Here are a few pictures of a 1970 Buick GS 455 that I am in the process of painting/restoring for another board member. I wont mention any names because I did not tell him I was going to be posting any pictures but he can chime in if he wants. It is a big project. He found some NOS and southern sheetmetal for it. It will have replacement fenders, quarters, trunk floor, and various other panels replaced as needed. Got to love NY cars-you southern guys are spoiled! As received:
Work begins....fenders and doors stripped to bare metal to asses the damage and see what lurks below. Streightening has begun. The passenger door had been re-skinned sometime in its life. The drivers door was a little "punky" in the lower front corner. I metal patched it to make i prevent any future problems.
-doors and fenders roughed in-first coat of primer (dont confuse the primer for the "Bamboo Cream"-they are very close) -the quarters are ready to cut -roof is stripped to bare metal This car had at least two repaints over the years before it got to me. The paint was very thick-you cant even imagine how bad the quarters were stuffed with bondo and "flexible edge" patch panels.
-removed the windshield (and attempted to cut my pinky off when the blade on my knife broke) and found another surprise! Somone had pulled the vinyl top back at some point and attempted to seal up a hole with bondo and aluminum screen. (quote from the owner-"whooo does that!")
-Rh quarter removed-outer wheel house gave up many years ago! -replaced outer wheel house -Rh quarter installed, tacked in place, awaiting final weld
-window channels ground down, metal patched -dents/dings repaired on roof, factory roof seams resealed, "a" piller drip molding retainer repaired -door jams taken down to bare metal -primed -quarters ready to start streightening This car will be real solid when done. All the problem areas were metal patched and welded. It will be painted the original "Bamboo cream " with brown vinyl top/interior. .......lots more work to do.....BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS!
The owner has done the mechanical portion himself (engine, drivetrain). He has been beating the bugs out of it for a couple years now while he was waiting for me to finish up my '68. It runs real strong and sounds great. He actually got me into the Buicks. I am doing the bodywork myself. I have been doing bodywork for 21 years. It started as a hobby and has evolved into my second job. I do anything as simple as color matching mirrors to full restorations. Hope to have my own shop some day and do this fulltime. I have plenty of work, just not enough time! It seams like I finish a project and there is another one waiting for me.
That car looks familiar!!! First off Dave's work is top notch, he is definitley in the wrong buisness!! I've been collecting parts for two years, and it's finally getting done. Dave also painted my T-type, you can check out some pics of that on the turbobuick website, under my PDZZ username. The only thing I'm worried about is, I drove the crap out of my GS! Now with it all nice... i might be a little gun shy.. Phil.
Thanks for the kind words. I take pride in the work I do and commend myself to doing things "the right way". I have been known to spend way too much time on things that nobody will ever see just so I know it is done right. Now that the weather has changed, things will slow down a tad. The plan is to have this car ready for paint by spring time. I have a full time job and a family so my "second job" is limited to LATE nights and weekends. I will try to post more pictures as I make some more progress. The next plan of attack is the trunk floor. I will be dropping the tank and welding in a three piece trunk kit.
hey dave, just to let you know, if interested i have a 70 sedan shell for sale. i know its a nothing car, but the following parts are extremely solid. trunk is mint, rear window channel is very solid, trunk filler panel is mint, rear inside wells appear to be mint, roof (no vinyl) is mint, rockers mint, floor has some bad spots,but much of it is workable!! if you or anybody you know is interested, give me a shout. can be had for short money. steve 978-658-2247
