Well the 4spd car that I had in my sights got sold. Now I am starting the search again. I would like a Numbers Matching GS350 4spd car. I would prefer a convertible with buckets. I realize it is a rare bird, but I might as well shoot for the moon before I aim lower. I don't mind paint, interior or engine work. In fact I would love to find one that needed an engine rebuild so I could get Jim Weise to build it for me:grin: :3gears: . Anyway, if you have a 4spd GS350 and are considering moving it please let me know. If the right car comes along I will buy it even if the convertible is still here. I will have to deal with the wife :shock: and be on her list for a few months, but it will work out in the end. If you want to trade for the 71 Convertible and :dollar: that can be arranged. PM me or e-mail me at mpetersn@charter.net Thanks,
Matt consider installing a 4 spd in your vert and build a engine for that. that way you can drive it and not freak out over small things. A rare car like a GS 4spd or especially a convert 4 spd would probably make you not want to drive it like you want. Buy a conversion kit from TPP. Source a Muncie and have fun with it. Just my 2 cents. If your squemish about cutting up that GS for parts I have a bunch of bucket seat stuff brackets and seats ect.
That is an option that I have thought about. I realize it would be cheaper to convert the existing car to a "CLONE"/"Tribute" car, but it would never be the real thing. I did look at the 4spd car in Hemmings. Price was OK, but there were a few to may things wrong with it. The Sloan Docs say it should have White interior, not black. It is supposed to have an N25 bumper and doesn't. It is not supposed to have the rear spoiler or front air dam. It has a number of performance upgrades which is fine, but the original parts are not with it. So no original intake manifold, exhaust manifold, carb, distributor etc. I might be wrong, but I would expect the rare bird I am looking for to cost along the lines of the nice low mile GSX 350 that sold last fall. Much more than that and you could buy a GS455 convertible.
There is no such thing as a GS350 4 speed convertible with factory buckets. I would stronly consider the conversion as well. What you are looking for is pretty rare. I know there were only 51 71's. Not sure off hand about the 72's but I know it was less than 100.
My point exactally. It looks lie you have a nice convert already. I would do the conversion and be thrilled with the fact that I am not into it for mega bucks. I see a guy at BG every year buying up all the 4 spd stuff for changeovers and taking it north of the border. The shame of it is he gets the stuff reasonable and seems to find it every year. Keep in mind you can source the rear bumper to Rusty at BG and have the N 25 hole cut into a regular bumper and tips and hangars are easily attainable from the board. A GS hood I think you already have or get a fiberglass one . There are many ways to get what you want. If you have to have a GS 4spd convert Tims car sounds right .
I know of 3 71's off hand that I have seen in person. I know for sure the 1 in my garage is not going anywhere.
Back in 2005 I had a chance to buy this 70 350 4 speed, for $6,700.00ou: Needed well, everything:eek2: I figured that my pockets were not deep enough. If you find one it will cost you some cash. I look at what my 69 400 4 speed cost and what I have in it and what is left to put in it:eek2: It would have been better to find a good lark and clone it. Rich
Matt, My brother has a '71 GS 350 4-speed hardtop that he might consider selling. It's all numbers matching, but the front-end is apart due to reconditioning. It's red with a black vinyl top with black bench seat interior. I believe it's a non-a/c car too. There's some spots that need alittle attention, but it's a really decent car. I'll ask him if he's interested in selling, as it's been sitting for a few years.
There were only 39 72's built. I'm not sure if there is a breakdown of how many had a/c. It seems like most of the GS 4spd. cars were non a/c.
I understand not ordering AC in a convertible, but no AC in a coupe does not fit the "Buick" customer very well. If you were on the "up" wouldn't you usually order AC for a coupe?
I know what you mean, I had to have a true 4 speed car and found it here (Thanks John!). I wanted a 350, but got it's big brother. I'm still happy with my buy, but it's a basket case. If your going to find one, this is the place. Rich
I hope you are right Rich. I wish the Buick buyers back in the 70's bought more 4spds. It seems a lot easier to find a 442, Chevelle or GTO 4spd convertible than a GS in any of the years. While I know they made more of them it seems like percentage wise there were more also. I guess fast with class means taking it easy and letting the torque and automatic do it for you.:laugh: Anyway, I have time to find it. You can't expect to start looking for the car you want to keep for a long time and find it in a few days. That would be to easy.
If I'm reading correctly, 15 GS convertibles in 1971 had 4-speed floor shift transmission and air conditioner and that's all 902 GS convertibles, not just 350". I've got one of them. I've seen Chris' at Salem (probably in Flint too)and had one just like mine color wise next to me at Flint one day, owner from Ill, that was too cool. 1972-Again if I'm reading correctly, looks like 25 of the 852 GS Convertibles built, had a 4-speed transmission and air conditioner were built. Mike
I have never seen the break downs that you are looking at. The only ones I have seen are the ones on George's Buick Performance site. That one breaks it down just by transmission. 1970 GS350 Coupe had 884 4spd cars out of 9948 1971 GS350 Coupe had 358 4spd cars out of 5986 1971 GS350 Conv had 51 4spd cars out of 656 1972 GS350 Coupe had 353 4spd cars out of 5896 1972 GS350 Conv had 39 4spd cars out of 645. The 71 - 72 numbers do not break down the GSX350's into auto or manual. I would have to say that a Real GSX 350 4 spd car would be an special car to own also. If anyone has one of those or sale I would take that.
I have only seen 1 4 speed small block GSX. It is a bench seat car as well if memory serves me correct. I would venture to say that may be a 1 of 1.
You guys are crushing my hopes. The fall back plan is a GS350 4spd coupe. I want to take at some time to find the diamond before I wade into the world of coupes. Even then any GSX350(auto) would be prefered.
It took me 12 years from the time I started loking for a Stage 1 Suncoupe till I got mine. I think that Tims dads car might be a good deal.
Go for it if you can find it. Big block GS converts in '71, only 27 made. 18 GS455 and 9 stg1. Many more Gs350s if you can find one.
