The one that started it all! ... 70 Stage 1 restoration

Discussion in 'Members Rides' started by Tom Nesser, Feb 25, 2020.

  1. Tom Nesser

    Tom Nesser Well-Known Member

    My first "real car" was a 1970 GS Stage 1. Dad let me buy it (when I wrecked my "trainer car") because it was a Buick! Camaro's and Mustangs were off limits. But grampa had a Riviera, so Buicks were "old mans cars" and OK. I had no idea how lucky I was! I just saw the Hurst 4 speed shifter and I wanted it! It was Sherwood Green with a white interior. I bought it in 1973 and sold it in 1975 (when I went to college). In the three summers I had it I never lost a race! LS6's, Hemi's, 6 packs, Shelby's, it didn't matter. From a standing start it was no match. Even against automatic Stage 1's i'd usually get them by a car or so ... had to be that extra gear. It was completely stock. A one time trip to the drag strip yielded a best of 13.08 on street tires through mufflers! She was a monster. I was a kid with no $ to make it go faster, and what was the point anyway then. That was then.
     

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  2. Tom Nesser

    Tom Nesser Well-Known Member

    Forty-four years later by crazy chance I found the car! It was 30 miles away, sitting on blocks, and everything was there! It took two years to convince Jimmy to sell it to me. He wast the 5th owner (I was second) and it was his first real car too! We talked every 6 months or so. He finally cut it loose in March of 2019! I promised him I'd bring it back to life and keep him in the loop. It's been quite a project! I'm going to post pic's of the progress
    in hopes that it may help anyone considering doing a frame off restoration. Its at the paint shop now! I hope to have it done by its 5oth birthday ... lol The build sheet was still there and it was dated 4-14-1970.
     

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  3. 1972Mach1

    1972Mach1 Just some M.M.O.G. guy.....

    Awesome! Please put the slots back on :)
     
    70skylark350 likes this.
  4. Tom Nesser

    Tom Nesser Well-Known Member

    Picked it up in March of 2019. We flat bedded it to my buddy Dan McDonalds Garage and started taking it apart ... 30 years sitting on a dirt floor sure took its toll. Mice had taken over the interior ... yuk
     

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  5. Tom Nesser

    Tom Nesser Well-Known Member

    Once we got it apart it was off to my friend Eric Weis' shop to take the body off the frame
     

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  6. Tom Nesser

    Tom Nesser Well-Known Member

    The motor and transmission went to our local Buick motor guru Ken Nogaj. Kenny has a collection of GS's - from stock to mild to wild. Lots of nice new parts from TA performance went into the motor. Ken did all the machine work himself. Our goal was to make it run a bit better than stock but nothing crazy - I want to drive this car and enjoy it. Ken delivered. On the 9th dyno pull she made 430 hp and 510 ft lbs with the stock 2016 Q-jet. And it sounds awesome ...
     

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  7. Tom Nesser

    Tom Nesser Well-Known Member

    Eric and Mike went to town cutting out all the rusty metal and replacing it with new ...
     

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  8. Tom Nesser

    Tom Nesser Well-Known Member

    The body and frame went to Miller Sandblasting in Rochester. Great bunch of guys and they do great work.
     

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  9. Tom Nesser

    Tom Nesser Well-Known Member

    After the guys at Miller were finished it was back to Eric to put the body back on. Kenny had motor and transmission were ready, so we picked them up. Into the frame they went. Then back to the body ...
     

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  10. Tom Nesser

    Tom Nesser Well-Known Member

    Took the interior to Legendary. They are an hour away in Newark NY. They've done three other GS's for me and I feel they are the best. Interior is waiting to go in ...

    Chrome went to Niagara Plating in Grand Island NY. Mike and his son do great work! I have the "before" pics - "after to follow"
     

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  11. Tom Nesser

    Tom Nesser Well-Known Member

    Now the car is at the paint shop. My friends Kenny and Jimmy Giles are about a week away from finishing.
     

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  12. Tom Nesser

    Tom Nesser Well-Known Member

    Many thanks to Todd Miller, GSCA parts, TPP, GS Fred, John Chamberlain, Brian Trick, John Gentner, CARS, everyone I’ve mentioned in my posts, and some I may have failed to mention .... for helping me bring this car back to life! More to follow ...
     
  13. BYoung

    BYoung Stage me

    Great story! Time to rule the streets again.
     
    tdacton likes this.
  14. Redmanf1

    Redmanf1 Gold Level Contributor

    Nice Job...
     
  15. ToddsGS

    ToddsGS Founders Club Member

    Can't wait to see it when its done!
     
  16. IlliniGSX

    IlliniGSX GSX #401

    Fantastic story! I am so glad you got it back it looks great.

    Jim
     
  17. Smokey15

    Smokey15 So old that I use AARP bolts.

    Very nice! Cool story as well.
     
  18. Brian Albrecht

    Brian Albrecht Classic Reflections

    Instantly one of my favorite threads ever!
     
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  19. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    Following!

    Great story, Tom!
     
  20. Cutlass

    Cutlass Platinum Level Contributor

    Thats almost like hitting the jackpot in a lottery.
    Congratulation a) for being fortunate to drive such a cool car in a young age and b) for being lucky to find that car again after so many years.
     

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