I started collecting information on the early built Cortez Gold 1971 Stage 1 convertible Buick "Zone Office Cars" a few years ago, and thought perhaps some of you may know of one or two that still exist. I currently have info on eight cars and have heard rumors of a few more, but do not have any contact info to learn more about them. I heard one is in Maryland but don't know who owns it. One (with GSX stripes) sold at Mecum 2012, but I don't know who bought it. I also heard one was being stored at the Van Nuys airport in California and wonder if it is the car currently on eBay car formally owned by Charlie Sheen. Gary Steele has collected information and is doing the same thing for the 1972 Flame Orange Stage 1 convertible Zone Office Cars. Thanks to the Sloan Museum records and the work Mark McCoubrie has done there, it appears there were 25 of these cars built for the 72 production year. More information on the 1972 Zone Office cars can be found here: http://www.stage1registry.com/registry/Zone_Office_Stage_1_converts.pdf Since there is no historical documentation on the 1971 cars, it's going to be a little harder to determine how many 1971 Zone Office Cars were built. Erik Larson was once told by a Buick employee that there were only 13 built. All leads will be helpful, so if you know of any Cortez Gold 71 Stage 1 convertibles, please send me a PM so I can attempt to contact the owners. If you know of any 72 Flame Orange Stage 1 convertibles, contact Gary Steele (http://www.v8buick.com/member.php?40-BUQUICK). All information will be kept confidential at the owners request. Thanks in advance for any information or leads.
Here is more info on the 1972 Zone Office Cars that Mark McCoubrie and Gary Steele have compiled: http://www.stage1registry.com/registry/Zone_Office_Stage_1_converts.pdf Basically, they were very early built Stage 1 convertibles that were sent to each zone office for Buick executives to use. They were then sent to dealers and sold as demonstrators. Since Cortez Gold was a new color for 1971 and Flame Orange was a new color for 1972, perhaps it was a way for Buick to market these cars and colors? What blows me away is that there were only 81 Stage 1 convertibles built in 71 and again in 72 (in all colors and options), so is it irony that the totals were exactly the same in both years or was there something else Buick had planned? Could these cars be special ordered by the public or were they just built and sold throughout the year on a limited production? I find it hard to believe that the totals were the same each year if special orders were allowed. If anyone knows someone that worked for Buick back in the early 70's, maybe we can find out more about these cars.
How do you distinguish a "Zone Office" car from any other GS? Is it only detectible in the paperwork?
I believe all of the zone cars were built with identical options and very early production at least in the case of the 72's. So if there was a car in question, if the options and approx. build date match the verified zone cars it would pretty much determine that.
was there any zone cars built for Canada? were all the cars built at the same plant ie flint? johnny 64 skylark 69 gs400 69 ca gs (sold)
Here is a pic of one of the Zone Office Cars that was on eBay several years ago. This car was also at the GS Nationals a few years ago.
Wow, 9 already accounted for! That's impressive. I've found 10 of '72s so far so the survival rate for these cars is pretty high.
I'm glad you asked that. That was my question, too..... ---------- Post added at 08:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:45 PM ---------- very cool !
Didn't the 71's have a few more options than the 72's, like pwr. windows, pwr. seat, etc. ? Were they bucket/console also ?
Does anyone know a guy in Maryland with one of these? Nick In Ivyland has seen it but can't remember the owners name.
