I'm looking for some opinions wether this car is worth saving? I have nothing into the car and its a true number maching original GS 400 Post car with Air,PS,PB, Power Windows with Front 4 Caliper disk Brakes. The previous owner said it was one of two cars with that option that year, I beleave him but not sure its that big a deal. There were only 1014 47607 Post car built and once again I'm not sure its a big deal, it might just mean no one wanted them. The car was bought localy so its a true southern car with all kind of rust and I do mean lot of rust. trucks gone floor board have some rust tru but is mostly sound. The trunk lids going to have to go eventualy and the filler between the trunk and rear window is rusted away and the quarters and fenders are rusted in the usual spots. There go's my southern car fanticies I guess when a car sits for god only know how many years its going to rust. I can live with the body repairs im in no hurry as long as I can drive it and fool around with it I'm good. The car sat with me for 4 or 5 years, the economy landed on me like every one els then my health took a dive and there she sat. The car ran but it over heated we knew the head gasket was shot so when I finally got around to taking the heads off and got a look at the pistons and oh boy there was a small chunck out of the top of one of them so now a head job turns into a reuild and a large pain in the rear for me with no garage or hard suface to work on. I can do it but it wont be fun and it will cost more than I thought upfront just to get it running. I love muscle cars you know relive my youth and all and I think Buick muscle with luxury is great. Pre stage 1 espesaly dont seem to go for much money and I'm not sure its worth the time & money to get it to a running beater but a true GS Beater thats important to me for some reason. Can I buy a True GS 400 that runs in rough shape? Well I dont have any money but I dont want to just do something really dumb. I'm not big on selling things so I'm not looking to make money off the car I'll proably want to be barried in it I just dont want to throw good money out the window. well I'll post some picks and quit all this droning on and on. Let me know what you all think. Thanks Pete
Yes, the 1st year for disks was 67, and they are 4 piston the same as a 68. My 4 spd rag 67 GS400 has that option as well. Ray
To save or not to save is the million dollar question every time. There is no good answer though. Are you able to do body work of the quality that you want? Not sure how available that the metal is but I think it's hard to come by 67 stuff just like the 65. You can end up with way more into a car than the car is worth in a big hurry. You have to figure out what you want it to end up as, what you can do, what it's going to cost to have the rest done, and what it would cost just to buy the car you want this one to be. Myself, I don't think I would mess with it. I can't imagine a scenario where it's economically feasible to go through a car like that unless you are good at the work and have the time to do it. On the other hand, it would be good from the perspective of someone not covering the cost to hear that another great year GS was saved. Sometimes it doesn't matter if it's cost effective to fix a car, but in your case since it's not a specific car that you are attached to I don't think I would mess with it.
I think this car is for somebody who can do the work to save it, otherwise, it will get expensive. I think it is worth saving, so I wouldnt say "stick a fork in it" yet. It is semi-rare and well optioned. I think selling it and turning that money in to a less needy project is a better option.
Thanks for the replies. The thing that irritates me is if this was a 442 or a SS or God forbid a GTO there would be no question, for some reason the GS's just aren't as collectible unless its a GSX or a Stage 1 to a lesser degree. I love the GS's especially if it got AC a car is useless in Fla with out it. I hate to sell things, when I was digging a Pond in my back yard I berried a Yamaha 750 that ran I was just tiered of it. So I doubt I'll sell the car unless some one throws a bag of money at me and I don't see that happening. So I guess I'll get it running and take it from there. It really is a great car and with a slightly built 400 & the limited slip rear end it has I think I can get this thing to be quite a bit of fun who knows I think I'm going to give it a shot. Pete
One more Question will the sheet metal from a 66 fit on a 67? It looks like I can get a 66 parts car if I move fast so any help would be great. Thanks Pete
Well it's a matter of the selling price of the restored car. Lots of the time it's cheaper to buy a nice car than to have a car restored. Don't sweat it though. You can buy the car of your dreams for way less money and then blow the doors off of the more expensive '67's out there.
Looks worth saving to me! If you think it's more of a project than it is worth, list it for sale here on the board and see what happens. o No: John
Front fenders will swap, but cutouts for the trim are different. Doors will swap. Rear quarter panels will swap. Hood, radiator support and trunk lid are different.
Thanks for the info that's some of what I need is the Trunk Lid and the Hood among other things I'm not sure it will work for me. You might of saved me a lot of time thanks. Pete
I agree with the above. To part it would be a shame. If it were a Skylark in the shape, that would probably be a different story. (No offense to Skylark owners, just thinking economically). This would be a great car for someone with skill and not a ton of money. That body style has great lines and the car would make for a fine restored example.
Well I sure fit the part of not a lot of money and if I can get the parts the body work I can handle just will take me forever the motor can be done just a pain doing it on the lawn, lord I wish I had a garage. I agree this year does have great lines. Pete
I say save it. My Skylark is one of those that would have cost me more than it is worth if I had to pay someone to do what I have done. I wanted something very different as well as to challange myself. It will be hard to do on the lawn but very rewarding when you hit the road. :3gears:
Well I just purchased a 66 Parts car, when I talked to the owner he said its rust free with a good interior. I guess everything on the car is tight it might be a bit of a sin cutting it up it just needs a motor and trans and its good to go but a cutting I will go got to save my GS. I got some pics. I'm starting to feel better about my situation.Oh ya I only paid $550 for the 66. Pete
The biggest question is do you love this car? If the answere is yes, then do the work, take your time, and enjoy. If it's just an old car that should be saved to you, sell it to someone that does love it. Just my 2 cents worth
X2. If you love it, save it. My cornet gold 70 is in way worse shape than what yours appears to be, and I'm saving it.
I live in SW Florida and yes I do love these cars I'd like it more if it was a stage 1 but with these 400's theres not that much difference like the 455's. I have to rebuild the motor so I'll get her going quite a bit quicker. I just like these and 442's muscle with a little class. After looking at the 66 I just might be better off using my 67's GS drive line and parts to make it a 67 GS complete with Vin Tag although I'm not to sure on the legality of such a move? Ether way I'm fixing the car and thats a good thing. Pete
I'd save it or sell it to someone that will. If you aren't in a big hurry I think buicks and other cars with limited parts availability are a great opportunity to learn to fabricate on your own. I don't know your situation or aspirations, but my goal in this hobby is to be able to learn to do as much as possible on my own. If you can use that car to learn skills along the way, regardless of its monetary value when complete, it will be priceless moving forward(Not to mention save you tons of money on other projects). Just my 2 cents. I hope you save it.
