. If your car is a factory stage1, I hope you will consider registering it. ...anyway, hopefully we'll hook up at e-town :TU:
Sorry for the wrong info. Hey I am a product of the 60 & 70's and don't remember much of it but am told we had fun:beer & :3gears: forever!
Welcome Dennis! Sounds like you've enjoyed quite a stable of Buicks over the years. Got any pics of your new toy??? We'd love to see 'em. Patrick
Welcome aboard Dennis! If you can make it,our Buick Perfomance Weekend at Englishtown is a perfect event to introduce you and your new Buick. Looking forward to seeing you there.:TU:
Cowl Plate Marco, I mean't the cowl plate not the POP This is how my cowl plate reads in this order ST71 43437FL1 076155BDY TR 168 43 B PNT 01D Any help would be appreciated Thanks. The engine is marked TS beneath the heads
Re: Cowl Plate Hi Dennis - nice GS! I hope to see it on Sept 4 and Raceway park :Brow: Unfortunately, a cowl tag will not tell you if it's a factory stage1. A TS motor? Did you find the VIN on the motor? If the serial on the motor matches the serial of your car, it's a legit stage1... ST 71 - style 1971 43437 - Buick GS 2 door coupe Fl1 - Flint michigan Fisher Body plant 076155 BDY - body #, no relation to VIN - used by Fisher only TR 168 - Trim code 168 - Black bucket seat interior 43 B PNT - Paint codes - Lime Mist (43) with black vinyl top (B) 01D - Body completed 4th week (D) January (01) 1971. If you find the VIN on the block, please consider registering your GS. If you can't find the VIN, we'll look for the VIN at E-town :TU:
