As some of you know I have finally started the actual work on the 1972 Stage 1 Suncoupe . This all began in 03 when thanks to Bill V. I had th opportunity to own the car I have looked for ever since I began being interested in Buicks . My wifes first car that she bought in hing school was a heritage over green 350 suncoupe . We over the years have owned 5 Suncoupes and looked for this particular car for 12+ years . A bit of info on the car . This is one of 3 known to exist and according to Buick Motor Div estimates one of 7 to 9 made . I personally knew the owners of the other two . One is in a private collection in florida the other is owned by a member and its close to being finished . The story about how I ended up with this car is a long but interesting one but thats for another post . Anyway the car has but 79XXX miles with every piece of documentation except the certacard . I have the original window sticker in very good shape and Mike T's for show days . I have the Virgina inspection resipts from new to 77600 miles . This car sat for many years but it still starts right up . It has its original crb, dist, engine , trans ,342 posi rear , lower rad hose , heater hoses, A/C belt, front rotors and other minor parts . When I got the car it was very rusty in the rear half from poor storage by the original owner . The trunk was a window to the gas tank so no build sheet . The filler panel above the trunk could be pushed down 1 inch and was very weak . Basically everything from the front seat back to the taillights was junk . I started buying NOS parts the week I got it home ( I drove it into my garage on my birthday ) To make a very long story a little shorter I spoke with Duane about the best way to save this car as I got estimates of over 10K just to repair the rusty areas with patch panels and install the new quarters . Well after this conversation I found a member with a beautiful shell from Portland and Rick Henderson brought it to me ( thanks Rick ) . I stored everything and went to collecting NOS stuff . Along the way the buick bug bit aagain and I have bought 2 GS 455 cars and just sold one last week. The extra projects were slowing me down to a standstill . Buying parts for 3 cars instead of one . Well in 2005 I had the rear half professionally grafted to my Suncoupe and its now a rust free ( mostly ) car . I have pulled the car from the frame and installed it on a donor chassis in the last 2 weeks . On monday the shell is going to media blast . The drive train is getting rebuilt and the body work will begin very soon .
Re: Congratulations 10 B The body , inside and frame all seperate now . I have the shell on a donor chassis for delivery to the media blaster on monday :bglasses:
Glaicer white with black half top black interior . I was guessing that 10 was still for white even in 72 . This shot is with the new back half installed and right before we pulled it from the chassis .
Hi John nice work and I know how you feel everytime a buick comes up I want to buy it and now have a shop full of cool project cars but the busier my work gets the less seems to get done on the Buicks, much like you my train of thoughts is changing, only finished cars and maybe its time to sell some of the projects. Can't wait to see your car done, remember you promised me a nice 8x10 glossy for my wall of Buicks, the one that got away. Bill
Remember me?? I was the one who first posted this car on this board.... :grin: (just kidding) Seriously, John, glad to see you're finally having at it with this thing. I was wondering why (with such a rare gem and a good amount of NOS goodies) you kept buying other projects/cars. Any time frame as to when you'll have this completed??
Here's some shots of 1 of the other 2 Stage 1 SunCoupes. Mine is Heritage Green with white roof and interior. The interior is done and ready to install. Chassis is mostly done. Been working on making it drivable, still have to install the steering column. Rear clip ready to block sand, have rust free doors to install. Front fenders and core support are new. This car is mostly loaded, power windows, locks, power bucket seat, N-25, AC, 8 track. I'm very picky when it comes to parts, they have to look and function correctly. That slows the progress greatly. Careful cleaning of the original parts to look for paint markings or codes and reproducing them eats up a lot of time. I would like to have it ready for the 2008 Nationals. Steve
I wondered if you still had that Steve, haven't heard you talk about it for years. Glad to see it's getting done:TU: Didn't mean to hijack thread, the White one is going to be sweet as well:TU:
I was trying to get it done for the 08 NATS also . This is my goal . As to buying other projects . I have a Buick problem Dr. Seems like wen I see a GS thats being mistreated I have to bring it home and fix it . I now have only 2 projects . I almost bought another Stage 1 from florida until I had George N. look at it . So now I am full speed ahead . I am looking at maybe april getting into the paint shop . I had an appointment for jan and its been pushed back . So I am looking for a new shop and I think I found it . The guy that runs this one used to be a dealer body man until 1966 when he became a Iron worker. Well on his time off he started to work on these older cars and he got so busy he built a nice shop and storage buildings and quit iron working in 1973 . He has been restoring old cars since then and has never advertized . Word of mouth and let me tell you he has a rep in the GM arena here . Mostly Olds 442, and Pontiac GTOs but from what I saw when I actually found him was awesome . Unless another shop has a sooner timeslot he willl get my car .
Steve, Was your car in a magazine (Musclecar?) back in the late 80's early 90's? I remember seeing pictures and reading an article about a stage 1 suncoupe the same color as the door on the car in your pictures. I still may have that magazine around (along with 100 other old magsou: )
I'll answer that for Steve , nope ! That car was the third one known . It was owned by Dave Newton and he showed it at BG often until sold . His car and Steves are alomst identical twins except I think Steves car was original a high option car and Dave added a lot . By the way you want to donate that mag to a Suncoupe owner
Thanks for the info, I remember really liking that color on the car shown in the mag. I am not sure where that magazine is but I know I have 3 or 4 years of Musclecar Review and a few other mags from the late 80's early 90's put away.
John is correct. Mine and David Newtons old car are very similar. It was in Muscle Car Review in the mid 90's. I could look up the date if needed. Where did it end up? It was offered to me several years ago but I just couldn't swing it. Steve
Same here , When it came up for sale I got a email with pics offering the car to me . I have no idea where they got my info . Its supposed to be in florida in a private museum / collection . I have yet to find it since . Steve the hoses are leaving tomorrow . I threw in my original heater hoses with the lines on them . I think they are being repo but it might be nice to see if we can get a roll of each size .
Am I correct in believing that this is a GS with the Suncoupe conversion/option? With it being 1 of only 3 known left in existance what would it be worth in your estimation?
You are correct , the car in the magazine above is a twin to Steves car and mine is white with black top / interior. I have no idea what its worth , just what that car sold for 3 or so years ago 65K More pics tomorrow as it heads to the media blaster !
