The 'OW' trans is correct (due to the strike) - If it's numbers matching, then that's the proof it was orig. a Stage 1 car. The engine isn't orig. & while it'd sure be nice, as long as it's priced accordingly...
Agreed. A borescope shows flat top (1970) pistons in the SF block. I'd find it hard to believe the factory using left over short blocks with high compression. A block maybe but not a short block. Hey if it was priced as a Skylark I'd be polishing it on my driveway right now. They always seem 30% higher than you want them to be, lol.
I was wondering why you brought that up orig. Frank. Thought maybe I missed something. Funny that it does actually have buckets! Question is are they orig.? Maybe you were thinking of that triple black '72? I'd guess it's possible that a few early '71 cars got a '70 455 casting and maybe even would be stamped SF or SS (or even TF or TS) as that info was stamped at the engine plant but the VIN wasn't stamped into the block until the assembly plant & so barring say a digit being off because of a mistake, that would match the '71 car's VIN.
I could envision back then (not today) the possibility that they even used a hi-comp engine in a early '71 (always been rumors that some '68 GS 400's came w/430's). Idk if those numbers were stamped pre or post engine assembly. But certainly a '70 455 casting # is poss. It's still 1 of 81 (& beyond that super rare if a SCO bucket seat car) so I wouldn't expect Skylark pricing but also not numbers matching engine pricing. There's a lot to be said (esp. on a convertible) for orig. sheetmetal/paint. Hard to tell from the pics but that interior should be Pearl White. IMHO, if rust-free/orig. paint, orig. trans (S1 proof) & rear, SCO, & otherwise in decent condition & everything else checks out, mid $30's would be a reasonable price. $5k more wouldn't be unreasonable and $5k less a great deal. Here's what a restored in in that color combo looks like:
I think it's an absolutely beautiful color combination and love that it's a convertible 455 car. I didnt know buckets were so hard to find- that's always been a must for me in my GS cars. I need to assume its NOT a Stg1, and it is not rust free. Needs a trunk pan. Does have small rust holes. Torn top. Not a perfectly preserved car. But it still looks better than a typical car of that year that has not has not yet been restored.
I think it's an absolutely beautiful color combination and love that it's a convertible 455 car. I didnt know buckets were so hard to find- that's always been a must for me in my GS cars. I need to assume its NOT a Stg1, and it is not rust free. Needs a trunk pan. Does have small rust holes. Torn top. Not a perfectly preserved car. But that View attachment 604811 View attachment 604812 View attachment 604813
Keep in mind that, in 50 years, many of these cars went to second, third and further owners who often bought them as cheap fun cars and these owners drove and enjoyed them, and when something broke they went to the parts store or junkyard (or someone else’s wrecked or rusty car) for the parts they needed. I’m sure more than a few Stage 1 carbs and distributors got turned in as cores at the local parts store in exchange for $20 on a Tomco or Cardone reman. Missing these parts means you have negotiating room on a cool looking big block GS convertible with buckets, that needs very little to be an awesome sunny day toy. Don’t overthink it. If the price is right, buy it, clean it and drive it. Patrick
Lol, Well I have a triple black 68GS four speed convertible already. I just got the trim tag. Bittersweet Mist and pearl white interior are correct. Do not believe the highback bucket seats are.
01C is NOT an early production car and in fact its midway through the model year. So much for that idea too.
Have you seen the #'s on the trans? That's the proof that it's a Stage 1 unless there a Protecto-Plate? If the trans isn't orig. & there's no Protecto-Plate, there's really no way at that point to even prove it's orig. a 455 car. Not quite rust free and needs some love. But still... I typically feel the same way regarding buckets but my '71 GS convertible is bench and I'm ok w/that. Mine in Burnished Cinnamon/Sandalwood top/Pearl While & I think will be stunning (someday).
Dam, sorry it’s not a special car order for bucket seats, Buick was highly reluctant to put bucket seats in a convertible after 1970.
Does the number stamped on the OW trans match the vin of car? It's on driver side right above pan gasket. Kind of hard to see.
Thank you I don't believe he has found that. I will ask him to check. Am I correct in believing that OW could be any Skylark or GS, not necessarily a Stage1?
OW is an Oldsmobile trans that was installed in some 71 Stage 1’s from the factory. (not with other engine combinations) I had/have 2 1971 Stage 1 cars, one was from Fremont and had the “OW” trans, and the other is from Flint (my GSX) and came with a “BB” trans. Both were numbers matching to their respective cars. Duane