In 1968 or 1969, there was a "Carolina GS", a "Colorado GS" and "California GS." The Carolina GS badge on the 69 looked different than that one. There weren't many of them. I have heard of them though. Here's a link to a blurb on it. Still looking for a pic myself... http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Speedway/1569/carolina.html
"Disricts" Used to spec out some cars for area Dealers for Special Promotions in areas. Cleveland Mercury area had a "Capri GT" based on the Comet Capri of 66, GT striping from the Cyclone, minor trim packaged at a special price, added some "FLash." Olds did the same in mid 70s, Special Cutlass pak was GOG in Pittsburgh, (Grand Olds Gang) Cleveland area got the VSO (Very Special Olds). Some Dealerships did there own, by specing certain options & colors and digging for trim in the Parts department. Buick Youngstown had a number of 67 Opel Kadett GS cars. Got stripes to look like the 340 GS cars, and scoops from the GS Hood. Thats also how Don Yenko started with the Stinger, 100 White Corvairs set with specific trim & options. Have Fiberglass rear decks produced, Painted Stripes, and/or the nose Blue (cut glare of the white) 1/4 window cover plates, and a decal pak. JR
As I recall some of the dealers here had them made and installed to try to catch some draft from the Cal fad.
I would almost be willing to bet my life that I have "seen" a 68 or 69 "Carolina GS" in an old Muscle Car magazine years ago. I know about the Colorado, but I actually have seen a Carolina before I ever even knew a GS Colorado existed.... Somebody besides me MUST have heard of this.....68 or 69 I mean.
this has been discussed before http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8087&highlight=carolina+gs
Hey, Ken here from Ken's GS California Home Page. I have had several people email over the years about the Carolina GS in a '68/'69 body style. I have also received emails about a Northwestern GS in a '67 or '68 body style. I don't know whether they're real or not, but they have been witnessed by more than one person. I do remember someone sending me a link to pictures of a dark blue Carolina GS that I believe was a '69. I'll have to see if I can find them.
In '76 or '77, Olds had the Cutlass "Extreme" for sale here in the Twin Cities. Supposedly specially equipped to handle extreme weather. They rusted out just as fast as the regular Cutlass did. :laugh:
here is another source http://home.flash.net/~stanbrad/p68gsrst.htm It might be worth e-mailing him to see where his info is from.
..yeah, I've been to his website before. I think I even sold a fan shroud to him once. here is a blurb on the California/Colorado/Carolina from the website... As in 1967 a California GS version of the GS 350 was offered. Two other rare take-offs of the California GS where produced in Colorado and the Carolinas. The only difference was that the Colorado dealers removed the California GS emblem and replaced it with a Colorado GS emblem. The other version, the Carolina GS was likewise altered. In both cases it was nothing more than replacing the one emblem for a customized emblem. All of these special variants were style number 43327.
last bit of info http://www.myclassiccar.com/MCCTV/2002Season/026101/colorado.shtml I thought I had a picture of a light blue carolina GS but can't locate it. I did find this info for the colorado GS, even though it's a little off topic.
here's one a pic, don't know if it's authentic or not - although I did see one in person about 4 years ago for sale in Virginia
Well, I placed a bid on the emblems. If I get them I'll see how the mounting pins line up with the California emblems for the '68/'69 GSs to see if they could be direct replacements. The pic that Keith posted of the blue '69 quarter with the Carolina emblem looks like the same car I had seen pictures of earlier. Anyone have any NorthWestern GS emblems?:grin:
Re: here's one I'm thinking "maybe" not (for 68 anyway), only because I kind of think that they used the same script as the Colorado and California nameplates. This one looks too different. Dave Tumas emailed me and told me he thinks he still has a Carolina nameplate from a 68 he got in a junkyard years ago. I asked him if he could find it to send me a pic...
I'm going to go slightly off topic-- In the early 80's the dealers around here were selling "West Dakota" Regals. All were spec'd out with a two-tone brown/gold paint scheme, the gold hurricane style wheels, and had a big sticker of the Buick Hawk and "West Dakota" on the rear quarter panels. Seemed like the things were everywhere. There's still a few around yet. Any other areas of the country have a similar package?
Here is a GS California. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2479442966&category=16124 ___________ Rob 1972 Riviera
: ( I just installed an NOS right hand one on my 69 Electra Con a few weeks ago and now I may be selling the car ou:
I am interested in the Carolina emblems.I would like to know if you still have them and how much you want for them. :beer
Got to put in my .02 here . Dealers often did special promotions . Here in St Louis area there were special GS cars that had a GSS emblem . This was Gilbert buick the GSS was for Gilbert Sport Special that was how they were advertized and sold here . My mother inlaw had one and it was a flame orange 72 GSS 350 it had a funky rear half vynil that came way back on the rear quarters and also had a hearse type symbol in the sail panel area . Very ugly to me . My brother in law wrecked it 3 weeks after getting his drivers licence .
